Request for Help: Setting up Shop

[jaurand]

Honorable and Wise Chinny,

Those photos almost made me change my mind.

But I remain dedicated to the cause hopeful that I find something in all the sawdust and firewood I tend to make that ends up resembling a puzzle.

Jeff

[philtomlinson]

Ditto on the dust collection.  What ever you size the system for, get something bigger.
Lighting!  Critical to have good, quality lighting especially as you get older.   Reflective light for finishing.
Storage for wood, scraps and junk.
Ventilation (for finishing and breathing), temp and humidity control

I  love my roll-around cart.  Has space for junk, I can keep the things I use over and over close, and it is the same height as the table saw so it serves as a rolling support

A good, flat torsion-box assembly table if you have room.

[jaurand]

Great thoughts from all. Met with the contractor, plans are being drafted. If all goes according to plan, I should have an on-site shop by the end of the year.

[STP]

I made a dirt-simple table in the new garage this summer.  I bought a 4x8 (feet) sheet of sub-floor plywood which is about 1 1/8" thick.  I did need to cut off the tounge and groove sides, but that was it.  I screwed 2x4's underneath, all around, 2 of them on the flat side to create a 7" overhang all around the bench.  I always like to clamp things down to the bench - and this leaves the option open anywhere around the perimeter.  Then, I just propped it all up on 4 legs and built a big shelf underneath, about 8" off the floor.  I finished off the top with a sheet of 3/16" masonite or hardboard to make a smooth hard - and replaceable - work surface that is easy to clean off.  I like it better than my previous bench so far...and it was simple!

[Canuck]

Just curious if any of you have purchased a second tablesaw?  I've often thought of that, because once you're set-up with jigs and such, you don't dare move anything until you're finished with a project  

[philtomlinson]

And of course, the workbench.

For all the stuff they get wrong, FWW has a pretty good selection of articles on building workbenches:
http://www.finewoodworking.com/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignDirectory.aspx?dir=Workbenches

including my favorite (the one I built): http://www.finewoodworking.com/Workshop/WorkshopPDF.aspx?id=2625
which has hundreds of variations on the Internet--search on "New-Fangled Workbench"

Another workbench tip: drill 3/4" holes in the workbench top.  Tap them with a 1/2" pipe-thread tap.  Then you can either use 1/2" pipe plugs as screw-in bench dogs, or screw in the clamping end of a 1/2" pipe clamp on a short pipe nipple and have instant clamps anywhere.

[jaurand]

Phil,

I've got a pretty decent bench already, but I've been intrigued by the "new-fangled workbench". Sounds like you are pretty pleased with it. I'm thinking about a second bench and that model is on my list. Really interesting idea to tap the bench dog holes. I might have to give that a try.

John, a second table saw would be a real treat. I'd also like a second router table for exactly the same reason!

Jeff

[LEAP]

Just curious if any of you have purchased a second tablesaw?  I've often thought of that, because once you're set-up with jigs and such, you don't dare move anything until you're finished with a project  

Yeah, I've got a second table saw. A portable Rigid. It comes in quite handy when I want to mill boards to large to fit in the shop and if I don't want to tear down the dado blades or what ever I've got on the big saw. It's also the saw I let everyone else use when they need to borrow a saw. Much easier than hauling the behemoth out of the shop.