Decided to build a garage. Now the fun begins.

[South VA]

I have a 4" dust collector connected to (from right to left) 13" Planer (just out of view), 6" Jointer, garbage can (collects the saw dust), Dust collector (collects fine dust), 12" Compound miter saw, 2 table saws behind them, and a 14" band saw (not connected). I also have a couple 22 Gallon shop vacs for the router table (not in picture) and clean up. It's still hard to keep clean

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Here's another view. The power tools are on their own "island" with the 3 power circuits going in the bridge to the right so I can walk around between the table saw and shelves, without tripping on them or, in another layout, the 4" dust hose.

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Note: with a flat floor, I can level everything to each other and use them for support. If you're working on a bent frame in a vehicle, it helps too HTH

That is an awesome wood shop!

Your dust control looks dialed in. You still use a dust mask, though, right?

And it looks like you have plenty of space.

I have a very small wood shop, and it’s pretty much a wreck at the moment.

Getting it working is another project that I‘ve been putting off for some time, and need to do. Having a functional wood shop - even a small one - makes doing many of those other projects that much easier and more efficient.

Mine is encumbered by a lot of stuff that is going into the garage when it’s finished. That will make it easier. Not easy, but easier.

It’s so bad, I only find snake skins. Even the snakes have moved out.

Oh, and I am definitely going with a level floor in the garage, for the reasons you cite. Now I’m wondering why I even considered doing otherwise. Ah well.

 

[GrimsterGMC]

I have a 4" dust collector connected to (from right to left) 13" Planer (just out of view), 6" Jointer, garbage can (collects the saw dust), Dust collector (collects fine dust), 12" Compound miter saw, 2 table saws behind them, and a 14" band saw (not connected). I also have a couple 22 Gallon shop vacs for the router table (not in picture) and clean up. It's still hard to keep clean

You must be registered for see images attach

Here's another view. The power tools are on their own "island" with the 3 power circuits going in the bridge to the right so I can walk around between the table saw and shelves, without tripping on them or, in another layout, the 4" dust hose.

You must be registered for see images attach

Note: with a flat floor, I can level everything to each other and use them for support. If you're working on a bent frame in a vehicle, it helps too HTH

You have once again proven the old theory that the more room you have, the more stuff you will find to fill it with. But we all love stuff so who cares.

 

[Keeper]

If your gf is as xmas crazy as my wife, plan on at least a 10% annual increase in xmas crap

 

[Road Trip]

EDIT: I was reminded of this photo by @someotherguy's comment about
adding the coffee table to his garage in reply #108.

****

I like to be mentally prepared for every possible contingency. From the stuff
you are sure is going to happen (like having everything on hand for the next
oil change) ...to the stuff that has a 1 in ~300 million chance of happening,
like winning the Megabux. :0)

So if the latter were to happen, I already know that my first priority will
be to build a garage with plenty of windows like this one:

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But instead of the unimaginative furrin' mid-engine machine, I will
upgrade the contents of this space with my '99 C2500 RCLB chore truck,
converting the 8' bed to become the new mid-engine Power Barn...accomplished by
installing a Can Am big block like this one, right where I can keep an eye on it
in my rear view mirror:

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Behind the engine I would choose an IRS setup as seen in @Alteca 's superb thread about
installing a modern IRS setup in GMT400s. (Check out the tasty photo in Reply #4.)

In my considered opinion, a Can-Am mid-engine upgrade to my Indigo Blue chore truck
would make for a huge yet humble upgrade to the garage that won top honors in a
long-ago contest.

Now to figure out a way to win the Megabux... :0)

 

[GrimsterGMC]

I like to be mentally prepared for every possible contingency. From the stuff
you are sure is going to happen (like having everything on hand for the next
oil change) ...to the stuff that has a 1 in 300 million chance of happening,
like winning the Megabux. :0)

So if the latter were to happen, I already know that my first priority will
be to build a garage with plenty of windows like this one:

You must be registered for see images attach

But instead of the unimaginative furrin' mid-engine machine, I will
upgrade the contents of this room with my '99 C2500 RCLB chore truck,
converting the 8' bed to become the new mid-engine Power Barn...accomplished by
installing a Can Am big block like this one, right where I can keep an eye on it
in my rear view mirror:

You must be registered for see images attach

Behind the engine I would choose an IRS setup as seen in @Alteca 's superb thread about
installing a modern IRS setup in GMT400s. (Check out the tasty photo in Reply #4.)

In my humble opinion, a Can-Am mid-engine upgrade to my Indigo Blue chore truck
would make for a huge yet humble upgrade to the garage that won top honors in a
long-ago contest.

Now to figure out a way to win the Megabux... :0)

Ah, McLaren Can-Am, I can appreciate the Kiwi touch. Have you ever read Bruce McLarens biography, it's a remarkable story of perseverance.

 

[GrimsterGMC]

Guys, reading all the square footage of your sheds is making me insanely jealous. I run a one-man sheetmetal fab and welding shop out of my 320 sq feet garage at home with no room to expand. It is surprising what you can fit into that small of a space when you need to, nearly everything is on wheels so it can be rearranged as necessary. When the sun shines I open the single roller door and move my truck back to utilize the driveway.

 

[Road Trip]

Ah, McLaren Can-Am, I can appreciate the Kiwi touch. Have you ever read Bruce McLarens biography, it's a remarkable story of perseverance.

I've read about Bruce's race team and his amazing machines, but was unaware that his out of print biography is once again available.
I'm definitely going to add this to my short list of things to read!

All this reminds me of Burt Munro, another record-holding speed demon from New Zealand.

Q: What is in the water down under that seems to affect you guys like this?

Enquiring minds want to know...

 

[Hipster]

I have a 100 amp panel in my shop, and my wife's shop has a 100 amp panel. It's on a separate 200 amp service from the house.

I would have liked to tie into the house but the power comes in the back of the house with 2 ft. in between a deck and a/c unit With one of the septic drain field lines 15' -17' from the foundation. I would have required to be hand dug around the back of the deck and house about 40', around the side where the tank sits another 25' or so, then ditch witch another 140' over to the garage. New panels on the house, the ditch digging, cable, etc. on me. 3 electricians never showed up, and the one that did, didn't want to do the dig. He gave me a "I don't really want to mess with it price." I had the health dept. out here looking around also making sure I was 15' off the drain field. 3 back surgeries later, diggin' ditches ain't happening lol Power co supplies everything to the meter box and does the digging for a flat $250. Not thrilled with extra an service charge but.....

 

[Hipster]

If your gf is as xmas crazy as my wife, plan on at least a 10% annual increase in xmas crap

My ex was. She would clear out a Wal-Mart the week after X-mas. She had her own shed. lol

 

[GrimsterGMC]

I've read about Bruce's race team and his amazing machines, but was unaware that his out of print biography is once again available.
I'm definitely going to add this to my short list of things to read!

All this reminds me of Burt Munro, another record-holding speed demon from New Zealand.

Q: What is in the water down under that seems to affect you guys like this?

Enquiring minds want to know...

I think it has to do with the "Tyranny of distance", that we were never able to obtain things available overseas at that time, so had to make to with what we could make with our own hands. Being a mostly farming based economy also helped as most people had worked on farms so were accustomed to repairing machinery without spare parts. We referred to it down here as a "No8 fencing wire" mentality, as you could fix almost anything with a piece of it was everywhere. Obviously, that is no longer the case as we have been mostly dumbed down, along with rest of the world, so that everyone relies on Google for knowledge and people can't work with their hands.