Some of you may already know our good friend Tom Buhl. Check out some of his creations here and here. All that finely-crafted work comes out of a cozy two-car garage. Check it out.
A two-car garage is home to the Tom Buhl Workshop, an amateur endeavor. As you see in the first photo, that two-car garage also houses treasures, precious and otherwise, from combining two households five years ago into a 950 square foot home. When I married the lovely Ms. Gastil, she had a old, but serviceable contractor?s saw. So I made some shelves and storage devices from scraps and several raised garden beds. First furniture project, almost four years ago, was a set of bedside tables using plans purchased online. I was hooked. I play in the shop pretty much every day unless rain descends on our little corner of paradise.
Obviously, I work in a well-ventilated area with plenty of natural light. After opening the garage door, I roll out the carts. Even to use semi-stationary, I have to clear access space. As tight as things are, I?ve always managed to find a storage pattern to add another tool. I added the Jet 16-32 early this year and didn?t know how it could possibly fit, but somehow a formula was developed. When unexpected rain occurs it is a scramble to tuck everything safely away.
The PM2000 (a CraigsList find) has built-in wheels but stays put. Drill press and Grizzly 18-inch band saw are also used inside, but I will position to suit size of work. Wood cart on left wall was the first shop project?it has served me well. Holds scraps, cut offs and sheet goods. The Sj
Nice organization. My looks just as crampt but not nearly as organized.
?Powermatic the gold standard since 1921?
Wonderful collection of tools Tom. You are truly blessed.
Nice use of space Tom. It is amazing how we always can find room for one more tool.
Tom -
How did that Ryobi drill press get in there between all of those “gold standard” gems?? :-)
Really like your indoor custom hand tool bench!
Chester, I believe that Roybi drill press followed me home from H.D. while I was still in the Home Improvement phase of my youth. Once in a while it frustrates me, but mostly it serves while other “desires” keep its replacement off down the list.
Dan, door frames would push the envelope as do simultaneous projects. Typically, as a “major piece” is winding down, I either work on shop improvements/cleanup or small gift type things Nature of the beast discourages making good use of a “free” half hour.
But I am very grateful to have the space, tools and inclination.
Thanks for checking it out.
Tom- glad to see someone else makin the best of a small space…I’m relatively new at this and my shop is around the edges of a one car garage – nice space though with the car out. Most of the tools are benchtop and my next ‘need’ is drill press and band saw. I’ve convinced myself that the bandsaw isn’t really worth it until I can get a decent sized floor model, but I would love to go ahead with a drill press like yours – would you buy the Ryobi again or have you seen other small ones that you like? thanks, Rusty
Rusty, I didn’t do any research on the drill press. Other than look in my wallet to see if my credit card was there. So I don’t know how it stacks up to other bench top models. On occasion I long for a floor standing unit. Some day perhaps. Guess I’d go ahead and buy a Ryobi DP again, but I would look into other models a bit. At the time I was just thinking home remodel…not furniture…ahem…I mean art, ; )
I was never very pleased with using it to hog out mortises with forstner bit. Maybe it is a bit out of round. These days I either use the router, or PM hollow chisel mortiser (which I haven’t used in a long time, maybe not such a shrewd purchase).
I do like the DP better since I made a reasonable table and fence setup.
I think you are wise to wait for a decent “full” sized band saw. Mine is not top of the line, but good value I thought. Have gotten lots of use out of it.
Have fun.
Rusty, you?ll be pleased to know that the Roybi drill press was replaced with a PM2800 (floor model) during PM?s end of year sale. The Ryobi was given a good home in a neighbor?s garage. At this stage of life he is a DIY home improvement guy. With a great 3 year old assistant. Fun to see them work together. And cool to have a nice landing spot for my hand me downs.
Onwards
Small, but pleasant and fully functional. I could work happily in that space making the things I do. If I built dining tables or door frames, maybe not.
DD
great looking space, i really like the wood storage system
lumbert drying in your living room? your wife is a saint.
And I thought I didn’t have enough space! I’ve got my shop in the basement. I have about 900 square feet total between my office and shop. My biggest problem is that I have too much wood, stuff I got from the cabinet shop where I used to work. My boss kept telling us to throw it in the dumpster and if I thought it could be useful it went into the back of my truck instead. Definitely a case of packratitis!
Good website, Tom, and fabulous woodworking!
This is sickening! I don’t ever want to see something like this again! Unless it’s in MY garage…
When I was alive, I was silent.
In death, I made noise.
What am I?
a tree
I read the title as “Tom’s Santa Workshop” I kept looking for elves.
oh, the elves are there, but very unlikely to be caught on camera.
Tom,
What is the electrical power situation like. Is the TS a 220v saw? How is the AC power design in the garage (all 110 or mix, subpanel, etc)? Use lots of extension cords? :0)
thanks. Nice shop.
-mm
Good question. My wife has lived here for about 25 year, in the 1950, knob and post wiring home. Before I moved in five years ago, we had house totally rewired. Put a 50 amp sub panel in garage. How was I to know what was gonna happen in just a few years. But that is enough to have two 220 circuits. One for table saw and band saw. Gotta switch between. Bit of a pain, but doable. The other 220 is for dust collector AND dryer. Can’t run both of ‘em simultaneously. This has been verified more than once, #%XX@&%. Reasonable number of 110 outlets and I added a few more. With most of the tools on wheels I do use extension cords as needed. But no rats nests of permanent extension cords.
If I had known my future play of choice, I’d have put in 100 amp service, but doing that now would be a bit of a big deal.
I like the wood storage. I need to build one similar to yours.
I really like your wood storage system. That would be perfect for me.
I have everything jammed behind a sheet of oak plywood leaning up against the side of the garage.
Great cozy shop…I just wonder what happens when it rains and there needs to be alittle woodworking done?
If I anticipate rain and shuffle tools beforehand, I can stand under garage door shelter and do a bit of work. Problem is that I can’t really shuffle the carts around when raining. I also have the workbench in my home office for bits of hand work. Matter of fact it rained one day last week. First time since March or April other than a bit of drizzle here and there. So when it rains I just watch WoodWhisperer videos and dream of the day when I can return to the shop. Not too many days are totally lost, but it does happen now and then. Good thing I don’t do this for a living…rain being just one of many issues there. ; )
Good organization Tom. I can relate. My last shop was in a 9 1/2 x 13 patio. (Jim’s Glass Woodshop). I measured floor space in square inches, not sq. ft. You’ve done a nice job.
Very cool setup Tom. Did you build the indoor bench from a plan? If so, where did you get it? If not, you are THE MAN.
Hi Jay,
The indoor bench was my own design. Influenced by many other folks of course. Recently read and re-read lots of C Schwarz’ 2nd workbench book and realize that many key “benchmarks” (he hates rules, but must love puns) which I have also discovered in the life of the critter. But I have gotten good use of it. And I think as furniture it is quite nice, considering how early in my “career” it was built.
Thanks for checking it out.
Tom,
great shop! I am working on organizing mine now, any tips on building a wood storage rack…Was trying to get a good look at yours in your pictures but couldn’t really see both sides of it. Do you find the rack you have worth while? I feel as though I would benefit from something like this greatly, just always moving big sheets of wood around the shop. Did you do a 2 x 4 base? any guidance would be greatly appreciated…thanks!
Hello Mike,
The base is 3/4 ply with 4″ wide x 3/4 ply blocking strips around the outside. That gives support for wheel assemblies as well as bit of extra strength at the base. The hidden side has a lip, but is open at each end for sliding sheet good in and out. It has held up well (built in 2005), one of the first things I built for the shop-and-hobby-to-be. Plan was from THE COMPLETE BOOK OF WOODWORKING published by Landauer Corp (found in book store).
Marc recently posted video of his new cart. Similar to mine, except it is fixed to wall at one end and swings out one wheels at the other. If free standing as mine, a decision is whether all wheels swivel or just at one end. Just two swivels allows cart to track better over distance, BUT is not as convenient when you just wish to tuck in the non-swivel end. Wish I had gone with four swivels. Also wish I had chosen heavier duty wheels. Mine gets bogged down on the uneven and textured concrete of garage and driveway.
Lots of utility in compact space. If one did lots of sheet goods you might even consider open lip w/o dividers on both sides. You’d still have the center sections for a bit of smaller stock. You can’t see in the photo, but the main side pieces come up several inches above the “top” shelf. That is great for hanging a few smaller clamps, attaching portable lamps and more.
If you’d like a photo of the exploded view from the book, or other questions you can send me an email: tom@tombuhl.com
Congratulations on winning the JPEG wars with your photo of the bubinga sideboard.
Since you’re working outside, how much do you use the dust collector? Didn’t get a real good luck at the dust collector in the photos, but looked like one of the 1.5hp models that could run off 110V. Is it bigger than that? What are you using for a planer?
2hp it turns out
I believe dust collector is 1.5 hp. I have it wired for 220v, on same circuit as clothes dryer. They are not to be run simultaneously…something I am reminded of from time to time. I leave flex-duct connected to the table saw (underneath collection only). Temporarily connect other hoses to band saw, planer and drum sander as needed.
I have the DeWalt 735 planer. A year ago I replaced the Ryobi drill press with a PowerMatic floor model. Much appreciated.
Matthew, thanks for JPG wars congrats. The event seems like a good idea but venue sound situation and slide show limitations greatly lessened opportunity to fully appreciate everyone’s work. Nice to have Marc’s extended family there to support each other. Fun.