104 – October 2009 Shop Tour

Video - October 22, 2009

Finally, a thorough look at my new digs. Now my hope is that this shop is just temporary, until we sell the other house. But until then, I can make my 3-car garage a comfortable place to produce great projects! Enjoy the shop tour!

Discussion

Aggie83 October 22, 2009 9:18 am

Looks like that should do the trick until you can build your ‘real’ shop.

I need to find some different friends. None of the friends that I currently have give me assemble tables and the like.

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Michael October 22, 2009 9:32 am

Love the opening with the Sanford and Son theme. One of the things I noticed and missed was all the duct-work for the central dust collection system. Of course that will have to wait for the new shop. Since you are now using a roll around dust collection unit take a look at the Thien Cyclone Separator Baffle. http://www.cgallery.com/jpthien/cy.htm Phil has a forum where people have posted adaptations to his original design. Several of which take the unit you now have and add the baffle. Makes a big difference in the separation of the chips and most of the fine dust from the general air flow. Here is one done with a similar Jet DC. http://www.cgallery.com/smf/index.php?topic=146.0

Take care,
Michael

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rgdaniel October 22, 2009 9:33 am

Dude, you haven’t sold the other house yet? That’s gotta be stressful… When we moved, I was a mess while we had both houses… fortunately that only lasted about a week… we timed the market well… I say “we” but it was all my wife’s doing… just along for the ride…

Shop looks awesome, by the way…

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TWWMom October 22, 2009 10:01 am

Well finally…the new “shop” looks really functional. Great tour. Made me feel like I was right there with you. Have I mentioned that I really miss the sound of your tools? Anyhoo, the shop looks great, you look great and while Nicole finally got the circular driveway she has always wanted, that poor gal STILL cannot park in her garage. =( So “Real Estate Angels”…please smile on us and get that other house sold! Not so much so that Marc gets a REAL shop, but so Nicole can finally park in a garage. Three houses in 6 years and still no garage parking!!! Love and Miss you guys. Mom

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Rob Cottle October 22, 2009 10:26 am

I agree with Mom-I was wondering how you fit the cars in the GARAGE. I currently have a very small corner in my 2 car garage that I do keep my 78 spitfire & 78 corvette projects. Which makes it difficult when you tinker with cars and wood. My goal is to make both cars functional(soon)so that I can pull them out easily and have the room for more tools. But your shop Looks very functional, can’t wait to start seeing some projects rolling out.

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Rob Cottle October 22, 2009 10:28 am

By the way do you have plans drawn up for this new shop? I would be curious to see them!!!!

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 11:24 am
  
  I do have plans. I’ll have to see if I can dig up a PDF version. Nothing really fancy though. Just a big rectangle with a couple doors, windows, and a back office area.
  
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  - Chester October 23, 2009 6:27 am
    
    Marc –
    I have to give a presentation in February to our local Guild and it is going to be on shop design. I don’t have anything for it yet … but my contention is that there is a philisophical building process of basics. For example, there are tools that have the wood moved through them (TS, jointer, Band saw, planer, drum sander, etc.) and there are tools that move over stationary wood (chop saw, RAS, drill press, mortiser, etc.) My contention is that tools that have wood move through them need to be in the middle and away from walls (or on wheels). And tools that move over the wood are best organized along long walls.
    
    What do you think? Are there other foundational basics that should be discussed. By the way, I just love to talk shop design!!!
    
    Reply
Tom October 22, 2009 10:42 am

Great video as usual. You mentioned you fuji HVLP sprayer but I did not see the Earlex. I watched your video again on the Earlex yesterday and am thinking of getting one. I was wondering what your continued experience has been with it. Do you still use it?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 11:25 am
  
  Hey Tom. I actually posted an update to my review: http://www.thewoodwhisperer.co.....my-earlex/
  
  I do still use the Earlex. As you can see, I was just pointing out stuff as I saw it, and neglected to point out the Earlex. If you watch closely, you’ll see the Earlex on top of my wall-hanging cabinets on the back wall. I also am very excited to play with the new Earlex pro model. Its a 3-stage turbine and should give the Fuji a run for its money.
  
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runningwood October 22, 2009 11:08 am

I have no experience with an MFT and I guess you have no experience yet with it while a router is hanging off it, but how stable is that thing ? It won’t dance with a router attached to it ? The legs look as spindly as a Krenov cabinet. Do they have special joints that make the leg to top extra strong and stable for multipurpose ?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 11:17 am
  
  Hey Runningwood. This was filmed about a month ago and I have since used the table several times. I am pleased to say it works rather well.
  
  MFT’s are pretty heavy beasts to begin with. The new MFT3 was reported to have a little bit of wobble, so Festool came out with stabilizing bars, which I have installed on my unit. They basically run from the cross-bar between the legs up to the apron of the table. Add the weight of a router lift, a router, and the thicker MDF FesTop and it turns out to be pretty sturdy. Certainly sturdy enough for anything I plan on throwing at it.
  
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  - niels October 22, 2009 12:27 pm
    
    Hey Marc,
    Long time watcher, first time commenter..
    
    Setting up shop in Brooklyn, I am severly “space-disabled”. I’ve been thinking about both an outfeed table and a router table. I really like the idea of using the MFT as both. I had considered the MFT as an outfeed i while back, but it was always just a touch too tall. How was your experience cutting it down? I hear your thoughts about it once you put it through the paces!
    
    Cheers!
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 12:44 pm
      
      Well, its just hollow metal tubing. So my recip saw with a metal cutting blade ripped through it like butter! Just a little trim off each leg and I was in business.
jHop October 22, 2009 11:16 am

Thanks for the updated tour! As usual, you have provided insight and explanation, as well as inspiration for those undergoing the constant ebb and flow of changing their workspace arrangements.

I have been told we are moving shortly ourselves so my basement shop is going to be rearranged. I found this particular episode very helpful in “pre-planning” the new arrangements. Now I just have to find out what the new space will look like… Alas, no garage, though.

As for assembly tables, have you considered a fold-up table that would fit across the MFT and the tablesaw?

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Doug McPherson October 22, 2009 11:18 am

Nice tour but I’m easily distracted. I saw the drum set, and that’s one of the other passions in my life I need to know if that belongs to you or someone else?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 11:23 am
  
  That would be mine. That’s part of my old beater set that I used to drag around to gigs every weekend in college. Its a Tama Rockstar DX and its going to live at the other house until it sells. No room for a drum set right now in the new house. :(
  
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  - Doug McPherson October 22, 2009 12:05 pm
    
    Man, I already thought you were the coolest thing since sliced veneer, and now, well, lets just say you still rank under the Almighty, but it’s close.
    
    I play a 5 piece Mapex Orion (Aquamarine dye with glossy finish). One of the first beta versions that didn’t stick, so the depths on the hanging toms are shorter than standard, but it’s beautiful and sounds great. I play lefty so it’s hard to sit down and play other people’s kits.
    
    Have you ever considered making drum shells? Now that would make a great episode on The WW.
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 12:09 pm
      
      LOL thanks Doug. I actually have thought about it. But with any musical instrument, I really want to learn to do it properly, from a pro, before trying to figure it all out myself, you know? I have several snares that I used to switch between to kind of change the personality of my kit. It would be awesome to make my own signature snare drum! :)
    - Marty October 23, 2009 9:36 am
      
      Drum shells are a nightmare to make without heavy machinery. The seam is extremely difficult to attach and keep the shell perfectly round. I would definitely go to your checklist before attempting to make one. :)
      BTW the new shop looks a lot like my garage only yours is bigger. Very nice setup and I like the way you recycle cabinets. I did the same with an old diaper changing cabinet that is now my sharpening station.
    - Doug McPherson October 22, 2009 12:09 pm
      
      We need to meet someday. Maybe I can hook up with Matt sometime and ride with him to the next national conference or something. I’m only 45 minutes from him.
  - Gary July 15, 2010 7:41 am
    
    first of all – great tour of the shop – as with most woodworkers I love to see some of the other shops out there – always a great source of r ideas from storage to assembly area to tools choice.
    secondly to echo Doug’s comment from Oct. ’09 interesting that you are a drummer as well. I have played for somewhere around 30 years – although much of the last 10 years has been on and off (more off than on) due to a few moves and starting a family. Hard to find time to play when my daughter was very young and it was really about the time I sold my last set that I became re-acquainted with my love of woodworking.
    rock on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Reply
JC October 22, 2009 11:48 am

Amazing how even your “temporary” shop makes me envious of the space you have! LOL You mentioned you put full spectrum T8 lights in your overheads. Is that a mix of different types of bulbs per unit or a specific bulb? I need something to brighten up my basement! Thanks again.

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 11:56 am
  
  I actually use all the same bulb. They are just rated as “daylight spectrum”. The Philips 5000K models sold at Lowes.
  
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  - Adam Muhle October 22, 2009 7:31 pm
    
    Waiting for the video to download right now so this is a good time to sneak in a question. Have you ever commented on the motivation for the move in the first place? (perhaps I just missed it) Was it just to get a bigger lot for the separate shop? Or simply none of our business? :-)
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 8:25 pm
      
      It was just family drama. Not real strategic motivation.
Paul October 22, 2009 11:59 am

Where on earth did you get the garage door insulation kit? Maybe it’s the area I live in, but I can’t find anything remotely close to what you have.

Thanks!

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 12:01 pm
  
  Both Home Depot and Lowes carry these as a regular stocked item in my area. Insulation aisle.
  
  Reply
  - Paul October 22, 2009 12:12 pm
    
    You don’t happen to have a SKU do you? Maybe I can get my local joint to special order a kit.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 12:15 pm
      
      Sorry I don’t. Found this one on Amazon, although I think that’s more expensive than the one I had. But its also a very different kit. Looks better than mine.
      
      http://www.amazon.com/OWENS-CO.....038;sr=8-1
    - MikeD October 23, 2009 7:02 am
      
      As far as the garage door kits you could just use foamboard insulation with some sort of A/C-Heat duct tape. Maybe double up the foamboard if you have to or can.
Sha October 22, 2009 12:56 pm

It must be a relief to have the flow down and everything in it’s place. Maybe it’s my OCD, but I hate it when my shop gets out of whack and I can’t work until I fix the problem. I hope you have some anti-fatigue mats for that hard floor.

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Ken F October 22, 2009 1:39 pm

Nicely organized, it looks real good . What size is a turned holiday bowl?

Oh the Jet 1hp dust collector I use them
for my machinery that’s located in the middle of the shop and with the power in the floor that leaves no drops from the high ceiling.

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 8:26 pm
  
  What size? Don’t know. Nicole hasn’t made one yet! lol
  
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Carl October 22, 2009 2:00 pm

I was wondering about the new shop layout as well. What will its size be and will it be in your backyard or somewhere else?

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Dean October 22, 2009 2:47 pm

The Great Wall of Clamps!

I’m relieved that you now have a shop set up albeit “temporary”. Hopefully we’ll see a few more videos now that you have a shop up and running.

Thanks for the great tour. I now have 6 other browser tabs open just looking up some of the equipment you gave model numbers for. You are quite blessed having such wonderful tools to work with, and we do receive the benefit of that through your blog.

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Gary Phillips October 22, 2009 3:46 pm

just wanted to say great show and looks like your new “temp shop” is very functional.
i seen you put all of your anti fatigue mats out side.. Do you miss them or have you put them back in the high traffic areas yet?
also i love the idea of putting a cabinet under the wing of the saw. i just need to get my but in gear and do it to mine… soon!

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 8:28 pm
  
  I brought a few mats back in, but not all of them. When you have to move stuff around a lot, anti-fatigue mats are a real pain in the butt! ha! But my feet are not enjoying the concrete.
  
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Critterman October 22, 2009 4:07 pm

Hey Marc, great to see you in a shop again, I know you’ve been suffering without it. And thanks for the tour of the new…ah temporary space. I do have one question about your new tablesaw fence, I assume you can attach like your festool vac to the guard…maybe…for some above the table dust extraction? Can’t tell on the video, but I agree and really like the looks of that set up please show yourself using it in a future video, loved to see it. I don’t use mine that came with the saw because it’s a huge pain. Thanks again for the tour, looking forward to see you back at work again :>)

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Harry October 22, 2009 4:15 pm

Hello Marc Great Shop tour was interested to hear you touch upon your Neighbourhood and the noise issue have almost finish my stand a loan shop and invested a lost off

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- MikeD October 23, 2009 7:06 am
  
  There was not one period in this paragraph.
  
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Joe Corda October 22, 2009 4:59 pm

Marc
Nice “temporary” setup!

I’m actually jealous ..I only have 1 bay of a 2 car garage to work in.. and I have to move my Harley in/out when I do any woodworking.. which gets kinda tough in the New England winters

BTW how many horse-power is the Jet Dust collector.. I’ve been using a shop vac .. but really need better filtering… I’m currently trying to determine what I can afford vs. what size unit can handle 4+ tools in my small space..

Take Care

Joe

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 8:29 pm
  
  Hey Joe. Its actually only 1/2 HP.
  
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Jim October 22, 2009 5:46 pm

Hey marc, nice job good to see you back. your set up is nice, I wish I had half that space.

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Jim October 22, 2009 5:49 pm

One more thing what type of camera do you use for you videos?

thanks

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- thewoodwhisperer October 22, 2009 8:29 pm
  
  Its a Canon XH-A1
  
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Mark Williams October 22, 2009 9:33 pm

Hey Marc,

Once again I appreciate your video. Your tools are AWESOME! Makes me want to chuck banking and be a professional, only I don’t have the skills…..So sticking with plan A! A few questions;

1. You are suggesting to use the T8 light fixtures right? I think you meant you would use them even if you were not using the camera. (I am not so bright, I need slow sentences with little words and lots of pictures.)

2. What is the distance between your outfeed table and the table saw top? I have the corner section of a desk I had in college. It is nice maple and magohney and I want to recycle it. I am planning on doing some modifactions with ply so a ballpark on how much lower would help. It looks lower then your old outfeed table.

3. I have the Fridge/Freezer from the Gladiator line, it was the only one that withstand MN winters. Want to buy it?
Just kidding my wife would kill me. It is very in my way! But we may move sooner then I thought. I will be upgrading my shop if it happens!

As always, thanks for all you do. It was nice to see your Mom comment! Good luck in the new house!

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- thewoodwhisperer October 23, 2009 7:55 am
  
  Hey Mark. 1- yes I would use them even without filming videos. 2- The outfeed table is about 1/8″ below the tablesaw top. 3- No. lol.
  
  Thanks dude.
  
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Tim October 23, 2009 1:50 am

Hey Marc,

The shop looks great! Good to see everything back up and running! I can’t wait to see what your new stand-alone will look like. I’m sure it’s seriously liberating to be able to lay out a shop according to your tools, rather than the other way around. I’m not entirely sure I’ll ever be in a situation to build my own stand-alone. Shoot, at this point in my life I’m deciding between Del Taco or a pack of sandpaper! Are you thinking bigger or smaller than your previous shop?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 23, 2009 7:56 am
  
  Should be about the same in square footage (1500), but a much more functional space so it will seem larger.
  
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  - Dean October 23, 2009 11:49 am
    
    Just curious Marc. You mentioned the square footage of your new shop, however, what is the proposed ceiling height? I’ve gone through enough woodshop books to pick up on the consensus that 10 feet is a minimum ceiling height. Of course that’s if you have control over that factor. Thanks Marc.
    
    Reply
Tom Collins October 23, 2009 8:34 am

Not to shabby for a temporary shop. Just change the name of the video to â

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tom October 23, 2009 10:33 am

Marc

Nice shop, where is the wood? I have a two car shop and a third is wood storage! I do a lot of boxes and small stuff, so even small scraps are hard to throw away. Over the years the wood continues to grow and it is a constant battle to keep it under control. What do you do?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 23, 2009 12:20 pm
  
  Well, most of my wood is outside under a tarp. Not the best idea but its all I can do right now. I just bring lumber in as needed. Let’s just say I am banking on this NOT being my final shop setup, lol.
  
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Jim 2 October 23, 2009 10:36 am

You know,
If you’re giving your extra stuff away and you’re ever in Pennsylvania…

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Gavin October 23, 2009 11:21 am

Marc,
The one thing I thought you were going to say was missing from your shop was wood storage. I’m curious where you are going to keep wood supplies. Or at this point are you only bringing in the necessary wood for each project?

Thank you for the tour of your shop, I have finally started on my own and where I’m quite a ways off, your tour has given me several things to think about.

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Dean P October 23, 2009 11:25 am

I’m with Tom, the first thing I noticed was no wood. I love the idea of cabinets under the table saw but that just seems to be where 1 of the many buckets hang out to throw scrap wood in. I’m also curious, what do you do? My back wall of the garage is full of a wood rack, ply wood scraps and off cuts. I don’t even build that much and I’m inadated with wood….it must be a nightmare for you?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 23, 2009 12:35 pm
  
  Well, I supposed I’ll find out soon enough. Only made a couple projects so far in this shop so things are still under control. But we shall see. :)
  
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Germain October 23, 2009 12:17 pm

I can relate to the wood storage situation. I have trash cans full of short pieces. They sure look like they’d be good for something. But that something has yet to come up. And I’ve got a lot of valuable wall area taken up for larger stock. I need a large shed just for wood.

I think I’ll end up buying an outdoor fireplace and fueling it with scraps.

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Derek L October 23, 2009 12:51 pm

Nice shop – but ‘complaining’ about being ‘stuffed’ into a three car garage with a ten foot ceiling? :) :)

I’ll trade!

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- Brian W October 23, 2009 4:51 pm
  
  If you were coming from a 5 car garage shop with 15′ ceilings, being stuffed in would be an accurate statement, IMHO.
  
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tom October 23, 2009 1:22 pm

Another thing I did was get an “I Drive” garage door opener. It eliminates the box hanging down from the ceiling. All of the mechanism is just above the door on the inside. I have a low ceiling and this was a must!!

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Jimbo October 23, 2009 1:28 pm

Thanks for the update, the best podcast are the ones that are a little personal and give insight. It helps me when I struggle with not enought space or not having the right tool. Thanks Marc. Jim

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Matthew Hills October 23, 2009 3:48 pm

Wow, that bandsaw stands out as a monster in your shop now :-)

Which equipment have you used the little dust collector with? planer? bandsaw? (I’m listing the machines I have the most trouble with at home). Are you using the stock 30-micron bag? and did you look at any of the small canister units? (Jet also has a 650 and 1100 line, I think)

Matt

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- thewoodwhisperer October 23, 2009 4:32 pm
  
  I used it with everything I can fit it to, so yes pretty much all the major stuff. I am indeed using the stock bag and no I didn’t consider the smaller units. I really wanted the cheapest model I could find so that I could give some first hand experience on the more budget friendly model. So far so good. But due to the roll-around aspect, I am much more likely these days to make a cut without it connected. Nothing screws up the flow more than stopping to connect the dust collection, lol. So the respirator is worn nearly all day in the shop.
  
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DaveB October 23, 2009 4:50 pm

Marc-

Just curious, but you mentioned in the vid that your mortiser doesn’t get that much use. Is that because you prefer the loose tenons of the Domino whenever M/T joinery is called for? I recently picked up a small Jet benchtop mortiser, and I’m questioning my choice since I have a very tough time keeping the fence square to the chisel. I don’t know whether to lament my choice of benchtop manufacturer, or a different approach altogether (i.e. Domino, router, etc.)

Dave

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- thewoodwhisperer October 23, 2009 7:48 pm
  
  Hey Dave. Its actually because I tend to make my mortises through various other methods. As useful as the Domino is, it doesn’t do our viewers justice if everything I needed a mortise and tenon joint, I pulled that guy out. So most times I opt for tenons on the tablesaw and mortises with a router. Its just the easiest option for most of us. But, that doesn’t mean we won’t see things like the Domino, the FMT, and DowelMax on the show. You just won’t see them all the time. So the mortiser is one of those tools that I consider “specialty”, so I try to focus on it too much.
  
  And since the more methods you know how to do, the better off you are, I would recommend getting used to using a router for mortises as well. It will be a handy skill to have.
  
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Mike Jones October 23, 2009 5:48 pm

How funny. I just built the out-feed table!!!! Mine is 30 by 48. But I put it on locking urethane casters I bought on the cheap at peachtree. Measured carefully and matches my Sawstop. It serves as my assembly table as well. Just push it wherever I need. Since I didn’t have either of these things until I built my current space. I’m thrilled. I don’t do this for a living though

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Jim October 23, 2009 6:19 pm

I too have had wood storage problems no mater how small of a shop you have it always seams to be a problem. I am in a 1 car garage that is like 12′ across and 23 long, I took 2×6 and went the width of my garage by 8′ about 1′ down from rafters and I got my wood of the ground it makes for a good wood rack, but ofcourse it lowers the ceiling. Some day I might post a shop tour not that it will be anything speacial.
Jim

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Greg October 23, 2009 9:44 pm

It is great to have such awesome friends and I am enjoying the assemble tables etc.

And as always awesome video. Please keep up the great work and again let me know if you ever need help with anything

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Tom October 23, 2009 10:19 pm

Hi Marc – thanks for the video – I was curious about the lower cabinets underneath the Gladiator cabinets – can you mention the make and model – I am going back and forth between building my own and just buying some nice cabinets – Tom

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Danny Hellyar October 24, 2009 9:35 am

Marc,
Nice temporary set up! I’m wondering if you’ve ever considered a digital measuring set up for your table saw fence. I’ve been using one for several years now and really find it very valuable in making accurate repeatable cuts, especially when making multiple dado cuts, because of the zeroing out feature. Plus it’s always reassuring to know that all your cuts are dead on. I purchased mine from a company called Accurate Technologies,and Wixey also sells one as well.
Danny

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jack October 24, 2009 10:07 am

How does that little dust collector work? Is it a inconvenience to empty the cloth bag on the bottom as opposed to a plastic bag? Also, Is your clearvue in storage or did you sell it?

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- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2009 10:11 am
  
  Its working as well as can be expected. Emptying the bag is never a fun thing to do, lol. The clearVue is in storage right now. Whenever I get my “full-size” shop in order, the ClearVue will go back up.
  
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Tom E October 24, 2009 12:44 pm

Marc,
I just watched your video on your temp shop. Nice!! You mentioned that you are going to build a separate building for your permanent shop. I built a building 4 years ago for a shop. I built mine with SIPS (Structured Insulated Panels) and I could not be any happier. I would highly recommend using SIPS. My shop is 24′ by 32′. It is heated and also air-conditioned. There is a loft where I store my lumber, very convenient. The part I’m sure you would be interested in would be that in the summer, it is very cool even up in the loft. The roof is eight inches thick and it does not let any of the heat through. Maybe sometime I will send you some pictures. Keep up the good work.

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james moreland October 24, 2009 2:03 pm

Hey Mark thanks for the tour.I was wondering if you had any trouble when you tunned or re-tunned all your tools after the move?I watched the moving guys and, to me, they were alittle rough with them.Keep up the good work,and before you know it you can move everything again:)

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- thewoodwhisperer October 24, 2009 10:06 pm
  
  Only minor adjustments. The tablesaw fence was slightly out (which could have been just from normal use). And the drum sander is just a little out. But not so much that I need to jump on fixing it right away. Next time I change the paper, I’ll make the adjustment. So all in all, things held together very well.
  
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Michael Borg October 24, 2009 2:39 pm

The temp shop looks good. I am in the process of setting up a shop of my own and you have a real good flow to yours. I like it

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Lars Ã?â??hlin October 25, 2009 4:12 am

Hi Marc,

In the video you mentioned that you now have to be careful with noise coming from your shop since you now have neighbors close to your house. Im in the same position when im now planing to build my new shop. Have you considered to sound proof your new shop?

BR
//Lars – Sweden

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- thewoodwhisperer October 25, 2009 5:32 am
  
  Other than the insulation in the garage doors, no. Fortunately, it looks like all my immediate neighbors work during the day, and I generally don’t use power tools after 7pm. Not to mention, we live near an air force base and lucky for me, we are right under a flight path. So my tool noise is the least of this neighborhood’s concerns, lol. You’ll be hearing more jet noise in the videos, but I am doing my best to avoid it.
  
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John October 25, 2009 6:48 am

Marc, your show is sponsored by Powermatic. Couldn’t you get them to spring for one of their dust collectors? All of us would love to help support you more. I am sure many of us would order tools thru your website. I bet many of the online power tool sites just ship direct from the manufacture to the customer anyway. If an autographed picture of your better half where included with each purchase then sales would be thru the roof!

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Virgil Mullins October 26, 2009 7:38 am

Great video as always. I have a small shop and needed some sort of temporary dust collection before I bit the bullet and put in a hard piped system. I use my shop vacuum and the Oneida Dust Deputy cyclone. http://www.dustdeputy.com/

It does a fantastic job and I would recommend it to any one using a shop vacuum. Not only does it keep the filter in the shop vac from clogging but it compacts the shavings in the supplied five gallon bucket to about a third on their original mass. This could reduce the times you have to empty the bag

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SamJ October 26, 2009 8:00 am

Marc:

This is my first post, so I’ll start by saying that I love your work and constantly am looking for updates and new shows on your site. Being a 30-something that builds in a t-shirt means I relate much more to your work than the others out there (and being a former percussionist turned woodworker; seems like there’s a lot of us out there).

I must comment on your dust collection. I have no doubt that you wear a respirator while you are in the shop, so you are being healthy, but I worry what others may do that see your setup. If you’ve spent any time on Bill Pentz’s site you know what the 30 micron bag is doing (basically trading your lungs for your broom). I know that when I was first getting started I would watch your videos for the things you didn’t talk about (what kinds of clamps you used, how you had your cabinets set up, all that kind of stuff), and I worry that some could take your inclusion of the small dust collector as an endorsement for such things.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing the new shop go together, though I am still jealous of your current setup. I was excited to build my 18X30 shop last year!

Sam

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 26, 2009 8:31 am
  
  Well, I am in a very special situation right now and I am doing what I need to do to survive essentially. I would hope that people who watch my videos would also see the 15-20 other times I have discussed dust, respirators, and the like. Judging from the number of 3m 7500 respirators that we sell through our store, our viewers know the score, lol.
  
  Also keep in mind that there are many woodworkers who use no dust collection at all. Just getting them to use a dust collector that is cheap and convenient is a step in the right direction. So let’s hope that is one of the side effects of seeing me use the smaller unit.
  
  So if this situation becomes more long term, I will have to come up with a more effective dust collection setup. Until then, this will get the job done (along with my respirator).
  
  And although Bill’s site can be very useful. Spending too much time there can result in a dust phobia, lol. He strikes me as a bit of a conspiracy theorist.
  
  Reply
  - SamJ October 26, 2009 8:43 am
    
    Agreed on the dust phobia! And I don’t mean to indicate that you haven’t also properly taught on dust collection. But I do think the 30-micron bag can cause more problems than it solves, as it ends up making more of that dust airborne than it would otherwise. I just think that it has to be indicated somewhere (should be printed on all of the 30-micron bags) that a respirator has to be worn when using such a dust collector. I know you feel that way, as it was you that pointed out the misuse of the ceiling filtration units.
    
    Sorry, didn’t mean for my first interaction with you (other than facebook) to be an argument. I think you’re doing as much or more for the craft than anyone right now, and I do own the same respirator (complete with pink filters!) as a result of your review. Keep up the good work!
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer October 26, 2009 8:46 am
      
      No worries Sam. Just a couple of woodworkers talking shop. And no doubt there are people out there right now reading this thinking we are both crazy for wanting to wear respirators all the time, lol.
Thomas October 27, 2009 7:15 am

Now that I know you have a lathe, when will you be turning something for us.I do not see alot of shows combining wood turning and funiture.I have been turning for about a year, and produced bowls, gobblets and pens.The only thing I made for my cabinets were custom pulls.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 27, 2009 7:40 am
  
  Well, the truth is I just don’t turn all that often. Its not that I don’t like it, I just like all other types of woodworking more, lol. So I turn when a project calls for it. But because I don’t necessarily LOVE turning, its rare that you will see me incorporate a turned item in a piece that I design myself. But a lathe demo is way long overdue.
  
  Reply
BoredCutter October 31, 2009 8:13 am

Hi Marc,

Just wondering about that new Jet Compound Sliding Miter Saw that was in one of your earlier videos. How do you like it($500-$600 Amazon.com) compared to the Kapex ($1300 FestoolGetOverYourselves.com)? :)

Don’t get me wrong — I love my (few and seasoned) Festool toys, just their prices.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer October 31, 2009 8:18 am
  
  I have to say, I am really enjoying my time with the Jet saw. The adjustments were a piece of cake, the cut quality is great, and the cut capacity is ample, to say the least. Truth be known, I don’t require much from a miter saw. If it holds its settings and cut dependably at 90 degrees and 45 degrees, it will cover 99% of my needs. Once I get the dust collection hooked up, I am going to be a happy pup. If you remember, I used to own the Makita SCMS in my old shop, until it was stolen. I loved that saw. And the Jet kind of reminds me of the Makita. Only trouble I have with the Jet so far is the laser. Now I rarely, if ever, rely on a laser. But mine is slightly out of alignment and there are no adjustments that can be made by the user (according to the manual). So I’ll have to call them to see whats up with that. But overall, so far, a quality saw.
  
  Reply
Olly Parry-Jones October 31, 2009 11:39 am

Hi Marc,

I think this may have already been mentioned by others but, one major issue with those chip collectors is that all the very fine dust escapes out through the cloth filter. It is good that you where a respirator. Do you also have an air filter in your shop? Apparently, they’re very easy (and cheap!) to make, compared against the cost of buying one new.

What I’ve also seen people do is to wire these up to a remote control socket, so that the extractor can be switched on/off from anywhere in the workshop. Might save you a few miles every day, as your space appears to be three-times the size of the average garage in the UK!!

Keep up the good work!

Olly.

Reply
Dave Nesting November 2, 2009 2:34 pm

Marc –
The shop looks nice – – If you need to move that Lathe out let me know.
A really good point on your lighting. Many don’t know that July 2012 will be the end of T12 lamps. So your switch to T8 is good, but also those who own T12 fixtures in Kitchens and basements etc. might want to consider either a little stockpile or making the switch as the F40T12’s that we are accustomed to are going away under the new energy legislation.
I included the Industry Link on what is affected.
Dave

http://www.nema.org/gov/energy.....lr_Lps.pdf

Reply
John November 14, 2009 4:06 pm

When you were talking about missing facilities, I was thinking “Timber storage.”

Where do you keep the timber?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer November 14, 2009 8:31 pm
  
  Unfortunately, outside for now. But that can’t last long. I am going to have to take some of my stash back over to the old house for storage. I just don’t have the room here.
  
  Reply
  - John November 16, 2009 5:08 am
    
    When you’re getting that organised properly, google for solar kilns. Some effective ones are hardly more than a garden shed.
    
    Reply
Frank Kovach December 15, 2009 5:05 pm

I didn’t hear you mention your plan for dust control. Since you can no longer simply expell it outside, how will you control the fine particles? The shop I use is a communal hobby shop, and I believe they do the same thing you used to. They collect the chips and large particles and such, but all the fine dust, once separated, is just exhausted out. What is a viable solution for the person with neighbors?

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- thewoodwhisperer December 15, 2009 8:16 pm
  
  At the time Frank, I was just planning on using my little Jet roll-around unit. It got the job done, but after having a cyclone with ductwork, I’ve been spoiled. So round 2 of the shop upgrades will include bringing in the old cyclone and getting the ductwork setup. To tell you the truth, I can’t wait! So what is viable really depends on your neighborhood and your neighbors. Obviously, in most areas you won’t be able to vent outside. So you need a good set of filters on the inside. In fact, that’s exactly what I am doing with my cyclone. Noise is still an issue, but I’m hoping the insulation will help with that. Plus all of my neighbors work regular daytime hours. So they aren’t even home when Im making the most noise.
  
  Reply
Monte West January 22, 2010 12:24 pm

I like how you are trying to get by in a nice big three car garage with heat and air condition.
I noticed you said that you did not have enough electric power in the shop area. You added a second panel, which was great. My question is why for safety you did not have a main breaker on this panel? My thinking, it is very important in emergencies and secondly if you need another circuit you have to go outside to kill the power. Please comment

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer January 22, 2010 12:42 pm
  
  Well, ever try to work in a garage every day in Phoenix in July? :) Not my idea of fun.
  
  Honestly I didn’t think much about the subpanel having its own main breaker. The main panel breaker is literally on the other side of the wall, about 10″ away from the sub panel. So its not much trouble for me to get to the main breaker when needed.
  
  Reply
Ra March 19, 2010 2:09 pm

He’s soooo lucky to have such a huge garage! You could fit the average New Zealand home into the garage alone, and have room to spare!

No s**t!

Reply
John Hobson September 15, 2010 5:49 am

Damn, that garage looks bigger then the factory I work in! My double Garage at home (Aus) Is no where near that size, and talk about overhead clearance! Very nice.

BTW 7:38, I wish I could move my bench that easily :\ Although that cant be a good thing when your getting down and busy with a hand plane?

Reply
Tobias April 8, 2012 5:06 pm

Was that a clearvue cyclone in your bandsaw setup/tune video? I wonder if you could do a spot on the value of that machine for safety? You sort of endorsed the Jet wind sock style in this video but truth be told it’s actually worse to run that as it ensures particulates are circulated at high volumes which saturate the air. Not sure if anyone has altered the top of one of these unit to feed it out the wall to a chimney style stack? That might handle the dangerous stuff though I know your being considerate of neighbors.

Best!

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104 – October 2009 Shop Tour

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