Description:
Here’s my shop for posting should it be worthy having just done a clean-up and rearranging the layout. (we’re not worthy! we’re not worthy!) … ahem, sorry about the Wayne’s World moment.

My shop is a single car garage 12′ x 26′. A bit longer than a standard 1 car garage, but a little on the narrow side, but we all work with what we’re given eh? I have to share the garage with some other domestic stuff (garden/lawn equipment, bikes etc.) and in the winter, my wife is currently still wanting to ‘share’ the garage. Seeing as I don’t have a proper dust collection system in place yet, we’ll see how that works for her ;-P

I’m just getting started this year into woodworking (The shaker table was my first completed project) and have a mastercraft 10″ TS and the rest of my tools are benchtop models (Ryobi planer & mitre saw, Craftsman drillpress, delta bandsaw). I have invested in a couple of decent hand planes (Veritas) though.

This year I want to make a proper workbench as the I’m currently using 3/4″ plywood on 2 sawhorsed. I have 2 separate sheets so that I can remove one and step into use one that I made into a makeshift router table. The project on the bench is a Slat style clock that I’m working on as a wedding present for my cousin.

Location: Slaterville, Utah

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Shop Type: Garage

Square Footage: 250-499

Shop Description:
Walled off the single car side of a three car garage. All cabinets are MDF that I painted with paint I had left over from years of honey “do” projects.

Location: Dalton, GA

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Shop Type: Standalone

Square Footage: 0-249

Shop Description:
My shop is in a prefab 12′ x 16′ building. It’s insulated but I still haven’t got around to putting in A/C or heating. I build cabinets as a side job in this shop, and it is comical to see me manhandling 4′ x 8′ sheets of ply on to my table saw. So, any way I hope that you enjoy the tour.

From:

Location: Ft Madison, Iowa

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Shop Type: Garage

Square Footage: 250-499

Shop Description: My shop is small, so I use all available space as efficiently as possible, especially wall space.  I have plenty of storage for the small hardware that usually sits on the table in the way.  I use the empty space under tables and benches and also under my table saw out feed table.  The shop is 20′ x 24′ and I have all the room I need, but it took me a year to get it there.  I also have a garage door for getting stuff in and out.  As you will notice in the pictures, there isn’t ANY wall space (at floor level) that is not used.  I still have plenty of room to move around.  I have an open area which is about 10′ x 15′ and when I want to use a piece of equipment, I roll it out there, use it and then roll it back, that way it doesn’t sit out in the middle of the floor for me to walk around, trip over or use for a table to store things on like Marc does.  Gotcha Marc!!

And did ya notice the boards on the table?  Those are for my new torsion box I’m making!!  Thanks to Marc!!  I made the out feed table myself.  It is two sets of rollers and it really works great.  It took several changes in layout and a year working at it, but I think I got it now.  Also, if you notice, I even have my roll around tool boxes in the shop!  The layout table will be real nice when it’s done.  I like things nice and neat and clean.  I sweep the shop every time I use it, which makes for a better attitude.  My shop is also heated and air conditioned and I have hot and cold water and soon it will have cable tv and telephone.  Guess where I go when the wife’s mad?  Thanks for looking at my shop and I hope you enjoyed it!

A two-car garage is home to the Tom Buhl Workshop, an amateur endeavor. As you see in the first photo, that two-car garage also houses treasures, precious and otherwise, from combining two households five years ago into a 950 square foot home. When I married the lovely Ms. Gastil, she had a old, but serviceable contractor’s saw. So I made some shelves and storage devices from scraps and several raised garden beds. First furniture project, almost four years ago, was a set of bedside tables using plans purchased online. I was hooked. I play in the shop pretty much every day unless rain descends on our little corner of paradise.

Obviously, I work in a well-ventilated area with plenty of natural light. After opening the garage door, I roll out the carts. Even to use semi-stationary, I have to clear access space. As tight as things are, I’ve always managed to find a storage pattern to add another tool. I added the Jet 16-32 early this year and didn’t know how it could possibly fit, but somehow a formula was developed. When unexpected rain occurs it is a scramble to tuck everything safely away.

The PM2000 (a CraigsList find) has built-in wheels but stays put. Drill press and Grizzly 18-inch band saw are also used inside, but I will position to suit size of work. Wood cart on left wall was the first shop project—it has served me well. Holds scraps, cut offs and sheet goods. The Sjöbergs workbench has been good value with its vises and dog holes. It is not particularly suitable for serious planing and such. The added wheels further diminish its stability but I’ve gotten good use despite limitations.

To the right is a tall rolling cart (another CraigsList find) which is an awesome addition. Typically, the Sjöbergs bench is outside, opposed the table saw. The cart placed perpendicular to the workbench where it is handy for small bench tools. Recently, I added the small cart under the table saw extension to hold tools, blades, mitre gauge and ear protection. The large cross-cut sled is used frequently. It was especially appreciated when I had the contractor’s saw. Felt much safer and enhanced accuracy and control. Had to re-build it somewhat to fit the PM2000. I also have sleds for 45-degree miters and another for 45-degree bevel cuts.

Other power equipment include a 6-inch PM jointer, 13-inch DeWalt planer, dust collector, PM mortiser, PM spindle sander. The PM2000 came with router built into the extension but I found the Rockler table (Bosh 3-1/4 hp unit underneath) to be more flexible. Under the router table I keep tool boxes, one with bits in trays and the other with tools and attachments. I have a few other routers including trim and my favorite (thanks to Marc’s demo), a Veritas router plane.

The Rocker clamp cart is fabulous. I used to keep the clamps mounted on the wall, which kept them out of the way. But getting to the wall meant rolling gear away, then taking to the work area. When removing clamps I’d put them on any available surface. Which invariably would be the next surface I’d want to work on, so clamps would be moved again. Frustrating. The cart is great though I have it a bit overloaded (weight-wise) for its design. Also on that cart are pancake compressor and toolbox for scrapers. I have a separate small cart for my sharpening gear.

Last photo shows the workbench (beech and padauk) for my in-house office. Good for rainy days and late night hand-work. The cabinet below (cherry and beech) houses some of my precious hand tools. The cabinet rests on stretchers and can be lifted out. Bench can be broken down to move. Cherry stool in foreground was a recent project. I haven’t supplied pix of the river-salvaged, old-growth Belize Mahogany stickered in our living room. It is great having a spouse that appreciates my addiction. She’ll frequently pickup delicate shavings and small off-cuts to accessorize our lovely home.

This setup would not be appropriate for a production shop, but I work slowly and appreciate being outdoors. Early on, I built a garden shed/playhouse for my wife’s gardening gear so that she had ready access. Oh, yeah, and I guess a bit more room for my playthings as an added benefit.

Thanks for visiting. Hope to see many of Marc’s fans at WIA this October. For photos of projects and such check out TomBuhl.com