How To Build A Workshop On A Budget

Space

If you already have a garage, you are good to go! It’s the perfect place to spend hours working or designing your DIY projects. On the one hand, they usually have a wide entrance, so you won’t struggle with moving furniture and larger items, and on the other hand, they are also well insulated.

However, if your garage is just for parking your car, you can actually get a steel structure erected in less than a day. Of course, it’s a bit pricey, but these prefabricated buildings are strong and come in all shapes and sizes. You can also add electricity and extra insulation for those cold winter nights. It will be cheaper than a wooden log cabinet and much safer if you use welding machines and flammable materials.

For those who are a fan of fresh air, another good option to set up your homemade DIY workshop is your carport. Make sure you have an electricity source nearby and proper lighting. The main advantage of using your carport is that you can dry things quickly, because it’s a well-ventilated area with lots of sun rays, meaning you don’t take the risk of inhaling paint or fumes, as you work on your projects.

Take care of your bills

The main thing you need to understand about workshops is that they will require electricity and lighting. You need to manage that properly if you don’t want to freak out when the bills come by the end of the month.

It is important that you have a reliable source of power in your workshop. A pro tip is, before purchasing any type of tool, to make sure you understand their consumption energy, especially their voltage and wattage requirements. If you don’t have enough power supply from your house, opt for an affordable generator to respond to your needs, or install solar panels on the roof of your new workspace.

When it comes to lighting, this is definitely a factor that will define the outcome of your creative projects! You can opt for portable lights that you can place in different areas of the workstation, depending on where you are working. With spotlights and LED bulbs, you’re able to see all the colors and details clearly when working with uneven surfaces or painting. They’re efficient, cheaper, and can be environmentally friendly.

Tools

This is where it can become a bit tricky. Many people think that having a homemade workshop requires a lot of money - that’s not necessarily true. With basic workshop tools, you can build everything from outdoor chairs to tables and even to a small and cute off-grid cabin!

You’ll be surprised to find out that you don’t need that many tools for building a proper piece of furniture.

Let’s got through some basic helpers for you Santa’s Shop:

Belt/Disc Sanders

No handyman alive can consider himself that if he doesn’t have one of these. They are extremely practical and not as pricey as you may think. When it comes to woodworking or metalworking, these types of immobilized machines offer a combination of a belt and a disc sander that can save you time and money, as well as effort. They effectively adapt to the needs of a beginner woodworker, but also to the experienced professional

Imagine just sitting down and focusing on a single piece, without having to run around grabbing different machines - that’s belt/disc sanders.

Combo Kit

We’ve all seen this in our father or grandfather’s workshop. It replaces the need for so many expensive tools by providing only the necessary ones. I recommend the 20 volt Porter Cable combo tool kit. It’s powerful, portable and space-saving, as well as having the perfect multi-purpose set of tools you need, combined in one piece. With one single purchase, you have a circular saw, a jigsaw, a reciprocating saw, a drill, a multi-saw, and a grinder.

Table and Miter Saw

Believe it or not, these are incredibly helpful! A good compound Miter Saw is perfect for cutting boards to exact lengths or cutting perfect angles for all kinds of projects. Of course, you don’t have to spend a fortune on the top models! For about $250, you can get a 10″ compound miter saw that will get the job done - that I can ensure you.

What can also come to handy is a Table Saw. It’s a must for ripping down long lengths of wood and plywood to the desired size, as well as being perfect for making beveled edges and cuts. Again, for $200 you can purchase an efficient, high-quality table saw.

Workbench

Besides having a proper space for building your projects, you should also reserve a smaller space for designing. Trust me, it is a must-have at your homemade workshop. It’s a simple and affordable piece that you can make in a morning, and yet it's big enough for serious woodworking and hobby projects. Not only can you restore and organize your tools on it, but you will never lose hours (and your mind!) searching for that specific screwdriver you know you have.

You’re good to go!

As you can see, with the right knowledge and tips, it’s not that hard to build a workshop in your own house. It can become really handy and when it comes to time and price rates, a thoughtful purchase won’t make it that big of a deal. If you think about it, it’s much cheaper and rewarding building your own furniture than buying a new one. Make sure you get everything you need before you start, analyze the tool requirements before you purchase them, roll up your sleeves, and get to work!