John’s Standalone Shop

Shop Tour - Submitted by John White from Winston-Salem, NC
Added on December 7, 2011

My shop is a work in progress. I enjoy taking a concept drawing for a client and turning it into reality. I also enjoy remaking/duplicating antiques and fixing broken furniture. I use my shop to build custom cabinetry and kitchen cabinets for clients as well.

Currently, I am opening up my shop as a millwork shop for people who need material planed, cut to size or projects glued up & overall general help building projects. To see some of my work please check out my website: johnwhitedesign.com

Discussion

thedongarry December 7, 2011 10:30 am

Sorry but that’s just too much space. How can you expect to do good work unless you’re really crowded out. Oh well good luck.

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:13 pm
  
  Too funny! The camera adds 200 square feet to the picture, thats why it looks SO big…
  
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Nate December 7, 2011 10:36 am

That is gonna be a difficult space to find inspiration. I regularly trip on tools and extension cords which results in inspiration via head injury.

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Dave December 7, 2011 11:44 am

I agree with the others in that it seems too spacious. I’d also need a few windows to keep my sanity. Also makes me wonder where’s the lumber and the shavings/sawdust?

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:15 pm
  
  I have a 3hp dust collector system in the back room where I keep the lumber which helps keep the noise down….I wondered if anyone noticed the 42″ flat screen on the wall….actually….its too small!!!
  
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  - Ian December 12, 2011 10:30 am
    
    Ah… 42″ TV in the shop… That’s why there’s no sawdust… ;)
    
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David Picciuto December 7, 2011 12:05 pm

Very nice! By the way, all shops are a work in progress.

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:18 pm
  
  Indeed David, This picture was taken actually right after I got the floor epoxied and the equipment set. (Thats why it looks so clean)
  I layed out the shop on autoCAD long before I put the equipment down which helped figure out the best utilization of space…The table saw on the angle added space and honestly, a nice flow….after all, When you get sent out to the doghouse, It better be nicer that the house!!!
  
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Pete December 7, 2011 3:07 pm

Very nice! What was your reasoning for separating your office space from the shop space? I’m remodeling my shop and trying to decide if I should do the same.

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:24 pm
  
  Pete,
  The separate tool room was a really a huge plus…It helps keep the “operating room” more organized….yes, I do admit, many trips back and forth when its time to clean up, but…..everything has its place which makes it so nice when looking for something…
  
  The outfeed table is actually a 4×8 sheet of melamine for when glue gets on it, its easy to clean. I used a circular saw to cut out the grooves for the T-Square. I should post a youtube video of how I did it….building a 2×4 construction base allows me to have alot of storage underneath as well….
  
  Since most people dont have AutoCAD, or any layout program, feel free to contact me by email to help you with the layout!
  email: john@johnwhitedesign.com
  
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  - john white December 8, 2011 6:25 pm
    
    Or, anyone for that matter, I would gladly help with a layout program.
    
    If anyone is interested in how to setup a shop vac system, I have all the tricks down to a science….I’d be glad to assist with that as well!
    
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Aaron Edwards December 7, 2011 5:56 pm

Now, that looks amazing, wow in fact. Yet the issue for me is……my blinkin envy – what a huge area, so clean, big doors, office, shall I go on?
Well done, all the best – it really looks great, hope you enjoy.

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:36 pm
  
  Thank you Aaron, Im looking for ideas to create how-to videos, so anyone that is looking for something specific on how to do something, email me and maybe I can create a video for it!
  email: john@johnwhitedesign.com
  
  Reply
Larry Clinton December 7, 2011 10:52 pm

Very nice shop, John. I’m envious of all the elbow room. I don’t know if I’d be able to work in a shop that spacious. Have fun there, my friend!

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:29 pm
  
  Larry, I do find myself sometimes out there just kicked back in a chair watching “the new yankee workshop” or something on DIY or HGTV with a beer, not while working of course….its a great place to zone out….
  
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Tom Pritchard December 8, 2011 7:44 am

After reviewing your website and your past projects, I’m very impressed. My shop is only 256 sq feet. Your shop size and equipment is very impressive. I agree some windows would be nice.

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:28 pm
  
  Tom,
  Layout was the key….I must have done at least 4 layouts prior. I do occasionally have to slide a drill press or a chop saw now and then to work, believe it or not, I now have the itch for 500 more square feet for a dedicate spray room….
  
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Green with Envy December 8, 2011 8:22 am

I know the reason for the extra space… It is SO clean the extra space is to be rented out as a DIY Operating Room!

Actually, a wonderful, beautiful shop.

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- john white December 8, 2011 6:34 pm
  
  Thank you Mr. Green!
  
  For everyone out there, most of my equipment has been patiently acquired through places like craigslist. I browse the tools section everywhere within driving distance. I got the Delta Industrial Unisaw for 725$, 26″ drum sander for 400$, 15″ Delta X5 planer for 300$, 6″ Delta X5 enclosed base jointer for 160$, Delta drillpress for 100$, and the list goes on…now, Im on the hunt for a good shaper!
  
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Dave Stanton December 8, 2011 8:53 pm

Love it John. Great idea to have the hand tools etc. in another room, might use that idea myself.

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- Dave Stanton December 9, 2011 12:35 pm
  
  A couple of things that I like about your shop are the dust pipe is at machine height and DC is outside of main shop. This is possible I guess due to no windows, another thing I am leaning towards.
  
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  - John White December 9, 2011 1:30 pm
    
    I used flexible stove pipe and made an elbow through the wall then directly into the DC. This way there was no vibration transmitting in the wall and I also didnt need to worry about exact location of the hole in the wall…I also took off the 3way port off the DC and went straight on. I will post some closeups of the basics on the entire dust collection system in my website under “Tips”
    
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John White December 8, 2011 9:06 pm

Here is a link to my site: http://www.johnwhitedesign.com

Thank you to everyone for looking at my site, as Ive had over 1200 views since they’ve posted my shop!

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Sean December 9, 2011 6:28 am

Hey John, I love all the space. Plenty of room to add lots of cool tools. Enjoy!

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- John White December 9, 2011 12:12 pm
  
  Im open to suggestions! I have a hand me down wood lathe and I would like to get one large enough that I can turn bowls…
  
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William Dyer December 9, 2011 10:57 am

Nice work, you can never have too much space. I like the fact that you are not abusing the openess. Most of us share a shop with campers, motorcycles, kids stuff, etc… You’ve got some great projects highlighted on your website as well. /Impressed.

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John White December 9, 2011 12:17 pm

In response to how to clean the shop is, I am going to take a picture later today and post on my website http://www.johnwhitedesign.com that way everyone can see that it is definitely in use! Click on the link “IN THE SHOP TODAY” It will be posted by 4pm Eastern!

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Dean December 10, 2011 12:03 pm

I know that for the most part, the ?too much space? comments were tongue-in-cheek. However, after reading your comment ??I use my shop to build custom cabinetry and kitchen cabinets?, it?s clear that you need extra floor space for accumulating all of the cut parts and certainly for final assembly of multiple cabinets.

I went to your website and the pictures show a number of chairs sitting in the ?open space? area as well as a large stack of lumber for a project. Too many shop pictures I?ve seen show equipment taking up all available space, with little or no space for putting a project together. I guess that?s what the table saw top is for.

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John White December 10, 2011 1:48 pm

It definately helps to be able to walk around and stage items too. It never fails to need a piece of equipment after you have something on top of it!

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Dave Stanton December 12, 2011 3:36 pm

John. I think it is great that you are taking the time to share your time and space with everyone. I have a question for you. I notice you say to have the slideing gate in blast gates facing up rather than down to stop dust fouling the slide. Is there any reason that your jointer has the slide facing down?
The flexible hoses laid on the supports on the wall is a brilliant idea.

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- John White December 12, 2011 10:15 pm
  
  Dave, Great catch! I think that was a typo on my part! If the blast gate is up, dust will fall into the groove, not allowing you to shut it all the way, so if its down, dust cant get into the crack
  
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- John White December 12, 2011 10:18 pm
  
  Also, the pipe hangers are the J-hooks found at home improvement stores in the plumbing section
  
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  - Dave Stanton December 14, 2011 10:11 pm
    
    Thanks again John. I have just about finished my little dust system and found it wasn’t necessary to glue the joints. Just as well as I have pulled it apart and rebuilt it about 5 times. Blast gates down at an angle, no 90 degree bends, all 45 degrees. The diameter is 65mm (2.5 inches) And the gates reduce down to 2 inch. Even with 2 gates open my home made 3 stage filtration system with a 1500 watt (2 horse) shop vac works a treat.
    
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    - john white December 15, 2011 10:09 am
      
      Excellent! for anyone that hasn’t had a chance to view my “Tips” page about dust collection basics, I know they make a really nice fitting to allow you to broom shavings off the floor into your dust collector, but my professional opinion is its too easy for a “nail that got away” or a screw to hit the floor and as it passes past the impeller, there is an “opportunity” for a spark which can go into the dust shavings and smolder and later catch fire, so my shop rule, “if it hits the floor, its in the trash door”
Mo Theron December 13, 2011 11:18 am

Very nice shop!!!

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Marc-André December 15, 2011 7:36 am

Nice shop!
It reminds me when mine felt very big at

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- john white December 15, 2011 10:11 am
  
  Marc-Andre’ thanks for your comments! it sounds like you have a great shop too….feel free to put your website address here so others can see it too….I’ve had over 5000 views on my website since its been on The Wood Whisperer! Thanks for everyones views and comments!!!
  
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Joe forrer December 16, 2011 6:59 pm

great looking shop! I’m at the planning phase for a new pole barn so the cad work to plan makes a lot of sense. I have about 500 sq. ft. In my current shop so to help with the crowding most of my equipment is on 1000 lb. dollies. This works well since they are inexpensive, but the working height can be a challenge.

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John White December 19, 2011 11:37 am

You’ll like having the space to have dedicated space for heavy equipment and space around it. If you need any help, let me know! My Cad program works pretty good and easy to draw different arrangments!

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Thomas January 5, 2012 8:17 am

Did you clean this for the pictures,,,,,, i keep a clean shop but sawdust does find it’s way to miss the dustpan. I like you have things in order, and I believe that no one should ever say something bad about another persons shop…………. all shop are great. Very nice space

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- John White January 11, 2012 7:37 am
  
  Thomas, my friends call it the operating room, if that tells you anything! They ask, “whats going on in the operating room?” Its important to be organized, regardless of shop size or what equipment you have….because when you need the tool, you know exactly where it is…every time. As an Engineer in the automotive world, there is whats called the 5S program….which is a discipline for keeping a manufacturing facility orderly, the 5S’s stand for sort, straighten, shine, standardize, sustain. Sort through tool boxes, nails,screws etc and the straighten them up, shine the area, standardize locations (everything in a specific place) then sustain your efforts by every time your done, place everything back in its place……sounds like a lot of work, but I can assure you it sets the tone for the shop and it keeps your attitude about saftey and intern helps to keep all of your fingers. I just met another guy with a stub finger due to a table saw, and his response was “everyone who has a shop will eventually lose a finger” ……Well with that mind set he’s right…..I play piano, and would really hate missing a finger…..sharp blades vs. Sharp attitude …..sharp attitude wins every time!
  
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Alex January 15, 2012 4:32 am

Very nice shop. Can you say a bit about how you heat and cool? Is it insulated?

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John White February 4, 2012 10:12 am

If anyone would like detailed information on how I heat and cool the shop feel free to email me at john@johnwhitedesign.com
Alex, sorry for the delay, I heat the building with heat from our water stove. The home has radiant heat in the floors and we have a 500 gallon water stove out in the workshop in its own room that is fired by wood. So I tapped into the outgoing and return line to a home made heater with a circulator pump, thermostat and a relay for 110v to 24v to allow the thermostat to control the circualtor and heater so they will turn on and off when needed. I designed and made a heater box using a 20″ box fan, and a radiator for a 2002 ford expedition. Ive installed two 52″ ceiling fans to bring the warm air down. Its warmer out there than in the house because its basically free. Ive taken 1/2″ foam and cut it in strips to staple up to the edges of the overhead doors to keep any draft out. Also, the building is not insulated at all and it stays about 74 degrees all winter…there are many more details which I would gladly go over

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- Jason March 22, 2013 10:24 am
  
  Hi John, I’m really curious about your heating system. I also had the idea of using a car rad but haven’t had time to develop the idea much. Any further insight into that would be much appreciated.
  
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  - John November 4, 2014 1:56 pm
    
    Jason, sorry that I missed your request…please email me at john@johnwhitedesign.com for more info or call me at 336-745-5070
    
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David Andrews February 25, 2018 5:20 pm

Any body able to build me a peddle mount for my Deer head in having done?

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Dave ohara September 20, 2018 6:27 pm

Do you buy trees. 3 standing black walnut 22 inches, a fallen black walnut and a fallen red oak that’s 4 foot. These just fell last weekend

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John’s Standalone Shop

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