Replies

1. 
   stonefever | Jun 25, 2003 07:46am | #1

   You too?

   I'm nearing the completion of my shop and these type of questions I attempted to answer throughout the process.

   Dust control?  Install a properly sized dust collector and duct it outside as well as from the machine(s) being used.  (This creates a negative pressure relative to the living space within the shop, preventing dust from going into the house.)  Build an insulated cabinet around said collector.  Provide for make-up air from another side of the house into this shop.  Use the heavy duty clamp together ductwork since that has gaskets at each joint.

   Noise?  Install 10" fiberglass batts into each joist space.  I used the ones with the plastic enclosure and stapled every couple of inches so as to create a dust barrier to the upstairs.  Use suspended ceiling tiles rated especially for noise transmission.

   Smells?  I used to work in a medical lab.  They had real nice hoods there.  I'm planning the last details on the one I'm putting in down there.  Many of the shop smells come from something one would normally keep in a sink.  So my hooded area will be over a sink.  And that sink needs to be big, not necessarily deep - kinda if I wanted to spray something and be able to wash it down after.  My internet searches point me towards a darkroom sink.  5' wide by 30" and only 6" deep.  Mount an explosion proof laminated air ventilation system (also vented outside) over it and you're ready to spread contact cement or poly.

   But don't forget the other items. 

   Air.  Pipe in an air line from the outside compressor in the garage.

   Sink.  As mentioned, you gotta have that.

   High tension.  Plenty of outlets - something like three circuits, alternating boxes every 4'.  And plan your bench location so's those boxes can be mounted higher.  Include 30A wire to where your main machines will be located.

   Include phone and cable.  I believe somewhere down the road, I may be following along on a web page for the directions to fix or make something in the shop.  Plan for the computer.

   Lifting ability.  Is the shop going to be around an overhead beam?  Plan on utilizing that with a rolling chainfall.

   Lights.  Include fluorescent, incandescents, as well as halogens.  You may need a combination to properly pick up colors in a project or maybe just one for other reasons.

   Storage.  Keep the stuff off the floor.  Plan on a space for everything and make the place easy to clean.

   Right now, I'm at the point of specifying the hood mentioned.  Getting just the right one without unnecessary items is not easy. 

   I've got the 2HP Oneida internal cartridge collector and am arranging to have a 7" hole cored thru the foundation wall.

   I'm frustrated with what I see available for outside grill covers for a make-up air vent.  Mine will need to be near the front door on a brick wall.  I need something designer to keep the wife happy about it even being there.

   Tell us more about what you've got planned.