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Canada
hello everyone, the new shop is still a work in progress. if I was to wait until I could afford to have everything complete, it could be years before I built anything. so I am going ahead as-is, and slowly getting things in order.
the shop is 600sqft with 9 ft ceilings and a 200 amp service.

my new vise

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JJ, You do have a wonderful set of hand tools. I am just now beginning to appreciate their value and the skill it takes to "operate" these tools. I have restored a couple of planes that belonged to my father and find them very satisfying to use. I agree with you about getting quality tools to start with. I am a firm believer in getting the most tool your budget will allow and have said many times that "it is better to cry once when you buy a tool rather than the many times that you use it".

It is nice to see a "traditional" workshop. Sadly, a lot of us, myself included, have simply not developed our hand skills. While I don't think I could ever give up my tablesaw, planer, etc. completely I am working on honing my hand skills and really appreciate the effort and skills that have been developed by woodworking, such as yourself, who follow the traditional route.

Nice shop. Thanks for the post.
 

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thanks for the post scott, i do have power tools in my shop now, they are a realitively new addition, most have been aquired in the past year. i just did not start with them.
as a matter of fact, i can blame them all on my wife. she gets impatient waiting for the things on her list, so she has bought me some power tools to speed up the process. the latest was a 13" planer for xmas. just haven't taken it out of the box yet.
with my shop being so small, power tools do not make most jobs easier.making the room to use them and getting the power cords run(my shop has no outlet heheh). So the hand tools are still front and center for use.
But now i have them for big jobs. i have not yet had a large enough job to need power for dimensioning my lumber. but i hope to tackle some this summer. we will see
 

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Yes indeed, a very nice collection of both tools and wood…nice to see another Islander on this site.

Are you in the Vancouver Island Woodworkers Guild (http://viwg.ca) by chance?
 

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Very nice collection of hand tools. I'd really like to learn to use the few I have, but books just don't do the techniques justice. Also really like your bench. Did you make that yourself?
 

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VERY NICE!!!! Thanks for the post looking forward to your next.
 

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Hey Junior
Impressive shop and tools.
 

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thanks for the kind words. yes the bench is my own creation, as is the mess that's usually on it.

the hand tools stemmed from my disability and heavy painkiller use, i didn't trust myself with power tools.

I do use power more now(I still need an extension cord to do it, as my shops not wired) but i try to limit it to dimensioning stock.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Junior, you have a beautiful set of tools and a fine workbench. I would love to be able to do what you do and it's what I want to pursue now that I have more time. I have power tools but also love my hand tools. You do very nice work.
 

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Well, it is that time again. I am starting to pack up for another move.
This shop has done me well, afforded me the space to upgrade some equipment, and has taught me much about streamlining processes for projects.






I wish i could say i had been more productive with this shop, but it is untrue. I have ,however, produced some of my most creative work here, and gotten an article published.

I am actually really looking forward to this move, as i will be returning to a more populated and civilized area. It is hard to define the impact being around other woodworkers and their work has, but without feedback, support and conversation from other woodworkers nearby, i have found myself uninspired and stagnant.

I expect i will have to build a new building again for the next shop, which will be the 5th shop for me. Also, unless i die before my wife retires, it won't be the last.
Wish me luck
 

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