Home Workshop Ideas

There is nothing quite as satisfying as repairing a broken item from around the house,or making something new yourself for a fraction of the cost ! some of those maintenance jobs will become so much easier if you have a workshop.

 

LOCATION

Depending on what type of jobs or projects your going to attempt,will determine what kind of home workshop you will need.First of all  you will need to choose a suitable location for your needs – a spare room,garage,garden shed,or if your more adventurous you may even decide to construct your own purpose built workshop.Wherever you decide,a location with good available access to an outside area is advisable.Having easy access,especially if you have double doors or a garage door can really open up your home workshop, giving you far more space to carry out the larger jobs like cutting up 8′-o” x 4′-0” sheet materials,& makes it safer to transport machinery & materials in and out of your work area.


PLAN IT OUT

If you fortunate enough to have a large area like a garage to create a workshop, it’s important to plan it out well.The main aim is to create a light, warm & airy space.Divide your workspace into different areas -  have all your machinery at one side of the shop which will need more space,they should be arranged to give you ample space to manouvre around them.Then have your workbench at the other side of the shop where you can construct & finish your project.This is also helpful for keeping your area tidy,as all the dust & mess from any machine work will be kept to one confined area. Your workbench should ideally be accessable  from all sides making it easier reach all areas of you project.A storage space underneath the bench can be simply created by boarding the sides & ends,& fitting doors to the front.This would be an ideal area to keep some of your power tools required for finishing.A simple folding trestle could also be quickly made to the same height as your workbench which could then be used as an extension,if you have a large item overhanging the bench.

 

DUST EXTRACTION

Dust Extraction

Working with wood gathers a lot of dust and would require the use of dust extractors. While there are a huge selection of dust extractors, it would be best to pick a size that is suited to your needs. Smaller units are better to work with in smaller areas such as one man workshops.

We suggest you go with either wall mounted dust extractor to save space, or by getting yourself the portable dust extractor. Also known as chip extractors. It is a floor standing unit which you can connect to any floor standing machine such as bandsaws, table saws, or routers.

The floor sweeping attachment makes it very easy to use on any  home workshop floor. Any wood clippings or dust are collected in transparent collection bags with a capacity of 70 liters, which are very easy to empty once full. The motor is generally good to run for two hours non stop. It comes with a steel fan, transparent collection bag, floor sweep, adjustable 2 meter hose, castors, cable and plug, and NVR switch.

The portable dust extractors have the following features:

•    Induction motor that ensures quite operation
•    Filter size of 5 Microns
•    Metal bag clamps
•    Transparent collection bag
•    Highly Portable
•    Durable powder coated paint finish

Safety Precautions in Connection With Dust Extractors

As with any machinery, you need to read through your instruction manual first and get to know the various safety precautions you need to adhere to, both for your safety and those of others around you. Take a look at the following listed safety rules:

♦    Do not attempt to use the extractor in damp or wet areas and keep area well lit
♦    Machine must not be operated in the presence of flammable liquids or gases
♦    Do not allow children to come near the machine
♦    Only use the extractor for jobs it was designed for
♦    Make sure you do not wear loose clothing, neckties, or jewelry when operating the extractor
♦    Always wear a dust or face mask and remove the power cord plug when making adjustments or cleaning the machine
♦    Take care to avoid accidental start ups by ensuring the power switch is in the off position before plugging in the power cord
♦    Always wear safety goggles as eye protection. The dust collector may throw foreign objects into your eyes which might cause permanent damage to your eyes
♦    Watch out for the filtration housing as it contains a high speed fan blade which may just amputate your fingers or grab loose clothing
The best advice would be to read all the safety rules as stipulated in the instruction and safety manual of the extractor you are buying.

Heating Issues

To prevent your dust extractor machine burning out, make sure you adhere to the guidelines by only running it at the stipulated time period. If you need it to run for longer, rather get yourself another model with a bigger motor.

It might be in your best interest to spend a little more money and get a dust extractor that comes equipped with a fan-cooled induction motor which dissipates heat from the motor, allowing it to run cooler, which would also extent the lifespan of the dust extractor & would make your time in your home workshop much more pleasurable.