meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Oct 30, 2015 11:31:34 GMT -5
I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this. If you were to build a workshop what would you include? What would be necessity and what would be just really nice to have? My husband is going to have a large garage built, he is talking about having a 10' x 20' separate section for me and my rocks. He has started talking to a builder and I want get ideas of what I should ask about. My primary interests are tumbling, making cabs and wire wrapping....but I'm sure there are other things I might want to try also at some point.
Thanks, Andrea
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Post by captbob on Oct 30, 2015 12:07:27 GMT -5
How spoiled are ya? Heat and/or air conditioning would be nice!
A large door to vent out saw oil mist in case you get a bigger saw would be a plus.
I always wanted a big sink that drains directly outside (somehow) that I wouldn't have to worry about clogging up the drain with grit etc.
This is going to be fun to watch!
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Post by captbob on Oct 30, 2015 12:39:19 GMT -5
Room for shelves, shelves and more shelves. There is no such thing as too much storage room if you are heavily into rocks!
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 30, 2015 13:18:47 GMT -5
First, can I borrow your husband to talk my wife into an addition on our garage ?
Next, $$. The more $ the better. Good equipment ain't cheap.
Then I'd start with a nice, well lit bench for your wire wrapping. Enclosed would be best to keep your wire tools & supplies clean, bur shower curtains could also be hung on rods.
A bench for your cabbing equipment. Make it large enough for any additional equipment you may get in the future. Good lighting over the bench.
Any saws you plan on having I would set up on movable benches which could be stored out of the way, rolled out when needed, and even moved outdoors on nice days.
Unless you're planning on 40 lb monster tumblers, tumblers really don't take up a lot of space. A couple of shelves wide enough to hold them should do. Make sure the shelves are as perfectly level as possible.
Conveniently spaced electric outlets on all walls. Be sure they're wired through a ground fault circuit.
Shelves. As many as you have spare room for without crowding your work space.
A couple of windows which can be opened for cross ventilation.
A role up garage door to make it easy to move things in and out of your shop. Also makes it easy to sweep out the shop.
And finally, the things that Bob mentioned.
Progress pics as your shop starts coming together.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 30, 2015 14:40:26 GMT -5
Well I have the equipment now,took several years to get it...So now its the shop set up/..... If you want a good set up,get tumblers (More than one)...A good rock saw 14" or bigger,a polisher and cabbing machine... That way you get from the field rough,to slabs,than to shaping than cabbing....Good luck and keep us posted!!!! PS: Lots of plug in's and power sources....
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 30, 2015 14:47:48 GMT -5
One more thing I should have mentioned. If you plan to eventually get a really big saw, 24" or larger, have a 220 volt circuit added to your shop. Easier to do it in the building stages, than have to tear up walls for wiring later.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Oct 30, 2015 15:23:00 GMT -5
Thanks guys! captbob There will be air conditioning and heat because my husband wants it in the main part of the garage. I was thinking about a sink also... it probably could drain through the wall into the dirt or into a bucket. I agree with lots of shelves. jakesrocks The only reason I'm getting it is because my husband wants the garage...It was actually his idea. So....maybe you can think of something your wife wants and work it into your garage addition.....does she have any hobbies?...lol. Lots of good ideas in your post. I was kind of concerned about having a wire wrap are in the same room and the rest of the stuff....I might have to find a corner in the house for that. There will be a door and at least one window. I'm not sure about a garage door but maybe a double door would be wide enough to get things in and out. I'm not sure if I will ever get a saw that big but I probably can do the 220 outlet, since he is going to have one in the garage side for a welder. Is there any other equipment that a 220 would be required for? Fossilman Right now I have a QT-66 and an Ultra Vibe 10mb tumblers, a 7" tile saw and an mk 101 tile saw (which doesn't like me...lol), a flat lap and a Genie. Someday I would like to get a real rock saw...are they messy? Can they be used indoors? The tile saws throw water everywhere so they will have to be outside unless I waterproof the walls and have a drain in the floor, not sure how practical that is. Andrea
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Post by captbob on Oct 30, 2015 15:29:44 GMT -5
I don't see how having 220 could hurt, but my HP 24" saw plugs into a regular wall outlet. Are new saws wired for 220?
As for big saws being messy. No, not really, all the "mess" stays inside the saw. Problem with them is the oil mist they create when sawing. Having it away from all your other machines and wire wrapping station would be a good thing. If you can have it near the door and come up with a way to blow the mist outside that would be even better.
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Post by Pat on Oct 30, 2015 15:52:29 GMT -5
I'd go for the above and a big top workbench where there would be room to work on several projects.
A comfortable swivel chair with a back would be on my list as well as a stand for my water drinking bottle. A stand very helpful for not knocking it over.
Easy slide drawers for hand tools and materials.
Hangers for Dremels and Foredoms
How fun!
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Post by cobbledstones on Oct 30, 2015 16:42:21 GMT -5
Worry about the stuff you won't be able to change easily after the building gets built. If there is budget, it is better to err on the side of future versatility. Will you have giant tools that make us all drool? They may take special power. Want to carve rocks so big that they make Sisyphus cry? You may need to have a way to move large and heavy things easily.
Working rocks takes water and power and creates a mess. Having a strategy to provide power (of all sorts) could be a good idea. The water is climate and heat dependent. I would treat water taps like outlets(the more the better) in a heated lapidary shop. Sinks with sediment traps would be awesome. Mess includes noise, dust and sludge. Ventilation is important and should not be overlooked. Shop design that segregates messy and clean work is probably a good idea. Partitioning off noisy machines in soundproof areas is also a possibility.
Ahh what a dream. I am envious!
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Post by Peruano on Oct 30, 2015 18:03:11 GMT -5
1. Deep sink and ideally water plumbed to it. Or two deep sinks, one to the drain system, and one to an exterior dumpable drain pipe. 2. Water bib that can support cab machine or ?? 3. Lots of recepticles at intervals on major walls. 4. Smooth concrete floor that can be cleaned, hosed, or swept when needed. 5. LED lighting fixtures wherever you plan to work. Now adorn it with tools and furniture. Enjoy. Tom
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Post by Pat on Oct 30, 2015 20:27:29 GMT -5
Peruano concrete floor should have a drain in it, like a shower, so it could be hosed off. I make a mess no matter what I do --- in the house and in the shed. Easy clean up would be most welcome.
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,352
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Post by quartz on Oct 31, 2015 11:18:39 GMT -5
Plan worktop length for everything you now have, and try to add enough for at least two more machines based on average sizes of what you have. Put an electric receptacle no more than every four feet behind that work top. Do protect all circuits with a GFCI. Cross ventilation, if possible, is a plus; two windows. I put a ceiling fan in our rock room [no AC] and like it. Lots of work, but a good dry well outside will provide lots of drain capability. We put in a couple horse stall mats to catch the inevitable dropped rock so they wouldn't hit concrete, one below the Genie, and another below a stand alone polisher. And include some space for a display area, sometimes nice to just stop working and enjoy looking at a finished rock or two for a few minutes. I know I've repeated several good ideas already offered, and perhaps a few new, sift them all out to best suit your shop.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2015 0:16:59 GMT -5
Lots of electrical outlets on lots of circuits so you can run saws, laps And cab machines all at same time.
Water.
Storage shelves.
Bardahl no smoke to keep misting down in your saws.
Big wall with lots of display shelves to brag about your product!
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Post by 1dave on Nov 3, 2015 11:17:36 GMT -5
Back 50 years ago when I thought I knew everything, I drew this plan. Tiny bits of it may be worth while. One thing I did not consider is contamination. I should have had a back door into a "Carport" for the oil saws.Worry about grit from your grinders getting in the polish compounds. Plenty of pegboards to hold every little thing where they can be found. Basement storage is less expensive as attic storage. Fix a rock storage area in the back yard with chicken wire inside fence wire circles or squares so all the thundereggs etc are in the same place.
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Post by 1dave on Nov 3, 2015 11:21:49 GMT -5
PS - Accidentally bumping the on switch while opening the slab saw lid has interesting results I wouldn't want in my shop.
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meviva
Cave Dweller
Member since July 2013
Posts: 1,474
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Post by meviva on Nov 3, 2015 11:45:16 GMT -5
1dave Thanks....I like the way you have the corners where the polisher and wax carving are....better use of the workspace. My workshop will be no where near as big as your plan...but it does give me some ideas. I should start drawing up some sketches. Andrea
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RockIt2Me
has rocks in the head
Sometimes I have to tell myself, "It's not worth the jail time."
Member since December 2009
Posts: 668
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Post by RockIt2Me on Nov 3, 2015 19:57:06 GMT -5
I just built a 1800 sf shop last year. Everyone's suggestions are spot on. My studio part is alittle over 500sf. I have my big saws in the back portion of the shop by the roll-up door.. The sink with hot and cold water is a must. I bought one of the small 'on demand' hot water heaters that is great and doesn't take up much room (needs a 30 amp circuit). I have outlets every 4' and I placed them 4' from the floor. Since I wasn't sure exactly how my bench layout would be, I put 6 outlets in the ceiling controlled by a wall switch so I could place shop lights later. I did all the wiring myself which saved me about $4000...the internet is a wonderful thing. I think my studio has 4 circuits. I did have a licensed electrician run the homeruns and inspect my work. Loooove my shop.
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Post by 1dave on Nov 4, 2015 12:56:12 GMT -5
Here is another thread you may be interested in. To make anything roll, block the feet up 1/2" then use hinges to attach a 2X4 with castors attached. Another set of hinges holds a block that drops down when you lift the table, a string pulls it out to drop it for secure work. Remove the spacer blocks and away it goes.
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