Aloha Dave,
I haven’t posted much for the past couple of months, as I’ve undertaken a big move and shop relocation. Now that I’ve finally reached “the other side”, I have the time to dial into Swayville more often. Good to be back, so here goes:
The sound and fume issues are very important. Sounds like some good advice so far in this thread. I’ll give my two cents on the space issue. You are trying to accomplish quite a few variables in your one garage space, so it’s all about compromise. From shortboards to super-tanker longboards, from glassing to woodworking, you will likely have to answer a few tough questions to yourself to reach the best compromise solution.
How many boards will you shape per day, per month, per year…. What size boards will you shape the most, 90% shorties, mostly longs, equal amount of each…… How much woodworking, how much space to make what you plan to make….Will you be making 12’ wood surfboards or small jewelry boxes….how much woodworking tools. Do you have lawnmowers, fridges, etc. to store in the garage also???
What you think you might use the space for could possibly be a little different than what you will actually use it for. Soooo, think all that through carefully, as that will lead you to your compromise solution. Most prefer a 3ft. space to work around all sides and ends of the board blank, so a 12’ x 24” blank needs a min. of 8ft. width in your bay x 18ft. length. Two bays that size will just about max out your entire garage, so you may have to get creative if you actually want to shape 12ftrs. most of the time, and the washing machine may have to go if you want to sneak in a table saw or jointer, etc. Soooo, again a creative solution needed after careful answers to your need / wants questions. Perhaps insulate the garage walls, ceiling, and doors, then do your thing within the overall space.
I once did a portable bay within a larger space by using the blue tarps available from the home centers. I strung plastic coated heavy wire up around the ceiling the dimensions of the desired bay, then attached the tarps at the ceiling by threading the wire through the grommet holes in the tarps just like attaching a shower curtain on a rod. The tarps went around the perimeter of the bay, I duct taped the corners and the tarps to the floor to seal in the space for dust, and left a small opening at one corner through which to enter and exit the bay. I also cut a square opening in the tarp at one end of the bay and taped the opening around a square shaped floor fan which sat on a table outside the bay. This fan was turned around to pull dust from the bay into a plywood funnel connected to a flex pipe that went to my dust collector downstairs in the woodshop. At the opposite end of the bay I did the same with a fan mounted in a window just behind the tarp that blew fresh air through the bay toward the exhaust fan at the other end.
Sooo, all this having been said, my suggestion is to think creatively and reach a compromise plan. Consider a portable option before you build permanent walls that might keep you from getting the most from your overall space. Hope the best for you….Enjoy the ride!!
Richard