The Framers Forum

Hi all,

I am just in the process of downsizing and relocating my business into my double garage at home it measures 5mtrs x 5mtrs.

Has anyone got any pictures or drawings of their workshop setups that they would be willing to share.

On another note what's the best material for covering workbenches where you make up the final assembly. I currently use damaged or cheap mount board over 22mm MDF. I have used a short pile carpet in the past?

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Steve

That's a good sized workspace.

The best way is to start with the Morso (if you use one) and build stuff in around it.
Morsos really need about 17', but if you have the feed-in opposite a door you can get around this.

The square space would make it possible to have an island bench, which is handy.

As for the covering, short pile carpet is good for me. The best I've found is Flotex. Doesn't harbour
debris and easy to brush clean. It's expensive, but well worth it. Look online for roll ends....

Hi Prospero,

many thanks for taking the time to provide the advice, it's very much appreciated.

My current workshop was inherited in design when I initially purchased the business, but now I have free reign, so I will take on board your suggestions.

I intend to have everything on wheels for flexibility with a builtin facility to drop the structure to the ground for stability.

I need to make the space to work harder and smarter for me now.

I have lots of stored stuff that I have never used, time now for a de-clutter.

Regards Steve

Hi Steve,
Here are a few quick pics of my studio.
The main photo with Morso on left, up to the end of the mountcutter is 5m x3.5m wide.
Plan chest under worktable, underpinner on bench end.
Simple hanging system for finished/in process frames.
Flotex offcuts on workbench as Prospero mentioned.
The work bench top is 8' x 4'.
Hope it helps.

I got some graph paper and marked out my floorplan, then I cut up loads of bit of graph paper to the footprint of each of the machines and benches, then moved them around on the floorplan, then I went real world and marked out in chalk on the floor of my empty workshop the layout, just so i could walk around, holding a 3ft x4ft bit of MDF, so I could see what it was like moving glass , backingbords and mountcards, even finished frames. All seemed okay so I the went ahead and built the benches etc, will try and find some photos

Thanks guys, some interesting tips and views.

I had thought about graph paper and old school marking out it may be the way to go. Items will have to earn their place and will probably have to have more than one function, I.e. hotpress with a wooden top to double as a work bench etc.

Regards Steve

I have recently moved workshop, but for only for my woodworking machines. I have separate workshops for framing and joinery. Anyway, the 2 key things i have discovered is definitely as you suggested you will do get any heavy machinery on wheels. I use the machinery bases from axminster tools which can be adjusted to different sizes, but lock easily.

Secondly, as prospero suggested, i would look at a design with a central bench so you can work from both sides. It has been a fantastic help for me.

Good luck

Nick

I work with two separate benches. One is a bit of an overflow area from the other. I like the Morso and the System 4000 along the two sidewalls in the main workshop area, with moulding storage behind the Morso and mountboard under the main bench. The glass is stored in an elevated rack behind the System 4000, I just lift each sheet of glass out of the rack and drop into position onto the System 4000. Generally I like my materalls stored where I expect to be using them. I have had a stroke and have mobility issues, so I keep walking around the workshop to a minimum to save time.

I work from a large double garage.

Basically, I have a central/island work bench approx. 8' x 8' covered in carpet underlay and when it wears out I will replace with Flotex as recommended .

I can work from all four sides of the bench. My kit is laid out in order of the framing process. Morso, under pinner, mountcutter etc.
Glass is stacked as far from customers as possible. Jet mounter lives on top of a 9 draw plan chest and I store mountcard in that same chest. Three cheap pine chests of draws under the bench store hand tools, tapes, paint tubes and other essentials. D rings, screws etc in screw topped jars on the draining board by the sink and near the finishing area. I find a basin with hot and cold water invaluable.

Moulding is mainly stored upright in my conservatory and the rest lives under the bed.

If you are ever passing you are welcome to pop in for a look see and a cup of Yorkshire Gold tea.

Peter.

My shop is quite small and I'm planning on making a new bench which will 6ft x 4ft, with a slightly lower step on one end for the mount cutter. The underpinner will be at the opposite end to the mount cutter and will be ratchet sttraped to the bench. These days I rarely take on work which needs glas bigger than 36ins x 48ins.

I forgot a very vital piece of equipment in the workshop. A good big rubbish bin.

I've only just realised that there's a Steve N and a Steve B in the group...
Just to add to the bins comment, I bought a set of 4 bins with different coloured lids from ebay and a large metal bin with lid for glass waste.
Coloured lids help, recycling, general waste, paper etc.
I also had a great tip from another framer. Royal Mail bags from ebay (fixed but changeable) to the wall, next to the wall mounted panel cutter and the mount cutter, for all the mountboard waste, saves time and keeps it tidy!

Hi all,

If any of you would like to share some pics of your workshop that would be great, might be easier to email to (steve_brayshaw@hotmail.com) thanks to those that have done so already.

thanks again for the great ideas I will incorporate many into my new design.

Regards Steve

Justintime wrote: ↑Sun 02 Feb, 2020 2:33 pm I've only just realised that there's a Steve N and a Steve B in the group...

There is also a StevenG

Maybe you could all form a boy band, Steve?

Steve N wrote: There is also a StevenG

Yes? You rang m'lord?

Or a barber shop quartet....if you can find a 4th Steve.

You can be a honorary 'Steve', then we would have a barber shop quartet, how about ' The Underpinners'

The Underpinners? Sounds like a rubbish 60s Merseybeat-style combo.....count me in.

We'll have to get an old Beatles gig poster, and forge our group's name low down on the bill.

I wonder what our minor hit was called: 'Needles & Pins'....'A Dedicated Follower of Conservation (techniques)'....'River Deep, Mountboard High'?

Cheers,

Steve.

Or how about a Rod Stewart cover version: The First Keencut is the Deepest.


Steve