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ups.com...
Hello, I am finishing up my shop walls tommorrow and I plan on using
3/8 inch plywood (already on hand). Do I but them up on each other or
should I leave some space between sheets for expansion? I'm not sure
how much plywood expands/contracts but I'm thinking that since I am
screwing the ply to studs spacing shouldn't matter since the screws
will inhibit movement anyhow. My ceilings are 8 feet and change so I
plan on using them vertically and trimming the edges so I can center
the edges on studs. Insulation is already up and I have the ceiling in
( 1/4 inch ply). Once all is in I am painting the whole thing white.
Any opinions, comments? Thanks in advance, Guy

This was discussed on rec.crafts.metalworking recently. I'm in UK so can't
add much but there was some comment about building code requiring the walls
be finished in drywall for fire resistance. I believe it's only required if
your shop is attached to your house and may vary between states.
I would consider recessed socket outlets and hidden wiring. I know the
advantages of surface fit but if you have loads of outlets everywhere, you
can soon re-arrange stuff. My biggest wall space user is shelving and that
needs to go flush against the wall, hence my suggestion to recess the
outlets. You may want to consider some outlets in the ceiling if the shop is
big. That can avoid trailing cables over the floor. I also like to wire in a
phone socket. You may also want to include an intercom back to the house.
Whether you want your partner to be able to call you is your decision.
As Charlie says, paint the floor. I prefer light grey. Very few workshop
things come in that colour. Even blood is easy to see.
I always paint walls white. Again personal preference but do paint them a
light colour, it really helps.
Don't forget the lights. As many as possible and think about where you put
them so as to avoid shadows. Lights directly over a bench are better than
some in the centre of the shop. I use fluorescent lights. They're cheap,
give good shadow free light and don't cost lots to run. I hate spotlights
because they do the opposite. One downside I have heard of fluorescents is
that they strobe at mains frequency and this can make machines look as if
they are not running. I've never seen the effect myself but it's worth
bearing in mind. High frequency fittings are available here. Not sure how
they behave but they should reduce the effect.
Look at where you site your chop saw/planer/joiner so that you can get long
timber to it. A small door in the wall can be useful here.
Norm A did a program fitting out a home shop and had a good way of mounting
wall cupboards. He ripped a piece of wood (about 3 x 2) at 45 deg. He
screwed one piece to the wall with the slant on top and back towards the
wall and the other piece to the top of the cupboard the other way round.
When he hung the cupboard on the wall, the two pieces fitted back together
again like a hook. Difficult to explain but I thought it was a great idea.
You all may have seen the technique before.
Finally, enjoy the place.

John