On Mar 24, 2008, at 5:18, Roger Books wrote:
> My problem is I don't have a shop.  It looks like a multipurpose shop
> in the backyard,  a shed, will be it.  It will need a workbench, a
> lathe, a drlll press (for metal only) and a desk.  Does this sound
> like too much to  put in a 10x14 shed?  Any advice on small work area
> is appreciated.

I've worked in smaller areas than a 10'x14' shed; in fact I think my  
useful working area is more like 6'x10' right now, much of which is  
taken up by the working on my new bench.  Depending on how the shed is  
made and how tall it is you might be able to get storage space by wall  
mounting lumber racks and the like.  Working on long boards will  
probably be obnoxious, but you can get those crosscut before use (I  
have to, as otherwise they're usually several feet longer than the  
car).  So I think it can certainly be done.  I don't know how big a  
lathe you want, but I imagine a reasonable size won't be that  
difficult to fit.  One of the advantages of doing primarily handwork  
is that it requires less space.  And you can always move outside in  
case you feel the need to cut something enormous like plywood sheets  
(not recommended with hand tools; the glue in most plywood is hard to  
cut through).

> I'm in Tallahassee Florida.  I'm considering AC for my shop but I'm
> concerned the swings in humidity will make life difficult.

I say do what you need to do to make it comfortable for you; passing  
out from heat exhaustion doesn't help the work any.  I know yo-yoing  
humidity can have odd effects on wood, but if you only turn the AC on  
when you're working and leave it off the rest of the time I doubt the  
brief change will have enough time to cause the wood to get all weird.

Graham
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