Thread: The "Work Shop"

Please forgive if this doesn't translate from Paint the way that I want it to... this is a first for me

I’m curious about your work shop space. I’ve seen some of the work that a lot of you do and just wonder what kind of equipment that you use. My wife and I sold our home in TN, bought an RV and are now full-timers. One of the down sides to this was the fact that I had to get rid of 35 years of tools and equipment that I had collected. Even in this reduced space, I find it possible to do the things that I like to do… particularly since acquiring RAD, HAD, and whatever the ‘resto-AD is J.

This might be a great way for us to see some of the tools that others use in their shops. I also know that there are some that live in apartments and like me, need to come up with ways to still work on our razors and scales. Please post your shops regardless of what size it is. Even if it’s one of them large, luscious and roomy shops with tool after tool… drool.

Very nice workspace and tools i love tools as much as razors

Hi,
hey you have more stuff than your intro led me to believe.
I've always worked in construction where there is constant noise. When I work my hobbies I like to avoid the scream of power tools. If you are really into PTs you can consider my suggestions tongue in cheek ways to save space.scroll saw- a coping saw, and jewelers saw is just as good.
Belt sander- a large double cut file, sanding blocks, a few smaller files of various grades- you're actually getting more tools, an imho will yield superior results accuracy, fit and finish.
Drill press ? thats a huge beast for what little it does. I'm sure if you drill in from both sides while carefully eyeballing the angle you can keep those pins aligned. What else is it for?
The jigsaw seems a little redundant. you can keep the dremel and drill motor

The weekend approaches. I tell myself again I will clean, de-clutter, purge my space. When you made your decision in lifestyle change, was that difficult? to get rid of stuff?

Cheers

You have more and better equipment than me.
Really nice setup. And the weather's nice too.

Looks like a pretty slick set-up to me! My only suggestion might be to keep your eyes out for one of the SL or DB Unimats - lathe, mill, drill, grinder, saw, etc. etc. all in one compact unit. (Often called "the machine shop in a shoe box") I love mine, even tho I have bigger stuff, too........Mike

Funny you should post this - tonight is the big night where I take over half the finished basement and turn it into my full blown wood shop. I've been collecting tools for years, storing and using them at my parents...but now that we've settled into the new house, I'm ready to put up that partion wall and carve out a space that's all for me! I'll post pics as the process continues - I hope to have the woodshop up and functional within a month or so!

Mark

Originally Posted by kevint

Hi,
hey you have more stuff than your intro led me to believe.
I've always worked in construction where there is constant noise. When I work my hobbies I like to avoid the scream of power tools. If you are really into PTs you can consider my suggestions tongue in cheek ways to save space.scroll saw- a coping saw, and jewelers saw is just as good.
Belt sander- a large double cut file, sanding blocks, a few smaller files of various grades- you're actually getting more tools, an imho will yield superior results accuracy, fit and finish.
Drill press ? thats a huge beast for what little it does. I'm sure if you drill in from both sides while carefully eyeballing the angle you can keep those pins aligned. What else is it for?
The jigsaw seems a little redundant. you can keep the dremel and drill motor

The weekend approaches. I tell myself again I will clean, de-clutter, purge my space. When you made your decision in lifestyle change, was that difficult? to get rid of stuff?

Cheers

Well, actually, the post is more about room than it is about PT vs. Hand tools. You mention the lifestyle change and getting rid of stuff. Having to make the decisions on what to keep, what we wanted vs what we needed, and for me particularly... how in the world do I lose my shop???

I know that scales and a lot of the razor work/repair can be done without much of what I've got but these tools (plus others that I've got in the "basement") aren't just for razors. Remember, I'm maintaining a home, even if it is one on wheels. The drill press is great to put on high speed and use the buffing wheels and believe me it is easier to hold the blade with 2 hands (always remembering the rotation and the location of the edge of the blade ). And the drill press is quieter than either of the dremels.
The belt sander makes much quicker work of shaping new scales vs sanding blocks. I've been using this one for over 30 years and simple work like this is just about its limit. I see a mini 1" belt sander in my future.
And, mostly, this post is about "space-saving ways and tips to do things. Even when I was younger and living in an apartment, I had tools... even if it was on my side of the walk-in closet. Thanks for your input Kevin!

Originally Posted by mikeyr

Looks like a pretty slick set-up to me! My only suggestion might be to keep your eyes out for one of the SL or DB Unimats - lathe, mill, drill, grinder, saw, etc. etc. all in one compact unit. (Often called "the machine shop in a shoe box") I love mine, even tho I have bigger stuff, too........Mike

Yeah, years ago, I was in the market for one of those but now... no way would it fit in the "basement" (notice the door in pic 4 underneath the "Medallion" lettering). Bulk and weight is the primary factor. Thanks for your post. Let's see the pics of the shop!

The work bench is a new addition. Remove 20 screws and it can be loaded flat for location change. I was working on a 4' plastic table with fold-down legs. Too much flex and 'vibration' bounce. OK guys, show me what you got! Give me more ideas & input.

Originally Posted by The Blacksmith

Well, actually, the post is more about room than it is about PT vs. Hand tools. You mention the lifestyle change and getting rid of stuff. Having to make the decisions on what to keep, what we wanted vs what we needed, and for me particularly... how in the world do I lose my shop???

I know that scales and a lot of the razor work/repair can be done without much of what I've got but these tools (plus others that I've got in the "basement") aren't just for razors. Remember, I'm maintaining a home, even if it is one on wheels. The drill press is great to put on high speed and use the buffing wheels and believe me it is easier to hold the blade with 2 hands (always remembering the rotation and the location of the edge of the blade ). And the drill press is quieter than either of the dremels.
The belt sander makes much quicker work of shaping new scales vs sanding blocks. I've been using this one for over 30 years and simple work like this is just about its limit. I see a mini 1" belt sander in my future.
And, mostly, this post is about "space-saving ways and tips to do things. Even when I was younger and living in an apartment, I had tools... even if it was on my side of the walk-in closet. Thanks for your input Kevin!

Hi Danny, the space savings was the whole point a 16 inch double cut file will eat wood and you'll never run out of belts. Space saving is important to me, as well as having an uncluttered easily cleanable space for transitioning between dusty hobbies and those that hate dust.

Obviously you thought long and hard about what to keep, That's what I need to do as well. Your set up is nify and works for your style of work. But if it all comes down to space, the coping saw will make room for a vehicle rear wheel mount brush handle lathe jig.. I think Red Greene has the plans for that one.