6 Tips For a Better Shop Layout #shoptour

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Here are six helpful tips to improve your shop layout.

When setting up my new shop, I went through a process of applying six filters to all tool location decisions and thought you guys might find this stuff helpful for setting up your own shops.

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00:00 Introduction and Timeline
00:44 Planning the layout
01:14 Printable Shop by JKatzMoses
01:42 Starting with Denver Shop Layout
02:20 First Filter - Workflow
03:15 Second Filter - Electricity
03:53 Third Filter - Lighting
04:55 Warm and Fuzzies!
05:17 Fourth Filter - Ventilation
05:45 Fifth Filter - Videography
06:16 Final Filter - Dust Collection
07:30 Dust Collection in Corners
08:14 It's a work in progress
08:32 Portable Oneida Mini Gorilla
08:42 Evolution of a Shop Layout
09:03 Leave your Shop Layout Tip in the Comments
09:13 Bloopers

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[woodwhisperer]

Have any tips you'd like to share for setting up the perfect shop? Let's hear 'em!

[TheSmartWoodshop]

As a fellow woodworker and Youtuber, I have to smile at the out takes. I know that I spend more time filming and getting it on disk to edit than woodworking. My ratio is beyond 10:1. Shooting, editing, and posting about 1 hour for 1 minute of the finished video. I am not complaining as I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't enjoy it. I do envy your space😎🤙

[ThomasG]

I always love when people put in the bloopers ... it shows just how much time and frustration goes into making even a short video ... loving it

[JohnWilliams-vfbt]

Just laying out a workshop in the UK for first time so your video is much appreciated. The tip about electrical supplies immediately had me realising I’d made a big error. Really useful stuff, thanks!

[TrapDoorWoodworks]

I've worked wood professionally for over 40 years, and the layout for the main dimensional tools you showed is right on the money. I like to use lumber carts as well that the wood rides on throughout the machining process all the way to the assembly area. I'm finally setting up a new home shop after quite some time without one. I still have most of my machines, but finally got around to building the space. I am currently putting the ceiling in my new 32' x 36' shop, and will be doing the wiring next. Cant wait to machine some wood though 😊

[paramediclee]

Marc. Love the journey. Great use of the old fire station. Hope your open to guests stopping by! Love to see it.

[philcrannick]

I have been following for several years, and have incorporated several of your processes along the way. Including your layout processes. Thanks for all you do for all of us.

[joeysawdust]

Marc, great video. When I was moving my shop from NJ to upstate NY, I enjoyed using Excel for designing it as I was very familiar with Excel from work and didn't have to buy/download anything. Simply resize each cell into a square small enough so that your entire shop fits on the screen. For me, each square was a square foot (easy to visualize a square foot especially for in/outfeed purposes) and my basement shop was about 35'x30'. Make boxes with thicker borders/infill color for machines/benches/toolchests even lights. Obstructions like lolly columns/radon vent pipe/stairs are easily placed using different border/infill colors. I went through at least six major interations with weeks/months between (it took us about 2 years to move) and learned from each one. Infeed and outfeed space got a major emphasis, and I focused a lot on dust collection with long straight runs for the planar/band saw/table saw/drum sander on the G-700 and the jointer/drill press on the cyclone. Electrical circuits (6 110V and 6 220V) were run along walls and overhead through 3/4" conduit for flexibility and a 30-slot mostly empty panel was just feet away. Eighteen 4' LED lights provide plenty of shadow-free light along with an 8' set of windows on the walk-out side of the basement. Since I'm retired and only do woodworking for fun, I put very little emphasis on efficiency or speed or even workflow (I know some folks do, but I'm glad that I don't). Best of luck in your new place!!!!

[jaywilson]

Great video and excellent tips, Marc. Only tip I'd add is don't be afraid to try something new. Along the lines of your live with it for a bit tip: don't be afraid to try something that doesn't immediately seem right. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it can trigger another thought that does work.

[lundyswoodcrease]

The new shop’s evolution is looking great Mr. Spags. And I appreciated the explanation on holding off on dust collection until the time was right.

[kristian]

Congratz on your firehouse Marc, I love following you and your family. Humor, learning and good sound advice - thank you for keep on making 💪🏻

[jeffreysmith]

I’m really enjoying watching you entire move process - very cool new space and really appreciate the insight on your thought process.

[emperialserver]

I didn't realize until seeing this video that you are actually local to me. This is too cool!

[bobwebberkc]

I have built everything from toys chairs tables bed room suites and dressers in a 12X20 building so it’s more about work flow and material handling. Tool selection is has been critical. I have been lucky in that I have avoided the temptation to buy tools that get in the way. I have been in this shop over 20 years. Love your content!

[truegrainwoodcrafts]

Never realized just how important shop layout was until we got our first actual shopspace. We went through almost every step you mentioned. After a lot of headache we finally realized we had to start with our main tools. Basically we put everything in a triangle area, just like you said. Mitersaw, jointer, planer, table saw. I guess what I'm saying is, *I needed this video two years ago!* My only tip would be to use wall space as much as possible. Build french cleats, and some sort of lumber rack on the wall. That's helped us a lot. Great vid!

[projectmanager]

On your HVAC unit with the white return air grille. You may want to consider adding a pre-filter box that you can use a cartridge-type filter just behind the grille. Much easier to replace pre-filters.

[JasonRSpenny]

One thing I've come to love is that since I work out of a garage, and I like having the door open ANYWAY, that's a great area for JOinter/planer/table saw/band saw - the garage door open makes for a TON of outfeed runway.

[gtev]

People can easily obsess over the distance between tools, but they sometimes forget that setting up is where most of the time is actually spent before you start cutting. Making sure everything you need as far as accessories, blades, bits and stuff that are accessible at the tool will save you more time than making sure all of the tools are close to each other.

[richhubert]

came for the sic "dad jokes" stayed for the sweet sweet bloopers!

[jefffarris]

I have completely abandoned the idea of central dust collection. Your evaluation covers most of the reasons I'm dumping the idea. I've found that portable units located in "zones" where they can service 1, 2, or 3 machines are working better for me. Working the secondary market, I've been able to purchase several quality small dust collectors for considerably less than the cost of a large central system with effective ducts.