What I’ve Been Up To This Week

March 2, 2007 | Filed Under Blog 

Once in a while (not often enough), I reserve a week of my schedule for shop-related task/uprades/cleaning/maintenance, etc. All the tools were in need of a good cleaning and waxing, blades needed sharpening, and most importantly I needed to reorganize the shop for more efficient video filming. I think I have an setup I am happy with now.

One major upgrade I would like to show you involves my latest purchase: a Makita 12″ sliding compound miter saw. This one replaces my Craftsman 10″ chopsaw which was a real trooper. But I just needed more capacity. And not to mention, Amazon had a killer deal going on so I had to bite. And what did I do as soon as the saw was delivered? I did what any self-respecting woodworker does when they get a piece of new equipment. I built a piece of furniture around it. Actually I just built a few extension wings to support longer pieces and to make the miter saw an official “station” within the shop. The whole station was basically built on top of an existing set of cabinets so all I had to do was build the extensions and a new surface for the top of the cabinet. The extensions are very simple in design and feature a nice Rockler T-track that will be used for a home-made stop. The trim is Jatoba that was left over from a previous project.


The second upgrade project I did was a large wall-storage system. I dont know about you, but I hate looking at pegboard. Maybe I’m just weird like that. But I wanted to build something that had the versatility of pegboard, but looked better, supported more weight, and had the ability to be upgraded or repaired over time. My solution? A 4′x8′ French cleat modular storage system. It was easy to build and I had a lot of fun making little storage units for different things in the shop. Maybe someday I will post an article on how to build this unit.


Next week I have a big project that I have to complete for a customer and then its back to filming the next podcast. Busy busy busy. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Comments

8 Responses to “What I’ve Been Up To This Week”

  1. Jim Bussing on March 3rd, 2007 5:55 am

    Marc
    Thanks for all the great tips you site is the best

    Jim

  2. stephen williams on March 3rd, 2007 7:46 am

    nice photos.. nice work…
    as soon as I can schedule a “shop” day I’m going to build a miter saw station… portable enough to put on the truck as most of my work is on site.

    Your wings appear to be on the narrow side. I envisioned mine to be as wide as the table depth (so much heavier!!). Maybe narrrower works just as well. any thoughts?

    steve

  3. thewoodwhisperer on March 3rd, 2007 8:31 am

    Hey Steve. I supposed it really depends on the size material you plan on cutting. Most of the boards that this saw will see will be 8″ or less. So a narrow support works just fine for me. As long as more than half the board is supported, I am comfortable using that width. But I would certainly not begrudge anyone for making a wider support. Better safe than sorry, right?

  4. Mike on March 3rd, 2007 8:38 am

    I would be interested in the wall storage system you put together. I have peg board as a “temporary” solution, but want to upgrade to something different when I get the right idea…

  5. PaulieBoy on March 3rd, 2007 11:04 am

    A nice saw is the Makita, enjoy :-)
    I got the top of the range DeWalt with the stand, which is awesome, the arms spread out to near six feet on either side, with stops.
    It really does make using it soooo much easier…
    Well it did, till it got stolen on a job :-(
    Not able to afford a replacement I had to settle for the next down DeWalt, not nearly as good, but hey that’s life :-)

    Have fun with your new toy !

  6. Conrad on March 5th, 2007 9:13 am

    Hey Marc you havea great website, love the how to videos. That is a real nice Makita saw that you just bought and some real nice extension wings that you built. One question though….how do you explain the little pink Brbie doll on the shelf in the background!? :) hahahah is there something that you are not telling us….

  7. Joe on March 6th, 2007 7:23 am

    Conrad…that’s a hoola chic, not a barbie doll, come on man! :)

    Hey Mark, any dust collection planned for this new addition? I see the bag ridin on the back. Nice saw!

  8. thewoodwhisperer on March 6th, 2007 8:06 am

    I might eventually get some dust collection over there. As of now, I don’t have anything set up. I may be redesigning the DC piping arrangement which should include a run to the far end of the shop. At that point I will have to figure out some reasonable way of doing dust collection.

    And I am glad someone recognizes a hula girl when they see one. :)

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