AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => Tool tips & reviews => Topic started by: David Holden on April 12, 2020, 05:11:08 PM

Title: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 12, 2020, 05:11:08 PM
Hi folks, I hope you're all safe and well. I just wanted to show you all my new work space. My 10ft x 8ft shed was getting a bit cramped and it wasn't very safe running an extension cable from my house to the back of the garden every time I wanted to do some work. So I bought and put together a log cabin! I had the electrics installed professionally including overhead led lighting. I put the shelving together myself which was fairly inexpensive and yesterday I finally got the chance to tidy things up in there and organise my growing tool collection. This is all beginner equipment I know, but I am a beginner. There is room for some more machinery out of shot, I really need a band saw! I will eventually, as time goes on, upgrade my lathe and install a decent dust extraction system.

Thanks to Lazurus for suggesting spring clips (back in November last year) for storing my chisels on! Great idea!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 12, 2020, 05:41:47 PM
Nice workshop David, I am 100% certain that like every workshop anywhere is is precisely one third the size it needs to be, you just have the illusion of space as you haven't put all the tools you want into it yet  ;)

Mine was refurbished this year with full extraction and new furniture I think it was almost as tidy as your for about 1 day!

Great job done, enjoy it.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 12, 2020, 06:03:25 PM
Nice workshop David, I am 100% certain that like every workshop anywhere is is precisely one third the size it needs to be, you just have the illusion of space as you haven't put all the tools you want into it yet  ;)

Mine was refurbished this year with full extraction and new furniture I think it was almost as tidy as your for about 1 day!

Great job done, enjoy it.

I'm sure you're right mate! Did you post photos of your refurb? If you did, please post a link here. I am enjoying the tidiness a lot at the moment, I have a big smile on my face every time I go in!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 12, 2020, 06:43:09 PM
No I wrote it up over several parts for the local club newsletter, feel that they need some non internet available content just to stop the editors getting too depressed!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 12, 2020, 06:47:45 PM
No I wrote it up over several parts for the local club newsletter, feel that they need some non internet available content just to stop the editors getting too depressed!

Aaah, you're a good lad for doing that! Hope you're staying safe and well.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Lazurus on April 13, 2020, 08:12:24 AM
Does it smell as good as it looks? A great work space, and yes the spring clips are a great accesory to any workshop.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Percy on April 13, 2020, 10:05:42 AM
Looks excellent. I built one of these cabins when we moved house a few years back - it was the one stipulation I made to my wife that a new shed would be the clincher in any house move. When it was finished it looked huge - and then the tools moved in and it got a bit smaller. Then a bigger lather arrived and now it seems pretty small. It certainly isn't as clean as yours any more, David!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Derek on April 13, 2020, 10:24:22 AM
Nice workshop David, I am 100% certain that like every workshop anywhere is precisely one third the size it needs to be, you just have the illusion of space as you haven't put all the tools you want into it yet  ;)


I totally disagree with that as mine is 1/10th of the size it needs to be ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 13, 2020, 05:57:19 PM
Does it smell as good as it looks? A great work space, and yes the spring clips are a great accesory to any workshop.

Thanks Lazurus! Yes, it smells wonderful! There's still a bit of sticky sap in the wood which smells great too.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 13, 2020, 06:01:26 PM
Looks excellent. I built one of these cabins when we moved house a few years back - it was the one stipulation I made to my wife that a new shed would be the clincher in any house move. When it was finished it looked huge - and then the tools moved in and it got a bit smaller. Then a bigger lather arrived and now it seems pretty small. It certainly isn't as clean as yours any more, David!

Thanks Percy! I'll try and keep it as tidy as possible, but you know, best intentions n all that! I'm glad you got yours setup after your move. It's always best to clear things with the wife before any big purchases I've found.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 13, 2020, 07:16:27 PM
Looks excellent. I built one of these cabins when we moved house a few years back - it was the one stipulation I made to my wife that a new shed would be the clincher in any house move. When it was finished it looked huge - and then the tools moved in and it got a bit smaller. Then a bigger lather arrived and now it seems pretty small. It certainly isn't as clean as yours any more, David!

Thanks Percy! I'll try and keep it as tidy as possible, but you know, best intentions n all that! I'm glad you got yours setup after your move. It's always best to clear things with the wife before any big purchases I've found.

Or in the case of tools dust them up quickly, hide the packaging and claim you have had it ages....
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: bodrighywood on April 13, 2020, 07:38:45 PM
Listening to you lot makes me realise how fortunate I am that I collaborate with the wife in our work so don't have all this hassle LOL.

Pete
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 13, 2020, 07:48:46 PM
Listening to you lot makes me realise how fortunate I am that I collaborate with the wife in our work so don't have all this hassle LOL.

Pete

So you can say Hey Mo, I bought you a new paint brush, and a spare chuck for me  ;D
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: bodrighywood on April 13, 2020, 08:13:44 PM
Actually yes LOL. We genuinely don't have any problems there. Same as I never query her buying another pair of shoes, apart from where are we going to keep them LOL.

Pete
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 13, 2020, 08:51:16 PM
Same here, except with Lisa it is boots and jackets.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Bill21 on April 15, 2020, 10:53:24 AM
I bought a 5m x 3M log cabin with 44mm “logs” some years back and it’s been great. I paid extra to have pre-treated timbers so it was a bit dark inside. I bought some very pale grey - almost white shed paint and gave the inside two coats and it’s fine now. It has an insulated floor and roof but it still gets a bit too warm for me on a hot summers day. Winter is fine though, it only takes a little while for a fan heater to make it comfortable. Enjoy your new space.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Twisted Trees on April 15, 2020, 11:17:21 AM
I built mine at 6m x 3m with attic space, timber frame cement board external wall skin, 19mm ply inside fully insulated, log effect cladding just to look nice. Looked massive when I poured the concrete floor, looked OK when I put the walls up, looked tiny once I had the machines in there  >:(

Next time it will be 6m x 12m and still one third of what I need  ???

Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 15, 2020, 11:48:00 AM
I bought a 5m x 3M log cabin with 44mm “logs” some years back and it’s been great. I paid extra to have pre-treated timbers so it was a bit dark inside. I bought some very pale grey - almost white shed paint and gave the inside two coats and it’s fine now. It has an insulated floor and roof but it still gets a bit too warm for me on a hot summers day. Winter is fine though, it only takes a little while for a fan heater to make it comfortable. Enjoy your new space.

Sounds great Bill!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 15, 2020, 11:49:06 AM
I built mine at 6m x 3m with attic space, timber frame cement board external wall skin, 19mm ply inside fully insulated, log effect cladding just to look nice. Looked massive when I poured the concrete floor, looked OK when I put the walls up, looked tiny once I had the machines in there  >:(

Next time it will be 6m x 12m and still one third of what I need  ???

Looks great Pete!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 15, 2020, 11:56:32 AM
Mine is 44mm as well, 19mm floor which I may replace at some point, I was tempted to use scaff boards as I have used these for my fencing and they look great as well as being solid. The roof is only 11mm but I am adding box steel sheets when my local builders yard reopens!
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Bill21 on April 15, 2020, 09:17:17 PM
Mine came with 19mm boards for the floor as well but I topped them with 8’ x 4’ sheets of 9mm ply. It then had a couple of coats of floor paint. It all makes for a floor that’s very easy to keep clean.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: burywoodturners on April 17, 2020, 05:36:03 PM
Just a thought, how good is the insulation  with this type of shed, will in need more. Looks great for hanging cupboards though.
Ron
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: Bill21 on April 17, 2020, 08:52:19 PM
Just a thought, how good is the insulation  with this type of shed, will in need more. Looks great for hanging cupboards though.
Ron

I suppose it depends on the thickness of the “Logs”. They are available in a range of thicknesses. Mine are 44mm thick and it’s easy to keep warm in winter with a heater. Even though the roof has 50mm insulation it still gets a bit too warm on a hot summers day. I don’t like to leave the door open because of the noise from machines etc.
Title: Re: Log cabin workshop
Post by: David Holden on April 18, 2020, 10:22:43 PM
Just a thought, how good is the insulation  with this type of shed, will in need more. Looks great for hanging cupboards though.
Ron

Similar thoughts to Bill. I went with 44mm logs and have used my little heater once on a really cold morning. It doesn't need any added insulation. I have noticed it has been very warm in there over the last few days with the lovely weather we've been having.

You're right, it is really good for hanging cupboards, shelves, tools etc.

I bought a pack of 10 wooden dowels 300x10mm and used these to hang tools, so simple with the thick wood walls.