After being frustrated by not having enough room to work, not being able to find the right tools and supplies, and spending way too much time looking for things, we decided to clean out a basement utility room and build a workshop. We learned a lot of things along the way and hope our experience will be helpful to anyone who is thinking about building or adapting usable workspace.
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Signing UpStep 1: Table of Contents
Because of its length, this Instructable is broken down into 3 main categories: Planning, Construction, and Organization. This makes it easier to navigate through it.
You can find:
-Planning on steps 2-8
-Construction on steps 9-24
-Organization on steps 25-37
You can find:
-Planning on steps 2-8
-Construction on steps 9-24
-Organization on steps 25-37
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Just throwing that out there for people to consider.
Other than that it looks like a great workspace (so envious...)
That being said I would still wear a mask while drilling through the doors for that reason.
It was quite alarming reading what you had just posted regarding asbestos .
any asbestos big or small , and in any quantity is bad for you . Wearing a mask will not stop it getting to your lungs .
We have a huge problem of asbestos in the uk , especially in public building like schools and recently there has been several articles of teachers dying from asbestos related diseases - you figure .
if its affecting some teachers , imagine what its doing to the pupils.
Many firefighters and police that helped during September attacks , are experiencing asbestos related illnesses , see link below
http://www.9-11heroes.us/asbestos.php
so , in hindsight , please bear in mind that its will affect you no matter what you wear and could affect your health in the future .
I don't think twice about grabbing my asbestos blanket to use on jobs if it means the difference between burning down a house or not. Being in a burning building is hazardous to everyone!
There are masks that do filter it, they're expensive.
Any particulate product is best to do the drilling outside, wash workshop clothes seperately and directly after use.
Many people died due to dust coming off clothing. It only takes a few fibres to cause the damage.
I did an instructable about making bandaids from fungus in the forest and had plenty of hysterical 'think of the children' types from lifehacker saying how bad it was etc, so I know where you're coming from. It's a good 'ible regardless and there's no need for disclaimers.
Take care when reusing materials that you don't know the history of!
(I deconstructed a space heater recently filled with asbestos, did it safely, double bagged everything and disposed of responsibly. The bricks were cleaned and I literally eat off them now as they're in my pizza oven!)
pfred2 when you are using an asbestos blanket do you cut/grind/sand/shred it?
I ask because in the one picture I see that you joint the front mirrored image of the shelves/workbench to the cleats in the wall but there is only one support on the left and right.
Do you have anymore pictures or anything like that?
I love that your work bench has the center shelves, that makes for a really good way to store stuff and I love how it looks.
Thanks,
-Nigel
http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Up-Shop-Practical-Designing/dp/156158360X
http://www.amazon.com/Workshop-Book-Craftmans-Guide-Making/dp/1561582719/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287022821&sr=1-1
That other one you posted a link to looks pretty interesting as well.
I find that over time my storage needs change, so I installed french cleats on the wall to hang my tools and shelves from. It allows me to move around tools and cabinets with ease. I used pre-primed finger jointed exterior trim board from a home improvement store. it is strait and just needs a top coat of paint.
Not sure if that makes sense but I think it might've made it a little easier.
I also do not like a fixed bench. SO much better to have it on wheels. Double up the legs to a 4 by 4 and put wheels underneath. Do not have to be locking wheels, the sucker is heavy!
Finally the backsplash could be much higher 6 inches or so, and offset from the doors by washers (1/4 inch or so, like you did with pegboard). That lets dust and debris fall out of the crack which has a tendency to build up with crud. the higher backsplash will also allow the power strip to be above most of the mess going on with the bench. Now the back is a usable surface to hold things against.
I went with sliding buckets as well as fixed shelves. Just take a plastic container that has lips on the top edge and put two parallel strips of wood that will let the lip slide. Tada, instant drawers!
Good job!
-kieran