What tools are in your dream workshop?

Gentleman,

I have spent many hours the past few weeks reading through the amazing resource filled thread known as the Workshop. My RAD on eBay has been ridiculous the past few months, and it's time to get to work. However, the problem is that I don't own a single piece of machinery that would be useful for working on straight razors.

So I want to ask you. Knowing what you know now, what equipment and tools would you buy for your ultimate straight razor workshop? I'm looking to build a shopping list and slowly accumulate the tools. You can either add to my list below or create your own!

Dream Workshop/Shopping List:
-Tumbler
-Set of low grit hones
-4k/8k Norton Hone
-12k Hone
-HUGE strop
-Lots of brushes, scrubbers, toothpicks, q-tips, etc.
-Maas
-Sandpaper of various grits
-Power Drill
-Power Sander
-Ball-peen hammer
-Safety Glasses
-Belt Sander
-Drill Press
-Vise
-Grinder
-Steel Wool
-Dremel
-Respirator

I'll add stuff to my list as you guys make great suggestions below!

NOS Stanley No.1

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Originally Posted by Noisykids

NOS Stanley No.1

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This plane? What makes that such a sought after tool?

belt sander. drill press. vise. grinder. steel wool.

my dream workshop would also include guitar-related equipment, so there would be glue pots, soldering iron, chisels, clamps, drawers and drawers of materials, fret press, jigs, dremel...I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. I feel like 85% of the stuff could be used on both.

and a big shop vac. actually because it's a dream shop, a full dust removal filter system and a shop-cleaner named Sophia would suffice.

I have pretty much everything I need except for a drill press and a good buffer.

I'm pretty set up, so I can't complain. I think I'll be able to finally purchase a drill press this week. I've been saving for the one I'd like, as opposed to the one I need.

However, since you asked about a DREAM workshop:

Well....I wouldn't mind a JET bandsaw, with the capability to resaw veneers. And also on the list is a General Table Saw....although my dad has one, so I can go use it from time to time......but oh man, is that ever a sweet saw to use, it's just so smooth, and the table is a great size.

Alright, I think that's it...oh, maybe a Dewalt Radial arm Mitre saw. Ok, now I'm done.

I originally trained as a carpenter / joiner, I took time out to learn chair making for a couple of years, went back into carpentry restoring listed buildings which was very rewarding I worked for a year in HM Tower of London, and various other buildings such as The Royal Naval College Greenwich, and The Law courts in the Strand then took four years out to go to University to achieve formal qualifications as a Luthier.
I have been collecting hand and power tools /machinery for over 30 years so I pretty much have everything I could want (including TWO original Stanley No.1 smoothing planes inherited from my grandfather) But a thickness sanding machine and a large overhand and thickness planer would not go amiss, and a workshop the size of a small aircraft hanger to put it all in!

Laser cutter! ;-)

I would add:

Quality Respirator (some of the woods used for scales have some very irritating dust and spalted wood is even worse to breath in)
1k Norton to set bevels and repair chips so much faster than on the 4k norton (I still need to get a 1k but the 4k can do it)
Hammer to use as a dapping block when pinning

Thats what I can come up with it about a minute of thinking of what I have that is different or would like to get. Now I really want every power tool made every hand tool and then some. Well two of each but I will start at one set of everything.

Great suggestions guys, keep 'em coming!

I would add to my own list a nice camera, tripod, and lightbox. Taking pictures of shiny things is hard enough...

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Originally Posted by conroygc

Great suggestions guys, keep 'em coming!

I would add to my own list a nice camera, tripod, and lightbox. Taking pictures of shiny things is hard enough...

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Go onto ebay, and search for lightbox kits. I think I paid $30 or something for mine, and it came with a fold-up 16" lightbox, with 4 backdrops, two lights and a tripod. It's not near "top quality", but for our type and style of photos, it rocks. It also all fits together, lights and everything, into one carry case.

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Originally Posted by Maxi

Go onto ebay, and search for lightbox kits. I think I paid $30 or something for mine, and it came with a fold-up 16" lightbox, with 4 backdrops, two lights and a tripod. It's not near "top quality", but for our type and style of photos, it rocks. It also all fits together, lights and everything, into one carry case.

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All that for $30?!? I actually just assembled a lightbox using a cardboard box, some butcher paper, and a couple lamps. Cost me about $4, but I'd definitely pay $30 for what you got.

I suppose I would include what I have now plus another couple of wood lathes, a new mill, Glen, Bob Allman, Charlie Lewis and a new shop to provide them all with enough room.

Right now I'd be excited to have a shop space. I either have to go outside or set up in the back of the basement with a drop cloth and take it all down when I'm done.
The I'd really like to have a table saw, drill press, and band saw. And a really nice set of chisels.

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Originally Posted by conroygc

This plane? What makes that such a sought after tool?

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supply and demand i suppose. i have a No.2 with a corrugated sole that is a cute little thing. i actually have a very well equipped workshop as far as woodworking tools go. i would love to have one of those little tabletop milling machines/lathes that's cnc controlled. i used to spend winter layoffs pushing buttons and changing tools for a friend who has two giant cnc milling machines and it's incredible what they can do.

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Originally Posted by conroygc

All that for $30?!? I actually just assembled a lightbox using a cardboard box, some butcher paper, and a couple lamps. Cost me about $4, but I'd definitely pay $30 for what you got.

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My first light box was from a liquor store, and I used duct tape and tissue paper. I got three lamps at Ikea for $4 a piece. It worked great, but it was taking up too much room in the closet to I decided to slurge on the $30 one.

It was worth it.

far to many,My southbend 9x30 screw cutting lathe,Levin watch makers lathe,rockwell wood lathe,rockwell bandsaw,rockwell disc sander,Bridgeport mill,plus my homebrew phase convertors,no room for any more than my wifes mini cooper,my truck has never been in the garage:(

Easy question.

1) The skills to do a complete restore
2) A 20x20 shop to do it in
3) complete set of naniwas
4) 1K bevel setter
5) multiple buffers for different grits
6) planer
7) Drill press
8) table saw
9) scroll saw
10) Belt sander
11) lathe

I've also always wanted to get into woodworking.

I want one of these http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...l-grinder.html

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Originally Posted by deighaingeal

I suppose I would include what I have now plus another couple of wood lathes, a new mill, Glen, Bob Allman, Charlie Lewis and a new shop to provide them all with enough room.

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This is the best one so far. That's a straight razor dream team, not a workshop.

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Originally Posted by baldy

I want one of these http://straightrazorpalace.com/forge...l-grinder.html

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That is quite the piece of machinery there.

I know we're talking about a straight razor/woodshop here, but I might was well include a full home brewing setup. A couple 40gal tanks for starters.

I've been doing woodworks & restoring vintage furnitures as an occasional hobby for about 30 years. Also worked with engines, pumps, cars & motorcycles etc, doing this and that, so i have about everything i need in my workshop.
However. For some years i've been into using hand tools as much as possible and forget electronic tools unless there's no other reasonable way. Doing things like razor scales or horn or knife handles of bone is relatively easy without electric tools, really old school way. It's funny, rewarding and i've found that those items i've made/restored without buzzing tools have more personal value to me.

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Originally Posted by Sailor

I've been doing woodworks & restoring vintage furnitures as an occasional hobby for about 30 years. Also worked with engines, pumps, cars & motorcycles etc, doing this and that, so i have about everything i need in my workshop.
However. For some years i've been into using hand tools as much as possible and forget electronic tools unless there's no other reasonable way. Doing things like razor scales or horn or knife handles of bone is relatively easy without electric tools, really old school way. It's funny, rewarding and i've found that those items i've made/restored without buzzing tools have more personal value to me.

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I agree with Sailor, I was taught to do every job by hand at the beginning of my training, it was only later that I was allowed to use machinery / power tools to accomplish the tasks in hand, the rationale being that without mechanical assistance the end result could still be achieved.
The only time I use power tools is to take the drudgery out of the job, and to guarantee repeatable accuracy. Cutting a guitar neck profile from rock maple is a whole lot easier using a band saw rather than a bow or frame saw, and trust me, I have done it both ways!

I suppose at the end of the day it depends on whether you are working for fun or a hobby, or are trying to earn a living, the latter usually dictates that speed is of the essence.

Cannot think of any phase of razor resto work that actually requires any power tools.
I teach a JC metalshop course and the need for speed is engrained in todays youth sadley.
They hate doing it, but I try to teach them to polish,shape and fit metal by hand,keeping angles sharp and screwholes flat and undished.
Long ago my dad used to do shotgun resto work for abercrombies,we had all the major powertools in the shop but they were never used for that type of gunsmithing,was all handwork.

You guys make me feel spoiled.

I remodeled my garage into my ultimate man cave/workshop about a year and half ago. I am still working on getting some of it set up. When its all set up and going I will have the ultimate make anything workshop.
I have in there:

Hardinge TL10 tool room lathe
Hardinge DSM 59 turret lathe
36" American Watch and Tool co lathe (use it for a wood lathe)
Hardinge universal milling machine with vertical head
Whitney Roper kick press
8" metal shaper
Deckel GK 21 pantograph mill
Burgmaster 6 head turret drill press
Delta variable speed drill press
Small heat treat oven
2x72 belt grinder
6x48 belt sander with 12" disc sander combo
Delta jig saw
12" table saw
6" jointer
12" portable planer
17" wood bandsaw
12" Bel Air metal bandsaw
two fairly large workbenches
several nice vises in various sizes
lots of tooling for the machinery
several hand tools for woodworking/metalworking
Machinist measuring tools (calipers, michs, radius gauges, etc)
several stones for sharpening
Cedar cabinets around the room for storage
Various cordless hand power tools
And I have a nice stereo with surround sound. Oh ya!

Ray

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Cannot think of any phase of razor resto work that actually requires any power tools.
I teach a JC metalshop course and the need for speed is engrained in todays youth sadley.
They hate doing it, but I try to teach them to polish,shape and fit metal by hand,keeping angles sharp and screwholes flat and undished.
Long ago my dad used to do shotgun resto work for abercrombies,we had all the major powertools in the shop but they were never used for that type of gunsmithing,was all handwork.

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I agree whole heartedly! Back in '68 when I was a freshman in high school and taking wood shop you first made a cutting board with beveled edges (they were made from pine) then you made a stool (they were made with mahogany)all with hand tools. At one point in time my mom and dad had three of each in the house!

When I was attending autobody repair in college, you learned to use hand tools to remove dent's including a 'file' that was mounted and used to remove metal very quickly. The machinist class was right next door and their first project was to smooth and level a piece of 1" flat iron with hand held scrapers.

All of the hand work has really come in handy throughout the years as the basics always apply to power tools, the power just works faster!

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Originally Posted by osdset

I suppose at the end of the day it depends on whether you are working for fun or a hobby, or are trying to earn a living, the latter usually dictates that speed is of the essence.

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+1
That is exactly how i see this too. It all becomes different when you are doing it for living or when you have to make, say, some boring task like making 12 new bottom plates of veneer for vintage bedroom drawers.

That doesn't remove the fact (imo) that sometimes jumping straight into power tools without knowing the basics first is like getting a motorcycle without knowing how to drive bicycle. Of course we can learn a lot by just reading about things but still it's better to actually learn the basics, and we can learn only by doing them. In most cases that will help you to understand better what is this all about.
Of course it is also up to person how deep he/she wants to go with any skill.
I have enough power tools to use when needed (and possibility to use those i don't have elsewhere; mostly related to metal working: welding, using metal lathe & miller etc), but nowadays specially with woodworking & such i rather use hand tools when i see it is more reasonable. Of course it isn't always so.

Maybe it's just getting older, but nowadays, when doing something just for fun, getting ready is only part of the process and part of the fun. I like actually doing things with my hands when there's no hurry; every part of the process is important and i honestly believe that i will never be ready: there's always a change of learning something new and interesting.

Having said that, i highly respect when people nowadays actually like to spend their time with such vintage things like razors, and then pick up the restoring method they like, be it power tool or just few simple yet precise & sharp tools like our grandfathers did.
Although my wife usually calls me lazy, i still think that doing something for fun is usually better than not doing at all.

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Originally Posted by RayCover

You guys make me feel spoiled.

I remodeled my garage into my ultimate man cave/workshop about a year and half ago. I am still working on getting some of it set up. When its all set up and going I will have the ultimate make anything workshop.

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Very nice! Do you mind posting a couple pictures :)

Sailor,
I really enjoyed your previous post. Whether it's playing an instrument, doing your job, getting in shape, or working at a craft, you learn a lot of respect by doing it the more difficult way, in our example with and tools. As I mentioned before I am starting out with next to no tools, and monetary restraints will assure that I will be starting with old, used hand tools before upgrading to power tools.

My dad is a tile setter and I've worked with him off and on my whole life. His dad was a mechanic at a pharmaceuticals factory. I've spend more time working in a chem lab than in a woodworking shop, but I think working and studying in a lab has taught me the patience to take the time to do things right...the first time.

Hey Conroygc, I didn't want to hijack this thread with a bunch of pics so I just posted a shop tour of my shop in a new thread.

Ray