Working on the Shop instead of in the shop

[WNC_Dave]

So i know how everyone loves pics, and as i have not uploaded any, I decided to snap a few while i worked on my shop this weekend. Once I am done I will get a big pic of the inside as i will want some input on tool placement.
Here is the outside of the shop


Here is the inside while we were planning the work


and finally after a little while we got one side of the shop done.



Well now its time to go work on the other walls.

Dave

[JimmyC]

Dave,

Nice job so far. You're doing it right by insulating now you won't regret it.

Jimmy

[Jim Murphy]

Hmmmm. Allow me to gaze into my crystal ball......


I see a larger electrical panel in your future. Much larger.

Are those 2X6 studs?

[DaveO]

Looks like a nice roomy space, I'm jealous of your head room


Dave

[McRabbet]

Dave,

That is going to be a superb shop space. Good move to add the studs to make it possible to use good insulation. What do you plan for covering the walls? Drywall? OSB, Slat Wall (if you've got deep pockets)? If you every need some, help, holler and maybe I can come over! I agree with Jim that you may need a bigger power panel, though. Keep the pics coming!

[WNC_Dave]

Jim
yes I am re framing with 2x6 to match what was there.

Rob
I am not sure about the walls yet. I plan on osb or mdf for the bottom to protest the insulation from impact damage, but above that i have not decided. You can come over when ever you want, help is always welcome and beer is in the fridge if you want to just sit and chat.

Why do you think I need a bigger panel. that one is not half full yet, plus i only have a 100 Amp feed going to the building from the house. Also I only have a table saw and compound miter saw. The rest is done by hand till i get some more tools. I am thinking DC will be next so i can get it installed. then planer and jointer. but that is a ways off.

All recommendations are welcome as this is my first shop.

Thanks
Dave

[TV]

That looks like a nice and roomy shop. How big is it?

tv

[Jim Murphy]

Originally Posted by WNC_Dave

Why do you think I need a bigger panel. that one is not half full yet, plus i only have a 100 Amp feed going to the building from the house. Also I only have a table saw and compound miter saw. The rest is done by hand till i get some more tools. I am thinking DC will be next so i can get it installed. then planer and jointer. but that is a ways off.

All recommendations are welcome as this is my first shop.

Thanks
Dave

Because efficient DCs, planers, jointers, bandsaws, table saws, air compressors, shapers, etc. run on 220V, and a 220 breaker takes up two slots in the panel, and you need to run a dedicated line to each machine (IMHO), as well as 4 115V breakers for the four 20 amp circuits feeding CHEST HIGH receptacles on every other stud, and another for the light circuit.

I've got a 20 slot panel (10x2) with only 100 amp service, and sometimes wonder if I should have gone larger.

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by fernhollowman

Because efficient DCs, planers, jointers, bandsaws, table saws, air compressors, shapers, etc. run on 220V, and a 220 breaker takes up two slots in the panel, and you need to run a dedicated line to each machine (IMHO), as well as 4 115V breakers for the four 20 amp circuits feeding CHEST HIGH receptacles on every other stud, and another for the light circuit.

I've got a 20 slot panel (10x2) with only 100 amp service, and sometimes wonder if I should have gone larger.

I agree with you Jim. I've got a 32'x40' pole barn style building that is separated into two rooms and it came with a 200amp 30 slot panel. I've since added a 100amp 20 slot sub panel into the machine room so that I could have dedicated circuits for the machines. You can't have too large of a panel or too many outlets.

Jimmy

[Gotcha6]

As an alternate to tearing out the old panel consider a sub panel. Most people seldom have more than 1-2 power tools & a DC on at the same time. You could mount another panel beside the one you have & put all your 120v circuits in it. If you use thinline breakers you could get as many as 12 - 120v circuits off that panel. You'd use up 2 spaces in the old panel.

[WNC_Dave]

OK now i see, yea i will probably need to upgrade down the road then.

SnoeShoeHare the building is 25x50 but it is sectioned off on the inside for storage so the main secion is probably 25x30.

Dave

[Ray Martin]

Dave,

Good progress on the shop. Actually, ANY progress on building or re-building the shop is a good thing. I think shop improvements, shop cabinets, shop benches, etc. are some of the most satisfying things you can do. I never care whether I'm building on or building in or building what... just so long as I'm building.

Ray

[WNC_Dave]

Dennis that is a good idea and probably how I will do it when needed.

Dave

[scsmith42]

Dave, I strongly second the advice re swapping out your panel, and will go one step further and advise you to do it now instead of later. You'll be dollars and time ahead if you go ahead and upgrade your panel now, versus waiting.

A 16 position, 200A panel should be the bare minimum for a small workshop, and a 24 position is even better. Even if you only run a 100A service to it, changing panels out later is a major hassle and a good thing to avoid.

The addition of subpanels is a possibility, but with the state of your project I'd swap out now.

One problem with a future swap is that some of the wires may be too short to reach breaker locations in a new panel. Although you can splice on to the wires, it is much better if you have a "home run" from the breaker to the recepticle versus a splice.

Just my 2 cents... Oh - before I forget... nice looking shop too!

Scott

[WNC_Dave]

Ok so if i upgrade now do you think this would be sufficient?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...VP5&lpage=none
or do i need to step it up to :

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...VP9&lpage=none

Thanks for the advice

Dave