[Karson]

moving on up

I've been long in need of a decent drill press. Trying to get a bench top model with decent quill travel - for drilling out pen blanks, without getting another cheap one to replace the VERY cheap one I have. I don't think I need, or want something so large as a floor model. The capacity seems great, horsepower certainly outstrips the rubberband motor on the $30 POS I bought online (before I knew better). But we're in a rental, and I shouldn't bolt anything to the floor. Oh the options…

But in a world of options, more is sometimes just more. More can confuse and lead to no decision at all.

For years, In my cramped low ceilinged basement (check out my shop tour video) I made do with my Shopsmith in horizontal boring mode. The table would deflect a little, but if I was careful I managed to have a high success rate drilling pen blanks - unfortunately the success seemed inverse to the rarity of the wood being drilled. I lost most of my Osage, Blood and Black wood, but the oak, maple and other local woods never had a problem. Oh irony!

Horizontal mode wasn't convenient, fast, or seemingly safe for drilling plugs so I needed to resort to the other drill press for that task. It could manage it, but it took a LONG time, and tended to slow down the cutter to a snails pace, if not stop completely. Unsurprisingly the motor started to smell like it was burning out, and I've finally (having temporary access to a dumpster) decided to retire it. Unceremoniously.

Over the months/years, I'd been looking at different models, wishing I could find something in between two random models, or a bench top one from Steel City (With it's 6" of quill travel!). The big box stores near me seemed to have a couple of OK options before Christmas, but now seem to be stocking smaller capacity ones than I remember.

Last Nov, just after we moved, my wife gave me the go ahead to pick out a new one for my birthday. Thinking I could get something for about $200. I did too… but $300 seems to be the magic price point for the models I'd consider taking home… and so I've been watching for sales, clearances, and/or new models to hit the shelves.

I've also been waiting to see if the table saw was going to "self-retire" itself first and I'd get myself a "real" one of those instead. Yeah, my drill press and tablesaw were under $100 combined, brand new. And while they were fine for the newby hobbyist, I knew it wouldn't be long before the scope of my projects would outgrow their capacities, and I wasn't even a woodworker yet… almost 9 years later I'm still making do, and am really pining for some muscle and accuracy in the shop. At the very least I'd love a table saw that always turns on when you flip the switch, (which it usually does) and turn off (which it stopped doing a year ago.)

New house, new shop, new tools, right?

Figuring a drive across state (on a holiday weekend ;( ) to Woodcraft was in the cards, I took one last look at the LJ reviews to decide if maybe going to Sears or the BORG would save me some time, and fit the bill. (And save me the temptation of dropping a boatload of cash on more pen kits, and random things I just remembered I also "need")

The Craftsman seemed not the way to go. The benchtop Jet was a good contender, as was the floor standing Ridgid. Then I noticed a couple write ups about people using their Shopsmiths as drill presses, even buying one for use as a dedicated drill press. Other online sources claim it to be just about the best option for a woodworker as drill presses go. hmmm…

I bought my Shopsmith several years ago, primarily for use as a lathe. But never was able to use it properly as a drill press. Low ceiling at the hold house prevented the possibility. I wonder if the issues in horizontal mode will carry over to vertical… one way to find out, and a walk across the driveway sure beats a drive across the state any day. I also supposed that spending a couple of bucks on replacement parts, if I can find them, also trumps buying a new piece of machinery that I'd have to find room for.

Turn a knob here, tighten a couple levers there. and lift (wow that sucker is heavy). Hey, the table does sit tight. The problem was more with the jigs having a little too much slop. - easy fix now that I look at it. Nice.

First to test drilling out some oak face grain plugs. Banged out six of them pretty quick - without even clamping down the board - Oh what a difference having a big table and a fence! Now to test some pen blanks. 7mm into bamboo. Perfect.

Next test, I dug out all the bits and things for pen making, and made a board to keep them all organized in. All of the holes drilled nice and tight with no apparent runout. In fact the holes are so snug, that most of the bits will only fit into the holes head first. The shafts - which presumably are the same diameter, if not thousandths of an inch bigger, won't fit!

I spent so much time with a vertically challenged shop, with it's own spacial challenges, I got locked into certain habits and particular modes of thinking. Funny how we so often cannot see the very things we already have.

The beauty of realizing I already have the "new" drill press I've needed. Priceless. The realization that I can now add the money for the "new drill press" to a better new table saw, even more priceless!!

Scott: Great setup.

 

[PflugervilleSteve]

moving on up

I've been long in need of a decent drill press. Trying to get a bench top model with decent quill travel - for drilling out pen blanks, without getting another cheap one to replace the VERY cheap one I have. I don't think I need, or want something so large as a floor model. The capacity seems great, horsepower certainly outstrips the rubberband motor on the $30 POS I bought online (before I knew better). But we're in a rental, and I shouldn't bolt anything to the floor. Oh the options…

But in a world of options, more is sometimes just more. More can confuse and lead to no decision at all.

For years, In my cramped low ceilinged basement (check out my shop tour video) I made do with my Shopsmith in horizontal boring mode. The table would deflect a little, but if I was careful I managed to have a high success rate drilling pen blanks - unfortunately the success seemed inverse to the rarity of the wood being drilled. I lost most of my Osage, Blood and Black wood, but the oak, maple and other local woods never had a problem. Oh irony!

Horizontal mode wasn't convenient, fast, or seemingly safe for drilling plugs so I needed to resort to the other drill press for that task. It could manage it, but it took a LONG time, and tended to slow down the cutter to a snails pace, if not stop completely. Unsurprisingly the motor started to smell like it was burning out, and I've finally (having temporary access to a dumpster) decided to retire it. Unceremoniously.

Over the months/years, I'd been looking at different models, wishing I could find something in between two random models, or a bench top one from Steel City (With it's 6" of quill travel!). The big box stores near me seemed to have a couple of OK options before Christmas, but now seem to be stocking smaller capacity ones than I remember.

Last Nov, just after we moved, my wife gave me the go ahead to pick out a new one for my birthday. Thinking I could get something for about $200. I did too… but $300 seems to be the magic price point for the models I'd consider taking home… and so I've been watching for sales, clearances, and/or new models to hit the shelves.

I've also been waiting to see if the table saw was going to "self-retire" itself first and I'd get myself a "real" one of those instead. Yeah, my drill press and tablesaw were under $100 combined, brand new. And while they were fine for the newby hobbyist, I knew it wouldn't be long before the scope of my projects would outgrow their capacities, and I wasn't even a woodworker yet… almost 9 years later I'm still making do, and am really pining for some muscle and accuracy in the shop. At the very least I'd love a table saw that always turns on when you flip the switch, (which it usually does) and turn off (which it stopped doing a year ago.)

New house, new shop, new tools, right?

Figuring a drive across state (on a holiday weekend ;( ) to Woodcraft was in the cards, I took one last look at the LJ reviews to decide if maybe going to Sears or the BORG would save me some time, and fit the bill. (And save me the temptation of dropping a boatload of cash on more pen kits, and random things I just remembered I also "need")

The Craftsman seemed not the way to go. The benchtop Jet was a good contender, as was the floor standing Ridgid. Then I noticed a couple write ups about people using their Shopsmiths as drill presses, even buying one for use as a dedicated drill press. Other online sources claim it to be just about the best option for a woodworker as drill presses go. hmmm…

I bought my Shopsmith several years ago, primarily for use as a lathe. But never was able to use it properly as a drill press. Low ceiling at the hold house prevented the possibility. I wonder if the issues in horizontal mode will carry over to vertical… one way to find out, and a walk across the driveway sure beats a drive across the state any day. I also supposed that spending a couple of bucks on replacement parts, if I can find them, also trumps buying a new piece of machinery that I'd have to find room for.

Turn a knob here, tighten a couple levers there. and lift (wow that sucker is heavy). Hey, the table does sit tight. The problem was more with the jigs having a little too much slop. - easy fix now that I look at it. Nice.

First to test drilling out some oak face grain plugs. Banged out six of them pretty quick - without even clamping down the board - Oh what a difference having a big table and a fence! Now to test some pen blanks. 7mm into bamboo. Perfect.

Next test, I dug out all the bits and things for pen making, and made a board to keep them all organized in. All of the holes drilled nice and tight with no apparent runout. In fact the holes are so snug, that most of the bits will only fit into the holes head first. The shafts - which presumably are the same diameter, if not thousandths of an inch bigger, won't fit!

I spent so much time with a vertically challenged shop, with it's own spacial challenges, I got locked into certain habits and particular modes of thinking. Funny how we so often cannot see the very things we already have.

The beauty of realizing I already have the "new" drill press I've needed. Priceless. The realization that I can now add the money for the "new drill press" to a better new table saw, even more priceless!!

The Stones said it -
"You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need"

So many time in life what we need is right under our noses. Glad you found a way to make that Shopsmith work for you! Things sure have come a long way from that initial basement river space

 

[RobS]

moving on up

I've been long in need of a decent drill press. Trying to get a bench top model with decent quill travel - for drilling out pen blanks, without getting another cheap one to replace the VERY cheap one I have. I don't think I need, or want something so large as a floor model. The capacity seems great, horsepower certainly outstrips the rubberband motor on the $30 POS I bought online (before I knew better). But we're in a rental, and I shouldn't bolt anything to the floor. Oh the options…

But in a world of options, more is sometimes just more. More can confuse and lead to no decision at all.

For years, In my cramped low ceilinged basement (check out my shop tour video) I made do with my Shopsmith in horizontal boring mode. The table would deflect a little, but if I was careful I managed to have a high success rate drilling pen blanks - unfortunately the success seemed inverse to the rarity of the wood being drilled. I lost most of my Osage, Blood and Black wood, but the oak, maple and other local woods never had a problem. Oh irony!

Horizontal mode wasn't convenient, fast, or seemingly safe for drilling plugs so I needed to resort to the other drill press for that task. It could manage it, but it took a LONG time, and tended to slow down the cutter to a snails pace, if not stop completely. Unsurprisingly the motor started to smell like it was burning out, and I've finally (having temporary access to a dumpster) decided to retire it. Unceremoniously.

Over the months/years, I'd been looking at different models, wishing I could find something in between two random models, or a bench top one from Steel City (With it's 6" of quill travel!). The big box stores near me seemed to have a couple of OK options before Christmas, but now seem to be stocking smaller capacity ones than I remember.

Last Nov, just after we moved, my wife gave me the go ahead to pick out a new one for my birthday. Thinking I could get something for about $200. I did too… but $300 seems to be the magic price point for the models I'd consider taking home… and so I've been watching for sales, clearances, and/or new models to hit the shelves.

I've also been waiting to see if the table saw was going to "self-retire" itself first and I'd get myself a "real" one of those instead. Yeah, my drill press and tablesaw were under $100 combined, brand new. And while they were fine for the newby hobbyist, I knew it wouldn't be long before the scope of my projects would outgrow their capacities, and I wasn't even a woodworker yet… almost 9 years later I'm still making do, and am really pining for some muscle and accuracy in the shop. At the very least I'd love a table saw that always turns on when you flip the switch, (which it usually does) and turn off (which it stopped doing a year ago.)

New house, new shop, new tools, right?

Figuring a drive across state (on a holiday weekend ;( ) to Woodcraft was in the cards, I took one last look at the LJ reviews to decide if maybe going to Sears or the BORG would save me some time, and fit the bill. (And save me the temptation of dropping a boatload of cash on more pen kits, and random things I just remembered I also "need")

The Craftsman seemed not the way to go. The benchtop Jet was a good contender, as was the floor standing Ridgid. Then I noticed a couple write ups about people using their Shopsmiths as drill presses, even buying one for use as a dedicated drill press. Other online sources claim it to be just about the best option for a woodworker as drill presses go. hmmm…

I bought my Shopsmith several years ago, primarily for use as a lathe. But never was able to use it properly as a drill press. Low ceiling at the hold house prevented the possibility. I wonder if the issues in horizontal mode will carry over to vertical… one way to find out, and a walk across the driveway sure beats a drive across the state any day. I also supposed that spending a couple of bucks on replacement parts, if I can find them, also trumps buying a new piece of machinery that I'd have to find room for.

Turn a knob here, tighten a couple levers there. and lift (wow that sucker is heavy). Hey, the table does sit tight. The problem was more with the jigs having a little too much slop. - easy fix now that I look at it. Nice.

First to test drilling out some oak face grain plugs. Banged out six of them pretty quick - without even clamping down the board - Oh what a difference having a big table and a fence! Now to test some pen blanks. 7mm into bamboo. Perfect.

Next test, I dug out all the bits and things for pen making, and made a board to keep them all organized in. All of the holes drilled nice and tight with no apparent runout. In fact the holes are so snug, that most of the bits will only fit into the holes head first. The shafts - which presumably are the same diameter, if not thousandths of an inch bigger, won't fit!

I spent so much time with a vertically challenged shop, with it's own spacial challenges, I got locked into certain habits and particular modes of thinking. Funny how we so often cannot see the very things we already have.

The beauty of realizing I already have the "new" drill press I've needed. Priceless. The realization that I can now add the money for the "new drill press" to a better new table saw, even more priceless!!

And.. now you can always wear that top hat you've been wanting to try… Great "thinking-above-the-ceiling". Glad that your shop is re-shaping up.

 

[scottb]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

 

[Dark_Lightning]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

Nice filter installation. Also, I can tell that little girl has her dad wrapped around her thumb. Not that I'm any better.

 

[RobS]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

Nice..but sheesh..get that girl a hard hat… Just kidding, my shop has the same look… well, almost..

 

[Karson]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

Nice Scott. With that color is should be able to be found.

Even if you make your piles to the ceiling.

 

[NBeener]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

Looks good !

Here's to your health

 

[Dennisgrosen]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

looks good , butget your lovely girl a hard hat if gone store clamps there

Dennis

 

[wseand]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

If you look real close you can see a girl holding her thumb in the air. It's one of those trick pictures. It is coming along.

 

[sedcokid]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

You will enjoy having this filtration system in place, mine really helps when it is hung overhead like yours.

 

[longgone]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

You can never have too much air filtration in a shop. I have jet system and feel that another one would also help. I just found a squirrel cage fan on craigslist and am planning on building a box for it and fit it with the 12×24 filters my jet uses. I am confused about what you said about mounting a puppy. That sounds a little weird. I have a mounted speckle trout and used to have a mounted deer head years ago…but a puppy ?

 

[PurpLev]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

sweet

 

[Eagle1]

Clearing the air

My grandfather had been holding onto some hand-me-down tools and equipment until I was ready for it. (read - had the space for it, as in moved out of that basement I started serious woodworking in).

And finally, after walking around it since Fathers' Day. This weekend I finally got around to ceiling mounting this puppy!

As I was building the cage for it - 2×4 and some offcuts of oak treads. it occured to me to make use of the space on the sides…. As I have the headroom now, and this is directly over the tablesaw (who's outfeed table doubles as a work surface) what better spot to hang some clamps from?

In the old shop, I'd expected to make a downdraft table or somesuch with one of these in it… and that thinking is still evident in my shop plans. It's so hard to think vertically, when I spent so much time planning and devising in a severely vertically challenged obstacle course of a space. I debated putting this up at all, but I expect it'll do the most good where it is. UP off the floor. UP overhead, and I've got a box of filters that came with to boot!

Headroom. At present, I think my "helper" would nearly be able to touch the floor joists overhead in the old basement shop - the ones I kept hitting my head on.

I'm happy to inherit some things from my grandfathers old shop, I just wish I could have avoided inheriting his organizational skills too.
Now I know the table saw is under there somewhere…

I need one of those. My daughter has me wrapped around my finger to, and she is 30..

 

[scottb]

Setting up shop, again.

3rd shop in under 3 years, and the space just keeps getting better!

At least potentially. (Yeah, the quick move has left things in a bit of a state.)

My first shop started from scratch. Evolving on its own in the basement with lots of obstacles, not the least of which being a mere six feet of headroom. But it saw lots of growth and changes over time.

A couple years back I moved above ground, and got way more headroom in the garage when we moved. Granted I had to share space with the lawnmower, bikes and implements of yard destruction that were previously relegated to the shed (That, ironically was more than 1/2 full of lumber.)

This month, I find myself inhabiting a new, slightly bigger garage with even more headroom, ready to be insulated and configured however I want. The previous shop already had built in shelving and workbenches built in on every wall surface. Some of it practical, some less so. But, we knew we wouldn't be staying put too long, so I made the best of it.

So with a new garage, with more headroom, and less on the walls (and a full, rather than partial loft overhead), now I can create the storage and shop furniture I really want!

But now that I'm not crouching down to avoid hitting my head, dancing around poles, lolly columns and ladders, or squirreling away lumber in all the hard to reach nooks and crannies… what do I really want?

Well, I'm excited to see if the third time is the charm, or at least how things evolve from here. I'm also pretty determined to turn all this wood into projects so I don't have to lug it around for a fourth move - whenever that may be. But until then, things need to be shuffled around a bit as I find/make the homes for them… but first, lets get this place insulated so I'm not suffering, or absent, come winter.

 

[RobS]

Setting up shop, again.

3rd shop in under 3 years, and the space just keeps getting better!

At least potentially. (Yeah, the quick move has left things in a bit of a state.)

My first shop started from scratch. Evolving on its own in the basement with lots of obstacles, not the least of which being a mere six feet of headroom. But it saw lots of growth and changes over time.

A couple years back I moved above ground, and got way more headroom in the garage when we moved. Granted I had to share space with the lawnmower, bikes and implements of yard destruction that were previously relegated to the shed (That, ironically was more than 1/2 full of lumber.)

This month, I find myself inhabiting a new, slightly bigger garage with even more headroom, ready to be insulated and configured however I want. The previous shop already had built in shelving and workbenches built in on every wall surface. Some of it practical, some less so. But, we knew we wouldn't be staying put too long, so I made the best of it.

So with a new garage, with more headroom, and less on the walls (and a full, rather than partial loft overhead), now I can create the storage and shop furniture I really want!

But now that I'm not crouching down to avoid hitting my head, dancing around poles, lolly columns and ladders, or squirreling away lumber in all the hard to reach nooks and crannies… what do I really want?

Well, I'm excited to see if the third time is the charm, or at least how things evolve from here. I'm also pretty determined to turn all this wood into projects so I don't have to lug it around for a fourth move - whenever that may be. But until then, things need to be shuffled around a bit as I find/make the homes for them… but first, lets get this place insulated so I'm not suffering, or absent, come winter.

I like all the natural light…Looks like a good beginning…thanks for sharing.

 

[GrandpaLen]

Setting up shop, again.

3rd shop in under 3 years, and the space just keeps getting better!

At least potentially. (Yeah, the quick move has left things in a bit of a state.)

My first shop started from scratch. Evolving on its own in the basement with lots of obstacles, not the least of which being a mere six feet of headroom. But it saw lots of growth and changes over time.

A couple years back I moved above ground, and got way more headroom in the garage when we moved. Granted I had to share space with the lawnmower, bikes and implements of yard destruction that were previously relegated to the shed (That, ironically was more than 1/2 full of lumber.)

This month, I find myself inhabiting a new, slightly bigger garage with even more headroom, ready to be insulated and configured however I want. The previous shop already had built in shelving and workbenches built in on every wall surface. Some of it practical, some less so. But, we knew we wouldn't be staying put too long, so I made the best of it.

So with a new garage, with more headroom, and less on the walls (and a full, rather than partial loft overhead), now I can create the storage and shop furniture I really want!

But now that I'm not crouching down to avoid hitting my head, dancing around poles, lolly columns and ladders, or squirreling away lumber in all the hard to reach nooks and crannies… what do I really want?

Well, I'm excited to see if the third time is the charm, or at least how things evolve from here. I'm also pretty determined to turn all this wood into projects so I don't have to lug it around for a fourth move - whenever that may be. But until then, things need to be shuffled around a bit as I find/make the homes for them… but first, lets get this place insulated so I'm not suffering, or absent, come winter.

Scott,

Best wishes for Great Inspiration in your new shop.

Work Safely and have Fun. - Len