Just when you think you have it right......

[starr256]

I have been working for years at getting the workshop configured to accommodate too many tools in too small a space. I have a bench top mill, a bench top lathe, a welder, a plasma cutter, a combination table saw and router table and a couple of work tables all crammed into a 10x18 old cinder block garage. Thought I had it down. Tight but workable.

Then The Beast shows up.......... as a result of a unique opportunity. The bench top mill goes away, but The Beast takes up about a quarter of my valuable space. I had to remove all the equipment and the floating wood floor just to get it in. Sadly, I have not figured out how to jump between alternate universes to address the space problem. I have come up with a solution, not ideal and probably temporary, but a solution none the less.

I installed a 10'x20' polypropylene car canopy in front of the workshop. The table saw work bench, the plasma table and a work table were moved out to it. This arrangement will work due to Colorado climate of low humidity, mild temperatures (compared to Minnesota or Arizona) and high plains weather patterns. It's not without issues, the canopy floor gets wet in a deluge and I have to get the snow off the roof when we get a major winter snowfall. It's a small price to pay to keep the tools around. It has been a busy month, but the workshop is getting comfy again and I will undoubtedly reconfigure things again (The Beast stays put, no moving that 3,000 pound thing.)

 

[Eddyde]

A full sized knee mill fits well into a corner.

 

[Just for fun]

Now replace the temporary car shelter with a permanent structure you'll have it.

 

[mmcmdl]

Nice looking mill ! Was it set up with a ProtoTrac at one point ? FWIW , we have a few full time shop shufflers onsite for making floor space . I won't mention any names .

 

[MrWhoopee]

You're heading in the right direction. Move the dirty stuff (woodworking tools, plasma, grinders etc.) into a space isolated from your precision equipment. I partitioned a 9x12 at the back of my garage specifically for this purpose.

 

[matthewsx]

I have been working for years at getting the workshop configured to accommodate too many tools in too small a space. I have a bench top mill, a bench top lathe, a welder, a plasma cutter, a combination table saw and router table and a couple of work tables all crammed into a 10x18 old cinder block garage. Thought I had it down. Tight but workable.

Then The Beast shows up.......... as a result of a unique opportunity. The bench top mill goes away, but The Beast takes up about a quarter of my valuable space. I had to remove all the equipment and the floating wood floor just to get it in. Sadly, I have not figured out how to jump between alternate universes to address the space problem. I have come up with a solution, not ideal and probably temporary, but a solution none the less.

I installed a 10'x20' polypropylene car canopy in front of the workshop. The table saw work bench, the plasma table and a work table were moved out to it. This arrangement will work due to Colorado climate of low humidity, mild temperatures (compared to Minnesota or Arizona) and high plains weather patterns. It's not without issues, the canopy floor gets wet in a deluge and I have to get the snow off the roof when we get a major winter snowfall. It's a small price to pay to keep the tools around. It has been a busy month, but the workshop is getting comfy again and I will undoubtedly reconfigure things again (The Beast stays put, no moving that 3,000 pound thing.)

I would totally do this especially with the mild California climate.

Except….

I’m married, it would never fly.

John

 

[starr256]

When addressing the issue of "Why do you need this power tool?", the answer needs to be framed appropriately with the proper context. An example, "The CNC plasma cutter table means I can complete your mobile of bats much faster and the welder means it will last through the next major wind event." Not sure how the technique would work for something like The Beast. My answer had to do with my volunteer work, "For the cause!"

 

[Nutfarmer]

The shop tools are slowly migrating into the house. Some of the grinders showed up in the entry way. The precision measuring tools found there way in rec room. I think that is where 4 by 6 granite surface plate will end up. Obviously I live by my self.

 

[C-Bag]

I have been working for years at getting the workshop configured to accommodate too many tools in too small a space. I have a bench top mill, a bench top lathe, a welder, a plasma cutter, a combination table saw and router table and a couple of work tables all crammed into a 10x18 old cinder block garage. Thought I had it down. Tight but workable.

Then The Beast shows up.......... as a result of a unique opportunity. The bench top mill goes away, but The Beast takes up about a quarter of my valuable space. I had to remove all the equipment and the floating wood floor just to get it in. Sadly, I have not figured out how to jump between alternate universes to address the space problem. I have come up with a solution, not ideal and probably temporary, but a solution none the less.

I installed a 10'x20' polypropylene car canopy in front of the workshop. The table saw work bench, the plasma table and a work table were moved out to it. This arrangement will work due to Colorado climate of low humidity, mild temperatures (compared to Minnesota or Arizona) and high plains weather patterns. It's not without issues, the canopy floor gets wet in a deluge and I have to get the snow off the roof when we get a major winter snowfall. It's a small price to pay to keep the tools around. It has been a busy month, but the workshop is getting comfy again and I will undoubtedly reconfigure things again (The Beast stays put, no moving that 3,000 pound thing.)

I struggle with the square footage conundrum constantly. Along with insane deals that seem to be just meant to try my meager will. One was a Maxmill that looked like new for $500. That took a real deep look how it would destroy my “pack” and cause the Tetris Garage to permanently lock up. Along with the cascade of logistics and electrical problems I passed. So far it has not been a regret.

I have one of those tent sheds. It’s 7x10 and when the tent cover died I re covered it with corrugated galvanized. It has become my materials shed along with my engine hoist and like my compactor. We are in the process of making another 10x12x12 shed that will be similar to your shed in that like my tablesaw, bead blast cabinet and other machines I don’t dare get rid of along with a 4x12 loft for storage. It will have 12x15 pad out front of it that will be where big fabrication can happen as my driveway is too steep.

 

[David2011]

. . . (The Beast stays put, no moving that 3,000 pound thing.)

The Beast should weigh 1930 pounds without the power drive or a vise according to bridgeportmachinetools.com. All you have to do is tap the holes in the base with a 3/4" NC tap and make some bolts out of all thread. Pin or weld nuts to the end so you can turn them. It's easy to jack up a mill and put pipe rollers under it once you have the lifting bolts. I moved my BP clone many times using that method. Hoping I don't have to move my Index mill. It's a lot heavier than the BP clone was but still nowhere near 3,000 pounds.