Introducing myself; Shop Design

["Charles Welles" <charles.welles@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Welcome from another lawyer/carver. I'd be interested in knowing
if there are any others of us out there.

With respect to your shop queries, I built a shop a couple of
years ago.  The size was about 14' x 18' and then another 6' outside
under the extended roof.  Then beyond that was additional outside
carving space.  I have double sliding barn doors, and can back the
pickup in to load/unload.  The size is ideal as a carving space.
However, I forgot about inventory.  Where to keep all those stones I
tend to acquire, and where to put all the finished pieces I haven't been
able to sell yet.  So you either store elsewhere or build bigger.

With regard to light, the shop is in the middle of the woods
(where dust & noise can't bother the neighbors) and the north side is
all windows.  The natural light is good; because it is north there is no
direct sunlight, which is good; but I still need artificial light (which
is good) because I'm in the woods with lots of trees which provide
shade.

With regard to heat, I have a wood stove (because I am cheap and
in the middle of the woods), and I have a kerosene blower to jump start
the heat when it's particularly cold.  The downside is that because I
don't have constant heat (I'm in the northeast US) it goes below
freezing when I'm not there, so I don't have water, which limits the
tools I can use.

With regard to hoists, I don't have one yet.  I use a movable
(and portable) engine hoist.  Maybe I'll need to go beyond that someday.
Good luck.
Charles Welles