Long time lurker, taking the plunge and retiring from site work.................

[Against_The_Grain]

and is going to set up a (I use the term loosely) Pro workshop here in the UK.

After leaving school with very few qualifications I went stright into an on site apprentiship with my step  dad. After 20years ish of sitework doing everything from Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installations, to building outbuildings and doing all 1st and 2nd fix carpentry I have finally decided I dont want to work outside in the winter any longer.
After losing my dad last year to a nasty battle with cancer, I have decided lifes to short to be miserable at work and with the help of a small inheritance (thanks dad), I am in the position to take fulfill a dream and take on the rental of a 1500sq ft workshop for a minimum term of 3years.
Lease was signed beginning of this week and I am just awaiting the completion date and picking up the keys............... My legal representative is hopeful this will be within the next week/10 days

Its over two levels as it has a mezernine floor over half the ground floor. Upstairs are two large (hopefully) dust free offices which will be used for doing upholstery work, finishing and the designing.

I have registered the new business name as 'Against The Grain Carpentry & Joinery', im mid way though the 4th revision of my logo/social media design with a graphic designer and have MOST of my power tools, hand tools and machinery on order, awaiting delivery or are on the way in the US/UK/Canadian postal services somewhere.

So far the main equipment I have purchased which are awaiting delivery:

Sedgwick 308PT Planer Thicknesser http://sedgwick-machinery.co.uk/?page_id=81 

Sedgwick SM210 Spindle Moulder, Power feed, Router spindle shaft (1/2") and sliding carriage http://sedgwick-machinery.co.uk/?page_id=53

Sedgwick TA 314 Table Saw with sliding carriage http://sedgwick-machinery.co.uk/?page_id=159 

Axminster Trade 5HP AT639E Dust Extractor https://www.axminstertools.com/axminster-industrial-series-ub-805ckh-extractor-102237

I am also contemplating getting a SCM large (900mm) belt panel sander and maybe a Sedgwick floor standing morticer.................. however I will wait until I am settled into the workshop and see what the budget looks like at this point as I still have so much to buy to get me set up.

I have a fixed budget and want to stick to that if possible. I wont talk numbers in this post as I dont want to be seen as showing off/bragging or whatever, however if you are genuinely interested in what it has/is going to cost me to set up from scratch here in the UK to compare to where you are in the world, then just say as I have kept a running documented list of literally everything purchased so far to date and will keep updating the list until after I have moved in, no doubt!

I will keep updating this thread as and when it all starts to happen, and hopefully you guys and girls will find it of some interest and maybe can add your 2 cents worth to help me get set up like a pro.

I am sure I will have a load of questions for you all in good time with regards to set up and layout of a shop, extraction system, jigs etc etc

It is almost 3am now, so I am going to finish up and get to bed, but I will leave you a few pics of the new 'shop'




 

[wtnhighlander]

That looks like a grand shop space, I can't wait to see the work you produce in it!

[Chet]

Welcome to the forms.

That looks like a real usable space.

[Coop]

Super nice shop area and I’m sure you will make dad proud of your decision . Welcome to the forum and keep us updated. 

[Mark J]

Great to have you on board.

[gee-dub]

" I have decided life's to short to be miserable at work ".

Truer words were never spoken, good for you.  That space looks to have great potential.  Living where the rain falls whenever it darn well pleases would drive me indoors too.  Focus on your dust collection solution early on.  This will save you a lot of effort and retrofitting later.  Glad to have you with us and look forward to seeing you here.

[Chip Sawdust]

I'm in! Looks like you have it planned as far as tools, and the space looks really nice. Looking forward to updates.

[Against_The_Grain]

Hey, thanks for the warm welcome and the positive vibes............... makes a change for the tinterwebs

I have already been reading a load of posts and am starting to get a better idea of the things I need to buy.

Top of that list is a first aid kit, eye wash station and some fire fighting equipment............ Im thinking 2 x 6kg extinguishers and maybea fire blanket.

A question I do have for you already! Do you think it would be ok to make a small walk in closet (under the stairs maybe) to house my dust extractor and my main compressor? Im not sure about the air flow needed with regards to the extractor.

Thanks once again

[wtnhighlander]

Closets are often used to minimize the noise from those machines, just beware of the airflow needed to let them work correctly and keep the motors cool. And buy a bigger dust collection system than you think you need, because you will. Consider the flow / volume and pressure requirements for any pneumatic tools very catefully. A small 'pancake' air compressor may suffice to operate a brad nailer, but air sanders and die grinders require a much larger system.

[Against_The_Grain]

Hi Highlander, thank you for the words of advice.

Shutting down the noise was the main reason for wanting to build a closet for the two loudest machines.

I know the dust extractor is 90db. I plan on buying a large ish output compressor for the spraying equipment and a 'bambi' silent compressor for the brad nailers/staplers etc

It was the airflow needed that concerns me with regrads to the closet and dust extractor. How can I calculate the size needed of said closet?

We generally dont have cyclone dust systems available here in the Uk and those that we do (Laguna) after import, they are way over priced in my opinion and a 3hp Laguna is almost double the price of the below system which is what I purchsed in the end.

I should also add, I have ordered a Festool CTM Midi I for the Mitre saw, sanders and small handheld equipment.

Anyway, its a

5HP with 355mm impeller

3 x HEPA H12 filters (15 m²)

639 litres of dust/chippings capacity with diverter flaps to send the waste to specific bags

1 x 225mm or 2 x 150mm inlets for ducting

Quiet and efficient, designed to run all day long (90db)

5,300 m³/hr @ 225 mm

3,930 Pa Static pressure

 

 

[wtnhighlander]

Wow, I would live to have that much power in a DC!

The air flow drawn in by that machine has to go somewhere. If your closet is sealed, the effect will be similar to blocking the blower, and you will greatly reduce the effectiveness. I think you need a vent system, perhaps with baffles to muffle the noise, that returns the air to the work space, or to outdoors, assuming there is ventilation to allow the removed air to be replaced in the workshop.

For the compressors, which need air for cooling, you can either include a vent fan to draw air in while the compressors run, or just run the DC to keep air flowing.

[BillyJack]

On 7/12/2020 at 12:09 AM, Against_The_Grain said:

Hi Highlander, thank you for the words of advice.

Shutting down the noise was the main reason for wanting to build a closet for the two loudest machines.

I know the dust extractor is 90db. I plan on buying a large ish output compressor for the spraying equipment and a 'bambi' silent compressor for the brad nailers/staplers etc

It was the airflow needed that concerns me with regrads to the closet and dust extractor. How can I calculate the size needed of said closet?

We generally dont have cyclone dust systems available here in the Uk and those that we do (Laguna) after import, they are way over priced in my opinion and a 3hp Laguna is almost double the price of the below system which is what I purchsed in the end.

I should also add, I have ordered a Festool CTM Midi I for the Mitre saw, sanders and small handheld equipment.

Anyway, its a

5HP with 355mm impeller

3 x HEPA H12 filters (15 m²)

639 litres of dust/chippings capacity with diverter flaps to send the waste to specific bags

1 x 225mm or 2 x 150mm inlets for ducting

Quiet and efficient, designed to run all day long (90db)

5,300 m³/hr @ 225 mm

3,930 Pa Static pressure

 

 

I hate those type dust collectors. Ever seen what happens when those bags blow. I have and it ain't funny....

 

Id look for something else...

[drzaius]

45 minutes ago, BillyJack said:

I hate those type dust collectors. Ever seen what happens when those bags blow. I have and it ain't funny....

 

Id look for something else...

And I would for sure get something with a cyclone.

[Chip Sawdust]

Cyclones aren't economically available where he's at, he said. It looks like a good enough unit, should have lots of airflow.

I have a bag on mine and the bottom tore once; I taped it and went on. The bag was mostly full though so nothing blew out into the shop. I used the same bag for five years before i punctured it with something when passing by. In a closet, I would think that opportunity would be rare to impossible. Mine sits next to my bench and bandsaw in my tiny shop.

As for ventilation, if you could put it outside that would be ideal, but that's not often an option. So a grid in the wall to the outside about 1x1M (as a WAG) would be sufficient for most dust collectors that size. Might even get by with less.

[BillyJack]

Remember.... a building, tools and a name won't make you a professional/pro....

Are you running a computer program to do layout or designs? Many miss out on this as one has to design it before you can sell it..

[Chip Sawdust]

I've used graph paper and measured the size of various tools/cabinets prior to setting up my shop, that works well too and for me is always easier than a computer program - because I don't have such a program . But if you have a program, heck yeah!

[tomy josif]

i have always planned it out in sketchup.

[BillyJack]

I mean a program for kitchen and bath or furniture layout?