Every woodworker dreams of building his own custom designed workshop that has ample space to house all his tools and machinery, is neatly organized and most importantly – is functional. While most of us would like to build it from scratch, but most of the times we often have to make use of an existing space to set up the workshop. In such cases, we do not have the option of choosing the type of floor we would like to have – like wooden or concrete. Having the right type of floor in a workshop plan cannot be emphasized enough. But, don’t let this factor hinder you from making most of your workshop space. There are ways you can customize your workshop floor to make the workshop plan more suitable for the types of jobs you want to carry out.
There are basically two types of floors that are typically used in most workshop plans – concrete and wood. Let us discuss about them in brief to understand their pros and cons.
Concrete Flooring:
If you use heavy woodworking machinery in your workshop, you must choose a concrete floor when designing the workshop plans. A concrete base is solid, durable and can withstand the weight of machines and will keep vibration to a minimum. If the space you have for your workshop is small and if you will need to move things around a bit, a concrete floor will be most suitable. However, take care when using sharp hand tools; if your drop them accidentally you may end up with a blunt edge.
Workshop plans concrete floor.
A good concrete floor should be sealed to make it for stable and durable. If you plan to paint the floor with a good quality non-slippery paint, make sure that you cure the floor surface properly. Remember to repaint the floor from time to time as the paint can wear off soon. If you are renting or buying a space for your workshop that already has a concrete floor, double check the floor for unevenness or damage. If the condition of the concrete floor is not good, you might face problems, especially if you need to drag your heavy woodworking machines around in your workshop.
Concrete Floor can often be slippery. One easy solution to fix this problem is to lay out a finely ribbed rubber mat roll on the floor space typically used for standing. You can also make use of anti-fatigue mats and place them in front of the equipments you use for long hours at a stretch. The corners of these mats should be rounded for extra support.
Another way to add a new life to your concrete floor when designing the workshop plan is to use concrete floors. There are some latest variety of PVC tiles, which are strong, anti-slippery, and durable and can withstand any amount of impact and are resistant to moisture, abrasion and chemical damage.
So, you see having a concrete floor in your workshop plan is a great idea. However, if you would like wooden floor instead, let’s find out how you can make the most of it.
Wooden Floors:
They come basically in two forms – one is the solid one and the other is suspended. A suspended wooden floor is typically found in a shed workshop and is not really great if you want to install heavy machinery in your workshop.
To get the best of wooden floor, it should ideally be laid over concrete. This way you will benefit from the strength and rigidity of concrete and will also be able to enjoy the warmth of wood. When going for a wooden floor in your workshop plan, one has to be extra careful. For example, if lathes are placed over a wooden surface that is not strong enough, you will experience that the machine vibrates a lot. A very effective solution to it is to have a concrete pad installed under such heavy machinery in the workshop. Of course, such a step would mean a lot of work. But, if you have already made up your mind about the workshop plan with wooden floor, this can be an effective solution for any future problem.
Wooden floor for workshops.
So, you see finding the best workshop plan is not just about the space and layout, it has a lot to do with the workshop floor you choose. Whichever floor type you choose, one thing that you must do to enhance your working experience is to wear suitable footwear. Industrial type trainers with steel toecaps are a great choice as they can keep you covered even if you drop a plank accidentally on your toes.
There are several resources on the web about how to make the best of your workshop space. If you need help in coming up with the best woodworking workshop plan then, the following links would help. In order to have access to some of the links mentioned below, you might have to go for a free registration and the site. Believe us, going through these links is absolutely worth it and will help you immensely in planning your workshop better.
Check out these detailed articles about workshop plans:
How to make better use of your shop space: Space is often a constrained when setting up a workshop. This article will help you make the most of the space you have.
http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/article/how-to-make-better-use-of-your-shop-space.aspx
Smart Shop Storage: Are tools are hardware lying hay ware in your shop. Check out this article from Fine Woodworking for smart shop storage solution.
http://www.finewoodworking.com/workshop/article/smart-shop-storage.aspx
How to Start Woodworking in a Basement or Apartment: For those looking to start their woodworking workshop from their homes, this one is a must read.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to-plans/woodworking/how-to-start-woodworking-in-a-basement-or-apartment#slide-1
Tips on Small Woodworking Shop Layouts: A layout of a workshop is crucial. This article will help you in designing the right one for you.
http://www.woodnet.net/tips/general-shop-tips/small-woodworking-shop-layout/
Art of Woodshop Design – There are several articles in this website that will help you in coming up with your own customized workshop plan.
http://www.artofwoodshopdesign.com/
So, this was all about the importance of your workshop floor and the various resources that can help you design an effective and efficient workshop plan.
