Charley,
OK, you've had experience shoehorning 3 lbs. into a 2 lb. sack. What are your thoughts about putting it into a 1 3/4 lb. sack?
I plan to purchase a semi-trailer (8 1/2 wide, less than 50' long) and, after using it to haul my stuff from MA to WI, convert it into a shop. I have a Bridgeport, a Reid surface grinder, 2 lathes (but only the Southbend Model A will be installed), tooling for all this, various support pieces (ShopSmith, drill press, band saw, work bench, welder, hand tools, etc.) and supplies (nuts, bolts, wire, switches, junk, stuff, etc., etc.). Clearly, I would stagger the position of the machines along the walls so that standing in front of one wouldn't be hampered by the placement of another. And I would have to optimize the storage of the tooling and supplies - getting rid of redundant items.
Given that I currently operate in about 400 sq.ft. (and the trailer is ~ 400 sq.ft.) and given what you've observed in your situation, is a trailer shop a feasible option?