Karson's Workshop

I think your second floor is bigger than my shop… Holy Smokes that’s a nice looking shop.
Dang…

I say again.. Dang!

-- ~ www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~

Darryl: But I still have to walk in paths through the clutter. My son-in-law is more of a neatnick than his father-in-law, and everytime he comes to visit he wants to throw out stuff. The last time he was here we buried phone, ethernet and catv cable to the shop, because, of it being a metal building my cell phone, and wireless phones don’t work. So I had to setup another wireless phone setup in the barn. And I’ll get my tv and internet as soon as I can clear out the stuff from the office space.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

I guess it proves a point, no matter how much space one has it’s never enough…..

Great shop,

Joe

Karson, you ought to be ashamed of yourself hogging all that lumber. You will never use it all, so I would be glad to help you out and take the excess off your hands. Only trouble is, the shipping cost might make it prohibitive – dang!

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Karson-

New and looking at all the shops. One word, WOW!

-- Paul, Texas

I would have expected nothing less from someone with you craftsmanship! Excellent!

-- Jesus is Lord!

Very nice Karson… How much land are you on? Here in Utah if you live in a metro area a lot is very expensive as most of our state (70% is government owned) and you have to get water to the land.

Drew

-- Drew, Pleasant Grove, Utah

I’ve got 2 – 1/2 acre lots. The house is one one and the workshop is on the other.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

So what’s the story on the table saw? Where did it come from?

-- JP, Shelbyville, KY

JP The saw was for sale on an auction site, prior to ebay being around. He was going to put a Bessimier fench on it for the purchaser. The saw was in New Jersey and I asked to go see it before bidding.. We also agreed on a price if the saw didn’t sell at auction.

He was a new and used equipment dealer. I don’t know where he got the saw. But it has a .010 wobble to the blade, the blade shaft is the motor arbor so I guess someone dropped a board on the blade or something. The previous owner also had the motor cranked up as high as it would go and there is a noticable bow upward in the middle of the saw table.

You learn to live with its problems. I can’t use a dado blade and cut 1/4” dado because its about .013 wider than that.

I just picked up 3 blades for it at our woodworking club that makes toys. Sealey mattress when they went out of business in the area donated a bunch of wood and some machine tooling to the club. We use the wood but the blades sat ignored, (until I came along).
The saw blade is 16” with a 1 1/8” hole. They probably cost 250.00 for commercial blades to fit it. But all of the blades I’ve got I got for 15 – 25 bucks each used. Except for the Dado blades that I had custom made. They took their 10” blades, drilled the hole to 1 1/8 and then had to resharpen them around the new hole.

It’s a 3 phase saw but I’ve got an electronic phase converter that works great. They say you lose about 20 persent of your HP but I’ve not had any problems cutting anything.

It’s a very dusty saw because Dust Collection was not a priority in the 50’s or when ever it was made.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Nice workshop

-- Pedro Rodrigues da Costa, Sintra, Portugal

Since we can now post pictures inside our workshop. And since I’ve partially cleaned up the space. I’ve decided to add some additional pictures.

The workshop is 25’ X 55’ with a second floor on one end. Under the second floor is a bathroom and an office.

The ceilings are 16’ high, so in order to store some of the items I go up instead of using floor space.

I just finished some shelves that are attached to the wall. It’s a 2X4 -8’ and a 2X4 – 10’ lagged into the studs. 2×4’s uprights are attached to the upper and lower lumber with mortise and tenons 3/4 X 3” long. They are not attached to the wall because they are not hitting any studs. They are just locked into the upper and lower lumber with the mortises.

I attached OSB board to the upright 2X4 and then glued and screwed shelf braces to them and the wall. The OSB board was a premium grade that has a 50 yr life. The uprights and shelves are 24” wide spacing and 14” deep. I was hoping that they won’t sag but if I notice it I’ll put braces under the front of the shelves.

To reach the shelves you climb up on top of the assembly table/workbench. On the workbench are two mortising machines and a desktop drill press. To the left of the bench is a floor model drill press.

The workbench is quite high and has a 4X8’ sheet of MDF on top that can be replaced. It just fits within the pine boarder.

This is my bandsaw, sold by Woodworkers Warehouse while they were in business. It was sitting on the floor and I bought it for $500.00. It’s an 18” model that is similar to one sold by Grizzly a few years ago. It has Carter blade guides and a 1 1/4” resaw blade. I weld up my own bandsaw blades with silver solder and I probably have over 2000’ of blade stock in different sizes. All of the blade was bought at salvage sites or ebay. I replaced the 1HP motor with a 3HP motor that I picked up at a junk yard for $10.00 (I bought 2 of them). They ran the wrong direction so I took them to a motor place to have him change the direction. When he opened them up water ran out. We had had a flood from a hurricane and a machine shop replaced the motors on their tools. He charged me $40.00 to reverse them and to bake they dry in his oven and put in new bearings.

This is my Grizzly jointer 8” carbide spiral insert teeth 75” bed length.

My Ryobi 16/32” thickness sander. Bought at a Ryobi outlet center. Chopsaw stored under it until needed

My Grizzly 20” thickness planer. Also a spiral carbide inset cutting head.

This is some of the wall storage. I attached 2 X 4’s to the wall and screwed hooks into them to hang items. These items are mostly air hoses and some electric. I’ve got about 300’ of air hose to get to where I need to be. Under it is my Air Compressor. A sears 5HP model that I bought30 years ago at a Sears Outlet center for $150.00. I’ve gotten my money out of it. To the right are 3 cabinets of Military Surplus cabinets that I’ve got full of plumbing, electrical, automotive, casters etc. They keep the floor from floating up into the air.

This is the infamous lumber rack that is 12’ X 12’ on the front and 10’ deep. Each compartment can store around 800 Bd Ft of wood. There are 18 compartments 3 wide and 6 high each of them 2’ X 4’. In front of the lumber is my Trojan Horse that I use to climb up to get to the lumber in rows 4 thru 6 or stuff (Veneer and more lumber) on top. All tools are on casters and the Trojan horse is also. I usually pull out a bunch of lumber to sort through what I need and I lean it against the front until I use it. Hopefully within a year.

To the left of the workbench is my wall of outdoor tools, Shovels, rakes forks. etc. Just to the left of the ladder is a yellow tool. It is the extension rod that has a hook on the top screwed to the piece of 2X4 that I use to hang and retrieve items from the upper wall. I drilled a hole in the end of the 2X4 and put body putty in the hole and then put it on the end of the extension rod. 5 min later I unscrewed it off and I had threads in the body putty. I waxed the threads on the rod prior to putting them into the body putty.

This is the walk path to the bathroom. I have more pullout drawers for storage. The coffee pot close to the water supply.

The door to the office has two more cabinets with pull out drawers. The back of the lumber rack (lower three sections on one side). I tend to store short lumber there. On top of the drawers are two Lingerie chests that are waiting for dovetailed drawers (So far 4 years in construction)

This next item is the next to get cleaned up. My workbench 32” X 86” bowling alley top. Behind it are more compartments that are attached to the lumber rack. They are 8’ X 8’ and some of the shelves are starting to sag so repairs are in order. The drawers under the workbench can be removed. They are sitting on top of the stretchers that go between the legs. The drawer fronts are veneered with Waterfall Bubinga Veneer. the two boards on the right are maple burl I just picked up from the sawmill. There is about 150 Bd Ft. And he is willing to trade for me to make something for him out of some of it. The entire tree truck was burl after another. I’ll probably use mine for kitchen cabinets. Cut into veneer of course.

Standing at the last workbench looking at the end door. Toward the table saw, vacuum etc. I’ve got a smaller workbench in the middle that I can sit on a chair and work at. It is my portable ?? workbench , also made out of a bowling alley and maple lumber.

This is the wall of storage cabinets. All of the red cabinets were picked up at Sears Outlet for around $50.00 each or so. Screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, air chucks, air tools etc. On top are some screw cabinets that I picked up at a lumberyard that was going out of business because Home Depot moved to town. They were 3 for $100.00 with whatever was in the drawers. My oldest son gave me some and I purchased some. Contain screws and bolts some stainless mostly steel. On top of it but not seen is the air filter unit attached to the wall. In a window to the right is a 22,000 btu air conditioner, that doesn’t cool the shop but will hold it at whatever temp I turn it on at. When I go in the shop in the morning its about 74 deg in there. 85 to 90 outside. I turn on the air and it will stay at 74 to 75 all day long. Above it at the ceiling is the propane heater like you’d find in a service station. Wintertime the shop will be about 45 deg in the morning (The lumber helps hold the heat). I set the hearer for 64 and I work in there all day. I wear a hazmat suit in the winter and I am quite warm.

The Fay-Egan table saw built approx 1950. 16” Blade 5 HP, 40 X 44” cast iron top. Exactor sliding table on the left and a router table on the right. The Exactor sliding table has had it’s fence replaced with in Incra Positional fence and using Shop-Stop to get 1/32” accuracy on cross cutting. the fence for the table saw is an Incra TS III. It is also used for the router table. The router table has a Jessem router lift. The first design that was made. I just upgraded the router lift with a digital height readout with John Nixon’s (LJ) help and coaching

I didn’t go to the second floor. Maybe later.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Karson, you have a BUNCH of very nice equipment and supplies and apparently plenty of space to store it – I’m happy for you. I’d love to have that stockpile of wood, although I would not have the space to store it. My shop is a 10’x22’ building in my back yard. When I built it many years ago I was restrained by a 100 year old Oak tree in front of of, meaning I could not come out more than 10’. On the other end was a Fig tree that my wife just could not live without, so I was not able to go any longer than the 22’. My original plan was to go the whole 75’ across the back of the property and come out further – but that Fig tree could not be “killed”. Well, the year after I built the shed, my darling bride asked me if I would mind cutting down the Fig tree for her. I did, and we still discuss that fig tree every now and then – and that was almost 20 years ago :-)).

One of these days I am going to order some veneer stock and give it a try. Do you absolutely have to have a vacuum table to work with it?.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Hi Karson;

Great building! I could sure i use that much space, but I would forget where eveything was.

You sure do have a nice assortmrnt of lumber to play with

Nice.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

I’m in with Lee on this one. I was drooling on my key board when I saw all that lumber and space. Very nice Karson.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

and I think it’s just UNBELIEVABLE!!
the space; the wood; the tools; the organization… sheesh

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

You and your son-in-law have been busy beavers. Progress is sometimes painful.

-- Bob Lance, DE

Hey, Karson -

Long time no talk.

This is a very impressive set-up. You know, if I use I-476/I-95/DE1, you’re not that far away. I’ll work for coffee, food, and any spare (you know, 300-400 bd. ft) lumber that’s just lying around. Besides, I missed the picnic in NJ and want to say hi anyway. Let me know. I’ve got plenty of time on my hands.

And Debbie, wicked cool picture.

Have fun.

JWB.

-- JWB

Thanks for the comments y’all.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

cool place.
I have a ryobi thickness sander also. I’ve always had problems withe right side sandpaper keeper. Love it anyways, but always wondered if there was a trick to it . I use spray 3m adhesive as a work around.

-- a legend in my own mind ...

I’m envious as usual when I see all that space.
It looks like you’ll never have to go to a lumber yard, you’ve got a lifetime supply.
I see you have the same problem as me. My workbench top always gets overloaded with stuff. When I start a new project I end up spending a whole day removing the clutter.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Dick three workbenches help and there is always the tablesaw top. It is not usually piled so high.

But I’m always on the lookout for more lumber. Why?? I don’t know. Because, I like cool wood, anything with a unique grain and pattern.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

You’re alright Karson!

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Karson -

Great addition to your workshop page . . . I think you should be allocated three shop pages so we can see everything!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Awesome shop and tools! I love your wall of wood, and the casual way you say “The drawer fronts are veneered with Waterfall Bubinga Veneer” like that’s what any of us would use to veneer our workbench drawers. “Oh, I just had it lying around, thought it would be nice.” :-)

-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA

Karson, I just stumbled on this. Wow. I am just speechless.

When I grow up, I want to be just like Karson.

Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

Wow Karson. I checked out your TableSaw wing support pictures as suggested to answer my question. I’m not sure that’s what I need in my case, but I am loving checking out your shop. The lumber alone would make 99.9% of us drool in our dreams. I’m glad you posted the follow-up pics of the individual machines. Glad to know my shop isn’t the only one with clutter!!

-- Jeff, South Carolina

No wonder you can turn out such great projects. What a shop!

-- Maplewood, MN

Karson, loks like a very nice shop! I bet it will be an ultimate shop once you get it all organized. I understand the process of that!

Very nice use of “old” power tools. They sure don’t make em that way anymore!

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

Wow, I had to take my time with this woodshop visit! But I enjoyed looking around. Thanks for the tour, you’ve got a great shop!

-- Dust collectors suck.

Hey Karson, I just joined the jocks and I’m looking around for suggestions on planers and jointers. I noticed you’ve got Griz and was wondering how you felt about them. I’ve got a Griz store about a days drive over in Washington and was seriously considering driving over and purchasing a planer and jointer. From the feedback I’ve seen at this forum and other places, Griz does a pretty good job on their bigger equipment and provides a lot of value for the money. What’s your opinion?

-- Jim, Boise ID - Attitude is everything

Karson,
I just got a look at your shop and all I can say is “Wow nice space”. I have one of those Grizzly 20” planners and an 8” Grizzly jointers but they have the straight cutters, I was thinking of modifying them and installing the spiral cutters. Its a toss up between getting a MiniMax comb 20” Jointer/planner or selling the grizzly’s. I will have to do the math and see if its worth the extra money. It would give me back a lot of real estate to work from one machine.

-- Just another day in paradise.

OK, I am totally envious of all that lumber :)

-- Anchul - Warrensburg, MO: As a Pastor, I am just trying to get closer to Jesus. He was a woodworker too.

Hi Karson,

I am just now getting around to visiting your shop. You have a wonderful shop and some really nice tools to play with. I am wondering how you keep track of the lumber and veneers. With a stash like this I hope you have an inventory system. With mine I can simply thumb through the boards until I find the one I want but I could not imagine trying this on 10000 bf of lumber and the pile of veneers that you have.

Anyway I appreciate the shop tour. Thanks for sharing.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.