One man company. Handyman, remodeling.
My existing shop space is 14×20. DIY quality table saw, Delta 6″ jointer,Delta floor drill press, van full of power tools.
Like to spray finish my doors, trim etc.
About 2-3 times a year I get a job doing a store display, odd size cabinet, room divider etc. They are always good jobs which turn out well, but I can’t do them efficiently in the small shop space. I have turned down jobs because they were too large.
Where I live, I don’t see alot of elaborate, high end cabinetry or finish work.
I would like to have a bigger shop with better tools, but have misgivings about adding too much overhead.
The questions are:
What kind of shop do you recommend?
What could it add to my business? What kind of opportunities exist?
Tell me about your shop and what it does for you.
Replies
We do the same thing in terms of work but we have 3 guys.
We do a lot of bath remodels, a few kitchens and a lot of handyman stuff.
We spray our doors too......in front of the shop. Makes the people driving by nervous but also keeps traffic down lol.
Our shop is a 25'X 30' two story block building with an office, (new just this month). We use it primarily for staging as we do mainly installing of medium grade products but try to buy our material in advance so we can walk right on the job and get to work.
We do have a decent level of tools but no cabinetry type stuff and frankly don't need it to make money. My ultimate goal. DanT
Where do you get your cabinets? Locally or knocked down?
Either the local yard, home center (Lowes) or occasionally we use a friend who builds some cabinets part time. But I live in a small area and rarely get requests for much more than better grade Kraftmaid stuff.
It really wouldn't matter if I had a lot of wood working tools. Unlike many here I am not a craftsman. Just an installer/remodeler/maintenance man. Good to know what you are good at and what you are not. And fine cabinetry is not something I would ever be good at. But I sure admire those that are. DanT
Your shop space sounds a little on the small side depending on what you store in it. If you have the full 14x20 as shop space, that sounds about like what I have (basement more than a shop, really, but it's my shop -- about 19'x30' but filled with tools, materials and God knows what). I find it to be very tight and makes the work very inefficient and cumbersome if I'm making something in the shop. (by coincidence, spent most of the day today starting to clean out a back room so I can move infrequently used tools back there and out of the way).
For your tool collection, don't know how you can survive without CMS. I have a Ridgid 12" SCMS which is probably the most frequently used cutting tool. After that, probly table saw. Maybe you already have one in the van. Nevermind.
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
and God knows what
Yep, i've seen Kieth's basement. That back room is worse than a couple of my barns.
Per the original topic, cannot comment too much from the business angle as everything I do plumbing and carpentry wise is volunteer or for relatives; however,
20 by 24 shop with adjoining 16x20 ft area that has table saw, bandsaw, drill press, welders, and even a forge with 400 # anvil, plus overhead hoist for auto work and heavy items.
32 by 35 ft basement area with metal lathe, another bandsaw,tablesaw, and drill press plus 2 jigsaws and 2 joiners and an 800# 15" planer, also pipe thread machine and another anvil down there.
Another approx 1500 sq ft of sheds just to store building materials, plus 6 garages for vehicles.
If I were in the homebuilding or remodeling business, probably would have 4 times that area, never can have too much, as it is convienient for me to leave one project in place and start on another in a different shop.
Probably will build 3 more 200 sq ft garages this summer (max without permit) as may get annexed to a city next fall that limits size to 120 sq ft.
>>Yep, i've seen Kieth's basement. That back room is worse than a couple of my barns.
Sad, sad day today. The kindly old Tek 575 is headed to the dumpster along with the 11003, 7104, 7613, 7603, a 5000 series (don't even remember the exact model anymore), 465, bunch of microwave signal generators, HP digital scope, Anritsu optical spectrum analyzer, laser source, HP system DMMs, HP optical multimeters, several optical pucks, . . . probably more in that pile.
I took everything I haven't used in over two years and put it in a pile outside. I already sold off everything that would bring more than the trouble of boxing and shipping it was worth.
I kept a Tek 7904, 7854, all the plugins, a 318, 308 and a 475 w/ DMM along with an HP DMM and a precision voltage source, for nostalgia's sake.
The tears are flowing . . . . ;-)
I figure I've got another few days of clearing stuff out before I can al least turn around down there to actually get some work done. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
If that HP digital scope still works, I'll probably be going to the company in Plainsboro again in a few months - they only have a new $15K Tek scope that they are loath to let 'visitors' use on 10 kV circuits. Could probably get you a few bucks for it from them just so they could satisfy my needs.
I'll drop you an e-mail when I find out when I'm going there again.
>>"If that HP digital scope still works
It does. One range on one channel is toast, but other than that, it's good to at least 1 gig.
I'll put it aside for you. Gratis, of course.
For 10kv, you'll need quite a divider but I'm sure you have plenty of those. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
I'm the kind of guy who makes lunch and ends up with all the pans and half of whats in the fridge all out on the counter. My shop wouldn't be so bad except I have paint, dw comp buckets and parts of semi-finished jobs for myself lying around.Right now I am milking my Delta 10" MS along. On the top of my wish list is 12" SCMS. It is a real pain because I either set the MS up outside or end up shuffling it around.
Delta unisaw, radial arm, CMI, 2 big shapers, panel saw, edge sander, jointer, couple drill presses, 4 dust collectors, etc. plus a trailor full of every tool a contractor ever wanted. Then a shipping containor for stuff like my pipe staging, 2 bakers, gang boxes, a cabinet lift, wet saw, a drywall lift and miles of left over mouldings. Of course my garage is packed with every size ladder a sane person would climb, my brake, cutting table, a metal lathe, milling machine, machinest tools, roll away boxes, jack hammer just to name a few.
you guessed it, I'm busting at the seams. I close on a home equity loan on thursday and breaking ground not soon enough on a 30 x 48 barn/shop with loft storage
I get a lot of custom millwork/case work. For years I did primarily renovations with shop support but lately the cabinet work has been rolling in. I like working at home most of the time then going out for installations. with fuel prices the way they are I feel good when I dont have to turn the key to make a living
Maverick, your tool/work situation sounds pretty similar to mine. I'd like to hear more details about the shop you're gonna build. I've been doing a lot more cabinet/shop work lately too. I'm presently debateing between renovating the barn that my shop is in now vs. biting the bullet and building a whole new shop.
Mike
>>I'd like to hear more details about the shop you're gonna build.30 x 48, will look like an old new england style barn from the outside. nicely landscaped, DW says it HAS to be pretty.
I'll be in the market for a 2nd table saw, something pretty radical w/ sliding tables and another bigger shaper.
I'm planning a back room spray booth and a smaller dust collector closet to keep the noise down and oh yeah, one big dust collector to serve the whole shop
It'll have a 12 x 12 garage door so I can get my trailor or my truck inside, probably not both at the same time
Do you have any plans you could post or e-mail?
I'm looking to do something similar within the year.
Lets see if this picture comes through. the picture is an autocad file of a 30 x 40 barn. the more I think about it the more I'm inclined to build 30 x 48
Edited 4/26/2006 11:47 am ET by maverick
30 x 40 heritage Carriage factory. Front room (30x12) is the hand tool shop with the workbench, back room is the shop, glue up and wood storage.
Full woodshop minus shaper, I use a big router and a great table instead, so far so good. I have often used shapers, and love them, but it is more than I need.
I love my chisel mortiser. I do alot of heritage millwork requiring MT joinery, and the mortiser is a huge time saver.
A jointer and a thicknes planer is a must for custom millwork.
Also the bigger your table saw tables (side & outfeed) the easier and safer your work.
Lastly, inside wood storage and the ceiling height to swing big pieces (min. 12') is a God send when milling and glueing up.
Oh, and of course a rock solid bench that will not budge no matter how hard you try to rack it.....and a ransom worth of clamps...my first born for more clamps!
It is a big captal outlay, but I have bought my tools as I've needed them. At the beginning alot of jobs only paid for the tools I bought to do them, but then I made money after that. It is not a get rich quick scheme, it's a way of life.
I also do alot of building and light construction so I have all of those goodies too...but for specialty tools I'll rent them, but this can be troublesome, it is only good for tools you feel certain you are not going to use often enough to justify the capital outlay (for me, a hardwood flooring nailer).
Be patient, enjoy the lifestyle, and good-luck, Glen from Canada
Craig,
Also a one man show. New higher end custom homes & renovation. Quite a bit of custom trim & cabinets. I'll do a whole kitchen at times. This winter, some furniture.
I'm building a new shop now. Old was about 14'x32'. In lower level of my home. The new one is 28'x40'. It's basically a cape type building. Story and a half, full upper floor for extra storage. Main level has 11' tall walls.
Two table saws, radial arm, planer, moulder, shaper, dust collector, router table, jointer,etc. Most smaller tools reside in my trailer.
Should have built bigger, but it seems that we fill whatever space is available. (Tool junkie) Been watching warehouse type commercial realestate lately. Might just buy something really big, and be done.
I often buy full units of lumber stock for projects, and that eats up space fast.
Go as big as you can. There's nothing worse than moving the same stuff around, day after day, just so you can work.
Brudoggie
Does your shop have any internal supports or is it all open. How high is the ceiling? What kind of roof trusses, heating etc. I have alot of questions for those building workshops. I'm particularly curious about construction costs and any other info you may share I will be constructing a shop 24' x 48' with a full basement. Maybe others viewing this forum could give some estimates of costs. Getting the money, there's the rub.
Edited 5/4/2006 6:11 am ET by Jerome
Jerome, The ceiling is about 11'. Upper floor is framed with I-joists. There is a beam running the 40' length, with one post in the center. Would have rather not had the post, but it will not be in the way much. Roof above is a stick framed 10/12 pitch gable, with 2 dormers facing my house. Upper floor is designed for 65 psf loading. A little better than an average house. I'm not intending to put alot up there, but you never can tell. Heating, while neccesary, is undecided. Leaning towards infloor, in the slab. Haven't poured it yet. Probably will go that route. Just trying to justify the cost. Overall cost? I don't want to know. This is going to be my baby, so we're doing it right. So far I've got about 20k in it, just in materials. I wanted to do the full basement under, with span crete at grade. Could have worked great, as I'm on a hill. Double garage. For me that route was cost prohibitive. Feel free to ask any questions. I'll post more details, and some pics later. Have a good one!!
Brudoggie
"This is going to be my baby, so we're doing it right."
So you can put insulation and PEX in the slab with a manifold for what? $1000? Add another thousand or two for controls and heat source...keep the whole thing...including ALL surfaces....at 50°. Or 60°. or 70°. Open a big door in the middle of winter, ambient air temp drops 10 - 20 ° for A FEW MINUTES...then its back where you want it.
No comparison.
I have about the same profile as you. One man band, little high-end. Some furniture too. 24X32' shop with 10' walls, and a loft to store dimensional material.
TS, BS, jointer, planer, DP, DC, miter-saw, router table/cab combo, HVLP, compressor, 12" disc sander. On the front I have a covered area with a concrete slab 15X24 that I roll tools out (on their bases) to work when it gets too hot in the shop. Do my own spraying. Have several slab luan doors that I put on saw horses to use as assembly tables for FF's.
If I'm doing a large run of cabs, I use a store room I have for that purpose down the road. Store sheet goods there too.
Man, I got it easy ( not).
16'x14' is nasty room..planer/jointer combo on wheels, ridgid 10" TS on wheels, ridgid 14'' BS ( uh huh, wheels) Bosch 12'' on ( ok) Ridgid base with..wheels. Delta 10'' cms on a Tradesman 99.00$ TS on it's stand ( no wheels), Ridgid table sander on a non wheeled old propane heater DOA. A really cool 1919 Wing And Sons upright piano/shelf for crap to live on...and a 4'x6' table for the EZSMART table. Oh, router table on ( you guessed it, wheels)
Across the dog (woodstove in between) trot I have the drill press, and my high bench and low bench and all the planes and sanders and hand tools and fiddly stuff.
Room one is attac hed by a door to the kitchen
Room duex, the living room..LOL
Oh, room deux is the same size.
Ask Marty, it aint changed aswhole a lot.
The addition will add 14x14 for me and woodom and 14x14 for the DW's tapestry loom ( --Ing Death, to me as I know it$$$$$)
And a sweet portico /trans -ition space that is air locked sorta, cuz muddy dog is ok in the wood milling or tapestry ruff out ( dyeing hemp) weave phase, but .
I try to do most stuff that makes a dent in the daily routine of 'DUST=x2 with X=wind(w) x Vel.x or/< particulate V/m per lung full of approx. 1 liter per 1/5th minute. Add cat hair to that..and all bets are off.
Shops are where ya make em..really. Bigger is NOT better.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Damm, I miss that stuff
"Shops are where ya make em..really. Bigger is NOT better."
my current shop size is what ever the dimensions of a '93 G30 Van are ...
soon to be replaced by much the same only less miles.
I think built-ins should be build much close to where they're gonna live ... like in said clients garage!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
So ya wanna know about my shop....
All this and more
View Image
Will someday be in here
View Image
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I just had poured the slab for my shop which is mostly a hobby and hunny do center. It's 16x20 which is actually larger than the city would like for my size lot but I managed to get them to approve it. Hopefully by the end of the summer I will have it finished.
I have told this story before but boredom lets me tell it again.
My shop is a treehouse of sorts.Ran out of work and decided to use up a bunch of left over lumber to build my shop.It was the middle of Jan. and I tried to start digging some footings but the ground was froze.So I picked out an area that had cedar trees and ran a rim joist around the trees and built the floor. Then built the walls to the corners where the trees were and then cut the trees to the height of the first top plate.Then I built the flat roof on 24" centers out of 2x10s with 4x4 posts to use as blocking under treated plywood then rubber roof.Used 3 sliding glass doors turned sideways to use up wall space so less siding.Then built 2 large barn style sliding doors on opposing wall. So my woodshop is an unsymetrical diamond shape with one wall as bench and radial arm saw setup other wall is grinding vise sanding setup and other wall is desk area with filing cabinets.
You think I'm crazy but this works fairly well and it definately was cost efficient,by the way I tested my stump piers the other day and still holding strong.
I have enough room for 2 table saws and little else but I convert them into assemble area when needed and one becomes the out feed for the other.
ANDYSZ2
I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
I don't think you're crazy, just resourceful.
Thanks to everyone for telling me about your shop.I gives me something to think about.
My shop is an old 2000 sq. ft. Big Band Ballroom. I have not had much time to get the shop renovated, since fixing up the house (an 1850's Inn & Tavern) has kept me busy. I make some improvents in the shop every month or two.
It had been turned into 7 hotel rooms in the 50's and then apartments in the 70's--so the original maple dance floor is perforated with 7 sets of bath & kitchen pipes. It has three barrel vaults for a ceiling. Plenty of primative storage and work space at this point. Heat is by double 55 gallon drum wood stove.
These photos have appeared in a couple of other threads, so skip them if you have seen 'em. The shop is attached to the right side of the Inn. I build some cabinets, bookcases, benches, etc. in the shop. It isn't much now, but I have big plans.
Definitely cool
Basswood, get some paint on that old door!!!
Just goes to show you, your shop can be anything.
You've got the best heater, burn all your scrap wood, wish I had it.
Grunge on. http://grungefm.com
In the process of building a shop. Just finished house and in the process of building a shop with a 24 x 48 roof with 24x24 of that enclosed.
It is a pole barn kit with all metal included to enclose and do roof with 8 X 8 roll up door and 3' walk thru door. Probably not big enough but when you are not in the trades and you just piddle around in there $5800 is plenty to spend on a shop.
Not worried about frost heave in goood old South Georgia.
For anyone in north Floroda the place that sells them is Panhandle Salvage.
Thanks for the idea. There are outfits that sell pole barn kits around here. I'll have to look into it.
I'd like to buy the kit to build this for my next shop:
What's the story on this place? I could definately get into going out to the shop and telling Jeeves to fetch my smoking jacket and tea. I shall be at the tablesaw, ripping plywood.
That is the Watkins Manor (ever hear of Watkins vanilla or spices) carraige house. It is sitting vacant and that is a crime. It would make a great shop. The best use would be as a party pavillion. It has five of those big doors...open them all up and have bash.
I find it interesting that most sizes of shops mentioned are around 1200 sq. ftI'm kicking around three ideas:1) Make do with whatever I can.2)Build a shop.3)I live in a very small town. There is some property along a minor highway which handles mostly local traffic which I can pick up reasonably. Say I built a 1200 sq. ft. building. If the town grows, sometime between now and my retirement, it could have some commercial value. Maybe a small c-store or offices or ? If the town doesn't grow, I can sit out front in my rocking chair and heckle people passing by.It would have to be more attractive than a metal shed. I know nothing about commercial construction. What sort of building would be the most economical to build for such a thing?Any Ideas?