Ulick,

Grease and oil stains: If they're on work surfaces, I say leave em'.
It's a shop environment, it gets dirty.

Outlets - make sure they are strategically placed and enough of them.
You should have a special area set aside for welding (where you install
the outlet with the necessary voltage) unless you can ventilate the
whole shop properly. I'd mark off the floor with hazard tape unless you
have a whole separate room you can set aside, which would be nice since
there's not a great need to blind random mechanics with the arc.

I don't know why you'd need a forge, unless you're doing serious
professional framebuilding and fabrication.

Presentation apparatus: probably two separate setups, impromptu idea
presenter via white or blackboard in the shop area; projector space
should be elsewhere (in another room) because the latter could be more
for inviting the general public (film festivals and the like) and should
therefore be away from a shop environment.

Parts storage depends on the size of your space. If your space is huge,
I'd recommend devoting a whole wall or corner to parts, so that they can
be immediately available to mechanics. If not especially spacious, a
separate room or building might be necessary.

Also regarding parts storage, imagine in advance what you want to have
in stock - the quantity and range. If you're going for full spectrum (as
we have), realize that your parts storage will be an ongoing curation
process for the lifetime of the space. At the beginning, you may want to
save everything in order to build up stock, but as you meet your storage
limits it will be prudent to go over your caches and prune away the
crappier parts. Or, you could be circumspect about part quality from the
beginning, but that could be tricky since at a community bike shop part
quality is highly relative. Imagining permanently sized and positioned
spaces for each component is probably also a mistake, since all stock
will swell and ebb over time and it will probably be pragmatic to
relocate different component types to different bins or shelves
repeatedly.

Regarding bike storage, I've said this before here, but I'll say it
again: storing them vertically on walls or fences is very economical and
ergonomic. It is, however, more difficult to use the space above them in
that case because they sit taller than when both tires are on the
ground, so decide what your priorities are.

Regarding tool storage, most of us seem to agree that basic tools should
be duplicated at each workbench, while specialized tools should be
stored separately. I would add: locked or not depending on your shop's
security needs. We used to lock ours years ago, we don't any longer. I'm
not sure I would find a separate bench for the specialized tools worth
the cost in space (again, your specific square footage factors in).

Access: no stairs if possible. Ground level is best unless you're
willing to make ramps.

Plumbing: eyewash stations are nice, and may be necessary for code in
your area. A sink in the shop is nice if for no other reason than
filling buckets to check tubes or filling water bottles. If you have
outdoor space you should make sure you have a tap outside for hoses. We
use ours mainly to water plants, but that's enough of a reason.

I'm not big on parts washers, but others disagree. I think you have to
be very careful choosing the liquid used. Too weak and the washer is
useless, too caustic and disposal is an environmental hazard.

Your lighting scheme sounds great.

Heating: insulate BEFORE you do anything else (well, other than plumbing
and electrical). DO NOT fill the space with stuff and then insulate
after the fact. It SUCKS. And be sure to insulate well! Heating bills
will be drastically easier over time, and in cases where heat may go out
having enough insulation means temporary heaters will do a better job.

Ventilation really depends on the size of the space. I find that large
spaces need it much less.

Regarding pegboard as Jim mentioned, the melamine/masonite pegboard
sucks (it falls apart and is susceptible to humidity), and I've heard
metal pegboard gets the holes deformed over time. A friend just
installed some heavy duty plastic pegboard though, and it feels and
looks like it will last a long time. It was interesting. The benefit of
pegboard of course being you can change positioning without having to
rebuild the whole tool wall or fill it with more nail holes.

Jim's also on point in mentioning... Have Fun!! Getting these spaces
ready for action can be extremely rewarding. If you build it, they will
come :)

cyclista Nicholas


On 2019-02-08 04:02, Jim Bledsoe wrote:
> hi, how high is the ceiling and what is the shape of your space
> which way is north and where are the doors and windows
> make a drawing of your space
> then cut out squares/shapes that correspond to the program elements
> listed above. play with it  or even make full size cardboard sheet
> things
> and play with that
>  avoid peg board  solid panels with nails and screws, painted outlines
> of
> tools works
> havefun
> jim
>
> On Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 5:53 PM David Oliver <nowhere3@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Think about the floor, standing on concrete isn't very comfortable for
>> long. We've got horse trailer mats at Bikechain and similar rubber
>> mats at
>> Bike Pirates but there are lots of different systems for making floors
>> more
>> comfortable.
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 8:23 PM Ulick O'Beirne <ulickobeirne@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hey guys,
>>>
>>> Building from the ground up here in Clonakilty.
>>>
>>> As part of a much larger arts centre application I'm writing a part
>>> of
>>> the project to have a very strong repair workshop element, led by the
>>> community bike shop (rarr!). So the bike workshop could be the
>>> beating
>>> heart of a much larger busy space, managing a tool library, welding
>>> space,
>>> paint spraying space.
>>>
>>> The space would need to be really fit for purpose (firstly as a
>>> learning
>>> bike workshop suited for subscribers, volunteers, workshop
>>> participants).
>>> These are the design considerations I've been thinking about, and
>>> also a
>>> rough drawing I did of this kind of set up with ideas I've practised
>>> in my
>>> own limited workshop design and layout experience; stuff I've learned
>>> from
>>> reading design books ({Pattern Language- I love you), and loads of
>>> considerate tips I gleaned from reading your wonderful posts.
>>>
>>> With the following considerations in place (below) could you add
>>> anything
>>> or offer advise? Much appreciated. i love to read this thread. Ulick
>>>
>>> PROPOSED MODEL FOR WORKSHOP ON THE SITE
>>>
>>> - Master bench ELEVATED (specialised more expensive tools located and
>>> stored here. Space is also separated by a low partition, but one
>>> using that
>>> station has a clear line of sight right across workshop.
>>>
>>> - space for a blackboard/screen/ projector
>>>
>>> - 6- 8 workstations. more multi-use benches (1. washer station, wood
>>> section)
>>>
>>> -Fold away workshop (PRESSES/ CUPBOARDS/ COASTERS)
>>>
>>> - Lighting and electricity needs
>>>
>>> - Bench needs. i used scaffolding planks covered with 1/4" ply top on
>>> my
>>> last bike bench and I'm happy enough. Different benches of different
>>> heights.
>>>
>>> - Power needs: possibly accommodating a medium arc and a tig welding
>>> station (safely separated from bike workshop/ classroom)
>>>
>>>
>>> - Welding and forge (?) station
>>>
>>> - what do i do with grease and oil stains?
>>>
>>> - Storage needs (bikes, tools, parts possible to be all shuttered
>>> away so
>>> that the workshop is multifunctional
>>>
>>> - access needs (wheelchairs, physical disabilities,loading in, shop
>>> access from street)
>>>
>>> - Power input needs (voltage, power outputs/ plugs (where/ how many?
>>>
>>> - Water needs (plumbing, sinks, etc)
>>>
>>> - Risk assessments, safety statement
>>>
>>> - lighting (I was thinking LED Strips over benches, then some more
>>> ambient light, invite in natural light where possible
>>>
>>> - heating and ventilation needs
>>>
>>>
>>> ____________________________________
>>>
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