NO you want as much as you can get! If you just take your tablesaw
and keep only 4 or 5 feet around it to walk or work you have just eaten 80% of that small space

 

No. 12 x 16 is too small. 16 x 24 MINIMUM ! By the time you get 2 feet of workspace/countertop/cabinets on every wall, the floor space in a 16 x 24 is 12 x 20. Then you need at least 2 feet of space to walk which brings the effective size for machines down to 8 x 16. Pretty tight. My shop is 20 x 36 and it's too small. I can tell you that no matter HOW big you build it, it'll be too small. 24 x 24 would be ok for you I think. Look for a strong floor, 100 amp electrical service, high ceiling (at least 8', 9' is better), if windows, keep them up high off the floor so a workbench will fit under them, look for a big access door for machines, and a small man door for you. Also, position it on your property so you can back up a truck to it easily. Keep in mind also, wiring for cable modem. Possibly natural gas line too. Whew, So many decisions.

 

No...that's too small. You want at least 20 by 20 ft if you can manage. My shop is 32 by 20 and it gets tight in there if there's any sizable casework happening. But just right for chairs.
Build the biggest you possibly can. You will use it all!

Do we get to see your chairs?

michael

 

The bigger the better! You would be happy in a 40'x40'.
I would love to see some of your chairs.:blink:

 

Steph: my building going up in a couple weeks is 28x30. I have worked quite a while on figuring out where and how I want to place tools, benches, cabinets, etc., and still leave open wall space for lumber, clamps...you know the rest. Your space will be quickly eaten up by just a table saw. Build as large as you can afford in money, time and talent. I'm transitioning from all portable machines and bench-top models in a one-car garage to this free-standing building with cabinet-model tools, and I think I still may run out of room at some point.

Another suggestion is go to the Grizzly web site at http://www.grizzlyindustrial.com/ and work through their shop planner. It is an incredibly easy drag-and-drop design page that you can use to design your new space. You are not obligated to buy anything---it is completely free and fun to use. You can place all types of machines on your floorplan, as well as windows, doors, golden retrievers....give it a try and see if you don't agree with the rest of us that 12x16 would be way too small.

Let us know what you decide, and keep us posted on the progress.

regards,
smitty

 

Stephanie
The plain fact (especially with 6+ kids) is the amount of money you can spend on your shop and the room you have to place the shop on. As has been stated - build as big as you can. My shop is a simple 24 x 24. It works just fine for me and I have all of the tool that you pointed out plus some others. 24 x 24 was as much as I could afford and the amount of space that the building inspector would allow on my property. As per your lighting - go fluorescent with the small tubes, put in as many outlets as your electrical panel will allow and make sure you have a good dust collection system - the more work you can do yourself - the more money you can save. The idea of going to the Grizzly site and planning out your shop is a very good idea. I did the same thing on a different site and got some really good ideas. Good luck and let us know what you come up with.

 

Wow, so many things to think about. I was looking at the floor space and it seemed so big, but forgot that I would lose 2 feet all the way around for bench/tool space. Sigh... back to the drawing board I guess! I do plan to back it up to the street with a big door so I can easily unload supplies. (we're lucky, we have a corner lot.) I guess I was thinking "start small and work up", but in this case you really can't start TOO small. I just don't want to go so far into debt on this that I can't pay off the loan by the end of the year with the profit from my chairs.

For those who haven't seen them yet, I make custom rocking chairs for kids who have to have surgery for hip dysplasia. They usually have to spend around 3 months in a body cast (armpits to ankles), which makes it next to impossible for them to sit anywhere, so I make special chairs that let them sit up to reach their toys, eat, etc. Here's one:

Here's a link to my website for more info:
http://www.freewebs.com/arymanth/

We're starting from the ground up, the only tools I've had up to now are a drill, jigsaw and circular saw, and I've done all the work on my picnic table or in my kitchen... so you can imagine how excited I am to have an actual "workshop" to work in! So far I've only been able to make a couple of these a week, but with an actual workshop and better tools I'm hoping to at least double that, maybe more.

One step at a time...

Stephanie

 

How about if you build a small place to live - like your original 12 x 16. Then convert your house to a shop. :laughing: :thumbsup:

 

I have a really tiny shop at 10' x 8'. Really it was down to money and garden space that made it so small. I have fitted 2' deep cupboards around three of the walls, and it's a bit cramped. :wallbash: However, it is enough space for me, and I have a table saw, mitre saw, scroll saw, lathe and a load of other hand and small power tools. When I made the cupboards, I made a special one to store my table saw (see picture. The saw goes beneath the worktop when not in use.) It means I have alot more space when I'm not using it.
I would agree with the advice above: go as big as your budget and land will allow.

 

If you really plan on just building these chairs then your initial idea would be fine. Make a big outfeed table for your table saw and use that for your assembly area. You should only have to have a bench along one wall. Also, looking at those chairs and the chairs in your website, I would suggest you spend as much money as you can on a BIG Bandsaw. You will be able to quickly cut both chair sides at the same time much quicker than a jig saw but the throat size might limit you on those big pieces which is why you will need to go big on the bandsaw.

 

I read the posts and saw the wonderful chairs you make...fantastic!

I was thinking that you might do well to contact the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children...or any Shriner, for that matter, and let them know about your chairs and so on. Who knows? They may be able to help in so many ways...and it would certainly be a good way to help even more of these unfortunate children and families. The Shriners support so many child-oriented services, perhaps your chairs could be another one they could lend a hand with so you could have the room you need to do the chairs safely.

Lee
http://woodtamer.wordpress.com

 

i gone to b roll around cab in my shop the same height as the table saw for storage should give you more rm & floor space