Richard_C
Established Member
I've just had to redo the layout in my double garage because one end is needed to store large musical instruments, so now I'm using 2/3 of one half. We all have different needs, mine is based on woodturning.
When we have visitors we need to put a car in the other half of the garage, limited other parking nearby. The space under the car, between the wheels and maybe 20 cm high, makes a useful timber store, I use it for seasoning part cut blanks but it's fine for lots of things, so that helps with space.
I used to have space for a small clean work bench, assembly, glue ups, soldering etc. but that was lost in the reorganisation. But, I'm never turning and assembling and soldering at the same time so I've adapted some MDF and 3x1 to drop on the heavy cast lathe bed with a simple turn lock underneath. With the tailstock off, I win back my small bench. 1.2m by 0.6.
I also made a dolly for the Bandsaw, locking casters I had from a much earlier project.
Now it lives out of the way and comes our when needed. When it's out it blocks access to the lathe, but you never use them simultaneously and the move only takes a minute.
I used to have a space to stand in to use the lathe and another space behind to walk round. Turn the lathe 180 degrees, one space does 2 jobs. All pretty obvious in retrospect.
Think creatively, maybe you can make better use of other flat surfaces. Sit quietly in your workshop for as long as it takes, look, think, ideas and solutions will come to you.
When we have visitors we need to put a car in the other half of the garage, limited other parking nearby. The space under the car, between the wheels and maybe 20 cm high, makes a useful timber store, I use it for seasoning part cut blanks but it's fine for lots of things, so that helps with space.
I used to have space for a small clean work bench, assembly, glue ups, soldering etc. but that was lost in the reorganisation. But, I'm never turning and assembling and soldering at the same time so I've adapted some MDF and 3x1 to drop on the heavy cast lathe bed with a simple turn lock underneath. With the tailstock off, I win back my small bench. 1.2m by 0.6.
I also made a dolly for the Bandsaw, locking casters I had from a much earlier project.
Now it lives out of the way and comes our when needed. When it's out it blocks access to the lathe, but you never use them simultaneously and the move only takes a minute.
I used to have a space to stand in to use the lathe and another space behind to walk round. Turn the lathe 180 degrees, one space does 2 jobs. All pretty obvious in retrospect.
Think creatively, maybe you can make better use of other flat surfaces. Sit quietly in your workshop for as long as it takes, look, think, ideas and solutions will come to you.
Last edited:
