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How to design a woodworking space?

I am president of a new not for profit association (women shed ) in Brisbane, and I’m trying to design a woodworking workshop space (6mx6m) for women in the community to join . I don’t have idea where to start . is here somewhere i can get some designs ideas or tools list ? that can guide me what i need to set up something good and organised .

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EricL

Hello @kalivet

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your wood working space.

There are a number of possibilities on how to design this space, but it will depend on what your goals are and what kind of tools you'll be using and what kind of projects you would like to take on. Building workshop tables will definitely be on the list, but even this can be built cleverly to take on several functions. A tool storage area where the tools can be kept safely and securely. A mobile worktable will always come in handy and power points around the area to help with corded tools and charging.

I propose looking at some of these discussions:

Workshop barn doors (there is a photo of the workshop inside the shed)
D.I.Y. workshop build with workbenches and storage by @RatBoy
D.I.Y. shed workbench makeover by @Remarka6le
Built-in garage workshop storage with bifold doors by @emmakeshome
Purpose-built workshop with tool storage by @Starkers_17

I also recommend looking at these guides:

I suggest doing a basic sketch of the number of tables you would like to have in the area. Are you investing in a tool display rack or does everything need to be secure? Look at some pictures online to get some inspiration and incorporate the best bits into your design. Once you have a general idea of what it will look like share the drawing with the community and any other questions that you might have. We will be more than happy to offer ideas and recommendations on how to layout your workshop.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @Remarka6le, @Noyade and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Jason

Just thought I'd tag a few more keen woodworkers for their thoughts on this community project.

@JoeAzza, @woodalwaysworks, @Alicia_Woodwork

Jason

JoeAzza

Hi, @kalivet

All good suggestions from @EricL , you could also try to contact other Men’s or Women’s Sheds to get some help to set you Women’s Sheds in Brisbane. I’m not sure if there are Men’s sheds in Brisbane, I know they have many in Victoria..

you could also contact Op shops for old tools that you can make use of.

Noyade

Hi @kalivet

What sort of projects are you anticipating to make?

My father was a builder - he made a shed with a large barn door.

With a large table-saw and jointer planer positioned such that when the door was opened - he could deal with long lengths.

Just a thought. 😁

Alicia_Woodwork

Hi there @kalivet,

This sounds like an awesome project! Women’s sheds and women’s carpentry courses are incredibly valuable.

When I started my woodworking journey, I found a drop saw, disc sander and drills the most important. As I progressed a little, I moved to using a table saw, bandsaw, belt sander, router and biscuit joiner.

ideally your space will have multiple small work stations next to the tools with a large main workbench in the centre for any tasks not requiring large stand-alone tools.

Basic small tools such as chisels, sanding blocks, pencils, wood drill bits and wood glue are a must.

I really hope this assists and you’re able to get the shed up and running soon! Please feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions or would like a bit more detail.

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

Cheers,

Alicia

Dave-1

Good Evening @kalivet

I think @EricL's suggestion of a sketch to work out how many tables ect you may want for members to work on. I would even go as far as mocking up with cardboard and a 1:1 ratio of the room in question. Mainly to get a feel of the space that you will require around tools/bench or otherwise fixed machines plus workspace for them.

Hand tools will take up a lot less space then having a set drill press or bench sander. A wall with tools mounted on it may be a good option if you can spare access to it. Shadow board cardboard first before deciding on the space needed. It will cost a lot less this way. If you go for a fixed sander you may need dust extraction for the area.

Where are the power points is another question? Will there be any hanging outlets? It all keeps coming back with a sketch to start with. If you could draw up the room and mark out windows/doors plus powerpoints we could suggest what may fit.

Dave

kalivet

Yes , I thought of it and went yesterday to see Bramblebay Ws and Ferny groove Ws. I had some insights of their operations and woodwork. It was good

kalivet

As it is small space I would like to make sure The space is well utilised and functional. The idea is to have the basic Tools and equipment so women can utilise it to do their own projects and also have days to do some workshops on how to use some equipment's example bandsaw and things like that so the women in the community learn more and can do more regarding woodwork.

kalivet

Awesome Alicia

Thank you and I am writing everything down and I will send you a message if I have more questions

kalivet

I will put a pic . thanks

AlanM52

Hi @kalivet,

Been waiting for all the good advice to flow-in so I can make suggestions that are not repetitive using a different approach.

I did some reading.

Australian Women's Shed Association

Then the Google maps thing.

Screenshot 2026-01-29 093319.jpg

So you can if you wish contact local sheds and enquire about assistance setting up your shed.
That's like a jump start so you can skip starting with blank sheet of paper designing your own layout and if OK take photos.

Cheers

AlanM52

Feel free to add me to the list.

14" Bandsaw, 7 month build, 95° Bunnings, motor repurposed from Gardenline water tank pump.

8" Bandsaw and capacitor start synchronous motor repurposed from Simpson washing machine.

Wood lathe 12" disc sander with good sanding capacity.

Router lift for entry level router table featuring easy onehanded bit height adjustment.

Planer/thicknesser fence to even out blade wear.

Jigsaw table.

Scroll saw using jigsaw.

Vintage woodworking:

I still have the complete Sher Workshop kit my dad and I purchased from McEwans in Melbourne CBD.

Safely stored in the house downstairs in the rumpus room. Also have crates of hand tools.

Every so often in memory of my dad I start a vintage project like the 8" disc sander with Powermaster drill, 8'' sander attachment and mitre gauge.

Cheers

Noyade

I gotta say @AlanM52 - you are one ingenious creative man.

I personally wouldn't be brave enough building a 'wooden' band-saw.

How old do you think that Powermaster advertisement is?

I did make some ridiculous things in the early 90's.

This was an induction motor from a pathology tube centrifuge.

Slow to start - then built up to 10,000 rpm.

Binned years ago. 😁

AlanM52

Thanks mate for the complement 😊

RE: I personally wouldn't be brave enough building a 'wooden' band-saw.

Here is the 14" Bandsaw build.

RE: I did make some ridiculous things in the early 90's.

I like the chuck and in-line cord switch 👍

RE: How old do you think that Powermaster advertisement is?

Sher Power Tools

Thinking... our McEwans city visit would have been 1962.

During COVID I setup Al's Workshop

These days it's hibernating but I still get enquires.

Cheers

Noyade

Sadly I can't say I've heard of Sher - and I didn't know McEwans went that far back.

I do have some British Wolf tools from the early 1950's - still going strong.

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Wolf_Electric_Tools

Nailbag

Such incredible ingenuity in all those machines @AlanM52

I remember the brand Sher well as making very solid woodworking machines and Wolf for their more portable tools. In my early days of power tools I used to call on McEwens for Black & Decker. McEwens were the among the first to be absorbed by either Bunnings or BBC / Hardwarehouse. Then Hardware House sites were absorbed by Bunnings. You can tell these ones as they have 3 giant piles sticking out the front entrance.

Nailbag

Hi @kalivet

I have been involved in some form or another providing assistance to a few men’s sheds within my time in the power tools industry. And that suggestion from @AlanM52 to go and speak to a few existing sheds is the perfect place to start.

I would also contact the marketing for and training managers for Ryobi and Ozito and see if you can drum up a few ex demo/sample tools. You could also try a couple of the safety companies for PPE like hearing and eye protection.

When I used to run training roadshows often the spaces available made setups and operation in a safe manner challenging. Your space isn’t large, so I would avoid filling it with bulky items to start with. A central work bench and a few portable work stations and storage lockers will give you an idea of what space remains. You need to avoid cluttered work spaces. Less can be more and safer.

You need to also consider an area for some basic dust extraction when using tools like sanders and saws. If you have space outside, you could look at getting one or two portable marquees to create working stations. You can get walls for them to for protection against wind.

Nailbag

AlanM52

CC: @kalivet,

Being cautious not to wander off topic...

One of my kids works at Milwaukee which means I can also tap into Ryobi so I should be able to get you some info about how to approach them (Ryobi).

If you read my bio I worked in the education sector which means I worked for a large TAFE College these days referred to as a Institute.

By the very nature of their size TAFE Institutes are very prominate in the local community and like to take advantage of that.

Find a TAFE in you area and prepare to visit them, they are basically public places so march into main reception like you own the place and introduce yourself 🙂

With regard to shop layout I was prepping to come back about that but I see that I am on the same page as @Nailbag.
RE: central work bench and a few portable work stations and storage lockers.

Are very good suggestions including marquee work stations.

That means you can postpone stuff like dust extraction with a shop vac in particular during clean-up sessions, move everything out there on wheels and blow-off then vac the shop.

Finally where do you stand... you are president of a public place?

Cheers

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