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Workshop Information

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United States


After teaching for 30 plus years, I retired in 2011. My shop has been a work in progress for a long time. Only recently did I kick out the car and allow sawdust to fill every nook and cranny. I've been upgrading my tools and right now I have a quite workable setup. Not on par with the big boys, but for strictly a hobbyist, I can get a lot done. Here's my little shop:

My Unisaw (used 2004 model) with a Biesemeyer Fence. My other saw (Ridgid) just seemed underpowered, so I watched Craigslist until I found a nice one. Behind it is my HF 2 HP dust collector: Still trying to figure out how to best use it. My Ridgid 4512 table saw is now relegated to dados and splines.


Steel City 12" Planer: This does a GREAT job. I recommend it if you're on a tight budget but need to plane wood. And I LOVE the old Milwaukee belt sander (except when I bump it with my fingers). I had the motor rebuilt once, and it has saved many a mistake for me.


My new Shop Fox band saw Model 1706: LOVE it. I used to have a Craftsman 22400. It was a 150 pound paperweight compared to this saw. Thank God I bought the service agreement when I got it. I am on a first name basis with the repair guy… he was here SIX times! The Shop Fox has enabled me to resaw… which I could not do with the Craftsman. The Freud router and table are a nice way to round corners and insert hinges.


Here's my Ryobi benchtop drill press: weak, but enough for me. I do love the laser guide.
A Craftsman benchtop router table with Craftsman router: Nice to have several routers for different applications without changing blades so much. Next to it is another, a Vermont American benchtop router table with Craftsman router. And finally my Craftsman scroll saw: An old friend.


This is my sanding station with Bosch and Porter Cable oscillating sanders: Just like Box Guy! Sure makes everything easier. This is probably the one innovation for me that has enabled me to make things that look professional… smooth and quality finishing is so important.


For cross cuts I use an old Craftsman Radial Arm saw. GREAT tool! I bought this with the table for $65 on Craigslist. Runs like a dream and cuts smooth. It's a big time saver for me.


I used to stack lumber horizontally but now I store my lumber vertically.


Here's the best feature of my shop… My wife! She has been very patient and understanding, and has even agreed to do ALL the finish coating! Boy is that nice!


I am maxed out on tools, both for space and financially. Now I have to keep learning how to best use them. My shop still needs more light and better dust collection, but I like being in it, and can comfortably spend hours having fun with wood.

Your comments and suggestions are most welcome!

Jerry

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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434 Posts
Jerry, the best tool in your shop is that automatic finishing tool…er…person. If my shop had one of those I could crank out boxes all day long. Looks like you are in for lots and lots of fun making whatever comes to mind. Great setup. Keep boxing and keep posting.
 

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Nice workshop. I wish I had a milwaukee belt sander like yours. You forgot to mention your Rigid ossillating belt and spindle sander. I have one of those and really like it. If you saw my shop you'd say that you have room for more tools. You can at least walk around your shop without hopping over things like i do when I'm in mine.

You unisaw looks just like mine but mine is a right tilt and looks like yours is a left tilt. I really like mine. If you haven't built a crosscut sled for yours, you might want to make one. I made one for my saw and use it a lot.

Have fun in your shop.
 

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345 Posts
Great looking shop. I concur that the auto finisher is a great addition / "best feature" :) Congrats on the retirement and all the best in your future dust creations…
 

· Registered
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1,038 Posts
great shop you have,with a nice collection of tools.
i agree the auto finisher is a very valuable part of the shop.
and you also have a spare toilet seat what more could a man want!!!lol.
thanks for sharing!!!
 

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Excellent shop, I would add that a dust collection system is really helpful, I grabbed a $200 dust collector from HF and haven't been disappointed at all. That thing really sucks. and for $200 it doesn't completely break the bank either. Maybe it isn't top of the line; but an excellent value for the price and it moves a lot of air.
Thanks for sharing your shop!
And yes, you do have the best feature of all in your shop already!
 

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779 Posts
Nice. Just nice. Looks like boxes and toys are your passion. Keep 'em coming….................
 

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668 Posts
Man you really have life sorted out, an armchair, a TV, a toilet seat and the good lady to do all the tedious work.

I have the wife keen for me to to enjoy woodworking but I need to invest in my own toilet seat because the simple pleasures in life can make all the difference .
 

· In Loving Memory
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5,826 Posts
That's a great shop, Jerry. It seems like a wonderful workspace and I bet you have a lot of fun in it and I love that stash of wood.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
 

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Haha BKF… that's funny! I do want to make it comfy, glue takes a long time to dry!

And Charles and everyone… I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments, compliments, and suggestions. Lumberjocks is such a nice group!
 

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Looks like a great shop. Thanks for sharing. :)
 

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19,753 Posts
Nice shop with so good tools,thanks for sharing.
 

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ok guys please fill me in about his automaic finisher
 

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309 Posts
Great shop. Remember if you have too much space you can't find stuff. Have retirement fun for a long time.
 

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Thnx for the tour Jerry. Nice stuff. I like that miter sled you have there.
 
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