| Workshop by David Craig | posted 1303 days ago | 1909 reads | 0 times favorited | 20 comments |  |
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Owosso, MI 48867
United States
My shop is still a little on the cluttered side. I have made vast improvements over the last couple of years. It was a pretty dark and scary looking basement at first. I fixed a couple of the florescent fixtures down there and added some clip lights around the work area. The wiring around the ceiling really needs to be cleaned up. The previous owners did not understand that wires should go through the joists not left hanging everywhere. Future project for me. I was able to tap into the dedicated dishwasher circuit and add a dedicated outlet box for the power tools. When the dishwasher is not running, I know I have the full circuit for whatever I am running.
I purchased the RS3660 Ridgid tablesaw at the beginning of the year and the Jet benchtop combo jointer/planer last month. The Ridgid replaced a Craftsmen economy model that I learned to hate :) I am still getting familiar with the Jet planer/jointer. I had some knife slippage while running that gives me some concern. I was able to resurface some reclaimed lumber rather well and I hope things will become “plainer on the planer” after some more use.
The hand tool rack I made by screwing some pegboard on to an old reel tape rack that was in the trash at my workplace. Old printer stands make good portable benchs so have a few in the corners of my basement shop. I have two benches downstairs, one large one for assembly and bench tool use, the other for assembly of small craft projects. Benchtop tools include the 9” Ryobi bandsaw. I won’t be resawing lumber with it but it works fairly well and has nice features for a benchtop. I also have a 12” Ryobi Mitersaw where I began my experiments in self destruct..err.. I mean woodworking. I picked up the Delta variable speed 6 inch grinder for sharpening chisels but still have not gotten the hang of that.
Harbor Freight tools include the lathe pictured, a benchtop belt sander and a 5 speed benchtop drillpress. I tried cutting holes to house wheels for a toy train for my oldest through the wide section of 2×4. After my attempts to make level holes with a hand drill made me cry, I went out looking for a hand drill guide. The guide was listed for 20 bucks the drill press was on sale for 30. Hmmm, I went with the drill press. Haven’t regretted that purchase yet.
I have a couple of Craftsman routers and a HF plunge router, plus the Ridgid 5.5 am palm trimmer. I picked up Ridgid’s 18v drill/driver with a free impact driver in the bag. Apparently I have become a fan of Ridgid tools of late. Aside from that, I have the usual assortment of sanders, handtools, and misc. common to all woodshops. I look forward to the day when I clean everything up and put in some cabinets and some decent dust collection but, until then, I am happy with the improvements made and I will keep plugging along.
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
20 comments so far
WayneC
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9589 posts in 2294 days
#1 posted 1303 days ago
Looks very functional. Thanks for sharing.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
TheDane
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2697 posts in 1860 days
#2 posted 1303 days ago
Dave—Thanks for posting your shop pix. Nothing wrong with Ridgid tools … I have a couple of their power tools, and they are top drawer.
-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"
David Craig
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2128 posts in 1305 days
#3 posted 1303 days ago
Thanks for the comments Wayne and Dane. Yes, the shop is functional and I am very happy with the higher quality tools I have been working with lately.
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
cabinetmaster
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10874 posts in 1755 days
#4 posted 1303 days ago
Nice shop. Thanks for the tour.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
a1Jim
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89038 posts in 1774 days
#5 posted 1303 days ago
A good work space and some super tools too.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Scott Bryan
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27253 posts in 2018 days
#6 posted 1302 days ago
David this is a pretty nice shop. It does look like you have a lot going on in there. Like you I enjoy using pegboard to organize and store hand tools. It is pretty economical to set up and keeps hand tools readily available for use. You also have a nice set of tools to play with as well.
Thanks for the pictures. I enjoyed touring your shop.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
cstrang
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1747 posts in 1365 days
#7 posted 1302 days ago
Nice shop, thanks for the post.
-- A hammer dangling from a wall will bang and sound like work when the wind blows the right way.
David Craig
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2128 posts in 1305 days
#8 posted 1302 days ago
I was warned that this site was addicting, I now understand why. Good thing I am an IT worker and have to use my PC for all work related tasks :)
Thanks everyone for the kind and encouraging comments. Woodworking is a tough (but rewarding) hobby. We need all the support we can get.
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
Splinterman
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23056 posts in 1558 days
#9 posted 1300 days ago
Hey David,
Sweet shop with great toys…well done.
Occie gilliam
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505 posts in 1493 days
#10 posted 1300 days ago
Hi David, nice shop thanks for posting
Occie
-- OC down in Costa Rica. come down and see me some time. I'll keep the light on for you too-oc@hotmail.com mail.com
stuk4x4
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115 posts in 1264 days
#11 posted 1190 days ago
I like that saw!! good looking shop. thanks for the tour.
-- All the tools in the world wont make you a good mechanic or craftsman... however it helps!
yarydoc
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417 posts in 1341 days
#12 posted 1190 days ago
Nice shop David.
-- Ray , Florence Alabama
David Craig
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2128 posts in 1305 days
#13 posted 1186 days ago
Thanks for the visit and the comments. I am going to have to change some of these photos soon. I have been modifying the workspace some and the shop looks a little less cluttered these days.
David
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
Ken90712
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12849 posts in 1385 days
#14 posted 1175 days ago
Cool shop, they say a meesy shop is a productive shop. Mine goes through stages, either real messy or real clean for finishing. I have the same Table Saw as you, got rid of the base wasn’t a big fan. I bolted a router table on the end of it and love it cleared up some work space. This might be something you would be interested in. Keep it up and have fun, I grew up in Michigan but been in So California once I got out of High School.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
DaddyZ
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2036 posts in 1237 days
#15 posted 1175 days ago
Nice Shop !
-- Pat - Worker of Wood, Collector of Tools, Father of one
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