Power Tools Q&A

9 Responses to “ Woodworking shop tips or ideas? ”

1. # 1 icemanoe3 Says:
   March 21st, 2008 at 11:33 pm

   large work area…. design to your specifications. i know its not much help but thats all i can say.

2. # 2 toolman Says:
   March 25th, 2008 at 8:20 am

   Build as big as you can. There is no such thing as too much storage space.

3. # 3 Potentate Says:
   March 27th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

   Lucky you! You’re getting you own workshop! I very much like Norm Abrams workshop setup in his show New Yankee Workshop. Go ahead and tour his, you might pick up some good ideas. Congratulations on your workshop and happy woodworking!

4. # 4 Sandyspacecase Says:
   March 31st, 2008 at 5:49 am

   I have two suggestions. 1) Install a Dust Collector 2) install an overhead heater that has the option of having just the fan with no heat, or with heat. I work out in my workshop and am always wishing for those things.Along with more storage space. Make sure you have plenty of lighting and electrical outlets that are GFI. Byee

5. # 5 bill b Says:
   March 31st, 2008 at 2:07 pm

   Think about installing a dust collection system to all your stationary machines.
   Find a good design on the web for board storage, rather than leaning material up against the walls.
   Good, non glare lighting, especially over saws and jointers, so you don’t have to bend over and squint to see your pencil marks.
   A properly sized ventilation fan will save you some nasty headaches when you are staining.
   If it’s a separate building, make sure it has adequate heat, preferably not a forced air system [which will stir up sawdust right after you put the last coat of urethane on that walnut dressing table you just spent 50 hours on]. Concrete slab heat is best, if applicable.

6. # 6 Jeffrey J Says:
   April 3rd, 2008 at 4:19 am

   Get a GOOD table saw, make that the center piece of your shop, place the rest of eqpt round that, think about the out feeds for the rest of your tools (eg chop saw along the wall with 8′ open on each side of the blade)

   The coolest thing I have is my sanding table, essentially a box made from 2 x 6 with a well supported piece of 1/4 peg board as a top, 1/4 AC ply bottom and scrap wood legs, hooked up to dust collector so as I sand a pieces, most of the dust get sucked through the holes.

   Try this link its great fun if nothing else

   Hope this helps . . . .

   PS
   don’t worry too much about making it big enough, (because you can’t My next shop will be the Astro-Dome.

7. # 7 sensible_man Says:
   April 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

   I have included a link that shows various lay-outs and ideas. Planning is the key. Put it all on paper before needing to move heavy machines around. Good luck and have fun. You can just click on the link.

8. # 8 moskie257 Says:
   April 6th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

   The best thing you can buy for your shop is some Woodworking magazines. Almost all the magazines have tips and techniques. The also have some nice projects and some have tool reviews.

   Good Luck
   Moskie257

9. # 9 K eyez Says:
   April 8th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

   Build a wood rack for your different size wood, you probably all ready know not to store wood standing upright huh. Make a shelf for glass jars with screw type lids, screw the lids to the bottom of the shelf, so you just have to unscrew the jar without messing with the lid. Store screws,nails,nuts,bolts,washers, etc. Hope this helps!