| Workshop by Blake | posted 2043 days ago | 7077 reads | 13 times favorited | 38 comments |  |
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I just finished remodeling and expanding my shop to its current size (11’ x 34’). Check out the video blog HERE.
I have been woodworking ever since I was a kid but started taking it seriously about three years ago when I acquired a few very nice pieces of shop equipment from my father-in-law as an early inheritance/wedding gift. He had hopes of setting up another shop but unfortunately no longer had the space for it. He was happier to see me make use of it rather than sell it for pennies. It was the greatest gift of my life.
From my father-in-law I received the Delta/Rockwell table saw, Delta/Rockwell 14” Drill press, Delta/Rockwell/Milwaukee 14” band saw, DeWalt 13” planer, and a small collection of nice hand tools. Next, I cleared out an old horse stables on my family’s property and moved in. I hung pegboard and recycled old cabinets.
In the process of cleaning out the tiny “barn” I fond an old neglected radial arm saw rusting away in the corner. After I restored the saw it became one of my favorite tools in the shop.
Soon after I set up shop I started working at a used tool store near my house (a woodworker’s dream) and the rest is history. I have built up my arsenal of tools over the past year mostly through the store, where I get a discount on already dirt-cheap tools and I generally get first pick of what comes in (don’t hate me.) Almost everything in my shop is second-hand.
I spent a lot of time in the first year just working on improvements to the shop. I rearranged equipment several times. I had to learn how to be very neat and organized in order to fit in my tiny space. It is still evolving. For example, my router table has changed forms about four times.
Since my shop is tucked under the edge of a redwood forest, here is the view I have through the back windows:
A few of my “shop” projects:
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
38 comments so far
WayneC
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9596 posts in 2266 days
#1 posted 2043 days ago
Looking forward to seeing a few photos. I’m over in Sacramento. Welcome to the crew.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
WayneC
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9596 posts in 2266 days
#2 posted 2042 days ago
Great writeup. Looking forward to the photos. I keep trying to talk myself into one of the old Dewalts. I’ve seen a few on craigslist. Just have limited space and a very good table and miter saws.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
WayneC
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9596 posts in 2266 days
#3 posted 2041 days ago
Nice Photos. Very well laid out. You will have to get Douglass and Debbie to “Inspect” it.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Blake
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3421 posts in 2043 days
#4 posted 2041 days ago
How does that work?
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
Jeff
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1011 posts in 2262 days
#5 posted 2041 days ago
Blake, send a Private Message to Douglas Bordner or MsDebbieP. They are wonderful folks epitomizing the fine group we have here. I second Wayne’s comments on the write up. It’s taken me about 10 more years than you to get to where you are and I haven’t done it nearly as well or as thriftily, I’m sure.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
Jeff
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1011 posts in 2262 days
#6 posted 2041 days ago
Hell of a job on the shop. Nicely done.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
MsDebbieP
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18320 posts in 2329 days
#7 posted 2041 days ago
welcome!!
Thanks for the introduction.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Todd A. Clippinger
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8654 posts in 2268 days
#8 posted 2040 days ago
Really enjoyed the shop story.
I agree with your comments about the radial arm saw.
Does the blade on that saw want to climb up on the wood? It looks like you have a pretty heavy hook for radial arm saw use.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
Blake
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3421 posts in 2043 days
#9 posted 2040 days ago
Negative hook angle on the blade. No climbing here.
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
Todd A. Clippinger
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8654 posts in 2268 days
#10 posted 2040 days ago
Your comment about cleaning up after every stage sounds like my philosophy. I clean up between tasks to regain control of the shop and it is in those few minutes that I figure out my next part of the operation.
Cleaning like this increases the efficiency and safety of the shop too.
I just can’t think straight in a messy shop.
I agree with the sharing, it is part of my philosophy too. As a craftsman is a part of my responsiblity to share the knowledge.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
mot
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4912 posts in 2205 days
#11 posted 2025 days ago
Looks great, Blake! I hadn’t seen another tablesaw, jointer, planer setup like I was using before. Great shop!
Cheers!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Douglas Bordner
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3907 posts in 2232 days
#12 posted 2025 days ago
See you Wednesday Blake!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Thos. Angle
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4400 posts in 2131 days
#13 posted 2025 days ago
That is just dandy, Blake. You make very good use of every bit of space you have. When you move to a big shop you will soon have it full as well. I’m sure you spend some very enjoyable time here. Have lots of fun.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
Karson
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34370 posts in 2569 days
#14 posted 2025 days ago
Great shop tour Blake. Glad you are having fun and enjoying your treasurers.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
cajunpen
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11538 posts in 2234 days
#15 posted 2021 days ago
Great little shop Blake. It’s about the same size as mine (12’x22’) and I’m still trying to figure out the best layout after 10 years. Looks like you pulled it off.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
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