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Layout · One-car, 12 x 20

Mixed shop with a car parked layout for a 12x20 one-car garage

A mixed shop with a car parked in a 12 x 20 ft garage: 3 of 7 machines fit, and Jobsite saw, Tool bench, 4 ft bench, and Shelving do not. 2 circuits on 120V, subpanel around 30 A, and 136 of 240 sq ft is aisle, operator zone and open floor rather than machine.

CAR12OVERHEAD DOOR SIDE12 ft clear width20 ft clear depth
12 x 20 ft clear interior, drawn to scale. 1 sedan parked inside. The 24 in strip in front of the overhead door is kept clear.

1. 14 in bandsaw (25 x 18 in)2. Shop vac with cyclone separator (18 x 18 in)

machinebenchoperator zonevehicle

123Tool bench454 ft bench6ShelvingOVERHEAD DOOR SIDE12 ft clear width20 ft clear depth
The same machines with the car out and each one rolled to a working position, operator zones kept clear.

1. Jobsite table saw on a stand (32 x 26 in)2. 14 in bandsaw (25 x 18 in)3. Tool bench (Planer, Drill press) (60 x 28 in)4. Shop vac with cyclone separator (18 x 18 in)5. 4 ft workbench (48 x 24 in)6. Steel shelving unit (60 x 24 in)

machinebenchoperator zonevehicle

What fits in a 12x20 one-car garage for mixed shop with a car parked

What is in the plan
#MachineFootprintSize source
114 in bandsaw25 x 18 inlisting
2Shop vac with cyclone separator18 x 18 inplanning allowance
-Hanging air filter (hangs from the ceiling)20 x 17 inlisting

Left out: Jobsite table saw on a stand (no floor left once its operator zone is counted); Tool bench (Planer, Drill press) (no floor left once its operator zone is counted); 4 ft workbench (no floor left once its operator zone is counted); Steel shelving unit (no floor left once its operator zone is counted).

Where the floor goes

Floor budget, 12 x 20 ft
ItemSq ftShare
Garage floor240100%
Vehicles parked inside9941%
Machine and bench footprints52%
Aisles, zones and the door apron13656%

To bring back what was left out: the jobsite saw first fits in the 12x22 one-car layout, the tool bench first fits in the 12x22 one-car layout, the 4 ft bench first fits in the 20x20 two-car layout, and the shelving first fits in the 20x20 two-car layout. Footprints are the machine's own size; the zones and aisles are why a garage "feels" smaller than the sum of its machines.

Mixed shop with a car parked notes for this bay

This plan only works because the machines roll. Park the car, keep everything compact against the back wall, and roll tools out to a working position when the car is gone.

In work mode, with the car out, the plan puts 6 of the machines in working positions and keeps the operator zones clear for all of them.

Living with the car

With 1 sedan parked inside, the vehicle takes 99 sq ft and its walk-around keeps another strip clear. Stored machines carry no operator zone in this plan, because you only run them when the car is out. Check each parked position against your car's door swing before you commit.

Circuits for this layout

CircuitVoltsBreakerWireReceptacle
14 in bandsaw120V20 A12 AWGNEMA 5-20R
Shop vac with cyclone separator120V20 A12 AWGNEMA 5-20R

That is 2 circuits, about 12 A of demand after diversity, and a subpanel in the 30 A range to ask your electrician about. Sizes use NEC Table 430.248 for motor amps and Table 310.16 (60 C column) for wire; have a licensed electrician confirm. The workshop amps calculator lets you change the loads.

Which machines belong on mobile bases

MachineWeight we can stateBase rating to shop for
14 in bandsaw207 lb (listing)270 lb or more, e.g. WEN Mobile Base
Shop vac with cyclone separatornot statedcheck the machine weight first

The mixed shop with a car parked package for a 12x20 one-car garage: Amazon and Grizzly

One card per machine in the plan. Each shows the Amazon pick and the Grizzly Industrial pick for the same job.

Prices change often and Grizzly runs sales, so the buttons show current prices.

Rest of the shop: the small gear

Storage, bases and safety items for this layout.

Prices change often; the button shows today's price on Amazon.

Email me the buy list for this layout

Every machine, bench and base in this plan as one list you can keep, with the circuits it needs. Plus a few short emails, then a couple a month at most.

Unsubscribe anytime. You can also just read the checklist on this site.

Size the systems for this garage

Fit sheets for the machines in this plan

Other trades and garage sizes

Frequently asked questions

Can I fit a table saw in a 12x20 one-car garage with a car in it?

Not in this plan with 1 sedan parked inside: no saw found floor with its operator zone. Roll a jobsite saw out of a corner or size up one garage.

What circuits does a mixed shop with a car parked need in a 12x20 one-car garage?

The machines in this plan need 2 circuits: 0 at 240V and 2 at 120V, which suggests a subpanel in the 30 A range. Have a licensed electrician confirm the service and the panel.

How much floor is left in a 12x20 one-car garage after a mixed shop with a car parked?

About 136 of 240 sq ft, 56 percent, is aisle, operator zone and door apron once Bandsaw and Vac + separator are placed.

This page is researched guidance, not professional electrical, engineering or safety advice. Circuits, loads and clearances depend on your house, your service and your town: have a licensed electrician confirm any wiring, and check local code and each manufacturer's manual before you act.