Grant’s Garage Woodshop

Shop Tour - Submitted by Grant Gush from Cape Town, South Africa
Added on September 13, 2012

It’s humble beginnings. My wife has allowed us never to park the car in this garage, and it probably never will!

So a mitre saw to the back of the shop, a basic bench in the centre, the vac moves where I need it and shelf space and clamps to the wall. Lighting is an issue and hopefully getting some solutions soon.

There we go! Enjoy!

Discussion

thedongarry September 13, 2012 1:20 pm

Great start. Now would be a great time to religiously start a spreadsheet. Don’t add it up for a year or so and let’s get back together. have fun

Reply
Dean September 13, 2012 1:23 pm

A humble beginning, but with loads of potential. You have a decent amount of floor space. I can see some nice wood projects coming out of there. I have to envy your shop vac. Nice collection of wood, and clamps. I like the little work stand for your drill press. What are your future plans for the shop?

Reply
- Grant Gush September 19, 2012 10:33 pm
  
  Thank you for all the comments!
  
  CFL daylight bulbs:
  Will definitely be on the list soon. Having the shop re-wired shortly and will need to include it in the spec.
  
  Plans for my shop…
  Well it’s been 1 & 1/2 years now since the theweekendwoodworker was born, since then various projects have been done, but with two young kids it’s difficult to spend loads of time out there. My son is now 4, he’s always out there with me. with his own red ear mufs! Looking to develop the “kitchen smalls” idea I first had years back. Bread, cheese & serving boards. Wood: Walnut, Maple, Oak & possible Kiaat. All work in progress.
  
  Sean
  I didn’t think there were other woodworkers in CT either, great to see Marc has filtered through! Check out my site: facebook.com/theweekendwoodworker also on Twitter: @TWWtweet. I get almost all my wood from http://ticktintimbers.co.za/# in Woodstock. Another supplier is: http://www.rarewoods.co.za/ I don’t have the machinery to joint and thickness so my suppliers need to do it for me. Both their prices are good, but remember wood is pricey in SA!!!
  
  Festool tools
  I have acquired additional tools since these pics were taken and very happy with performance of all of them. TS55 track and saw, Mini vac, Jigsaw & OF1400 router. I use all of them regularly and work super well.
  
  Reply
TennesseeYankee September 13, 2012 1:53 pm

I remember my humble beginnings. What a great time……when I had to think and design around the tools and space I had. What a great adventure.

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Byrdie September 13, 2012 9:02 pm

The greatest journey starts with but a single step.

Looks like you’re well on your way.

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Garth September 14, 2012 2:34 am

I also like that press stand – I’m always bending down to use mine, closer to eye level will be a big improvement.

I bought some Philips CFL daylight balanced bulbs for photography but might end up using them in my own workshop instead. They run cool and use little electricity – but are very very bright, and give a light that is not so harsh

Reply
Joel September 14, 2012 5:20 am

I really need to build a lumber rack like yours.

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- thewoodwhisperer September 14, 2012 6:29 am
  
  Boo ya! http://www.thewoodwhisperer.co.....-my-brain/
  
  Reply
Sean September 14, 2012 6:27 am

Another Capetonian on TWW! Great to see some of our local brands – Jive, PnP yoghurt, haha!

I was wondering – where do you get your wood from? I’ve been buying from Northgate Builders Warehouse – but it’s so darn expensive! Just spent over R3,000 building a chicken coop – those chickens had better lay golden eggs!

Did you build your workbench yourself, or buy it from somewhere? Are you finding the vac worth the money?

Thanks for sharing! :)

Reply
- Greg September 14, 2012 1:52 pm
  
  Wow, I thought I was the only south african that visited this site. Nice to see I was wrong :-)
  Sean, I take that you are in Joburg as u mention Northgate? The are much better places than builders wh, I normally get solid wood from Country woods or Rohms. Timber City Strijdom Park is a good place for sheet goods, or city woods in selby (I think). Estee timbers is cheaper than bwh for pine.
  Thanks for the garage pics Grant and happy woodworking.
  
  Reply
  - Sean September 17, 2012 12:05 am
    
    Hey Greg
    
    I’m in Cape Town – I meant Northgate Island, M5/N1 junction.
    
    For other Capetonians, if there are any other than Grant & I, I’ve just been told about Airton timbers, going to give them a try for my next project, a pergola. Their website looks pretty decent, and the prices look good too: http://airtontimbers.co.za/
    
    Cheers
    Sean
    
    Reply
    - Garth September 17, 2012 1:19 am
      
      Hi Sean
      
      I’ve used Airton in CT, for meranti for a deck railing. They were cheap and provided good service – but in spite of a great deal of checking by the machine operator, he did not realise he had his fence angled. So my railing is slightly lower than intended ;)
      
      They provide more “construction” timber, Country Woods is the best place for furniture wood.
      
      Cheers
      Garth
    - Grant Gush September 20, 2012 10:47 pm
      
      Great to see other CT woodworkers making the time to comment!
      Please post some pics if you want! facebook.com/theweekendwoodworker
      
      Cheers
      
      Grant
  - Grant Gush September 20, 2012 10:45 pm
    
    Great to see other CT woodworkers making the time to comment!
    If you would like to contact me see: facebook.com/theweekendwoodworker
    
    Cheers
    
    Grant
    
    Reply
Bob September 14, 2012 7:14 am

I like the idea of the whiteboard in the shop.
I need to move my wood rack on an other wall and I think I will make one based on this model. Thank you Marc for the link…. I will use your plan!
Is it a festooll track I see in the corner behind the fluo-light, if it is, how do you like the circular saw. I do really like it to resaw 4×8 ply.

Reply
Sean O September 14, 2012 4:32 pm

Not that anyone cares but I put an O at the end of my user name so that when I say something inflammatory the other Sean doesn’t get blamed for it. By the way, I started off with just a sliding compound miter saw and was able to make some cool stuff with it.

Reply
Aaron September 15, 2012 12:25 am

Grant that is a great use of space, well done. That drop saw. Wow. Huge.
On ya mate,

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Rick Roades September 17, 2012 7:54 am

I remember my humble start, too. this is much cleaner than mine!! I agree with the spreadsheet – I’ve wanted to go back and try to figure mine out, but it’s way too far down the road!! Good luck – have fun!!

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Seth Hoover September 19, 2012 11:14 am

looks like a good space! I have a very small shop and love getting organizational ideas from others! I really like your drill press table! Can’t help but notice the little bit of festool green!

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Grant’s Garage Woodshop

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