AWGB Woodturning Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Philip Green on July 05, 2011, 05:18:57 PM
-
I have been planning this for over a year and now things are happening that will make my dream come true.
My early plans for the workshop was 7m x 3m. My intention was to do some woodwork during my retirement but then I got "bit be the bug" and had to find room for a lathe and tool sharpening system as well as everything else and is now to be 7m x 3.5m. I had thought of going up to 8m x 4 but changed my mind late in the day.
Very early thoughts were that it should be rendered block construction but that soon gave way to timber frame. Anyway, after much consideration, I decided to buy a log cabin with insulated floor & roof plus 70mm thick walls.
The attached files show my current workshop, situated in an old stone barn on the side of our cottage. Since these photographs were taken, I have acquired a load of wood and more tools so it is getting difficult to find room to stand and work.
-
The decision on where to site my workshop was pretty easy really. An old pigs house and outside toilet were in danger of falling down so with them gone, I had most of the area I needed available. The rest was robbed from the garden.
-
Hey.
I'm uploading my workshop pics now so you could get a feel for what a wooden workshop could become.
If you need some advice on soundproofing / winter insulation, etc let me know and I'd be happy to help with advice, etc.
good on you mate.
lew
-
Thanks Lew. Being in the country with no near neighbors, I shouldn't have a need for soundproofing and with 70mm thick wooden walls, hopefully I won't require wall insulation. I won't know until much later if I need either but if I do, I will bear your offer in mind.
The outside toilet was built of stone so I demolished the top half by hand so that I could re-use the stone on other projects. The stone here in Cornwall is either granite or as in this case, slate.
A digger made short work of the remainder and I ended up with a flat, if not level, worksite.
-
Adie's adventures in laying her base described on the Woodworkers Institute forum inspired me to get a professional in to do mine.
The back of the work site slopes away so we had to move the base further into the garden than had originally been intended. The last photo shows where we had got to when my wife and I went to stay with our middle son for a week.
-
This is what greeted us when we returned. As you saw in the previous photographs, the base is pretty solid and being on a hillside and having to support a log cabin, it needs to be.
The flattened ground did not appear to have much of a slope but the height of the left hand end above the ground indicates otherwise.
The insulation and roof shingles have arrived. The timber arrives tomorrow morning and construction can start.
I am in the process of placing orders for the electrics and dust extraction, both of which should be delivered in time for me to use.
Anyway, big day tomorrow.
-
so what's the size of the workshop going to be?
any thoughts on what you fancy putting in?
am intrigued. shame I can't see the photos but hey it makes the mind wander.
lew
-
My workshop will be 7m x 3.5m with two small internal rooms: one for a toilet and the other for the dust extraction system. The latter should keep the noise at a reasonable level and will have an external door for maintenance.
One wall will be lined with one long bench into which I plan to embed a mortiser, mitre saw and router with space for a pillar drill, sander, grinder and my Pro Edge tool sharpening system. The idea is that the worktop will be one continuous level in line with the working surfaces of the machinary except the bench pillar drill. Once I work out exactly how much space each machine will require, I will finalise the design and build it myself. There will be benches all the way along.
A double door takes up part of the other wall. The rest of it will house my DML305 lathe and a woodworking bench. One end will house a finishing table that will double as a computer desk and fly tying desk. The other end will house my bandsaw and a storage cupboard.
Above the two internal rooms and across the full width of the workshop will be wood storage.
The dust extraction system will be ducted througout the workshop plus I plan to install a dust filter somewhere near the lathe.
-
sounds like a bloomin good plan.
my workshop to be honest at the mo is pretty open plan. at present no benches but there is going to be a small bench / storage bit for power tools, etc and the computer when sorted out, on the left wall there's going to be a drying rack / timber store for bowl blanks, etc. The centre of the workshop will have the lathe bed extension and the intended bandsaw. Dust extraction is going to be sorted out at some point as this is a recent major rebuild.
the most important bit... the HIFI shelf. Above the lathe are small tool holding bits including a custom shelf for the HIFI remote for music on the fly lol.
The wall side lathe end is going to be a full tool wall, one side of the delivery door will be chucks and jaws, etc, the other side will be for the pro edge. (a purchase I need to sort out.)
The proEdge for me will be a better rig for easier sharpening, especially on a more tactile approach.
lew
-
Philip, You look to be coming on nicely with the build, hope you've gone big enough... then it's 21' x 10.5' in £-s-d be it not.. should of taken up more of the garden.. less grass to mow.. ;D ... shorter walk to the house.. an less costly in getting the power out to it, the main of the cost to wire my shop will be the 10m Armoured cable.
Like the sound of the layout, ideal the toilet, if like me no sooner than I get out there.. than I have to trip back or I'm covered with shavings and have to go through all the house..
It is a good idea a room for the extraction system, I've found in my compact space, that the yorkclean I have can get shaving from turning it, which will, as with the bandsaw or belt sander blow dust round which is not picked up from them, so to duct it away somewhere else is ideal, where it can be done, the microclean is good, but at times for shop layout can fail to catch everything or then I need to plug it in as well.. which means I've to have something else to go off.. not enough points.. you'll need to plan for loads of sockets and lights.. I've a 4 gang and 2 gang cables and need to change out all the time..
what windows or sky lights are you having.. need to make the most of the North Kernow light, when you get it... one good thing with your mild St Egloskrug climate you may not need to add any more insulation, it's more a case of damp.
Finally when you come to having that BIGGER Lathe have you enough room.. ;D ... Shall watch as you get on with the shop going up.
David
-
I have a great labour saving way of cutting the grass ... I let the wife do it.
Running power and water to my workshop was pretty expensive. I had to run the power from the back of our cottage, around my father in-law's cottage and along a trench in the field. The water reaches our cottages via through the field near the power trench so we tapped off of that as well and ran the water pipe in the trench as well. We did that the same time as we dug the trenches for the base which meant that we could have a stand pipe for watering the garden and the building work as well as having power available.
One thing I didn't mention before is that I am ordering one of those flexible Bendi-hoses from Axminster so that I can get the nozzle in the best position for catching the dust from turning. If it works, I may buy more to use in other areas where the machine built-in dust ports are insuficient. One thing about Axminster, they sell 4" and 2.5" extraction parts but the bendi-hose is 3" and they do not sell an adaptor so I will have to work out how to fit it.
Along the wall facing the cottage I will have half glass double doors and a fair size window with a further two windows in the back wall looking down the valley. At high(ish) level, I plan to have four twin four foot florrys with small singles directly above the lathe and a couple of other areas where I feel I will need extra light.
Although I have a stand for my lathe, I have designed a bench for it with allowance for an extension. If I ever replace this lathe, there should still be plenty of room for a larger one. I will have to think of something else if I decide to get a second lathe. I think there will be a fair bit of space between the bench on the back wall so it may be possible to move things around and use some of that space. I won't really know until I see it in the flesh.
-
Hi Philip, You look to have it all planed out well, it's just for it to come together, it's not till everything goes in that you realise what space is taken up, but when the non-turning things have there own storage, there something less, in the way.. if only I could find a home for the bikes.
Did you plan for floodlighting or LV lighting of the garden when the cable went in, find your way home in the dark.. and watch the wife mowing..
Enjoy the build. David
-
End of day one.
A staggering amount of timber turned up first thing this morning and the builders turned up at the same time. The photos are the first pallet being unloaded, most of the pallets on the ground with another big one out of shot and progress.
Heavy showers did not interrupt these boys.
I have ordered the external preservative and the Axminster stuff.
-
Philip, If that's a double door opening.. hem's a BIG shop.. Log cabin, toilet... no shower !!! could of make a Holiday let... ??? ..
If the pace keeps up... grand openning the weekend. :D ...
David
-
May I give you a suggestion here regarding floor comfort. After all you're going to be working in there for a long period of time per day.
As I've done in my workshop (see pics on my thread (the new workshop)
I have installed cloud 9 heavy duty underlay and on top of this, heavy duty commercial carpet (felt backed). This offers great under foot comfort and also warmth during the winter. With these winters getting more severe, it's worth considering the insulation properties of your workshop environment. Using insulation blocks and then cladding the walls with 6x1T&G as 2nd fix and then setting up your electricity supply, etc. It's also worth doing this with your ceiling. Ventilation is also an essential for conditioning and air filtration where chemical finishes or fine dusts may be present.
lew
-
End of day two.
The crew were on half day and they had a few problems with bits missing so we are not as far on as we had hoped today but they are bring an extra body on site tomorrow to get back on track.
Ordered the electrical bits, bought the floor varnish and the extraction equipment arrived from Axminster.
The first picture was taken first thing this morning from my bedroom window as was the second picture taken this evening.
They expect to finish building tomorrow so I will be able to treat the wood over the weekend.
-
Philip, the build is looking good and the extra bod, today should make up the time.. it sounds like, well is, a giant jigsaw in putting it together, hope the missing parts are there in it all. As it takes shape, I wonder if the doors could have been to the right, you'd not have to back fill and make up or have steps into the shop, I know, the last thing I need to do is step up some distance that it is into my shop, more so with carrying stuff in or out, but your plans will come together.
You've mentioned floor varnish, is this the timber treatment, as for the floor you'd best have a non-slip coating, if not carpeted, as shaving or any dust will make it slippery..
Hope it stays dry for you, given the wonderful Kernow climate at times.
David
-
End of day three.
Three men on site today but a problems putting the finishing touches to the roof structure delayed things a bit so they did not get as far as they expected. Anyway, at least it is watertight and if the wood preservative that I ordered arrives tomorrow, we will be able to coat the outside over the weekend.
The electrical bits arrived but the trims between roof, walls and beams have yet to be fitted so I am unable to start the wiring.
The missing parts were a nuisance but they managed to manufacture replacements out of spare logs.
The door was intentionally at the left end as it is in line with the garden gate plus if it was at the other end, I would almost be stepping out onto the ceptic tank top which is uneven and could be slippery.
Still plenty I can do over the weekend.
-
Philip, Has things come to a halt... ??? ... How is the build going.. Trust all is well.... Can we move in on the weekend... ;) ...
David
-
The contractor ended the week about a day behind schedule. Over the weekend, we managed to coat a bit over half the outside with the first coat of wood preservative.
Yesterday, the floor was laid and the internal trim was fitted. The rest of the roof shingles and trim should be fitted today.
I should be able to work on the floor tomorrow. I would start this evening but it's club night.
-
Cheers Philip, good to see it's coming a long to a steady pace. Enjoy your Club nite, who are you with.
On wards and up wards... well for the last of the shingles... ;D ... Tke care.
David
-
I'm with two clubs. Tonight, it is Treknow Woodturners. Last night I went for a practical session with Cornwall Association of Woodturners. I started my competition piece for tonight and left it on their lathe. I missed their last club night at the end of June as I was visiting my son in Portsmouth but my entry into the competition was submitted for me. The competition was for miniature turning; that is something that will fit into a 35mm film can. My entry was a box within a box within a box and it got me my first win in the beginner's class.
The roof is almost completed.
-
Good to here the roof is finished, all's water tight. I was with C.A.W. up until 2006.. so you've been under the watchful eye of Mike Hoskins, is he still running it all !!!! how can one leave a piece behind.. then with the build you've a lot on your mind and you don't want to be locked in Wheal Jane for the night, that's a long run for you isn't it.. you should be off to Trenow Club at Bodmin before now, so hear from you again.
C.A.W's site is not up todate, so can't is your June TOTY winning piece... ??? ...
Cheers for now. David
-
Mike is still our turning guru but I am receiving regular tuition from two of our instructors. The CAW web site is definitely out of date and the email link does not seem to work.
Surprisingly enough, it only takes thirty five minutes to reach Wheel Jane, fifteen minutes longer than it takes to get to Bodmin. Besides, the stress level of driving 25 miles in Cornwall is only about half of my old 7 mile drive to work in West London.
Anyway, back to business. The first photo is of the front of the completed workshop and the next two are the first glimpse of the inside.
The final photo is my competition entry.
-
Today I managed to apply three coats on the floor and coated most of the front of the workshop with preservative. I felt like I should be a contortionist to get up under the eaves. I also bought the fittings for the toilet. The plumber and electrician are booked for Monday.
Jobs for tomorrow: finish the floor, start the wiring and do more of the outside. For the electrics, I am using trunking and individual wires which is a technique I have not used since I was an apprentice but it will be a lot tidier, easier and cheaper than the alternative twin and earth system.
The inside photo is a pretty good representation of the colour of the floor.
-
Hi Philip, It has been very interesting following the construction of your new workshop it looks great good enough to live in, perhaps that's your plan I look forward to seeing the photos when it is fully equipped and finished.Regards John
-
Hi Philip, John has the same idea as to it's a holiday let.. ;D ... it's looking good, as is the floor.. I'd like to have my cable run done the same, it would be a space saver with trunking and as you've said cheaper... when !!! we get round to it, see if can find a electrician that will do it..
That's not a bad time to Wheal Jane. given it's the back of beyond.. what do you go North Altantic Highway, A30, then through Truro and into no mans land.. those lanes.. an as for dark winter nites.. ??? ... I once turned right at the entrance to go back to Penzance.. thinking it more direct to St Day/ Chasewater.. was it ***** ... not a sign.. any thing, don't know where I went or where I came out.. somewhere way the back of Redruth... a right emmit... :-[ ... talking of emmits, they'd add to the journey time more into the summer .... >:( ... then Kernow such a gentle pace, slow, layed back, can almost is it stop.. it's good to see your getting the contractors in.. I found it would be Directly.. an if given wednesday.. be sure as to find out which month.. ;D ... then that was penwith .. the twilight zone .. I lived it and miss it ... :'( ...
That's a nice set of boxes, would have got my vote too ... had the same contest maybe 2005, December .. of all the ideas, I came up with a christmas tree, about 1/2" high, should have had presents and lights plus a star, may of won then .. it's here somewhere .. think Mike won with a table, wine bottle and 4 glasses ..
Well hoping you still have fine weather and see the next stage done soon. David
-
now thats what i call a work shop it looking great cant wait to see it with all the tools in it
-
The plumber's done his bit so I have a working toilet and water supply. I have a stand pipe on the end of the workshop for watering the garden so that's a bonus.
The wiring took much longer to do than I anticipated but I have finally completed it. It was hard work putting up the trunking but it was worth it as it is much neater than using twin & earth would have been. It still has to be connected to the mains supply and be tested but that's for another day.
Despite the wet and mud covering my nice new varnished floor, it has not proved to be at all slippery.
Work for the next week or so:-
- Weather permitting, tomorrow I will move a desk that is currently taking up space in our dining room into it's new home.
- The next big job is to put in the dust extraction system.
- If we have a few consecutive dry days, I will complete the outside.
- Once I have power, I will move my machinary in although much of it will live on the floor for now.
-
Philip, Glad to hear your flushed with success so far with the build.. ;D ... is that hot water too.
For the 3rd week in July the weather is xxxxxx ... lets hope it will get better, when I hear of Global Warming ... they need hanging .. :D ..
Oh ... it's the Jet streams .. taken them along time to come up with that load of xxxx ....
Wishing us all better weather and the best with the build ... keep :) ..
David
-
Hot water is a must with a toilet so I would have it even if it were not demanded by building regs. I have installed an over sink instant hot water heater and there is no cold tap so in use, the knob is turned to the water temperature required.
Although it is rated at 3kW, it is only on for a few seconds at a time and will only consume that sort of power if used on full heat. This makes it very ecconomical to use, probably less than 1kW hour per month.
-
Cheers Philip, All mods/cons these days.. beats the times of having to break ice on the water butt.. ;D ...
Did you use metal ducting an boxes for the cable runs and how many points/lights have you been able to have .. has it been costly .. not that I need to be frightened, as I've still to wire mine ... boss permitting .. ??? ...
3 fine days you'll be up an running by the weekend, take care with the heavy lifting ... need to see you turning an that's not in bed.
David
-
I'm officially jealous lol. water, own loo, heating, etc. sounds amazing.
a lottery win would be nice. then I could build my dream workshop.
lew
-
not necessarily, this was my big news after getting the 'News about your ticket!' email this morning:-
19/07/11
Congratulations! You're a winner
£2.70
EuroMillions ticket number 1335797675
This prize has already been paid to your National Lottery Account.
whooptedoo
-
you poor thing lol. better luck next time.
lew
-
How's the Shop looking ... ??? ... Have you run out of Steam ... :) ....
-
Been busy doing the wiring and extraction system piping. My electrician has been ill so has been unable to connect the workshop to the mains. He says he will be here tomorrow. I hope so as I have a competition on Friday and have yet to produce an entry.
Moved a load of my machinary & benches in today and put in the mezanine floor over the toilet to create about a cubic metre of wood storage.
The pic is the first machine in place and shows the wiring & extraction system port.
-
Philip, Best piece of kit to have in any shop ... Plenty of ducting for extractor ... have you a air return from the extractor, will re-filter air from the room come back into the Shop or will it be lost, can't go drawing out warm air in the winter .. how have you setup the Vac. to come on, will you have to go and turn it on each time or is it set automatically to start or on constantly ..
Wiring looks neat, when ... ??? ... I get mine done I was thinking as to have a pair of double outlets for each lathe/machine, lathe, light, mains drill and my Vac. is has no place to go so plugs in too .. as I find now with the extension 4 will not do at times, so hope you'll not have to enlarge on your's.
We'll be hoping for the electrician being with you today ... can't miss another competition, happy turning.
David
-
Up and running just in time to do my competition piece. No pic yet though.
I did think of putting pairs of doubles but decided against it except in the two alcoves so I have some spares so should I change my mind I can easily add more immediately to the side of existing doubles. One of the beauties of using trunking for the wiring is it's flexibility so adding more points elsewhere is so easy. I plan to put a single on the ceiling when I get around to fitting the dust extractor up there. Until then it will live under the bench next to the lathe.
I have added a switch on the wall to control the dust extractor but eventually, it will be controlled by microswitches on the gates via a relay. It is noisier than I expected so I will make use of the left over insulation panels which are supposed to be good for sound as well as heat insulation.
Now that we have some decent weather and my sister & brother in law are staying with us, I will have to get on and complete coating the outside, giving them paint brushes of course.
-
:D ... cheers on the update ... so like it when a plan comes together, which your's has done, it will be be easy to extend the ring main with more points.
Best of luck with the competition piece tomorrow, it will be C.A.W. better not let on as to what your doing as a Spindle piece.
Do remember the extra paint brushes, hate for them to have nothing to do ........
David
-
Philip, Had it not gone down well, the paint bush idea with your sister/brother in law, are you well and OK ... no move on the build front ... ??? ..
Cheers David