Optimum Workshop?

[Mattsbagger]

I have 3 stations. One by the window for airbrushing. (For ventilation) one across the room from it for other dye/finish processes. And one more for cutting,stamping,assembly. And it's all in a long narrow room off our bedroom. With an archway and no door. Started as a office/spare room with a futon. Oh yea it's also carpeted so I gotta be extra careful with dye.lol I started on the dining room table. In my mind I would have a room with more space and bigger tables. My big table is 3×5. 

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

Another interesting thread, as I am currently moving my operation into a new building.  I will have more room than ever before, and even though I have been doing this for a living for 25 years, I know there will still be some changes to the setup after I get back in production.  The type of work will largely determine your needs, as stated above.  A separate dyeing/finishing area for me is an absolute necessity.  I have just spent the last 7 years in the worst setup I've had since I started, and I can't count how many things I ruined by not having enough room and contaminating something with black dye, that was not supposed to be black.  It makes you invent new words!  The new shop has 5 separate 4 x8 tables.  Three of them I just built new, and I beefed them up over what I previously had.  They are made entirely from 2 x 6 framing, and they have a shelf underneath.  My old tables were 2 x 4 construction, and have done ok, but did notice when I moved them a couple days ago, that they had really loosened up.  So when we set them back up at the new shop, I beefed them up.  Three of the 4 x 8 tables are intended to be strictly for cutting and layout. That means that nothing will be allowed to be on those tables besides what I am cutting today, or what got cut yesterday, or laying out patterns on a side.  We'll see how THAT plays out!  Three tables might seem overkill for a one person shop, but I have the room available, so I'm going to use it.  I spent so many years cutting leather on my living room floor, because my shop tables were so full of stuff that didn't belong on a cutting table, that I never want to cut leather on the floor again. My knees are just too damn old! 

I'll have a couple tables dedicated to bench machines and fitting up, tacking, etc, and then the dying/finishing table, which is a 4 x 8, but spilt down the middle by a "wall" with pegboard on both sides.  I've put a shelf for bottles on each side of the pegboard, and lights under the shelf.  One side is for black stuff, the other for stuff that is to remain "dyeless".   I will have a separate bench for tooling, mostly because I had a 6 ft space to fill in front of a window, and a bench that will fit there.  I find myself avoiding tooling as much as possible, sue also to the arthritis in my hands.  But I do enough that it will be nice to have the dedicated space, plus I like the view out that window!.  Machinery will be placed wherever it makes sense. . .still haven't gotten to that point. 

I also want an area for grinding, and cutting bolts, etc away from the leather stuff to avoid contamination by metal filings.  A set of wrenches and sockets and other general tools need to be kept in that area also.  I still haven't decided where that is going to be.

 

[Orangeleather]

For me, in order of priority & need.

Space.

Improved HD table.

plenty of light, artificial or otherwise.

everything I’ll just make it up in a trial & error methodology until a workable solution is found and stick to what works for me.

 

[JD62]

Light, light, light. You cant have enough! I've worked in several shop type settings and the one thing they had in common was that no matter how much room you start with you WILL get cramped soon enough. So some sort of extra storage aria comes in real handy, an attic, or basement is best IMHO. It helps with the empty flat surface problem ( where they always seem to be covered with stuff). Oh ya and light!

[tomsmith85717]

3 hours ago, JD62 said:

Light, light, light. You cant have enough! I've worked in several shop type settings and the one thing they had in common was that no matter how much room you start with you WILL get cramped soon enough. So some sort of extra storage aria comes in real handy, an attic, or basement is best IMHO. It helps with the empty flat surface problem ( where they always seem to be covered with stuff). Oh ya and light!

this 1000x this. I will add you need a work table big enough to roll out the hides you buy ( if you only work with double shoulders than that is the size you need if you work with whole hides than that is the size you need) anything smaller WILL effect you productivity negatively by some margin. Make a point of clearing off your to clear off your table nightly.  Just use some sort of table cover when  using dyes. I like a big solid place to pound things on so to me a table is just not the right tool for that job I have a post that is the same height of my table right next to my table. 

The only one who can say what optimum for you is you, that said its at least 2 to 3 times bigger than you think.

[Fire88]

I’ve not been at this long but and am in the beginning of starting to build out my work area. I have one bench that serves as a dye area, small bench with granite for tooling/setting and small cutting. 

 I will me adding a larger table that is  6ft x 3ft (may end up 7ftx3ft top) with shelf underneath to store leather. This new table will be used as a cut/layout table. 

I have my CB3200 against a wall and a bench with my sander/burnisher and drill press. 

[Sledzep01]

On 1/6/2018 at 7:38 PM, bikermutt07 said:

I would think for sure you would want a separate dying\finish station. Have it all by itself. 

A good pattern making\cutting area

And assembly.

So 3 stations could do it? 

Maybe a tooling section?

I'm just guessing.

Is tooling the same as cutting in your opinion? Because I have no plans for actual tooling/carving. My brain says I wish, My hand says HAHAHAHAHA!

 

Sled

[bikermutt07]

1 hour ago, Sledzep01 said:

Is tooling the same as cutting in your opinion? Because I have no plans for actual tooling/carving. My brain says I wish, My hand says HAHAHAHAHA!

 

Sled

I had replied above. I'm in the same boat.