How to create a workshop

[Billfred]

One thing we've found useful: Make your build space your pit space. We keep our pit table set up in the shop, and when we go to competitions we just rearrange some plastic shelving to suit. Very easy.

Also think about where you're going to hold non-build meetings. If you don't have that space elsewhere, you're going to want to leave an open space for that (and perhaps some seating). 4901 has reasonable access to classroom space since we're on a college campus, but we still hold an occasional stand-up meeting in the shop for expediency.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by Billfred

One thing we've found useful: Make your build space your pit space. We keep our pit table set up in the shop, and when we go to competitions we just rearrange some plastic shelving to suit. Very easy.

This hasn't been an option for us in the past, as our build space had to become a classroom again after each build session. We also tend to do most of our cutting outside to keep the noise down; Slidell has reasonable temps and precipitation for half to 3/4 of build season, depending on the year.
Now that we have a dedicated build shed, this is something we will definitely consider, though given that we're building heavy workbenches for the shed (2 down, 3 to go), and that we build two "identical" robots since last year, a 10x10 area within the shed won't be our primary work space. We had a 10x10 area marked off on the plans for a "test space" in the shed - with a 7-1/2' ceiling and an irregular floor sloped about 2 degrees to the back, we aren't going to be using the shed for real driver practice. I suspect that about the time we need to go to the classroom or the parking lot for driver practice, the "test space" will become our "pit layout". We can even drill rolling the storage shelves and benches in and out, as long as we keep things below that low ceiling. We can do the full-height drills in the classroom. After stop build day, we can build the pit in the shed and note whatever we use that is not stored in that space to adjust the pit loadout. I like it!

[sgeckler]

These are good lists. I would add:

A Vise
Spring loaded center punch (makes drill presses MUCH more useful)

Good luck!!

[Joe G.]

Do not forget about any of the following:

-Storage space. The amount of random parts that a FIRST team accumulates over time is truly impressive. Making sure that everything has a place to live takes a lot of planning ahead. Invest in a whole lot of drawers, large and small, to keep everything organized, and a quality toolbox or well-designed pegboard for all your tools.

-Table space. You can never have enough open table space, as many elements of the robot will be being assembled in parallel, especially during the prototyping stage.

-Open space. This can't be forgotten about either. Whether for storage of large items like full size prototypes, for testing, or just for freedom to move around, it's important not to fill your shop to the point where there's no free room.

[EDesbiens]

I'm almost done cleaning and making space for it... I'll show you guys a picture soon to give you an idea

[EDesbiens]

Here it is Still need to move the pinball machine to a corner or something and to bring a few things to other rooms