I have to say setting up a wood shop is just as much work and cash, if not more, then setting up a steel shop. Luckily a few of the steel tools are useful and will come in handy to the wood shop. I have also a few tools from a set of cedar drafting drawers I built oh, 5 years back. It was a one time thing and at the time living in an apartment, dust was every where. All I really had was a Dewalt biscuit joiner and a random orbital sander, that was it.
A pic of the cedar drawers, mmmm they smell good!
Seeing that Nara and I will finally be leaving the nest and have our own space has open the possibility to have a well set up metal and wood shop. The garage will house the Hot Rod (under construction) and all the steel tools wile the basement will house the wood shop.
A pic in the metal shop, me in the ol 1930 Ford, under construction…
On the hunt for tools:
The very first tool to find a home in the new shop (and don’t ask me why first) was the Leigh D4R 24” dovetail jig. I have plans to build all kinds of furniture with drawers and what better way to assemble them then with a dovetail! This is an awesome tool (No I haven’t used it yet, but I have a good feeling!) Ok so now I need a router, right? Well I asked around and looked up the forums and the Triton came up allot. Well I bought the Mastercraft Maximum 2hp set up, hey it was on sale for $125,,,, well, I brought it back, change of heart I guess. The triton has allot more features plus it came with a selection of guide bushings and the neat winder so you can adjust it if you have it under a router table, bonus! Sooooo, Nara and I went for a drive to Busy Bee today and picked up the Triton 2 1/4hp kit, router for $200 smackers. I also picked up a Dewalt 13” 735 Planner and a digital read out, hey what can I say. Reading the last post here on planners, you all sold me one before I even got to the store =)
Well I haven’t set up the temporary shop yet, something to last until next December when we move, but I will soon. The last thing I’m shopping for is a jointer, I’d like to go with an eight inch set up, but I’m not sure if Nara will go for that, hmmmm, I’ll have to get her that purse she’s been talking about I guess?? I’ll let you know how that goes.
Thanks for reading, until next time, Jason Wheeler
-- www.wheelersstudio.com
6 comments so far
gizmodyne
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1679 posts in 990 days
posted 694 days ago
Sounds good. Great to have 2 spaces. Post pics when you set up the shop.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 999 days
posted 694 days ago
And so the journey begins! Welcome to LJ!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
jcees
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553 posts in 699 days
posted 694 days ago
I was in the Woodcraft store a few weeks ago and a newbie was asking the hired help about routers and bits. I horned in about the time he asked, “How many routers do you think I’ll need before I’m done?” I leaned in and asked grinning, “How many bits do you have?” Both gentlemen guffawed but I know I planted a seed. The thing is, as you get good at jigging and setups for processes using a router, I’ll dedicate THAT router to a few processes and no others. Therefor, I’ve standardized on Porter-Cable routers and haunt eBay for decent used ones. I now own eleven counting three 3.5hp models, three plunge models, two laminate trimmers and three fixed base models. The bigguns are mounted in a router table and the others have specialized bases for the jobs in which they’re used.
Starting out, I used one and swapped attachments, bases and bits all the time. Finally, I bought a second and the first remained in the router table. No more dismounting, refitting, recalibrating, blah, blah, blah… thus my obsession.
As you state your preference for modern styled furniture you’ll be glad to know that most of those designs are intended to be created with machines with little need for hand skills. It’s not a criticism, just a fact. Now if you intend to become a “fine” woodworker you’ll have to balance your desire for machines with the real need to develop your hand skills as those are the ones that will serve your “fancy” best. Checkout Krenov’s books for inspiration and to see what is possible with handtools in the modern style.
BTW, love that ride, man!
-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein
GaryK
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9555 posts in 888 days
posted 694 days ago
Sounds like you are off to a good start. Nice car BTW!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
MsDebbieP
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14188 posts in 1060 days
posted 693 days ago
now, I want to see the kitchen .. and the lady’s work space (I am assuming that it isn’t planned that she will be joining you in your work areas, since you are going to swap a purse for a tool)....
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
clieb91
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682 posts in 835 days
posted 693 days ago
Jason, Welcome to LumberJocks. Nice looking car. Sounds like you are on your way to a good shop.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."