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What's on your shop "To-Do" list?

9K views 45 replies 40 participants last post by  559dustdesigns 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
It seems like every project I realize that I need to make a new jig or that my workshop could use some other sort of improvement to improve efficiency/safety/increase storage space etc. I've had a bunch of stuff to build for my new house, so the shop projects have been sorely neglected. Recently I made a list, of which I hope to tackle at least one shop project between each house project.
What shop projects are on your list?
Here's mine:
-cross cut sled for TS
-improve overhead DC for TS
-base for drill press with storage for drill bits/accessories
-new mobile base for planer
-hand tool cabinet
 
#2 ·
- Whatever my wife wants/needs ;)
- Fix and tune my bandsaw
- Tune my TS
- Crosscut sled for TS
- Tool bases to get everything off my bench
- CNC router
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've just made a 220v extension cord for my table saw, which gets the cord out of the way of my miter sled. I'm also in the middle of getting shop humidity down to a reasonable level. Next up are:

- A log resawing jig for the bandsaw
- Finish up the last two metal runs of the dust system, to the spindle sander and the miter saw/router
- Long-term projects - I'd like to make a folding table saw outfeed table, a bandsaw outfeed table, and a dust collection hood for the miter saw.
 
#5 ·
I'm a bit scared to write out this list, but, I think it needs to be done. Great topic, btw.

- Insulate the overhead doors
- Circle jig for bandsaw
- plumb the DC hoses overhead
- add a lighting fixture to East end
- storage shelving above overhead door
- refurbish the assembly table
- rework router table storage (LH vs. RH at new location)

Hmmm… that wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. Whew!
 
#8 ·
I'm building my shop so I have more "todos" than "dones". And, due to a major reduction in pay after a period of unemployment it's going real slow. But I'm working the list down.

1. Sheet storage cart with panel saw jig mounted on one side, my own design.
2. Miter saw work station.
3. Dust collector closet. To reduce noise.
4. Slat wall and brackets for storing lumber.
5. Clamp rack.
6. Tool storage board.
7. Router table with shop built lift, plans from "Shop Notes"
8. 16" Band saw, shop built, from "Woodgears" plans.
9. Drum sander, shop built, from my own design.
 
#10 ·
Just off the top of my head…

#1. Build a shed to store lawn and garden as well as shop items during the following projects.
#2. Strip sheetrock from all non common walls and ceiling. Run subpanel and circuits, rerock and repaint.
#3. Reframe for, and install heavier duty folding attic stairs. The 250lb rating scares me. Rerock and paint as needed.
#4. Prep and apply epoxy floor coating.
#5. Re-mount lumber rack, tool stacker, clamshell cabinets, and library cabinet. Add bridge shelf to top of clamshell cabinets so that the entire space end to end of both cabs and the space between will have an 18" deep shelf above it.
#6. Build miter saw station along common wall, making sure the fence area clears the freezer that will have to be stored next to it. (Bargain I made with LOML…)
#7. Re-design DC location, and ductwork to reduce the distance from DC to tools including side flipping the impeller housing / motor and putting the Thien under the impeller housing. Upsize to 6" duct.
#8. Rolling sheet goods rack with clamp storage.
#9. Box Joint jig.
#10. Complete drum sander project. It's slow going, but it's going.
#11. Build a full on table saw / router workstation for my BT3100, I am using BT3Central member jnesmith's workstation as inspiration.

#12. Rebuild / build a proper workbench. I found out a mess of things I don't like about the design of the workbench I built and can't wait to get started on a new one…
 
#13 ·
Nice lists; it seems sometimes like we spend more time making stuff for the shop rather than making stuff with the shop! I keep thinking that I'll reach a point where I'll have all the tools I'll need and all the jigs and shop projects complete, but I don't think I'll ever reach that point.
 
#16 ·
Well, I just finished a router table ( will post in projects soon).

Need an Air filtration unit.

We have the house up for sale so I am now working on installing the trim around the doors and windows in the shop. For some reason it bothers me that I didn't finish it when I built the shop a couple years ago, so I want to see it completed.

I'm sure I have a long list of to do's ahead of me at the next place (which I have told my wife MUST HAVE a shop) http://lumberjocks.com/KMTSilvitech/workshop

Other than that I can always find something to do to improve my enjoyment in my shop.
 
#18 ·
Since I'm in the throws of setting up my shop, I have a looooooooooooooooooooooooong list of "To Dos"

Complete building & install air cleaner.
Upgrade/Hot Rod 2HP HF DC; with Thein baffle pre-seperator, reposition motor/impellar, run metal ducting.
Rehab new to me C'man contractors TS.
Build work station/cabinet around said TS.
Build TS crosscut Sled.
Build a better Router table.
Build DP table.
Build base unit(s) for bench/counters.
Build a WW workbench.
Build clamp storage/cart.
Create organized storage for all essentials ie; sanding station, sharpening station, assembly station, measuring & layout, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera….
Any & all jigs and shop helpers, ie; push sticks/blocks, kerf maker, marking knife, circular saw cutting jig…..
Build a Kregg jig workstation.
Build a panel saw.
Build a downdraft table.
Build a thickness sander.
construct a spray/paint booth.

That's just off the top of my head!

Anyone want to come over to my place and help!!! I've got "Free Beer"!!!
Tableware Liquid Drinkware Beer Barware
 

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#20 ·
I have several:
- Crosscut sled / Super sled
- Taper jig
- Clamp rack
- Lumber rack

But what will probably come before all those is a mortiser table. The stock table sucks and I feel like the fence needs extended also.

It's odd to me that more people haven't upgraded this, but I have some ideas and feel it would add a lot to my mortiser.
 
#22 ·
DY,
It is winter in Vermont & I AM crazy! But one has nothing to do with the other.

Richard,
Although the beer is free, the pitcher, Pilsner glass, mug, stein, beer bong, or straw & etc. are very expensive!!
 
#23 ·
What a list this is; in no particular order…

Yank down the ceiling and insulate, install new tongue and groove pine.
Ceiling lights, something more then two bulbs. I'm thinking several small spots.
Retune the ts.
set up a dust collection system.
Build a scrap wood rack.
Build a mobile clamp rack.
make a new ts sled.
finish my work bench.

However the list was shortened considerably yesterday with the arrival of a HF dust collector, a grinder stand, a heavy duty stand for the scroll saw, several foam floor mats to keep the feet warmer, and a mover's dolly for the bottom of the clamp rack.
 
#25 ·
1) Spray booth at about 60% completion.
2) Veneer vacuum and bag components received, but need to start building the table/press/platen.
3) Ebay some more of these planes out of my way. Use proceeds to buy figured wood. :=)
4) Build finishing shop.
5) Continue playing with the downloaded CNC trial software so I will be ahead of the learning curve.
 
#26 ·
First priority for me is to finish my workbench. Most of the milling is done-just need to assemble and make a top (I'll be using sheet goods so this isn't a big deal).

Then I need to finish a play kitchen for my daughter. After that I'll probably begin working on some shop cabinets.

Shop time has been pretty sparse lately-I cut off the tip of my right thumb in a chisel accident in late January, which kept me out of commission for awhile. (More on this accident to come-I'll post details in an upcoming project post)
 
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