Author Topic: Please post layout for your trailer-based shop? (Read 15954 times)

wow · « **on:** September 11, 2014, 05:20 PM »

I may be heading to northern MN for a few months to do some work. Since the weather up there isn't conducive to working outside, I am considering designing a custom tandem-axle trailer to be my workshop. It would be WELL INSULATED and heated.

The work would be a combination of general construction, remodeling, and repair. I envision having the following 'large' machines (in no particular order) available:

• Track Saw with Paulk-inspired cutting table
• Kapex on custom-designed 8020 table with Systainer storage below (and above if needed)
• CT36AC under Kapex
• Contractor-style table saw (stored when not in use)
• Bench grinder (stored when not in use)
• Air compressor
• MIG welder (stored when not in use)
• Band Saw (may not be room)
• Drill press or small mill
• 56" mechanics tool cart (for mechanics tools, not for woodworking)
• Guide rails would store on ceiling
• Roof will be reinforced to store ladders and possibly haul materials for 'immediate' use.
• Small generator

I would also, of course, take all my Festool stuff.

I likely couldn't/wouldn't store finishes 'on board' since it would be a challenge to keep then from freezing. Plus, there probably wouldn't be any place to do finishing anyway.

I'd like to see what others have done to make a useable shop in about an 8' x 24' space. Please post your floor plans?

wow · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2014, 04:12 PM »

WOW - over 24 hours and not a single response? Maybe nobody has a floor plan of their setup?

Cross-cut Canuck · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2014, 04:19 PM »

Hi wow

I don't have any plans im waiting to see what Ron Paulk is designing. not sure if you were aware he starting a new series on utube. here the link

I currently have a trailer as storage for my garage and basement remodel and will probably turn it in contractor trailer and flip it when down.

sorry i cant help you better

Cheers

wow · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2014, 08:59 PM »

Quote from: Cross-cut Canuck on September 12, 2014, 04:19 PM

Hi wow

I don't have any plans im waiting to see what Ron Paulk is designing. not sure if you were aware he starting a new series on utube. here the link

I currently have a trailer as storage for my garage and basement remodel and will probably turn it in contractor trailer and flip it when down.

sorry i cant help you better
Cheers

I wish you could help me! You live in a similar climate and would face the same issues, so I'd be REALLY interested in anything you did. If you do happen to start a trailer build, be sure to post, OK?

Edit: I have not seen Ron's trailer plan videos. I'm going to watch them now...

Cross-cut Canuck · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2014, 10:57 PM »

WOW
I been in contact with some dealers on a trailer and going to meet them next week when I go on days off, I'll update more info for you then.

On another note, what do you think of rons trailer build videos?

Cheers

wow · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2014, 11:07 PM »

Quote from: Cross-cut Canuck on September 14, 2014, 10:57 PM

WOW
I been in contact with some dealers on a trailer and going to meet them next week when I go on days off, I'll update more info for you then.

On another note, what do you think of rons trailer build videos?

Cheers

Good luck on the trailer hunt!

I like Ron's ideas for his benches, so I'm waiting for him to get into the 'meat' of the building and outfitting. I think that's the next video, but I'm not sure when that will be posted?

My need is a little different in that I actually need to use the trailer as a workshop, not just as a toolbox like Ron has planned. Still, I'm sure there will be ideas that I want to incorporate in my build.

curt boyer · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2014, 11:26 PM »

Wow,
Here is my 8'x16' truck that I work out of every day. I can use my lift gate to gain another 5' of floor/ infeed room. Man if I had 24' I'd have a moulding machine! But that's just me. This setup works very well for me. Not only do I have the tools I need close at hand, I have a good selection of materials on board.
Good Luck
Curt

Cross-cut Canuck · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2014, 11:47 PM »

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 15, 2014, 11:26 PM

Wow,
Here is my 8'x16' truck that I work out of every day. I can use my lift gate to gain another 5' of floor/ infeed room. Man if I had 24' I'd have a moulding machine! But that's just me. This setup works very well for me. Not only do I have the tools I need close at hand, I have a good selection of materials on board.
Good Luck
Curt

Nice ride Curt, really like the drill press, built in router table additions. Just curious what type shop vac and air compressor you got rigged up. Is itinsulated? I'm shopping and in pre planning stages for a few things. I found 7x16 trailer w/v-nose for a good price I think.
Thx for your input
Cheers

wow · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2014, 03:54 AM »

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 15, 2014, 11:26 PM

Wow,
Here is my 8'x16' truck that I work out of every day. I can use my lift gate to gain another 5' of floor/ infeed room. Man if I had 24' I'd have a moulding machine! But that's just me. This setup works very well for me. Not only do I have the tools I need close at hand, I have a good selection of materials on board.
Good Luck
Curt

Now that's more like it! Mind if I ask a few more questions?

1. Any chance you've got a drawing of the layout that shows the floor plan? If you can post one you can probably ignore most fo the rest of my questions since the floor plan my answer them.

2. I don't see any guide rails, but I assume they are just stored where I can't see them? So where would that be?

3. Do you have a genset, or do you always use 'shore' power?

4. How is it to work in in winter? Did you do anything special to insulate or heat it?

5. I see a Kapex, drill press, router station, table saw, and 'lunchbox' planer. Are there other 'large' machines that I don't see?

6. I didn't see an MFT (actual or homemade) - do you not use one?

7. This is a biggie - if you don't have a drawing I understand that you might not be willing to spend the time to answer. What's in all those drawers??!!! I'm loving how clean and organized it all looks, so would really like to learn from whatever you've already figured out...

Thanks for posting!!! I hope all of the questions don't out you off...

Cross-cut Canuck · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2014, 09:08 AM »

Quote from: wow on September 16, 2014, 03:54 AM

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 15, 2014, 11:26 PM
Wow,
Here is my 8'x16' truck that I work out of every day. I can use my lift gate to gain another 5' of floor/ infeed room. Man if I had 24' I'd have a moulding machine! But that's just me. This setup works very well for me. Not only do I have the tools I need close at hand, I have a good selection of materials on board.
Good Luck
Curt

Now that's more like it! Mind if I ask a few more questions?

1. Any chance you've got a drawing of the layout that shows the floor plan? If you can post one you can probably ignore most fo the rest of my questions since the floor plan my answer them.

2. I don't see any guide rails, but I assume they are just stored where I can't see them? So where would that be?

3. Do you have a genset, or do you always use 'shore' power?

4. How is it to work in in winter? Did you do anything special to insulate or heat it?

5. I see a Kapex, drill press, router station, table saw, and 'lunchbox' planer. Are there other 'large' machines that I don't see?

6. I didn't see an MFT (actual or homemade) - do you not use one?

7. This is a biggie - if you don't have a drawing I understand that you might not be willing to spend the time to answer. What's in all those drawers??!!! I'm loving how clean and organized it all looks, so would really like to learn from whatever you've already figured out...

Thanks for posting!!! I hope all of the questions don't out you off...

Wow
Looks like Curt follow Ron Paulk truck, and did anawesome job at. Here is Ron video desrcibing the truck.

i also found an old video I had forgot about from Ron Paulk also, its his Sketchup model of the truck and how you can break it down and and use parts to mak your own truck layout.

Also believe Ron does not insulate his tool trucks but not 100% sure.
hope this helps

Curt
How long did it take for you to build your truck?

Cheers

curt boyer · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2014, 08:10 PM »

I based and was motivated by Ron's great design. I have been working on building out the truck for the last 1-1/2 years! Like your shop your never done, I'm always adding things as I have time and money. I don't have insulation yet but it's on my list before the weather turns. I'm going to use ridgid foam on the ceiling as far as the walls I don't know what I'm going to use yet. I used a propane heater to take the chill off during last years polar vortex.

Wow,
1- see Ron's sketch up
2- I store my rails above the router located in the tablesaw out feed / work top.
3- A generator is on the list not only for the truck but also for the house as we have
lost power a lot last winter. I use the homeowners power which is quiet and clean.
4- answered above
5- I have a small 6" bench top jointer under the router station. I also have a 1 hp
dc. Microwave which comes in handy during the winter.
With the lift gate I can bring my 18" Delta thickness sander when I need it.
I want to get a moulding machine and a bandsaw that I will bring to the job when
I need them.
6- I don't have an MFT yet but it's on the ever growing list. My tablesaw out feed
table is my work bench which is 32"x 11'-3".
7- The drawers on the Kapex side contain routers, router bits, everything drill, saw
blades, Veto tool bags, CT26 and Midi vacs, hand tools, sharpening station, tool
belts, 8-1/2" mitersaw, Kreg jig, Domino, measure and marking tools, levels,
lasers, tripod

On the other side 12" mitersaw, jointer, compressor, gas powered blower, jigs,
small wood storage, shims, a ton of fasteners, vice, caulk guns.

Peter Halle · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2014, 05:55 AM »

Wow, I wish you the greatest success in setting up your trailer. I am sure you are in the process of evaluating each image here for relevance to your anticipated usage. In my opinion the largest obstacle to overcome - it might not be relevant for you - is how to effectively and comfortably process full sheets of ply, etc. The 8' approx. interior width of a trailer just is a bit small. If you can get the width of your sheets down in size elsewhere then a combination of storage and working space can be effectively designed.

Are sheet goods in your future?

Peter

wow · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2014, 07:23 AM »

Quote from: Peter Halle on September 17, 2014, 05:55 AM

Wow, I wish you the greatest success in setting up your trailer. I am sure you are in the process of evaluating each image here for relevance to your anticipated usage. In my opinion the largest obstacle to overcome - it might not be relevant for you - is how to effectively and comfortably process full sheets of ply, etc. The 8' approx. interior width of a trailer just is a bit small. If you can get the width of your sheets down in size elsewhere then a combination of storage and working space can be effectively designed.

Are sheet goods in your future?

Peter

Peter:

Glad to see you posting! Hope you aren't in too much pain?

I assume that sheet goods will indeed be part of the plan, yes.

I think that if I always rip the length first, then crosscutting becomes a lesser issue. In an 8.5 wide trailer (8 foot inside dimension) I should be able to push a sheet up against one wall and still have 3+ feet to work with on the other side. If I have a row of Systainers 16" deep on that 'other side' I still have (according to my CAD plans) around 28-30 inches of room to walk alongside the panel with the track saw. Perfectly acceptable as long as I don't gain weight!

But you are correct - it will take careful planning and space management to make it work. And in some instances it may require having the supplier rough cut sheets for me to promote better workflow.

As for my planning and evaluation - you are correct again. I am scrutinizing every picture to see what I can learn from it. So far I *THINK* I have figured out how to process a few sheets of whatever pretty efficiently. But my process breaks down if I have more than about 5 or 6 sheets, or if I need to store them AND process them. The just isn't enough room to do both, so I need to figure out how I will solve that little problem.

Actually, I *have* figured it out - I just need a trailer version of the Tardis...

Loren Woirhaye · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:35 AM »

I might want a panel saw on one wall or some other semi-vertical or tilting arrangement. That's kind of complicated to build on short notice though. (my shop-built panel saw: )

Another solution is to get an EZ-Up, a couple of sawhorses and maybe a 2x2 support frame and put it outside so you can run out there and cut your full sheets and not fight with them in the trailer.

curt boyer · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2014, 08:16 PM »

Wow,
This is what I use when I'm cutting plywood. I have a 3' aisle between my cabinets, which I consider a minimum. My bench is 32" deep which leaves me enough room to walk around plywood when I'm cutting in the truck.

wow · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2014, 08:31 PM »

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 17, 2014, 08:16 PM

Wow,
This is what I use when I'm cutting plywood. I have a 3' aisle between my cabinets, which I consider a minimum. My bench is 32" deep which leaves me enough room to walk around plywood when I'm cutting in the truck.

You've never spent time in northern Minnesota, have you?

At -40 degrees below zero and 30 MPH winds, you don't want to spend even 5 minutes outside!

There are a few months where that would work, but not enough. Hence the heated trailer.

curt boyer · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2014, 10:40 PM »

Wow, are you telling me that all winter long you have to work outside? I cut ply in the truck when I have to but when I can stretch out I use my interlocking table in the garage, room, or porch. Yes we don't get as cold as you do but we still have some extreme weather like we had last winter. Did you get the trailer yet?
Curt

Cross-cut Canuck · « **Reply #17 on:** September 17, 2014, 10:50 PM »

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 17, 2014, 10:40 PM

Wow, are you telling me that all winter long you have to work outside?

I think he just complaining he doesn't want to work out side

wow · « **Reply #18 on:** September 18, 2014, 03:31 AM »

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 17, 2014, 10:40 PM

Wow, are you telling me that all winter long you have to work outside? I cut ply in the truck when I have to but when I can stretch out I use my interlocking table in the garage, room, or porch. Yes we don't get as cold as you do but we still have some extreme weather like we had last winter. Did you get the trailer yet?
Curt

No trailer yet. Still working on a design and waiting for a couple of things to fall into place on the real-estate end.

wow · « **Reply #19 on:** September 18, 2014, 03:37 AM »

Quote from: Cross-cut Canuck on September 17, 2014, 10:50 PM

Quote from: Curt Boyer on September 17, 2014, 10:40 PM
Wow, are you telling me that all winter long you have to work outside?
I think he just complaining he doesn't want to work out side

I don't know if it's *JUST* complaining, but you are correct. I don't want to work outside at those temps. I don't consider it a viable option if you can lose an extremity to frostbite in minutes.

And without getting *too* graphic, you don't typically find anybody relieving themselves outside at those temps since that particular appendage senses the cold and completely disappears!

curt boyer · « **Reply #20 on:** September 18, 2014, 07:37 PM »

Wow, what are you going to use to heat the trailer? If you get a trailer that doesn't have any ply on the walls it will give you the opportunity to insulate the walls and ceiling with foam before you sheathe the walls with ply. I have been thinking about my Johnson ever since you painted a mental image about the cold in the great white north.

You could also insulate under your cabinets and in the aisle to keep the cold from migrating through the floor. I would put the cabs straight on the foam and install 3/4" ply on top of the aisle foam. I would recommend MDO, AC, or Advantech for the aisle because it's going to get wet. I have 5/8" thick interlocking foam tiles on my floor that not only cushion my feet, they also protect tools if they fall on the floor. The cushions also help to insulate the floor.
Curt

Cross-cut Canuck · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2015, 07:37 PM »

my trailer finalling showed up 2 months late, but better late than never :-)

wow · « **Reply #22 on:** February 14, 2015, 08:02 PM »

That's a nice looking trailer! Now the fun begins, huh?

Can't wait to see the pictures of your build...

Brent Taylor · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2015, 04:38 PM »

I will see if I can get a few shots of mine, it's a mess right now, have been busy & got another that I am getting ready to tear apart to build a new shop on. Maybe it will give you some ideas though.

Scdavidson · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2015, 10:00 AM »

Hi,
Dont know if your still working on your trailer but here is a few pic of mine... seems to work well for me.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/workshops-and-mobile-vehicle-based-shops/mobile-shop/