In the Shop #3: Shop Face-lift Completed

Ok, is a shop really ever done?!? At least it is a major improvement over the last arrangement

You may recall that I solicited suggestions for a proposed shop rearrangement a couple of weeks ago. The primary reasons for changing things up is that I felt a) the arrangement was very inefficient to work in and b) I’m getting ready to build either the 21st Century or Holtzapffel workbench and really wanted to have good access to all sides of the bench

Since I’m going to update my shop pics I’ve uploaded the before state pics here for reference:

Here are the pictures after the reorganization. I feel like I have a lot more room to move a round and that things are better organized and efficiency will be dramatically improved.

Looking in from the entrance, notice table saw and dedicated out feed table (no longer shared bench duty)

Plenty of room between TS and BS, and the bandsaw is on wheels so if I need more room for either it is easily accomplished (I plan on building a cabinet to put TS on to maximize storage space). Assembly table and clamps in the back corner with clamps.

Router table and RAS table are same height so have plenty of infeed support for both, I also have room on either side to for outfeed support as necessary.

Dust collection, small storage, belt disc sander and lathe on side wall, this is “cramped” by the pole and floor support beam. I plan on making a dedicated hand tool cabinet where the melamine shelving currently sits.

you can’t see it but just to the left of the drill press is my grinder in close proximity to the lathe. A floor standing drill press is next on my list for tools. I am going to build a cart for the planer to raise it up off the floor. The far corner has standard tools and storage. I plan on replacing all the wire storage racks (under cabinets) with more useful cabinet/drawer storage.

This is my sheet goods/lumber storage rack. It is to the right as you walk into the shop (past furnace and water heater). It shares space with other storage

This is more storage, mainly short boards and blanks for turning. The brown filing cabinet is filled with pen blanks and exotic wood cutoffs that I hope to make into something nice someday :)

I still have a lot of things I want to accomplish including:

• New stand for planer
• Build a real workbench that actually weighs something :)
• Better Wall storage (replace pegboard with french cleats
• Add wall panels (leaning towards osb)
• Replace wire racks with cabinets with drawers

Thanks for looking

-- John H. [To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk. ~Edison]