Educate me- home shop layout

[Bill]

In what must be a dream, we’re getting to the final stages of building our retirement home in Montana. We divided the left end of a 30x40’ garage into a 13x30 workshop area, with a wall/ door dividing it from 2 bays for our pickups.

The bay closest to the house has hot and cold water in the garage, so I’ll have a place to wash-up.

I’m planning out the layout now, but have never had more than building a workbench on the side of a 2-car garage.

I have table-height 20A outlets on the walls, on 2 branch circuits and a 220V receptical by the side door. It’s there in case we want to put an RV receptical outside in the future.

I have a radial arm saw, table top drill press and will be getting a new table saw, grinder/buffer. My tools are in a 3-high Craftsman rolling tool box.

I’m planning to park my Honda side-by-side by the overhead door and use those walls for shovels, etc. The rear is all workshop.

There are 6 ceiling outlets for led lights above. 9’ ceiling (sheetrock) and we’re putting osb on the walls.

My thoughts are to build 2, 8’ by 2’ deep work benches with 1” osb tops. Less depth but also less place for clutter. I have some good 6” casters that were meant for big surgical equipment that I could put on 1 table so it would be moveable.

What else should I be thinking about now as I lay this out?






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[splitbeam145]

What about outside 120v outlets? I'd put one on each side of garage door at minimum

[Big Lee]

However many electric sockets you have figured in, double them! I will also agree as plugs on outside walls are nice to have. In my shop I put ceiling mounted plugs as well which allowed for me to hang drop lights and retractable extension cords. As far as layout looks like you have it well thought out. On the entrance doors it is nice to have a carport style covering as it will allow you to work outside if needed when weather permits.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Personally, I'd have that man-door on the left by the overhead door open to the outside rather than inside... Less likely to get in the way... plus you won't have to plan for the door swing eating floor space inside the shop... Put an awning over it on the outside with a small slap/porch (that you can keep clear of that white stuff y'all get up there from June on til the next may or so...

Also, where you will have your work benches/tools, use framed peg board instead of just Plain OSB... or put peg board over the OSB... Don't know if you plan on any welding or such, but I'd put more 30 or 50 amp 220 circuits in... I am NOT a woodworker!

[Philip-TX]

Put your lower horizontal purlin at 36" (work bench-height) and use it as part of the structure for bench. If you don't specify where you want it they put it where they want, could be 42", 44 3/4", 48," etc above floor.

4-plex outlets
x2 planning for 220v.

have a junction box installed at/above the bench area that you can tie task-lighting into over bench.

have a junction box installed at garage bay for a retractable extension chord hanger.

run water (hose bibb) to the shop.
x2 on exterior outlets

I had a solar eye light in the open carport bay and it is pretty handy.

[Bill]

In my shop I put ceiling mounted plugs as well which allowed for me to hang drop lights and retractable extension cords.

I have a duplex receptical in the ceiling for the garage door opener, I’m planning on plugging in a retractable 110v electrical cord I took out of our old garage. Thanks.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bill]

What about outside 120v outlets? I'd put one on each side of garage door at minimum

I have 1 outside the side door. The garage doors face north, which is our primary snow direction. We agreed no outside outlets on that side. Thanks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wsteffen]

If you are thinking about an RV outlet, it's best to run a 30 amp circuit, 120 or 240v. Mainly 30 amp.
An RV will either be a 30A 120v plug or a 50A 240v

I have my RV plugged into a 25A circuit and have never had a problem, but don't use it here, just plugged in while we ge ready to go.

[Big Lee]

I have a duplex receptical in the ceiling for the garage door opener, I’m planning on plugging in a retractable 110v electrical cord I took out of our old garage. Thanks.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I love my overhead light and cords. I forgot to add that a good soft serve ice cream machine goes a long ways in a shop. I would put one nearest the area you will most likely work at!

[Bill]

Personally, I'd have that man-door on the left by the overhead door open to the outside rather than inside... Less likely to get in the way... plus you won't have to plan for the door swing eating floor space inside the shop... Put an awning over it on the outside with a small slap/porch (that you can keep clear of that white stuff y'all get up there from June on til the next may or so...

Also, where you will have your work benches/tools, use framed peg board instead of just Plain OSB... or put peg board over the OSB... Don't know if you plan on any welding or such, but I'd put more 30 or 50 amp 220 circuits in... I am NOT a woodworker!

No awning planned on the side door, but a good idea for the future. I have the 220v for a future ‘real’ welder. My mig wire welder is 110v.

Yeah- it snows here in June. This was this morning out the rental kitchen window. But it’s nice already this afternoon.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DHB911]

I see need for power for garage door, exterior lights for man door and maybe an awning too.

[Blank]

Space for a refrigerator or freezer? DO NOT put either of these on a GFCI receptacle.

Consider installing, or at least locating where you will mount an air line distribution.

Outside receptacle should be GFCI, but I would also put one in that had switch for power also.

I have 3 workbenches in my shop, but on one of them I put a galvanized metal top for when I work on greasy/oily things. Once that soaks into a plywood or particle board top, its ruined.

French drain or floor drain area, when snow/ice melts of you gear?

Don't see a need for an awning, but I do like having a piece of gutter over my man door so it doesn't drip on my head.

[Ouch]

Forget the peg board (no offense, Charlie!) and go with a French cleat system. You can build all your own shelves boxes and save a boat load on "pegs."

[James]

Looks good OP. I’m kinda in same process right now of designing mine. Do you or anyone have any recommendations on trying to somewhat climate control the shop from Texas heat without an AC unit?

[Blank]

I put the 1/4" plastic tube roll-up blinds on my windows which face the sunny side of the shop. Made a 10 degree difference in temperature. The biggest one was 8 feet long, and was only $28 from Walmart.