new2woodwrk Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 Or is everyone's shop at their home? I've been considering renting a storage unit and using it as both a shop and store If not, I'm thinking of renting a booth at a local flea market to sell some of the stuff I made and/or no longer use (I have 4 work benches but only use 3, tools, tool carts, a few scroll items, some tables I made etc.) Thoughts? Thanks in advance OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 My shop is in the basement....not too bad a spot, Plenty of room and decent temp all year. I also have a tin shop on the opposite side of the wood working area. Not sure about using a storage unit as a retail shop....may be zoning or storage rules against that..... If you want to sell some of your work, local craft shows and markets may be the way to go.....not too much of a monetary investment. We have our home on the market and a place to work is def a consideration looking for a new place! lew OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 If the storage unit is like the ones I've rented there is no adequate lighting, windows, electrical outlets, etc. I would not dream of scrolling under those conditions. I scroll because it is entertaining and stress relieving. But that's just me. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted March 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 43 minutes ago, Rockytime said: If the storage unit is like the ones I've rented there is no adequate lighting, windows, electrical outlets, etc. I would not dream of scrolling under those conditions. I scroll because it is entertaining and stress relieving. But that's just me. Yah, for the most part that is true - however, there are quite a few that come with power in this area so lighting wouldn't be an issue. Not to mention, this is Florida so just outside the overhead is as good a place as any 1 hour ago, lew said: My shop is in the basement....not too bad a spot, Plenty of room and decent temp all year. I also have a tin shop on the opposite side of the wood working area. Not sure about using a storage unit as a retail shop....may be zoning or storage rules against that..... If you want to sell some of your work, local craft shows and markets may be the way to go.....not too much of a monetary investment. We have our home on the market and a place to work is def a consideration looking for a new place! lew Not an issue in my area - storage units are used as stores everywhere We have no real craft shows - closest thing to them are farmers markets once a month and a few festivals through out the year - very expensive to rent booth space in festivals though - can be as high as $500 per single space. tomsteve and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 What kind of exposure could you expect in a rental unit? I guess I have just not heard of such a thing here. All the storage units around here have a locked gate with an office out front to give you access. I guess I know nutthin' bout Florida new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsN Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 I don't think I would scroll as much if my saw wasn't at home. I like the convenience of having my kitchen so if I want a drink or a snack I can. I personally don't think that flee markets are good places to sell, the people who go are looking for a bargain not handcrafted at. Just my 2 cents new2woodwrk, SCROLLSAW703 and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 Years ago I tried renting a storage unit to have shelter for storage and working on a old classic car I was restoring.. Needless to say they declined me once they knew I wanted to work in the unit.. for insurance purposes etc they said they couldn't allow me to work in the unit.. as it's a storage unit not a shop.. plus they also said if I was working and something caught fire it'd not only burn up my car and the storage unit.. but it was putting every one else that had neighboring units at risk for damage.. This was 30 - 35 years ago... most of these places I would think would be much more strict on working in one now than they was way back then. new2woodwrk, SCROLLSAW703 and OCtoolguy 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted March 27, 2018 Report Share Posted March 27, 2018 My shop is in my basement. The local storage places frown upon you working on anything in them. Where I have my unit I rent there isa guy always there doing something and they don't seem to bother him, not sure what he is doing though. SCROLLSAW703, new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 My shop is in the basement in the corner, 13x16, and comfortable all year around and plenty of storage. This way I don't bother anyone except the wife. edward new2woodwrk, SCROLLSAW703 and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 It is got to be hot in there all year round and materials and tools do not like heat as well as the operator. Not sure of your living arrangements but a shed of some sort would sound like a better option. SCROLLSAW703, OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 (edited) If storage units in your area Jes are like stores with proper lighting and power available then that would be my choice. Of course you need to consider rental fees, traffic, business licence, your time and any other costs and regulations involved that would effect your return. I think if set up properly within a high traffic area you could maybe do well. Of course you may not know if it's profitable until your second or third season. Like anything, there's no guarantee. As for flea markets, if they are anything like the ones here then I'd steer away. A lot to consider when setting up shop away from home. Edited March 28, 2018 by Ron Johnson OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackman Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 Doesn’t Kevin work out of a unit? Side note he hasn’t been on here for awhile or have I just over looked his post? new2woodwrk and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 10 minutes ago, trackman said: Doesn’t Kevin work out of a unit? Side note he hasn’t been on here for awhile or have I just over looked his post? He commented on one of my post last night.. OCtoolguy and new2woodwrk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Dface Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 my shop is in a rent to own portable building at my home. it has been paid off in this last year. i have found local stores that consign my rock star portraits at a 75%.25% cut and also have a 8'x12' wall at a local "peddlers mall" for only $12 a month. i stack cut almost all my projects so i have one to display and sell at both locations. OCtoolguy, new2woodwrk and kmmcrafts 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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