Temporarily Dust Free

[lkbraa]

I always try to take advantage, after our areas largest festival, and do some serious cleaning...of the studio that is!!! It is amazing how much sawdust one can collect even if you try to keep it clean throughout the year. Any whooos...I decided I would share some photos while you could tell what it really was.

The area is 20' x 20', in which we enclosed an existing carport that is adjoined to a converted garage. In hindsight, I wish I had known how I was going to use the space as I would have done a lot of things different. However, ya gotta make due with what ya have so I built two separate benches (2" x 4" construction with painted MDF tops) against the walls for more storage/work surface and then the center 4' x 8' work island. I went ahead and did a two-part epoxy garage paint treatment on the concrete floors for ease of cleaning. We also included double doors on the front in case I needed to move anything large in and/or out.

The previous owners of the home ran a home business and closed in part of the garage (15' x 20') into an office. When I moved in it was a total nightmare and had been neglected!!! I removed all the wallpaper and carpet...it was soooo nasty!!! Since I had to put texture on the new drywall in the studio I went ahead and did the adjoining room while I had mud from head to toe, sprayed on/knocked down texture and put tile on the floor. Painted the walls, added some couches, tv and now have an extra lounge lizard room and a place to display/store my artwork.

Thanx for letting me share!

[Catlyn]

The adult play area. I bet you get lots of playtime in there.

[wood-n-things]

That is quite a nice setup you have there. Entirely too clean but very ell laid out great storage ideas, thanks for letting us into your kingdom eerrrrrrrrr Queendom.

[oily]

You make me jealous. Mine is the true man cave and I'm in the annual process of loosing half my space. My wife seems to think she should be able to park inside in the winter.
Nice shop

[Wood Dog]

Sweeeeet shop Kim, thanks for the pix. I like the cubby holes at the end of your bench.

[fireglass]

Kim, thats nice. I'm in a 8'by10' storage shad. Lance

[Sally]

Very nice looking work area - thanks for sharing the pictures.

[lucky788scroller]

Umm, forgive me for asking this question, but: Do you folks do any work in these shops I see in this as well as a couple other posts? These shops are way to neat and orderly to be used!!!

[lkbraa]

Hey now wait a minute everyone...I mentioned that it was only TEMPORAILY dust free as I had everything pulled out for the festival...you should have seen the piles before Friday!!! I couldn't see anything thru the sawdust and wood piles everywhere. I spent a whole day with the air compressor, leaf blower and shop vac removing atleast a hundred pounds of sawdust - lol! Not to mention what I blew outside and got in big trouble for all of it landing on the SO's toys! Now this is just an annual event so within a week or so it will be knee deep in mess! But I have to say I am somewhat an organizational freak as I hate to be working on something and not be able to find the right tools or pieces n parts!

In regards to the center work space it was a pretty easy build...I cheated and purchased closet organizers (cubes that hold the canvas bins) from Lowe's for the ends, then added a couple 'shoe racks' upside down on each side for tool cases, screw bins, etc and then put a support in the middle with dividers to slide in my 2' x 4' or smaller sheet goods. One of the side benches I built I created a large bin with wheels that I can store scraps in, and wheel out if I need to find that perfect scrap. The ends of the sanding bench holds several plastic bins for assorted pieces and parts too. I tried to 'bin/cover up' as much as possible so that all the airbourne sawdust doesn't get on everything. All this cover up and organization has taken almost five years to get to where I can be as dust free as possible when it comes time for finishing projects.

So yes Virginia...there is such thing as sawdust in our shops - lol!

[TheTinkerinMan]

I'd love to have a shop that big. Mines an 8x8 shed. 2 walls are work benches and the other is shelves. There's one shelf over one bench, 2 over the other and I even have one over the doors! The wife said I can expand but I have to finish the bathroom first.

[lkbraa]

Welcome aboard...and I hear ya on the space! I think we can all double our space and STILL need more...or we think so anyway - lol! Ooohhhh those lovely honey-do's...I usally have atleast 5 or 6 on my list, and my SO seems to remind me right before a big festival or deadline! AND...hurry up with that bathroom - lol!

[Hawaiilad]

Nice work area Kim....this summer I expanded my 20X20 to a 20X40 and am just now getting some need wood storage shelves built..hope to finish tomorrow. I look at all the tool setting there under tarps and I wonder where they are going to end up. Under tarps because I do not have a front built on my shop as yet and we have been having a little rain nearly everyday. I guess I should build the front to the shop, but the weather here is so nice most of the time I hate to close it in. I think I will end up putting up clear fiberglass panels framed of course,with a large barn like door. My shop is two 20X20 tall carports bolted end to end

[lkbraa]

Dang Larry...here ya have all that gorgeous native wood and now you have all that shop PLUS a see-thru barn door!!! Can I come play - lol!!! That is an awesome door idea...natural sunlight and then the option to slide them open...dang...I wish I would have thought of that great idea...you definetely have to share photos when you get 'er dun!

I hear ya about arranging tools...I cannot count how many times I have rearranged my toys, built another bench, moved them again, built more storage and benches and moved them again....I think I finally have them where I want...until I buy a new toy!

Don't forget to share those photos when it's finished...and seriously, thanx for the kind comments!