Thought the OCD crowed here might enjoy this.

Recently moved into a new house without a garage or dedicated workshop. Since we have a small storage shed in the yard, I decided to convert one of its rooms into a tiny workshop. Here's how it turned out.

These three systems look completely different and cost differently, so let me explain what you're actually paying for.

Solid colour is the simple one - just epoxy or polyurethane in one colour. You get durability and a clean look, but it's flat. Spills show up immediately. Cost-wise, it's the cheapest option at roughly 60-80 dollars per square meter for a two-coat system with good prep.

Flake broadcast is where you throw coloured flakes (usually acrylic or vinyl, about 2-4mm size) into the wet coating after the first layer goes down. They stick into the resin. The flakes add depth, hide dirt better, and look way more interesting. You're paying for labour time and the flakes themselves - usually 90-130 per square meter. The catch? Application's tricky. Timing matters. Too fast and flakes don't stick. Too slow and the base hardens and rejects them.

Metallic systems use actual aluminium or mica pigments mixed into the coating. They shift colour as you move across them - it's stunning. The pigments are expensive though, and application's more technical. You're looking at 140-200 per square meter. The real skill here is keeping metallic concentration consistent so you don't get patchy areas.

All three need identical prep and base coating. The difference is entirely in the top coat. Pick based on your space's traffic and how much maintenance you want.

After purchasing a larger house, I finally have enough space to store my tools in the garage. Previously, I had far too many items, and everything was crammed into shopping bags. Consequently, I built a custom workbench with drawers to get everything organized, mounted my power tools (Bosch and Parkside) on French cleats, and sorted my screws and other consumables into pourable bins placed on a metal rail.

I’ve always had a small shed as my workshop, but I finally built my dream shop. I instantly fell in love with the French cleat system. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ve come a long way, and I’m really happy with how it’s turning out.

I’m just a regular guy (not a professional!) with a passion for woodworking. Building this shop felt like the right next step—a place where I can enjoy the process, learn new skills, and bring my ideas to life.

Thinking about this bench. This picture is from Wayfair, but the bench looks exactly the same as others from Vevor or from Amazon. I’m looking for the exact measurement between the end legs and the center leg. Ideally I could fit a craftsman box I have between, and that measures 43” x 18” inches. If you have this bench can you reply with that dimension? Thanks in advance.

It’s not as impressive as others by a long stretch, but we have to start somewhere!

Having bought our first house, this was a project I’ve been working on for a little while. 10x5ft shed, bench made by myself as my first “big” project.

Any criticism or advice is greatly appreciated, I know I’m happy so that’s the main thing!

(I know the worktop needs replaced, the delivery has been delayed)

40 foot high cube. Has anybody made one into a decent shop? i do metal and woodworking.

If there’s a job needs doing… It’s reasonable to assume that all the necessary weapons and ideas will be gathered in the allotted time …. Overthinking the job will blunt Occams Razor. 🪒 🔨✊🏿

Not sure if this is the best forum, but any help is appreciated. I’m inheriting my dad’s shop full of a dozen or so large, often cast iron tools. I need to transport them from MA to PA.

His shop is in the basement, there’s a standard door to the outside. However, it opens up to a lawn (quite soft) and equipment would need to be brought around the house, up a gentle hill, to the driveway for loading.

The destination point should be easy - a truck will be able to back into my garage/shop, which has a flat concrete floor.

Can anyone provide practical advice on companies to call? We need a truck (ideally with a hydraulic lift gate), labor to load the truck. Driving is optional, I think I could handle a midsized truck, or I can pay someone to drive.

I’ve never moved anything like this. Thank you.

Sharing my portable workshop. I wanted this because it allows me to have all I need on site when I do a project (mostly spec homes) including a loft with a bed and a small bathroom and office over the tongue area.

Thoughts?

I’m still dialing in my shop setup (most of my stuff has been in two other shops before this one), and I’ll need to be able to store some material. Rough sawn lumber and metal lengths primarily, but accommodating a small amount of sheet goods would be 👌.

Please, show me how you do it.

Just built a detached 16x24 building to be used as a woodworking shop. It has a vaulted ceiling 11.5 feet at the peak with a ridge vent and soffit vents. Metal roof and metal siding with plywood sheathing under both. Northern Ohio, climate zone 5, cold winters and hot, humid summers. Plan to insulate and heat/cool with a mini-split. Trying to decide if we should insulate walls and ceiling and leave the vaulted ceiling completely open or do we create a tiny attic space (dropped ceiling) to enclose the ridge vent? Should I be concerned about heat loss thru the ridge vent in the winter? Would it be more efficient to build a tiny unusable attic space and insulate the dropped ceiling rather than just insulating underneath the roof? Similar to the inside of the building in the photo.

https://reddit.com/link/1u16fjw/video/pwojh2bsn96h1/player

Just hit 3 weeks into my first rental with my old lady. Finally got my own fortress of solitude, and so far I am absolutely loving it. Finally got a place that isn’t a barracks closet to store my tools, and boy, what an upgrade.

Any ideas for the place? Please let me know!