A traditional woodworker needs to use several machines and hand tools to create optimal woodwork. While your preferred tools and equipment may vary depending on what kind of woodshop you have, there are must-have options that every woodworker needs to complete a project.
Aside from the items and equipment, your woodworking shop will be a lot more efficient if you can manage setting up specific areas for various functions. For instance, it would help if you can build a separate area for actual woodwork and another room for drafting project plans and designs.
If you are a woodworker planning to build your own customized woodworking shop, you might find it challenging to decide which sections and equipment you should have. To make planning easier for you, here are a few suggestions on helpful shop sections and equipment that you might want to secure if you wish to be as efficient and effective as possible at work:
Make Space for a Changing Area
Your woodworking shop should have its own changing area for you to remove your normal clothes and change into your working suit. You wouldn’t need a lot of equipment for this area unless you plan on hiring other people to help you. A simple changing cubicle and a locker should be enough just so you can store your clothes and other things securely without wood bits and dust particles getting to them. You can also add a small bench and body-length mirror so you can freshen up and clean yourself off in this area before leaving the shop.
Build an Office Section
You’ll need a separate space in the shop for times when you need to focus on your thoughts. The office section doesn’t have to be completely formal-looking; you can think of it as a prep area of sorts – you can use this room for drafting designs, reviewing current projects, and preparing necessary documents. You won’t need a lot of space, just enough to fit in your work computer and a drafting table or work desk should be fine.
You can also use this office space for receiving potential clients. A small couch should do the trick if you wish to keep things casual, or you can prepare a seat or two for a more professional setting. Your best pieces can be put on display on one side of the room so you can showcase your skills to your customers as well.
Organize Your Tools in a Storage Area
You will definitely need several types of tools and machinery while woodworking. Aside from the equipment, you will also be working with different kinds of accessories such as nails, screws, bolts, and adhesives, to name a few. To make sure that you won’t have a tough time finding the necessary items when you need to, you should set up a storage area that can hold all your tools and accessories in an organized manner.
Most of the Space Should Go to the Main Work Area
There’s no question that most of the space in the shop should be used for the actual woodworking processes. You’ll need lighting systems in place to help you accurately see what you’re doing, and you also need extended room capacity for multiple workbenches that will hold your woodwork projects while you finish them.
When designating an open space as the main work area, check the proximity of the power outlets to the center of the room. You will be using a variety of tools that need to be plugged in while you work, so you must take the distance of the outlets into consideration to maximize efficiency while you do your craft.
If possible, set aside a separate space for finishing up your products. This area should be where you polish your final output by adding varnish or paint and smoothing out minor details.
Assign a Clean-up Area
Finally, you need to assign a section for cleaning up. The workshop will surely generate a lot of dust and wood particles due to the nature of the tasks, and it’s important to make sure that these particles are thoroughly cleaned up in order to lessen health risks.
Adding a couple of garbage bins to a corner of the shop is a good start. You should also put up a drawer or cabinet for storing cleaning materials and equipment such as brooms, dustpans, and a vacuum cleaner.
A Final Word on Setting up a Custom Woodworking Shop
Building a woodworking shop from an empty space can feel overwhelming, which is why it’s essential to plan properly before taking any action. You need to prioritize how each portion of space should be used while also maximizing the spatial efficiency of the entire area.
If you wish to modify an existing space in your home or building to create a customized room for your hobbies and interests, you can avoid the stress of planning by reaching out to Hobby Condos. Hobby Condos can help you turn a simple and empty room into the man-cave of your dreams, allowing you to fully enjoy your prized collections as they’re displayed in a setting that is tailor-made for you.