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[dave parker]

Hi all 

After a few false starts I am finally going to be starting in my model boat adventure.

I have been preparing my garage by sorting out, making room, building a new workbench etc.

I am about ready to go but I have concerns with using the garage.

Is it a suitable place to use for building? I see a lot of you use your garage but I am concerned about things like temperature, dampness and general suitability?  I like the idea of building in the house but feel due to dust, mess and noise it might not be practical.

When I was building my bench I had produced CAD drawings, and these were left over nights in garage for a while, and I am sure they either dried out or got a little damp as the paper slightly changed consistency.

I don't want to spoil plans or anything by leaving it in there.

If any of you experienced garage/workshop builders could advise me I would be grateful

Many thanks in hope 

Dave

[ballastanksian]

I have noticed several members on here, who use garages as workshops, speaking of having a building season during the warmer months. The images I have seen suggest they are un insulated, thus making them a tad shivery from October to April.

So, you can either insulate the garage or accept that you have a winter season for doing small work, research and the like indoors where the kettle and the biscuits are

I had a wooden shed and that was boiling during the summer (when we had decent ones) and freezing in the winter (when they were normal) despite being insulated, admittedly insufficiently. You can keep a strip heater in there to keep the temerature above freezing, but the door has to be sealed and if too warm, the long legged spiders move in and spit on your work if left uncovered for any length of time. Look for tan and brown coloured spots in groups, sometimes accompanied by Wood louse husks

For dust extraction, a Wickes vaccum is great llinked to a simple pipe system to remove dust from saws and sanders etc. A very clever friend of mine designed a dual level fixed sweep extraction duct where by there were two letter box sized opening each with a bung joined by a pipe to the vacuum. One was at work top level for sweeping stuff into, and the bottom one was for sweeping floor grot into saving you having to get a vacuum and its hose etc out every time.

Also, light is important as after a few hours of work you do not want to go in with a headache from poor lighting.
 

[dave parker]

Hi ballastanksian

Many thanks for your response

Yes I think different times of the year to do different parts of the build is a good idea.  I just assumed I would go out there whenever i had time, winter or summer, and crack on with whatever I am doing.

My garage is a standard single garage, un-insulated, with a roller door.

Might just have to suck it and see....

and yes I have seen the spider spots on my floor in there before.

I have purchased a vacuum from toolstation ready for dust removal, need to rig it up so I works as dust extraction.

Am going to machine mart at weekend to purchase a sander and a scroll saw

www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cs4-6d-belt-and-disc-sander/

www.machinemart.co.uk/p/css400b-16-scroll-saw/

And finally, good idea, need a designated working light!!!!!

Thanks

[ballastanksian]

They are easy to wipe off with a damp cloth,  but this is hateful if you find them on a good plan or similar.

Ooh, I forgot to mention shelves. You canot have enough of them!

[Brian60]

We have a spare bedroom that my wife likes to refer to as 'Her art room, she likes to dabble with watercolours) I have been granted a small corner where I have a 4ft workbench, this is where the majority of my builds take place. Apart from a couple of Dremel type tools that are on this bench and my airbrush compressor under it, all my power tools are in an outside utility building. That is a bandsaw, a vibrosaw, a chopsaw, then the usual array of DIY hand power tools that can be put to use for model work. All cutting etc takes place there.

I've found that using the Dremel type power tools in 'her art room' doesn't cause much in the way of dust etc so never a great amount of clean up to be done, you may want to consider something similar if you have the room. I have added a new piece of power equipment to this room over xmas, but that's ok because I showed her that it can be used for her crafts as well ( not a snowballs chance in Hell of ever happening!)

[dave parker]

Thankyou Brian

Yes I do have access to a space indoors suitable for working, as long as there isnt lots of dusty mess.

Its all getting exciting   

[ballastanksian]

We will of course want photos of your build spaces to add to the albumn somwhere on the forum:O)

[dougal99]

I use my garage as a workshop. It is unheated but I avoid using it if is is really cold (not this year though). I have two benches, several shelf units and an A0 drawing board for plans. You cannot have too much light, especially when painting/spraying. Even though I have a window over the main bench and a strip light above it I also use an inspection lamp to provide more light where I need it. Dismal dark winter days are a pain. An old carpet can help keep your feet warm rather than standing on concrete. I also use a industrial vacuum to keep the floor relatively clean. I don't have a problem with damp unless I leave anything on the floor close to the door. The major irritation is cobwebs. I keep most of my models in boxes or under dust covers in the garage with no ill effects to date. I have had this set up for quite a few years now, nearly 10 in fact. (Doesn't time fly)


I admit, I tend to do small detail work inside the house. I have a study which is 99% mine (my wife keeps her sewing box in there and there is a joint bookcase).

[carlmt]

Our garage has been converted into the workshop for producing the ferry kits.
Quite lucky with ours in that it is only exposed on 2 sides - the roofspace is insulated and one long wall is shared with the living and dining rooms and the end wall is shared with the study.  The opposite long wall only has a 2' side path alongside with the neighbour's house beyond so doesn't cop the full force of any weather.  The wall with the up and over garage door in it is really the only exposed wall, and on this I have hung a large very heavy and thick blanket during the winter to keep out any stray draughts.
 
The floor is covered (2 layers deep) in offcut carpet and on really cold days - of which there haven't been so far this season - a small halogen heater is employed. 
 
We don't seem to suffer from any damp issues - fingers crossed!!

[essex2visuvesi]

If you do notice damp in there a couple of these strategically placed around the garage will help
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Interior-Dehumidifier-Absorber-Crystals-Compact-Moisture-Pack-10-Kingfisher-/111855973060


They also work great in the car as well :)

[Norseman]

Do you use the garage for the car or not? If not then some modifications would be fairly easy.

Dave

[dave parker]

Thanks everyone for all you help

Am going out there right now to make some plans!

No car goes in the garage, I have recently fitted dimpled workshop floor tiles and painted the walls white

Built a large workbench, just want to be sure I am doing the right thing before I get too carried away!!!!

[david48]

I have three benches,1 I can walk round ,1 I an sit at and the third is a low bench about 18"" To 20" don't know exactly so when the model gets bigger ,when I was sat at the bench I had to stand up to see inside ,so came up with the low option ,I found six socket outlets to be enough for my use on the wall behind the bench I sit at ,as previously mentioned a few thicknesses of carpet to stop cold feet . Measure the height of your dinning table and make that the bench height to sit at . I was shown standing bench height is worked out by standing with arms by your side, then bend your arm so your fist come up to your shoulder where your elbow is that should be the top of the jaws of a engineers vice off what ever size that is used . A normal table is 30"" .
David

[tigertiger]

There is a lot of stuff on line if you Google 'small shop ideas'.
One thing I did, having seen it on lots of 'shop' websites, was to have as much as I could on wheels.


This includes, my bench, my table saw, shelving units for bulky storage, storage draws, and some specially made tool stands with a tool on top, and another stored underneath. The wheels are 3 inch swivel and locking mostly. This allows me to wheel stuff out, and lock it down in the middle of the floor when I need to. My bench is about 2.4m long, but only about 60cm wide. This give more space back to the garage. For bigger pieces I have an assembly table (top) that sits on the bench.


It is also worth getting a shop vac, like a Henry, but about 4x the size. There is good suction and no bags to mess with. If you can, have a sink installed, with instant water heater.


In a small one car garage, with a 2.5m ceiling, with the big door permanently closed, I have

• [size=78%]bench (2.4m x0.6), [/size]
• [size=78%]tool trolley with mitre saw above, 12" planer below.[/size]
• [size=78%]tool trolley with 6" jointer above, router table below.[/size]
• [size=78%]table saw (on trolley)[/size]
• [size=78%]2.6m x 0.6m shelving unit (on wheels)[/size]
• [size=78%]two filing cabinet sized drawer sets (plastic) mounted on a trolley.[/size]
• [size=78%]assembly table flat against a wall[/size]
• [size=78%]drying rack (collapsible) big enough to 24 pieces up to 2m long or 0.6 m deep[/size]
• [size=78%]shop vac,[/size]
• [size=78%]oil heater (for when it gets too cold for varnish to dry)[/size]
• [size=78%]double sink[/size]
• [size=78%]overhead timber rack.[/size]

Lots of modular shelving that moves if needed.
still got room for more.


For lighting, I have two rows of strip lights. Each row 0.5m from the wall, this stops you working in your own shadow.
For power, I had an extra fuse box put in the garage, and have 7 sets of quadruple sockets installed around the walls. I am never more than 2.5m from the nearest socket and so don't have any trip hazards from trailer sockets/power strips, useful when struggling with 4'x8' boards.

[Bob K]

I have come across a very useful (and funny) book on this subject published by Ladybird Books (for grown ups) complete with the original style illustrations and font size.

The Ladybird Book Of The Shed. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladybird-Book-Shed-Books-Grown-Ups/dp/0718183584/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451921529&sr=8-3&keywords=ladybird+books+adult

To give you an example, as given on the Amazon web page above ..

"It took Tom six years to get planning permission for his garage extension.
Tom's neighbours said the structure would overlook their gardens and block sunlight.
Tom knows they will change their minds when they see his flying boat."

Or another sample page.

"If the shed at the end of the garden does not seem far away enough, you can get a second garden called an allotment.
Cyril has a shed on his allotment nine miles from his home.
He also has an emergency shed in Italy, for when his wife finds this shed."

[dave parker]

WOW!

So many awesome responses, many thanks everyone

And so many new questions.....

Lighting...In my garage I have already installed 3 x 1500mm strip lights going across the garage, 1 towards the front, one in middle and one other end, this give the full garage plenty of light but when i sit at my new bench I will be in my own shadow.

There for I intend  on installing a worklight for on the wall above them bench, possible another striplight...is this a good idea?  Any advice??

Bob K that book has gone straight in to my amazon wish list!!!

Heating....any recommendations or items to avoid when thinking about putting a heater in for when I am working in there and its cold outside??

Hope you dont mind me asking all these questions...

Many, many thanks 

Dave

[Bob K]

Thanks Dave.  Glad you did not mind my Shed book.

Seriously though, the main problem I have found with our garage is damp, especially if you have a conventional up and over type garage door.  Keeping wind blown rain from coming under it requires a heavy duty threshold sealing strip and preferably strips of rubber on the other three edges.  Rain can even get under the eaves in high winds or downpours. Good guttering if not already fitted. Then think about a small low W heater to keep down natural damp in the air.

[ballastanksian]

Every man deserves a 'Man cave' unless you can get away with one in a sunnier spot as well:O) Tiger Tiger's idea of having power tools on trolleys is a good one as then you can work on larger pieces than if the tool was bolted to a bench. An alternative to this, as created by my resourceful friend, is to fit your tools onto larger swivel plates mounted onto the benches allowing tools to be positioned further out from the bench but still securly mounted.

But as he says, there are some resourceful people out there and some have put their ideas up on Youtube.

We must have photos of your temple to imagination Dave!!!!

[Colin Bishop]

My workshop is an ex garden tool storage space 9ft x 6 ft built onto the end of the garage which I have lined with insulation board. I also added a raised timber floor so it is quite snug. I use a small convector heater. A fan heater would blow the dust around too much while a radiant heater only really heats the surfaces it radiates onto. The important thing is to heat the air itself to work comfortably.

If space and budget permit then partitioning off and insulating an area of the garage would make a very effective workshop which is much cheaper to heat than the whole garage.

Colin

[ballastanksian]

Now that is a bobby dazzler of an idea Colin. If you then have a door through to the front compartment then you can have extra working space in the summer months as well.

Some ideas resulting from an initial look on T'interweb.

http://blog.homedepot.com/man-caves-the-garage/

http://charlesandhudson.com/how-to-transform-your-garage-into-the-ultimate-home-workshop/

[roycv]

The only thing I can add is that in this weather I wear 2 pairs of socks.
Roy

[Crossie]

 I haven't got a picture of this to show you  Dave, but something that I did in my large 21x14 ft shed/motorbike garage was to fit a ceiling hung curtain that can be drawn across to shut off the end with the fixed benches so that I had a smaller, approx. 14x7 space which was easy to keep warm in cold weather. Search eBay and other ads for old welding or warehouse pvc strip curtains often to be had very cheaply and do the job nicely . I also have a 4x4ft bench on heavy duty castors that can be moved as required(or not), even outside if there's any summer sunshine about!
                   Unlike my double type main door, the up'n'over garage doors can be a real pain letting the weather in, but I've seen folk who made thin ply and batten sealing panels to fit tightly behind the door- not much good if it's your only way in and out though!! If you can seal the door up though, a small dehumidifier can also be useful to manage dampness, even if only before say, painting operations. These devices (dessicant type) have an added benefit because they warm the air at the same time as drying it.
                   Keep all edged tools oiled and in cupboards, ideally do the same with wood, an old wardrobe will do.
                   WD 40 is useful on machines that get infrequent use.
                   Try and rig an extractor fan, maybe a mobile one and flexible ducting for when you want to paint or use resins.

         Always see if you can make/modify to get the 'cave' right before buying in expensive fittings, this leaves more cash for the main purpose of it all! Good Luck!

                                                             Trevor

[essex2visuvesi]

Most of the furniture in my shed/Workshop is hand-me-down cabinets and drawers from relatives/friends this has saved a small fortune.


Old kitchen worktops are also useful so keep your ears open for friends/relatives who are having their kitchen done

[Unsinkable 2]

I use my unheated garage. It's great in summer but does get chilly in winter. I dont normally use a heater I just put on a fleece and carry on. I have noticed that on cold days you tend to stop and think more rather than work. It's strange but it's true!


I used to build aircraft and worried that warming them up and cooling them down may cause condensation and warp them because the wood they are made from is untreated Balsa. Luckily when building boats not only do we use harder heavier woods but we then protect it with varnish or resin against water so damp should be no problem. Just make sure your electrics are protected.

When I fitted a new kitchen I used all the old units and work surface. Lots of cupboards for keeping tools in. I don't have a dust extractor so I do use a good mask and have a good clean up from time to time.


Good luck Dave and welcome to the forum.   U2

[tigertiger]

I second that about a good mask.

Regarding lighting, you can get those bathroom over mirror strip lights and screw them to the shed wall or under a shelf (avoid glare), or overhead on the shed ceiling. You can put a normal pug on them and plug them into the wall socket. These have a hard plastic cover that will take a bashing. One of these will also give a better light than a work lamp as it will illuminate your whole bench.

The only advice I would have about heating. Avoid anything that might be a source of ignition.
Avoid mobile gas heaters as they cause condensation and mould.
Avoid paraffin heaters (not sure if they are still legal) as they can cause carbon monoxide problem in small poorly ventilated spaces.