My
shop building is 16' by 24', not
as large as I would have liked, but I live in the city and was
governed by building codes which limit the percentage of the
lot which is under roof. A garden tool shed was later attached
to the back of the shop, as seen in this view
from the side.
The shop has a 100 amp sub panel and there are five 120 volt circuits and three 240 volt. One of the 120 volt circuits runs down the center of the ceiling and provides retractable drop down cords. Most of the wall outlets are located 48" above the floor for easy access. The interior is fully finished and the concrete floor is covered with commercial floor tile.
Having planned in advance to use Intertherm 240 volt sealed unit hot water baseboard heaters, I insulated the building very well and sealed it as tightly as possible. There are two 1000 watt heaters at opposite ends of the shop controlled by a wall mounted thermostat. My windows are double pane and the doors are insulated. I have been through several winters now and I am really happy with this heating system. Colorado is usually very dry and the winters are not as cold as you might imagine. I can work in the shop wearing a Tee-shirt on the coldest winter day.
Several visitors to my site have asked for a shop layout diagram. All power tools, except for the large lathe, move easily and are pulled out from the wall if required. The router table and jig saw are often moved back against the storage shelves to make more room in the middle of the shop for assembly. Here is a 360 degree Panorama. (Photo is over 200 kB)
I've taken a lot of good natured kidding concerning the neatness of my shop. The truth of the matter is that I cleaned the shop before taking most of the photos on my website and it has not been that clean since. I do clean it up between projects, and I find tape measures and screwdrivers that have been missing for weeks. But I never find pencils -- I have no idea where they go.
My shop and house are connected by a common concrete patio. Most of the year I am able to work here on flat panel doors resting on sawhorses. I made three sets: 31" high for sawing, 35" high for sanding and assembly, and 38" high for finish work and painting. These heights work well for me; I am 6'4" and have found that bending over my work for long periods is hard on the back.
In memory of Beauregard (1986 - 2000). Beau seemed to sense that the shop was a special place to me and it became his favorite place also. He insisted on being the first to enter the shop each morning, and he would circle the building searching for elephants and other dangerous animals.
Even as a pup, Beau showed an interest in lumber. He loved to steal small pieces of wood, so I kept some scrap in the workshop which was accidentally dropped from time to time. Old age, a bad back, and finally a tumor were just too much and I had to say goodbye to my loyal shop companion. I sure miss him.
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