New bow shop help please.

[Eric Krewson]

I don't have a bathroom in my shop but one of the criteria for my move out of town was to be in a place I could water the lawn without offending anyone, and I can.

[H Rhodes]

I like to work outside when i can.  I prefer natural light for ring chasing and fresh air agrees with me.  My shop has an indoor area and an outdoor area under a tin roof.  I spend more time in the outdoor area.  Your climate may be a lot different than mine.  Electrical outlets, ventilation, lighting, heating, air conditioning, plumbing....  you can go through that 3000 bucks really quick without a plan.  I would think about what kind of bows you will be building, and where your interests are and get what you really need out of the way first.  For me, I gravitate toward hand tools more and more, so a solid post in the ground, a good vice, a solid work bench, a few tools, good lighting, and ventilation would be priority.  Post some pics as you get your project off the ground.  I think everyone on here could benefit from a good healthy discussion of what makes a perfect bow shop.     

[Eric Krewson]

I spent a lot of years working outside but as a tool guy I needed a nice place to house all my toys. My shop is a multi purpose shop, bow making is primary, followed by flintlock gun building, general repair of just about anything that breaks around the house or in the field (tractors, lawn mowers and such) and even welding.

[Scottski]

Thinking about a portable carport on top of a good sturdy floor. With a small door in back a double doors in front. It will all be closed in of course. The carport is 18x 21

[lebhuntfish]

Well this discussion is just in time for me to. I'm fixing to start my own shop as soon as this rain let's up.

I acquired several large skids from my work. When I say large I mean huge!  My floor will be store bought but the walls, loft, and "outdoor area"  will pretty much be skids. I found a used role up door from overhead door company. A 36in steel door, 3 windows, ac/heat and almost all of my nails and Joist hangers are from habitat for humanity re store.  My shop/shed will be a 16x22 gamble style with a loft over 2/3rds of it. It should only coast right at 12 to 1500 dollars. To build, not counting all the cases of beer and favors I will owe my friends. Patrick

[DLH]

I'll be watching this closely hopefully start to build a 25x40 next year but may wait to build something bigger for some larger tools. I have been thinking
Of some kind of pulley system to pull staves up overhead to maximize storage. A bed would be nice too for those times the wife gets angry

[Aaron H]

If you are going to be storing staves in an attic or overhead anywhere, be sure there is good ventilation.  Attics can get very hot in the summer, which could potentially ruin your staves

[Scottski]

I still don't know if a carport or building it my self would be cheaper? My family said building it ourselfs. Neighbors and some friends saw carport idea is a better way. I just don't know I need more opinions.

[chamookman]

Don't forget - Ya gotta have a good work/Bow-shop dog. My old shop had a Lab/Springer (Springador) mix, that ate more Yellow wood - I was always amazed that She never had any internal problems or crap yellow  ! When the bandsaw was running, She would have Her face stuck right in the dust chute waiting for a chunk to fall and chew into pieces. Never had a Flea problem either, with all the Osage dust She carried around. By the way, Her Name was Chamookman - made it thirteen Years eating all that yellow wood. RIP Old Girl. Bob

[okie64]

Just as a general rule, materials to build a shop will cost you between 14-18 dollars a square foot. Double that for labor if you have someone else build it for you. That price is for wood framed walls, vinyl siding, one garage door, a walk door and a standard pitch roof. Pole barn style with metal siding usually runs about $15 material and labor.