This week’s shop belongs to Gregg, aka CrackPotWoody. Let’s check it out!!
It’s been a long process getting a shop that I feel is workable and productive. I’ve gotten more serious over the past year or so, since we built our new home. I like having the shop in the basement, its close by, year round consistency of temperatures and humidity, and Im lucky to have plenty of room. The shop is finally getting close to where I want it to be, and Ive even been able to get a few projects out the door along the way. Theres even one in the works (2 cherry night stands) on the assembly table.
I’ve added a few pieces of equipment and accessories over the past year. I’ve had the Grizzly contractors saw, 6″ jointer, and belt/disk sander for about 10 years. I just added the Incra fence and router table/lift to the saw this year. The Ridgid planer was bought from the 2007 woodworking show. I’ve added dust collection, an OSS, Mitre saw, PC dovetail jig, Steel City mortiser, and most recently, a craigslist find of a 16/32 drum sander. I’m sure I’m forgetting many other things, because UPS is always at my house. Next big thing on my list is a new band saw to replace the 10″ craftsman, and maybe a jointer upgrade. Additional electric and a lighting upgrade are a must too.
The assembly table (4′ x 6′) was inspired by David Marks design. But I went about the process a little different then most others do. Rather then using sawhorses to make the dead flat surface to construct the torsion box on, I built the base first. I then leveled the base out to get a dead flat surface and then used it to construct the torsion box on. I have the height set to match the table saw, so it can also serve as an extra outfeed table for anything really long coming off the saw. As you can see, nothing fancy for the base or for that matter any of my work tables. They’re built to get the job done.
It’s still a work in progress. A few more workbenches to make and new lights and electric, and its still just almost there. So maybe a shop is never really complete. Thanks for taking a look. And watch soon for CrackPotWoody.com.
9 Responses to “CrackPotWoody’s Basement – Shop Tour”
You had mentioned that you first built the base for you torsion box style assembly table top. I had recently built a torsion style top which was 3′ x 5′ to fit my space. While laying it out I glanced up and noticed my pool table was just the perfect reference surface to build my box and just the right size. So with a new drop cloth to protect the table my assembly table came out dead flat. Its been two months since I built it and It is still dead flat end to end measuring with a straight edge. Obviously will not work for a wider top but worked great for me.
Great looking space.
One suggestion I would make to help your lighting conditions that I used in a basement workshop. Put a good concrete block sealer on the walls. They make it in a white color. You will be amazed at the improvement in light reflection.
Nice shop Gregg! I like the Incra on the Grizzly (I had the exact same setup myself for years!).
Tom, you’re a genius! I have a pool table and never even thought of using it as a reference surface for a torsion box. I now have a project to work on ;-) Thanks!
Hey CPWoody!
I echo Harley. Get those walls painted white for reflectance and go get some T8 flourescents. Make sure you get a ballast that has
90plus power factor and bulbs with a CRI(color rendering index) of 85plus and in the color range of 4100 or so.
OK, Marc…I’m shutting up about the geeky stuff!
Seriously Gregg, you will be blown away at the increase in light level.
Gregg, you have a dust collection system, but the pictures show you’re either not using it enough or it’s not working well. Do your lungs a favor and thoroughly check out http://billpentz.com/woodworking/cyclone/index.cfm, at least scroll down and look at “Summary Overview”, and “Here is the Goal”.
Good idea on building the torsion box.
Gregg, you have a great shop (I’m jealous!)
How do you like your Steel City mortiser? I’m thinking about buying one and would appreciate your comments. If you had to do it over again, would you still buy the Steel City?
Denny,
I have a steel city mortiser and I love it. Go for it.
Don
Denny, I’m real happy with the SS mortiser. I’ve plowed out about 30+ mortises with it so far. The things that set it apart from the others in this price range are the slide out table extensions and the roller support guides(what ever they call them) . The rollers worked really well for me. I really like those two features and no one else is this price range has it.
and thanks everyone for the kind comments and sugestions. I’ll keep them in mind as I progress. Like I said, it’s a work in progress for sure.
I’m liking the bench the mortiser is on, personally.
Do the poles ever get in your way?