125 – Shop Evolution Update

Video - August 19, 2010

In the past, I’ve discussed how shop improvements are never done. As our needs and tool preferences change, the shop has to be able to adjust accordingly. If not, you will likely be faced with an inefficient and potentially unsafe work environment. If you can believe it, its already been over a year since Nicole and I moved into our new house. And for those that don’t know, we are indeed still carrying two mortgages. So the “dream shop” must wait. But until then I will continue to improve this space and make it as comfortable and efficient as possible. This video shows some of the areas I am frustrated with and what I plan to do to improve them.

I also mentioned the Wood Whisperer Guild in the video. If you are interested in joining, you can check out the details here. And don’t forget to visit the new Wood Talk Online Forum!

Here are some links from the past that involve the evolution of my shop:

Discussion

Jesse Toland August 19, 2010 9:11 am

Just sell the combo sander, and that should pay for those Gladiator cabinets!

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Chester August 19, 2010 9:11 am

Marc –
Shop organization and layout … sheesh!

Earlier this year, I was booked to do a presentation to our county Wood Workers Guild on just that subject. I was rather excited about the subject as I began to gather information from other woodworkers about their shops. One of my beliefs was that there are some absolutes of shop layout. For example, there are tools that the wood is moved through and there are tools that move over stationary wood. I believe that tools that have wood move through them need to be out in the open with lots of space for infeed and outfeed. Likewise, tools that move over the wood could often be mounted against a wall with the ability to support longer pieces that they might work over.

I still believe these two concepts but there are so many shops and ideas of what makes a good shop layout. I decided that to present, in an open meeting, what my idea of good shop layout was … might actually be dangerous. Shop layout is very personal to most woodworkers and to even infer that I might have a better idea could bring ’em out swinging.

One time in the chat room I started a thread about what TS fence I thought was the best and why. Before I knew it, I had offended some users of a particular brand of fence. Some things like politics, religion, TS fences and shop design … might just be too personal :-)

Chester

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Marty August 19, 2010 9:38 am

I have to say that is the most relevant video you’ve ever done. I struggle with wanting new tools and realizing I have nowhere to put them. I am right now in the process of dismantling my workbench to make room for a new 8″ jointer.

Thanks for the behind the scenes look at the shop mid-project. It’s good to know famous wood workers struggle with the same problems a hack like me struggles with.

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Renzo August 19, 2010 10:55 am

I love the fact that someone accomplished and professional is struggling with the same issues that i am as a newbie!

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Jim Jones August 19, 2010 11:24 am

“It?s good to know famous wood workers struggle with the same problems a hack like me struggles with.”

That’s why we luv him!! :-)

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Xett August 19, 2010 12:09 pm

Sure must be tough having a place for all that PM gear! A hard life you have to be sure ;-) If that lathe and sanding center and really in your way, I can send you an address where they can be stored! :-)

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Stéphane August 19, 2010 12:50 pm

I wanted to send you photos of my workshop but I allways wait for the next upgrade. I’m in the process of updating a few of my tools.

Since I have a workshop (15 years ago), I kept changing the setup. Like you say, it allways a work in progress ;-)

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medfloat August 19, 2010 1:31 pm

Marc,
Seems like the issue isn’t if you use a tool or not, the issue is access to said tool. The fix to the problem is a dedicated shop that we of the shared garage community dream of. I wanted to inquire about your last house, did you entertain the idea of renting it or a rent-to-own scenario? Some of the cost of the 2nd mortgage could be offset or recouped completely until the property is sold. I would offer my garage to you for storage but I am out of room also, sorry.

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- thewoodwhisperer August 19, 2010 1:40 pm
  
  Well its been over a year now so we are definitely considering alternative options. Renting is not out of the question at this point.
  
  Reply
  - momwow August 19, 2010 7:32 pm
    
    DO NOT RENT a distant house.
    
    I had to carry two mortgages for six years in the 1980s. I decided to rent it to help the finances. BIG MISTAKE.
    
    I had a real estate person “caring” for the property for 10% of the rent. That meant he didn’t make much money, and thusly didn’t pay a whole lot of attention.
    
    One time I went back between renters and found the three bedrooms spray painted with dick tracy colors in acrylic. Windows were spray painted, switches and outlets were painted, door knobs were painted. It was a friggin mess. Another time between tenants I went down and found every hedge removed with the soil still disturbed rather than smoothed.
    
    And the rental money flow was erratic, sometime absent, they knew I was an absentee landlord, and took advanage.
    
    If no one is living there, the insurance increases five-fold when they find out. They WILL find out and transfer the insurance to another company. That bill will floor you. You have to pay up because the mortage company requires insurance.
    
    Carefull there, Marc.
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer August 19, 2010 7:46 pm
      
      Well now you confused me! You say don’t rent, but then if I don’t rent my insurance goes up 5X, lol. What’s a boy to do? Seriously though. Obviously renting is not ideal. But neither is paying a significant increase on insurance for a vacant house. So if we start feeling a significant crunch on our finances, renting may be our only option.
    - Marty August 19, 2010 9:50 pm
      
      It’s OK to rent, just do your due diligence and pay to have a background check done. You’d be amazed how easy it is to weed undesirables out. My wife is a licensed P.I. and can run background checks for you. Lemme know.
Aluminum Extrusions August 19, 2010 1:32 pm

Great little update. Love the video!

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Tom (wizer) August 19, 2010 2:06 pm

You need a shed. Either for storage or with machines setup for use.

That said, I’m sure you could get it reorganised to work a bit better. I have less than half that space and get by. Kinda ;)

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Sharon August 19, 2010 2:26 pm

It’s great that you keep it up and improve the environment as you grow. it’s so easy to get around the little things…then the bigger things and before you know it- you are working upside down (don’t ask me how I know)

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Olly Parry-Jones August 19, 2010 3:16 pm

Hi Marc,

Thanks for the tour. You’re dead right – we don’t see enough workshop tours where the workshop is actually in use! So, it’s very interesting (and, quite surprising) to see the difference.

I totally agree with maximising your wall space – anything that’s currently on the floor (wood!) or cluttering up another surface can be stored out of the way. Although, you’d still need to allow storage space for a ladder or stool of some kind in order to access the higher shelves – unless, of course, you’re expecting to grow three or four feet taller sometime soon…! ;-)

One “solution” that’s worked for me is to use the lathe as a stand for a 12in disc sander. I only have to remove the sander and dump it on my bench when I need to turn something (approximately once every two-years!!). You wouldn’t get your combi sander on there but, it might give you some ideas… I certainly think that a lathe provides other functions for those of us who concentrate mostly on the flat and square. :-)

Actually, you could even fit a plywood disc to a chuck and use the lathe as a disc sander (no excuse to buy a new tool!). Though, you might still have some trouble hooking it up with dust extraction.

Thanks again for the tour.

Olly.

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Will Stokes August 19, 2010 3:18 pm

Marc, it looks like you have two band saws. If you can’t figure out how to make space for all your key tools I’d be happy to “store” one of those for you. :-) Actually I struggle with similar problems myself of course. I have a mortiser that currently lives on my workbench. I’m still trying to figure out where it ultimately should live. I suppose I could stick it in a corner since usually mortises are toward the end of a piece of stock. Hrmm. Decisions decisions! At least I finally got my clamps and jigs off the floor and onto the wall with french cleats. :-) Whatever happened to the fancy miter saw station you made a long time ago?

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- thewoodwhisperer August 19, 2010 3:22 pm
  
  Unfortunately it had to be dismantled. It was part of an 8 foot long storage cabinet/bench that just wasn’t going to make the trip. :)
  
  Reply
  - Will Stokes August 19, 2010 3:43 pm
    
    Dang, that’s too bad. If I recall correctly it was beautiful with contrasting color woods and would allow you to have nice stop blocks to make repeatable cuts. :-(
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer August 19, 2010 3:46 pm
      
      No worries. I’ll build something even better when I have more space. :)
kosta August 19, 2010 3:21 pm

Same here man when your not working on a project your shop looks nice and clean. But once you start working on a project you really realize how inefficient your shop really is. I am kinda in the same phase with my shop because I moved to a new house around the same time you did. I noticed with smaller shops your really limited on the different setups because most of the time something isnt going to fit.

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Brett August 19, 2010 4:27 pm

First, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to give The WoodWhisperer some tips on setting up shop? After all, he did set himself up for some advice from the masses by putting up a video!

Well I jumped at the chance to give some ideas since I have been dealing with shop layout myself, so I sent an email to Marc.

I must have missed the main point of the video, but The WoodWhisperer is gracious, and even though he wasn’t struggling with the tool layout, he thought that others that are, might glean some insight from the ideas that I shared with him.

So here is the email with Marcs blessing.

“Hey there Marc,

Thanks for being so honest about not being satisfied with your shop layout, it makes us “common” folk feel like we are not alone in our curse! ;)

I have had to deal with poor shop layout for a few years and I have recently just came up with some general ideas that have worked for me. Now these are not all encompassing, but they have helped me and they are probably not new to you or anyone else.

First, ask yourself this… How does the material flow through my shop? What door do I bring it in? Where do I store it? What operations do I usually do first, cut to length? Rip? thickness?

I have the material entry door and wood storage by each other. This way I don’t have to carry the material through the maze of tools and junk, that I have scattered about, and damage the wood or the other stuff.

Where does it go after I have it dimensioned? Workbench/assembly area?

Just sit for a bit and really try to figure out the most common flow of material for your shop.

I use the center area for the most used tools and the space around it for the less common tools. Everything flows into the center of the shop where it’s easiest to move and work on pieces.

I made the assembly table/workbench central in my space. I use it to stage the wood after each process of machining. I usually either cut to length or rip, first thing, and I need to stage the material somewhere until I move to the next machine… that is my workbench.

I have the tablesaw/router table sharing the central space in the shop since ripping can require alot of infeed and outfeed space. I can use my work bench as an infeed support table for long pieces and I can open my garage door and feed it outside if the peices are longer than about 6′.

I have all of my other tools situated around the central area of the workbench and the table saw, along the walls. On one side is the wood storage area and the crosscut area with the mitersaw and the radial arm saw. I have the workbench central for staging wood from one machine to the next.

After you figure out how the material flows through the shop on a complete project, you can start to think about where is the best placement for each tool to minimize the effort needed to move it around and shape it. I hate to have to walk to the other side of the shop, or farther than it really needs to be, to get to a tool that I need.

Try to think of the work triangle that “they” say that you should get in the kitchen and make that central for the most common operations. Then you can work on the secondary work triangles for the less used tools/operations in the shop. Try to minimize unnecessary movement and energy when working/handling the wood with the tool layout.

Most of all, be flexible. Just like you are now realizing, your needs change and so will the layout of the shop. It sounds like you are ready to make the necessary layout changes to work more effeciently and have fun. BUT, whatever you do, DON’T get rid of any of those tools! They are easy to get rid of but hard to get back again. ;) If you really feel like you have to many tools in the way, you can always put them on wheels and push them up against the wall somewhere and they will be waiting there for you when you should need them.

I know that you are on top of the game, and I look forward to hearing what you come up with!”

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- Chester August 20, 2010 6:39 am
  
  Brett –
  
  Well said!
  
  You know, I do hear this about laying out the shop based on workflow and I do agree with that … but most of us are not commercial cabinet makers with a regular flow of product. I find my workflow to be different from project to project. If I am using plywood or MDF I start at the table saw (at the far end) and if I am using rough-sawn hard woods I start at the entry area with jointing, planing and drum-sanding. As a hobbyist, I do not know if there is just one machinery layout that is best.
  
  But I do have some thoughts about individual machinery positions within the shop (see my post … #2 above). Further, I am beginning to think that while square-footage is very important, wall-space within that square-footage is also very important … long wall space. If I were building a shop today, I think that I would opt for a more rectangular shop as opposed to square. This would give me two longer walls. Maybe I am just rationalizing my current shop setup! :-)
  
  Reply
  - Brett August 21, 2010 12:32 am
    
    I am right there with you Chester, shop layout is a personal thing. What works well for me, may not work well for the other.
    
    I am not a professional either and not all of my projects flow the same through my shop. I have found that there are those handful of tools that get used for most every project that I do(tablesaw, mitersaw, routertable)and I have tried to position those tools immediately around my workbench (4’x7′). I also have tried to group tools with similar functions next to each other and by the workbench also (disc/belt sander, spindle sander). This way I have similar functions set up so I can get as much of the same or sequential work done in one shot and I have a place to set the incomplete parts and the completed parts.
    
    Of course all of this has been my setup and it works well for me. This setup may NOT work well for others but the idea remains that each person has to evaluate for themselves how there projects generally flow through the tools they have and where best to position them for minimal effort in the workspace that they have been blessed with. figuring this stuff out is the fun part and the frustrating part all at the same time, and what works well for me this year may not work well for me next. That is what is soooo cool about being able to share our experiences together on a site like this, we can take the good ideas that we like and use them and the not so good ones we can leave behind.
    
    I am also with you on the wall space being a good thing. I like having the longer walls in the shop with more of a rectangle shape vs. square. But maybe I could be rationalizing my shop too! ;)
    
    Reply
  - Brett August 21, 2010 12:45 am
    
    One added benefit that I have discovered by having my workbench central in my shop is that I am forced to keep it clear so I can stage the wood pieces for the different machining pocesses and still have a place to put them together when its time. But my table saw and router table end up getting all of the junk stacked on them…
    
    Maybe it’s not such a good idea after all! :0
    
    Reply
    - Chester October 7, 2010 5:52 am
      
      Brett –
      I think that we all use our tablesaws and/or outfeed tables as “tables” to stage wood … and hand tools at times. Nothing wrong with that. There is probably no way that any of us could build enough horizontal surfaces >>> assembly tables >>> workbenches … in our shops to suffice for every project. My idea is to have as many different horizontal surfaces around the shop as possible … and all at exactly the same height (that is very important). I have four major horizontal surfaces scattered around the shop and they can all be used to support something extending from another horizontal surface. I know a friend that has a huge assembly table in the middle of his shop (5′ x 10′). When I am in his shop, it frustrates me because, just to get around to the other side of the table, sometimes seems like a big hike. It is too big.
      
      Just some random thoughts.
      
      Chester
mark williams August 19, 2010 4:41 pm

Dude,
I will rent a U haul and you can store all of those tools at my shop for free…. :-) Granted I will need to drive like 1500 miles but worth it.

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Rob Horton August 19, 2010 6:14 pm

Good vid, but I’m sorry to hear the other house hasn’t moved yet. Good luck and don’t lose hope.

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Dustin Martin August 19, 2010 7:24 pm

Marc, I really appreciated this video as I am in the same process of trying to reconfigure my shop. I’m trying to make room for a table saw and wondered how you like your MFT as an outfeed table. I see that there are no miter slots, did you make a 1/2 inch shorter than the saw?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer August 19, 2010 7:48 pm
  
  Thats exactly what I did Dustin. Its just below the saw.
  
  Overall its not a bad concept. But it does limit the usefulness of the MFT if you can’t have the rail on all the time. But I think I may have found a solution for that. Stay tuned. :)
  
  Reply
mickyd August 19, 2010 9:05 pm

Subliminal message……buy a ShopSmith, buy a ShopSmith, buy a ShopSmith. :-) You’ll free up MANY cubic feet of work area.

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Eric August 19, 2010 10:01 pm

Marc,
I love the podcast, and being a woodworking show aficionado… I think a look at Norm’s work table + miter station + benchtop mortiser project would do you well! I’ve alway thought that particular project he did a couple years back was somewhat brilliant in simplicity and utility.

Eric

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- Chester October 7, 2010 6:14 am
  
  Eric –
  
  I am also a huge fan of Norm’s design for this large ChopSaw station. A friend of mine built it exactly from plan. I just completed a new ChopSaw station (http://woodtalkonline.com/gall.....w-station/).
  
  The only thing that I do not like about Norm’s design is that the elevated platform that supports the extended wood sits on top of the bench and so does the chopsaw. This takes out most of the surface of the bench that might otherwise be used for alternate purposes when not using the chopsaw.
  
  You might notice in my adapted design that my chowsaw sits below the main surface with its cutting surface flush with the main surface. Norm’s table design (and mine too) call for a very long main bench (mine is 12′ overall and over 8′ to the left of the chopsaw blade). If you are going to have that large of a surface, you need to be able to use it for alternate purposes. You may also notice, in my adapted design, that there is no fence running down the main bench length (on the left). But there will be. This is needed to keep long boards square to the chopsaw and to allow for an indexed “stop” system that will make repetitive length cutting part of the system. The reason that I do not have a fence mounted (yet) is that I am still looking at all of the options. I want for this fence to be very straight, accurate and easily mountable/removable for when it is needed. When the fence is not needed, it will be hung from the studs, immediately above the bench.
  
  Keeping your horizontal surfaces free and open is sometimes difficult … but … resist the tendency to put permanent stationary tools and objects on them. It will always yield more options for you, especially when handling larger wood.
  
  Again, just my 2-cents …
  
  Chester
  
  Reply
Dan August 20, 2010 5:07 am

Dang Marc you sound frustrated throughout that whole video, but I can see why, you have a lot of “stuff” just taking up room. Might be time for a purge. Rent a storage garage for a couple months, move everything into it except for the essentials, tablesaw, jointer, planer, bench handtools and DC. Get back to your woodworking in a clean clutter free environment and if you find you need something from storage, first find a place for it, then go get it. After a couple months you may find out that you don’t really need half the stuff you have to make beautiful pieces.

Woodworking today is a conundrum, there are manufacturers making a tool or jig to do every possible operation when the type of person generally attracted to woodworking is a person with ingenuity and a penchant for creative problem solving. (Ok, some of us are just cheap, especially me) but if i had a tool to do everything, I wouldn’t have any room left to work in. I also find that I am much happier with the work I do when I do it free of clutter, I think better, I feel better and it shows in the finished product.

Anyway, you will get it figured out, I know.
You still have that engineer dna buried somewhere and it will help you get your set-up to maximum efficiency lol.

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Will Leingang August 20, 2010 7:43 am

2 thoughts. My work surfaces simply become storage surfaces between and during projects. Sometimes clearing the floor and working down there is quicker than cleaning my bench. Tony Stark never has this problem!

As a software engineer my team is always recording which of our product’s features are used the most-then redesigning the interface so that those things are most accessible. I wonder if you could do the same thing with a shop layout? Log the number of times you use each tool, then put the most frequent tools in the best places, and the rest of the tools on rollers?

Just thinking out of the box.

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Gabe August 20, 2010 11:16 am

Your shop is still awesome even if you think it is small. It takes up a whole garage and you don’t have to share it with any cars!

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Kurt Capehart August 20, 2010 5:42 pm

Hi Mark,
First off you and Norm are my heros. Now to the problem at
hand. Think about orginizing the little thing in your shop first (i.e. hand tools, spary tools, extension cords) Get them off the workbenches and the floor and onto some pegboard. That would clear up a a lot of space. Then tackle the lumber. Make some lumber racks. Can you see how I am thinking? Do one thing at a time, don’t get overwhelmed by the whole picture. Your shop is a jigsaw puzzle, put it together one piece at a time.

Keep making that sawdust
Kurt

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- Chester October 7, 2010 6:22 am
  
  Kurt –
  
  Your suggestions are all good. You mention organizing the lumber like it is “organizing the nails.” That, in my shop, is way-easier said than done.
  
  Wood is always the main issue. My situation is much improved since I rebuilt the shop last year … but I still sometimes feel like I am “drowning in wood.” I do not save everything but is still very difficult.
  
  Is it just me or is it that way with all woodworkers?
  
  Chester
  
  Reply
Jerry Junkins August 20, 2010 8:06 pm

Well, well, well !!! It just so happens that I have been doing just that for the past several days. There is nothing worse than a messy, inefficient wood shop or any shop for that matter. If the available space isn’t used very effectively, it will be hard to get the most out of the space you have. When I built my shop last fall about this time, I drew up a floor plan that I thought would work for me. It was a pretty good layout, but as time went on, I found some flaws that I didn’t like, so I sat down and changed the floor plan again. But no matter how I arranged things, something just wasn’t working the way I’d hoped. I found myself walking around EVERYTHING and there wasn’t much space between tables and equipment. Then I realized something…………..I had to really think this thing out!! Then I got serious and realized that the first thing I needed to do was to use up ALL available wall space. This would get as much stuff out of the middle of the floor (the stuff I was bumping into), and since I had lots of unused wall space, I got busy. What I ended up with was amazing to say the least! One thing I realized was that there were several things in the shop that I really didn’t need, so I got rid of them and that gave me some more room. Just about all of my equipment is on rollers, so I can roll whatever piece of equipment I plan to use into the open area I created, use it, then put it back, out of the way. That would be my new Grizzly GO490 jointer and Grizzly GO453PX planer with spiral cutter head. I have a large storage shelf system that I put all of my electrical power tools and dovetail jig and all my other stuff. I have everything labeled so I can see at a glance where everything is. I also use the empty space under my table saw out feed table (that I made myself), and under both of my tables and bench. I use every available space there is and now it will work. I use quick connect dust collectors from Rockler to quickly hook up the dust collector to each piece of equipment. I do want to get another one that is bigger, but that will wait for now. There are still a few things that I still want to do, but that will have to wait also. I want to build a really nice router table and possibly a new table saw. I have a Delta contractor saw and I tuned it up today and it is right on the money now. I realized you can’t do precision woodworking with junk saw blades so I purchased two new saw blades for my DeWalt 718 miter saw (Freud) and a really nice Forrest woodworker II, 40 tooth, ATB blade for my table saw. They are really nice. The one thing that I am very particular about, especially when room is at a premium is to keep my shop clean as soon as I finish doing something. It just makes it easier to work. Another very important thing is to have as much storage as possible for things like screws, nails,and all of those small items that don’t take much space. Rather than putting them in a box and shove it in the corner someplace, I have a really nice 100 (or so) storage cabinet with bins that are about 5″ wide, 3″ tall and a foot deep with dividers in each drawer. There is a tremendous amount of hardware in there that is not out on a table, taking up space. It’s very handy. So, my advice is to maximize wall space, put everything on rollers and have plenty of storage!! Oh yea, and keep the place cleaned up!!!

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- Chester August 21, 2010 2:34 am
  
  Jerry –
  
  Don’t get rid of your Delta contractors saw if you buy a new saw. See what I did with my old Contractors saw when I bought my new Grizz last year http://woodtalkonline.com/inde.....8;user=486
  
  Reply
steve August 21, 2010 8:34 am

Marc,
You mentioned having all the wasted vertical space (i.e above your finishing cabinet), why not store your lathe up there? I hear Gorilla makes some really rad tape…or maybe Titebond 2000. :)

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- thewoodwhisperer August 21, 2010 8:41 am
  
  Oh man now why didn’t I think of that?!! lol
  
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Brian August 22, 2010 7:58 am

Marc,
First Wood Werks has a mobile base for your lathe! I believe you have the 3520B, if I remember correctly their mobile base for it is around $350 (YIKES!). Secondly, I recently embarked on working with curves. I love simple curves but just haven’t done it very much. I was curious if you could have a video of curve making (spindle sander using). I just bought a benchtop spindle sander off craigslist and I do love it. I made a single item very well but when I was trying to make duplicates I had a problem. Is this just practice? Do I need to cut a hair off the line to smooth? I seemed to have ridges after sanding where I did not want them. I may have figured that out but if you had some time for a video instruction that would be awesome. Thanks for everything! PS Great mid-project workshop tour!
Brian

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- thewoodwhisperer August 22, 2010 8:16 am
  
  Thanks for the tip on the mobile base. I will have to check that out. As for curves, I have covered this a couple times in the past. Here are two examples:
  
  http://www.thewoodwhisperer.co.....able-pt-3/
  http://www.thewoodwhisperer.co.....tion-pt-3/
  
  I also covered the topic extensively in the Guild if that is something that interests you.
  
  Good luck!
  
  Reply
  - Brian August 23, 2010 7:12 pm
    
    Thanks Marc for the links. Seems like once again I don’t necessary pay attention/ remember things when I’m not attempting them at the time. I guess it has been two years since last I watched the end table video but I believe you covered it well. Here’s another question if you’re up for it; do you rely on the template for final shape then not even use spindle sander? Is the spindle sander best used to sneak up on your template then hand sand or gently power sand? So many questions… Thanks for all your time!
    
    Reply
    - thewoodwhisperer August 23, 2010 7:15 pm
      
      If I have a template and I do the flush trimming operation, there is usually no need for the spindle sander. I use the spindle sander to make the initial template and to even out any roughness in the curved surface. I might also use it to modify a curve on the fly if needed. But I usually don’t do much shaping of the final workpiece using the spindle sander.
Scott Sandine August 22, 2010 1:08 pm

Thank’s for the shop update tour. I would be glad to store the lathe and the kapex for you. It would be a good problem to have of more tools than space. I built a storage shed/finishing room 10’x 20’x 10′ high (maxium square feet without a permit); $1000. materials only.

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Frank Kovach August 22, 2010 6:18 pm

I just want to know where you buy your t shirts.

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Bill Hall August 24, 2010 9:51 am

I hope you’re able to sell your old house sooner than later. This market is terrible. We’ve been trying to move our place for five months now with no luck. We’re moving up from a townhouse if we ever sell, so I’d be extremely stoked to have the amount of room you have. Though, like you, I’d probably find a way to fill it full of stuff I don’t have yet. :)

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Marilyn August 24, 2010 7:27 pm

Good to know!

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Devon August 27, 2010 10:03 am

Thanks for making the video Marc I Always look forward to your watching your videos. I’m planning on putting in some 6″ SDS pipe for my the DC soon. If you have a minute, I wanted to ask why you switched from PVC SDS to what looks like HVAC ducting for the new shop? Or did you use the nice metal ducting that is specifically for DC and is expensive? I see there is already 44 comments on this video, so no hard feeling if you can’t get to this one.
Best,
Devon

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- thewoodwhisperer August 27, 2010 10:35 am
  
  The piping is actually a snap-lock piping that isn’t quite at thin as the HVAC stuff. The switch was due mainly to a preference for metal. I like working with it better and hanging it on the ceiling is much easier. I used PVC in the past because it was cheaper and I had a lot more space to cover. So at the time, metal was cost-prohibitive.
  
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  - Devon August 27, 2010 12:31 pm
    
    Thanks for answering my question. I had thought you used HVAC, which is cheap and redily available, but I never looked into that seriously. Now I’ll be more confident ordering the PVC, which I believe best suites my situation, given my constraints.
    Thanks,
    Devon
    
    Reply
  - Chester August 27, 2010 1:22 pm
    
    I just finished my DC system using a combo of HVAC 26-guage, 6″ steel pipe … and connected to DC-type lateral (Y-type) connectors. Unless you are using a HD DC (3-5 hp), you don’t have to worry about the HVAC pipe. I can run mine with all the blast gates closed and my 1
    
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Steve August 31, 2010 7:10 am

I have a decently sized detached garage that I am turning into a shop. I started out all wrong by building a “workbench” that is way to big and then repeating the “too big” mistake by building a router table that just takes up too much space. Between that and no dust collection, and one power outlet on the ceiling, most of my time is spent cleaning up and trying not to trip over cables. It’s just not as fun organizing and cleaning as it is making sawdust. :-)

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Dane Christensen September 13, 2010 3:50 pm

Marc,

It’s very reassuring that you have these issues with your shop. Thanks for sharing! I guess we all suffer through the same until we get a designed & thought out custom-built shop.

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Thomas Tieffenbacher/Doc Savage 45 October 6, 2010 4:34 pm

Thanks guys! Especially Marc for bringing it up. There are some books out there regarding shops and everything mentioned here, Oh yeah wiring the shop for 220? I went at it ass backward just like many of the folks here. Read an instruction manual for Japanese carpenters which blew my mind. After thinking “more power” I read the first paragraph which says find a 6 ft by 6 ft space uner a tree. James Krenov did wonderful work with very few tools, both power and hand. Good points made regarding personal style and efficiency. To make the space more storage friendly a wall can be erected anywhere for efficiency and functional design of space. But ya are where ya are. We have to make the best of it.

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Joe October 17, 2010 7:03 pm

Boy have you gotten the mail on this one! Just a bit of advice on renting your house or not. If you don’t want to rent just suspend your insurance to cover property.damage and keep you from getting your but sued Whatever you do talk to your agent, he/she can help you get the right policy, but don’t walk away and not tell your agent, if there is a problelm you may not be covered, so talk. :)

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Ben October 19, 2010 1:02 pm

It’s great to see your shop in “as-is” condition, especially the sheet goods propped up on the lathe. I’m sure as we all do, I always struggle with handling sheets in limited space and storing the cumbersome (yet valuable) scraps and cutoffs. Good luck on selling your home and getting started on the full shop build.

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Gary Bell October 26, 2010 5:14 am

Proud of ya Marc! Good to see that you have COMPLETLY taken over the 3 car garage. My thought is that they would not have made cars water proof if they hadn’t intended for them to be outside all the time. Seriously though I have a similar set up only I am still required to park at least one car in the garage. However I am relatively happy with my compromises because I have been able to make good use of vertical space and wheels. I store my wood on wall shelves and sheet goods get flattened against the wall in one spot with tie down straps. I do utilize a storage shed out back for some of my larger pieces of wood.
One interesting thing too. Back when Norm was still doing his show on tv they had this shop cam. It was interesting to see the assistants moving tools in and out of the shop depending on what project he was building for the show. something you didn’t notice when you watched the show but all of those tools he had did not have permanent resisidence in the New Yankee workshop.
One other advantage of a garage workshop is in my locale [kansas] I get residual heat from the house during the winter which helps with shop heat. Probably not a factor where you live.

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Danielnoob January 24, 2011 5:36 pm

Is it possible to build a shed in front of one of the garage doors, for tool storage? It would only be temporary.

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Lois August 19, 2012 8:50 pm

Good luck with the shop. I just finished mine and now the fun part of fine tuning.
Lois

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125 – Shop Evolution Update

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