Garage Workshop Plans

Your garage workshop plans must be tailor made by you. It helps to look at what others have done when setting up their own shop but your workshop will ultimately be one of a kind.

The layout shown here is just to show you some of the things I've learned while setting up and working in my own shop. Using the equipment found in most shops I laid this out with a dual purpose in mind for the floor space. Since it is in a garage I'll assume that occasionally you have to make space for the family car.

Since this wood working shop layout is in a garage the machines were lined up around the wall and then moved to the center when in use. (Equipment dollies are available for most machines and they are well worth the investment.)

The machines that create the most dust were placed as close to the center of the garage as possible along with the second most important machine...the dust collector. The close proximity to the dust collector makes the dust collector more efficient and it also eliminates the necessity of stretching the dust collector hose all over the shop.

Placing a workbench behind the center of the work area allows the workbench to be pivoted and used as a outfeed table. I've also started using one of my homemade router tables in front of the table saw when I'm cutting full sheets or long lumber. This way I get the extra support I need without having to buy special equipment that gets in the way when I'm not using it.

Try to lay out your shop so the items you make will flow through your shop. Plan each project so you're not constantly walking from one end of your shop to the other. It may be worth your time to move some of your machines around before starting your project.

Below I've listed some books and shop helpers that I found interesting. Maybe they'll help with ideas for your own garage workshop plans.

• Setting Up Shop Book


• Small Woodworking Shops


• America's Best Home Workshops

Just in case you're thinking about building a brand new garage to use as your workshop then you should take a look at these Garage Workshop Plans.

Here's a few more garage workshop plans and storage solutions from Woodcraft and other woodworking supply sites..