I decided to start woodworking about two years ago after my wife, Michelle and I went shopping for a new bedroom set. We visited the local furniture mart and Michelle found a set that she liked. It looked nice and each piece was priced around $500. When I asked the salesman what it was made out of, he talked in circles for a minute or two, fed me a line of BS, then walked away to ask his manager. It certainly was not hardwood and didn?t seem any better than the IKEA stuff we had. Frustrated, I left the furniture store and made a decision to start building my own furniture.
I went to my local big box store and loaded up with tools that I thought I needed. I somewhat successfully built my first project–a bookcase for Michelle. I had some real problems with the finishing process. Frustrated with how the bookcase looked, I took a hammer and just start beating the crap out of it. It was literally one of those “tiger got out of the cage” moments. Michelle heard all the pounding and expletives coming from outside and quickly ran to see what was wrong, fearing that I might have already injured myself during my inaugural build. Seeing the look on her face as I was turning her bookcase into kindling, I realized that injuring myself would have been far better than the wrath I was about to endure for ruining her bookcase. Needless to say, I made “nice” and managed to salvage the project and turned it into a bench. From that moment it became clear that it was going to take a lot more time, practice, tools and most of all patience to build furniture!
Over the past couple of years, my shop has gone through a couple progressions. I bought a cheap Delta table saw and Dewalt router from CL and built a couple more projects with some major issues as I continued to struggle. Not happy with the performance of my cheap table saw, I decided to try the all hand tool route. I sold my table saw, router and some of the other unnecessary power tools. Talk about biting off more than I could chew. I loved the idea of working with hand tools, but not the results I was getting. It is a slow, tedious and somewhat difficult process to learn for a new woodworker. It was driving me crazy and I was ready to quit. I took some time off and tried to figure out what it was that I was trying to accomplish. I figured out that I did not have to live in a world with only hand tools or only power tools. I now think of my shop and woodworking as a constant progression and try to enjoy the process as much as the end result. For me there is no finish line, timeline or deadline only enjoying time spent in the shop when I can.
This is my shop in its current state, part of a large one car garage. My workbench is a very basic and inexpensive design. Two IKEA tops laminated together with 3/4? dog holes drilled into it. The top sits on a base built out of 2 X 4?s joined together with pocket holes. Not super sexy, but after I added bench dogs, wonder pups and a couple of Gramercy Holdfasts, it became very functional. I also added a T8 light above the bench that I got from Home Depot for about $40. On the bench are a few of my hand tools. I have two LN independence saws, one filed crosscut and the other rip. I have a Veritas Plow Plane, Router Plane, Spokeshave, LN block plane, Stanley Jack Plane Type (Type 14), Tite Mark and Veritas marking gauges and a Blue Spruce marking knife (worth splurging for). On the back of the bench I have a set of LN chisels, two Buck Brothers pairing chisels (wood handles made in Maine) and a Starrett combination square. Underneath my bench is where I store a very generic version of a tool chest, its actually a footlocker from a deployment I went on a few years ago and has come in very handy for storing my hand tools until I can build a legit tool chest. Inside of it I have a Stanley hand brace, Jennings pattern bits, sliding bevel, winding sticks and a couple other miscellaneous tools.
To the right of my bench is my sharpening station. I use Shapton 1000, 4000, and 8000 grit stones, a DMT duo sharp (coarse/fine) to flatten my stones, a Veritas MKII honing guide and a Rockler LED light courtesy of a monthly drawing on The Wood Whisperer site. The surface is just a piece of 3/4″ MDF bolted on top of what used to be the base for my table saw. The Ridgid jointer is a recent addition found on CL. I was not in the market for a jointer but it was only $100. It was in pretty poor shape–there was a lot of surface rust and it needed some serious TLC. After a couple days of hard work, all the rust was off and it looked pretty good. As far as functionality its okay, but I am not in love with it. The bed is short, its finicky to adjust, its only 6? wide and it I don’t like the amount of tearout I am getting, but it was only $100. Right behind the jointer is where I store my parallel clamps, nothing fancy but it works.
The planer was my first power tool addition. Its a Delta 12 1/2″, 2 knife lunchbox style planer that I got off CL. This was a great find, I bought it from an older guy and it looked like he had only used it once or twice. The manuals where still in plastic unopened and it came with the mobile base. Its only a two-knife plane so I take very little off each pass; it takes little longer but sure is easier to thickness a board with the planer then by hand.
My newest power tool addition is a Grizzly G1022 ProZ, contractor style table saw with a Shop Fox Classic Fence. Another CL find and the one I am most proud of. It was almost a two hour drive to pick it up, but well worth it. The saw is in great shape, with limited use and very well taken care of. It came with a mobile base that the previous owner built, but I added the drawers, which are from Lee Valley and excellent for extra storage in my small shop. I added a couple of accessories–an Infinity Super General Combo blade, Onsrud Rip and Dado blades (eBay finds recommended by Knotscott). I have not used either of the Onsrud blades so I can’t offer any personal experience but from what Knottscott told me about them, some various opinions around the Interwebs and their very reasonable pricing, I am confident they were a good buy. Can’t forget about the safety equipment–3M respirator and a Grr-Ripper, which is a must have, love that thing! Oh and of course a WW push stick!
There is a very basic outfeed table behind my table saw. Under the outfeed table is my temporary dust collection system. Its a Dust Right Vortex Dust Separator hooked to a shopvac. The shopvac is loud and not the greatest when it comes to DC but it gets the job done.
Finally, we have what serves as my assembly table. Just a piece of plywood mounted between two beams in my garage. On the table is a Ryobi grinder, storage cabinet for screws and favorite new toy?I mean tool, a Festool CXS drill! Oh yea and a pair of Festool safety glasses.
I have an idea of where I want my shop to go over the course of the next couple of years but nothing is set in stone. I will just let my projects dictate my next couple of shop upgrades and continue to enjoy the process of working wood. I will post all of the shop updates on my blog www.jamscroll.com
James, the size of the shop is not as important as just having a shop. I read an article on a shop space that was located in a closet under the stairs. The woodworker had to revert to hand tools and small Dremel type tools but he didn’t give up on his love of woodworking. Next project for you might end up being a crib or a rocking horse. Something like that always keeps the wife happy!
Blair
Check out the neanderthal forum on SawmillCreek.com. Lots of good info there as well as the good stuff here on TWW.
Correction: sawmillcreek.org, .com is a resort :)
Congrats on the baby. My baby boy is 11 and my newborn daughter just turned 9!! Even so the woodworking time allotment may seem dismal for the near future-it’s not forever (even so when you hold your new baby you will wish it were). As they grow you can teach them, both my kids can handplane like no ones business, cut fairly straight lines, and have many projects under their little belts. It started with my son just gluing scraps together and my daughter using carbon paper and drawing on wood. Add to this that Dad is going to need some time to himself too. I am just suggesting that if you can financially keep the tools you really like and use, do it. If not, well family first. I would just hate to see you rebuy everything again. Just something to chew on. Keep us posted on the new little one.
Hi Nate,
Thanks! Also thanks for the advice. I am sure they grow up very quick. I am not getting rid of everything but some things take up space and I need to get rid of them and honestly some of the hand tools I am getting rid of never see much use anyway. I really had to decide what I want to keep and what I don’t. I was not thrilled with my current tooling anyway and have yet to find any serenity in my woodworking. I feel like I have just been chasing my tail for the last year and half, so purging what I really don’t need and keeping what I do need seems to be the right move now. I actually kind of welcome a little break.
I love your honesty about the progression of your shop. I have also “distressed” a project or two. As I gain more and more skill, I realize that true craftsmen are not perfect, they are just much better at fixing/hiding their mistakes.
Just think of it this way….you might be able to sell your tools for more than you got them for on CL…especially since you restored the Jointer a bit, it sounds like.
Only get rid of what you have to though…you never know when you have a spare weekend or when you will be asked to build something for the Baby’s room…
Good Luck!
Congrats on the coming baby!
Our little boy is now 2yr 6mo. As you note, this will impact your free time–everything from playing and reading to your baby, to the extra chores and covering for your spouse (you’ll each need a little bit of down time).
In the shop profile, it sounded like you made some pretty big swings in 2 years, and it looks like quite a bit was invested. If you still feel a desire to create things, I’d recommend paring your workshop judiciously (e.g., the jointer is an obvious target; but the planer is very useful and is easier to store (clamp to a workmate instead of fixed stand); sharpening station won’t be left up; most of your hand tools are pretty nice, so I’d recommend keeping them, etc.)
I’ve still got time for 2-3 projects/year. Everything will take longer, and you’ll be rushing the finish at the end (ahem). I’d recommend against making crib and changing table. But, in a couple of years, making a lego table or doll house (or both — any chance of twins?) can be pretty satisfying.
Oh, and get as much baby stuff as you can from hand-me-downs from friends or from craigslist.
Matt
Matt you are right I have made some major shop swings over the last couple of years and just could not find my happy place so maybe having a baby and taking a break will help me refocus on what I really want my woodworking hobby and tooling to be. I am classic case of buying to tools and waiting to use them on a project instead of allowing my projects to drive tool purchases. This kind of gives me an excuse to wipe the slate clean. The jointer is gone and so is the table saw and other hand tools that don’t get used are being sold as well. I did recently get a Grizzly bandsaw that is now going to be my primary ripping tool in the shop. I am also keeping my LN chisels, dovetail saw, router plane, jack plane and a few other small tools and of course the planer. I am confident that I can do a lot with those tools. Thanks for checking out the shop.
James
Sounds like you’ve done a good job of balancing getting bargains where available and appropriate and spending precious money on high quality tools where you will appreciate it.
Enjoy your shop and the journey.
In the interest of full disclosure I sent in this shop tour awhile ago and now my shop is going through some serious downsizing. My wife and I just found out that we are expecting our first baby and now have to make space. Unfortunately that means that our spare bedroom with all the extra junk in it that would normally go in a garage is actually going to have to go into our small one car garage now! This means my shop space is going to be limited and sacrifices had to be made. Honestly I am not sure how much woodworking I am going to do over the next couple of years. I assume my disposable income will go down significantly now that I have additional responsibility. There will be tools that I am keeping for sure but most will be gone. Thanks for checking out the shop tour.
James
James, that’s exactly my situation, fast forward a few years. I have been taking classes to keep the skills alive. My oldest (4.5 years) is now showing interest. Don’t give up hope just yet, and… Congratulations!
James,
Very well thought out shop, and functional, it seems.
I believe you hit the nail on the head; beginner woodworkers sometimes expect the “David Marks results” without having put in the necessary time and practice. Woodworking takes on a new satisfaction once we realize it’s the journey of woodworking, not the destination, that provides the most enjoyment, in my opinion.
Jeff, you forgot to tell your wife when you beat up your first project, that you were going for the “distressed” look.
That’s what I was thinking.