My workshop was bought to life after a long awaited trip around Europe was cut short (4 months short to be precise). Upon my return to Australia, I had a rather generous amount of money still left in the bank and instead of throwing it at something like a new car or using it as a deposit on a house, I decided to invest it in something I had always loved…woodworking!
I aim to create a space that is capable of taking me from being a hobbyist as I am now, to one day becoming a professional woodworker. At age 20, I still have a long way to go but I have plenty of time!
I already had a good selection of handheld power tools, but machinery was something I had to start from scratch with so I started the spending spree with my 10 table saw. Although its not the best table saw in the world, it does a good job and with a bit of a tune, it performs very well.
After my table saw purchase,new tools kept finding their way into my shop. The first of which was a thickness planer. Naturally I would need to get a jointer to accompany my planer. I had heard that the local machinery shop had a special on their 8 long bed jointer, so there I was in the car with the credit card and on my way!
With the jointer, I noticed a huge improvement in the quality of my work and as I got more confident and started tackling bigger projects, I noticed that I started needing new tools, so eventually a 14 band saw, drill press, disk/belt sander, drum sander, a second 6 jointer, a scroll saw and an oscillating spindle sander found their way into the shop.
This is where my shop stands at the moment and I am very happy with it. I really enjoy making contemporary chairs and coffee tables. Currently Im working on a fairly big project, a bent lamination dining room table that Im documenting on my website. I also do a bit of restoration work here and there and in the future, I hope to get into some projects involving marquetry, oh and possibly I would like to get into making some wooden jewelry too.
@TennesseeYankee
The drum sander works ok for wider items (with overhang) but finding a good way to support the work piece is proving difficult without creating a dedicated bench. That said the widest items I really send through are about 600mm so the 400mm wide conveyor belt offers enough support.
@Aaron Edwards
Im really happy with my sander, I got it for about $600 from memory at the Machinery House in Belmont (on special) . I mostly use it for sanding home cut veneers now that i have a 17″ bandsaw, but before then I was using it for rough finishing cabinet doors and alike.
Jordan
Hi Jordan. Did you buy the WDS-400 and the contractors saw from me at Carbatec Auburn?
Hi Dave, my drum sander didn’t come from carbatec, but MachineryHouse, although they do look identical when I compare the two.
The contractors saw came from the carbatec branch in Balcatta (WA) so I dont I went through you.
Regards
Jordan
Hi Jordan – that looks great.
Hey I live in Mandurah. How is that Drum Sander, cost, use, where did u get it etc??
I love the small buzzer planer.
On ya,
Aaron.
Hey Aaron, come and see me I will look after you http://www.carbatec.com.au/car.....nder_c2950
I would die to have your drum sander. Awesome. How well does it work for you when you sand items wider than it can do in one pass?
Hi Jordan,
I like the “needing” new tools remark as I’m sure all of us woodworkers find ourselves in exactly the same frame of mind.
Great start to your shop.
hi Jordan, if those are your tools and those are your surfboards, you couldn’t have found a better way of life! what sunshine….