Use of domestic room as a workshop

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

I used to have my workshop in the loft, but it had a number of problems such as swarf, noise, access for heavy objects like machinery and worst of all it was too hot in summer and too cold in winter.

I then built a well insulated wooden workshop outside and have never looked back. To me there are just too many snags with workshops inside the house, but it may suit some people.

Doug

[Steven VineParticipant @stevenvine79904]

Don't worry about the state of the décor in the room, you will redecorate when you are done with it.

I lined the floor of my bedroom workshop with 3mm mdf. I sealed the edges and joins with silicon. This preserves the floor underneath and stops swarf, oil and liquids spoiling it. It makes it easier to clean up as well.

Some oil got on the wall and soaked into the plasterwork (I left an oil can on a shelf next to the wall and it dripped on the wall and left a big oily patch, doh).

The kids have moved back in! I am in the middle of moving the workshop into the 'big' lounge. This time I am using 18mm chipboard (not flooring grade) to spread the loads and protect the floor. I will cover the chipboard with rubber matting. This time I am lining out the walls with 24mm deep battens and 6mm mdf. I will screw shelf brackets into the battens. To reinstate the lounge I only have to fill holes and repaint.

It is so much more comfortable and convenient having the workshop in the house.

I wear a warehouse/lab coat; it helps keep swarf in the workshop and it is easy to put on and take off. I use easy slip on shoes for the workshop as well (no laces).

Steve

[IanTParticipant @iant]

I have an inside workshop with a few smaller machines (2.5" lathe, sensitive drill & hand shaper) and it is very convenient in the winter.

The flooring is covered with carpet tiles (which can be moved and replaced as required) and I don't wear any special shoes or clothing – just an apron when working. The lathe stand has side & back screens and a movable Perspex front screen – most useful when milling. I only work with non-ferrous and mild steel inside (not cast iron) and never use the grinder or T&C cutter indoors either (I do hone though – which is usually quite sufficient to keep my tooling sharp). I vacuum fairly regularly. It works well and there have been no complaints from my Manager (in fact I get completely banned from the main workshop on very cold days – something to do with previous bouts of nasty colds and coughs keeping her awake).

My main workshop (an unheated garage) is used only occasionally at this time of year – and only for any 'dirty' work (all cast iron, power shaping & sawing, heavy milling & grinding). It's unheated but in short bursts quite usable – so I try to plan my work to measure & mark-up inside and do any outside job quickly – again leaving anything that can be done inside for later. With a little thought this seems to work very well.

Taking a longer view of the year also helps – smaller items can be done in the winter and larger work (or material preparation) – that needs the bigger machinery, planned for the warmer months when possible.

As with any advice on here – this approach clearly depends on the type and size of work you are planning to undertake – and whether you have the luxury of some duplicate machines and two workshops. However a small lathe and drilling machine can compliment larger machinery quite well and they don't need to be very expensive (at least mine were not).

Regards,

IanT

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

My shaping machine in the garage made the whole building vibrate until I put it on some rubber matting

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Then you need a 'littler' one Ady

My 7" Atlas runs very sweetly but then I only give it the occasional 'blue' chip job – nothing too violent generally..

The hand shaper is generally used for smaller work and it's much 'gentler' in use. I'm not normally removing vast amounts of metal with it (more 'shaving' with it) although it will do so given enough time and patience (and a bit of elbow grease). That's not what I use it for though as I have the powered machine for any larger 'surfacing' work required.

Regards,

IanT

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