One Car Garage Woodshop

[christopher.layton]

What do you have the TS mounted on to move around?

How about the jointer?

I bought two of these because they're cheap and because in the stationary position they rest on something other than wheels. I would rather the TS not move while I'm using it.
So far I have been happy with them.

 

[Sunbimmer]

I also cleaned the office supplies out of a tool box I built out of maple and mahogany, it was the product of an attempt at hand-cutting dovetails a few years back. A skill I am far from mastering!

Maybe you're not mastering the skill but it does look very nice

 

[christopher.layton]

Hi. Long time no update. Sadly there isn’t that much to update at the moment on the shop build itself, its been a bit of “one step forward, two steps back." I learned Monday that all garage outlets need to be GFCI protected, and that I need tamper resistant outlets along the wall, even in the garage. Sigh. Fortunately when the Inspector came back on Thursday everything was fine and I passed inspection. I hope to re-rock and paint the wall on Monday.

Some will have noticed the addition of a small dust collector in the picture above. Well, after a little research I have sold that. Apparently these cloth bag types of dust collectors do more harm than good. They collect the sawdust that makes a mess on the floor but doesn’t really do any harm. But in the process of doing that, they take the dangerous fine sawdust and and evenly redistribute it throughout the shop to be readily breathed in. (Makes me a bit nervous about all those years spent woodworking …) The new dust collection plan is a bit more rigorous, and expensive :-(. There are a few options out there, from the DIY to the “I have more money than sense.” For now I am going to take baby steps:

Step one: a HEPA shop vac, like the Fein, for sanding, and a chip separator for use with the planer, jointer, etc.
Step two: An air cleaner (found one on CL for a good price).
Step three: A Cyclone (when the funds work out).

I have also picked up some new tools: a hollow chisel mortiser, and a router table.
I decided that the router in the table saw’s extension table wasn’t the best plan, mostly because the fence system was going to be expensive, and i found a Bosch router table on CL for a song.

Still waiting on that too-good to pass up deal on a planer and a band saw….
And, by “waiting” I mean “obsessively refreshing Craigslist.”

More Monday, for now: happy Father’s day everyone.

 

[christopher.layton]

Spent a little time on the shop Monday. I started on the router table cart. Fun fact: I can break down a sheet of plywood using the table saw with the garage door closed. Just.

Working on shop furniture is a good exercise in getting reacquainted with the processes of woodworking. Rules like "always dry fit before assembly” are good to remember before I am working on a big project! Despite one piece needing to be trimmed down, the case came together. After a coat of linseed oil and a couple coats of wax, it’s time for drawers:

In woodshop related news, I’ve been working on my website, relaunching it under the same name as before I stepped away from furniture making. It’s still a bit of a work in progress (isn’t everything?): www.laytonwoodworks.com.

 

[captain14]

Glad to see you have invested in a dust collection system. Let us know how it works and any Inprovements you make. Take good care of your health now

 

[HSpencer]

I think your shop set up is looking good, The mobility is what will save you a lot of troubles. Looks like a real comfortable place to work. Keep posting your progress.

Best Regards
Herb Spencer

 

[christopher.layton]

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen. The dust collection strategy has been more complicated than I had anticipated. Things change quite a bit when I'm more interested in capturing dust I can’t see than the wood chips that make such a mess. I got the air cleaner, and based on the dust buildup on the outer filter, it’s doing its job. I also picked up a Fein vacuum off Craigslist (where else ): its the Turbo 2 HEPA model. I’ve used the Fein vacuums before, but comparing it against my old Ridgid vacuum was pretty funny: the RIdgid is substantially louder and worse.

My next step is to find a Thein-style separator to slot between the Fein and some of the bigger tools.

In other news: I bought a planer today! Also off Craigslist, but since it was in the Gorge (about 60 miles away) I had my brother in law pick it up for me. My BIL laughed when I called to see if he’d swing by and get the planer for me and told him the address: he was working literally two blocks away.

 

[christopher.layton]

I picked up the planer today, and now I feel bad for dickering on the price. The seller included three extra sets of blades, all sharp, and then offered me (through my brother in law) three chunks of wood that he never got around using:

The large one measures 11” x 11” x 24”! Clear, tight vertical grain cedar all the way through. Not sure what to do with it yet but I may just square off the ends, sand them and use them as end tables.

This also feels like a bit of a milestone: now I can dimension lumber, which is good because I am itching to start making things in the garage, rather than just making the garage.

 

[Dirk Thelen]

Nice workshop!

As for the dado blade, I always use 2 or 3 saw blades on the table saw this works just fine for what I need from it. I use the trick I found on woodgears.ca:
http://woodgears.ca/shop-tricks/dado.html

On the same site I also found plans for a cheap cyclone dust collector:
http://woodgears.ca/dust_collector/index.html

 

[sakurama]

Hi. Long time no update. Sadly there isn’t that much to update at the moment on the shop build itself, its been a bit of “one step forward, two steps back." I learned Monday that all garage outlets need to be GFCI protected, and that I need tamper resistant outlets along the wall, even in the garage. Sigh. Fortunately when the Inspector came back on Thursday everything was fine and I passed inspection.

Looking forward to how you resolve space issues. I once had a one car garage (smaller than yours) and since I had never had a garage before I thought I struck it rich. I tried my hand at woodworking for the first time and ended up buying my first Festool - a track saw - to build a table. I had to go outside to spin boards around when dimensioning them!

Anyway, as has been mentioned, I'd skip putting the car inside. If you're not restoring it or it's not your hobby why bother? Space is already at a premium so why add another constraint?

Lastly, although it sounds like you resolved it, you only need one GFCI at the beginning of the run as it will protect the other outlets. They're expensive so don't buy more than you need.

Good luck!

Gregor

 

[Wuaname]

Great plans..

Self funding? If my wife would tell me that I would tell her tO start paying for her own tampons.

 

[christopher.layton]

Anyway, as has been mentioned, I'd skip putting the car inside. If you're not restoring it or it's not your hobby why bother? Space is already at a premium so why add another constraint?

Thanks for the response! I have been inspired by your skill and creativity.
I feel like I'm just starting to work through the space issues. It's one thing to imagine a space filled with tools, another to actually work in one. Realistically, the car won't go in the garage, and certainly won't live there. I do think that keeping the garage mostly open allows for the space to transform from "dimensioning" to "lay-out" to "finishing" more easily. We'll see if it plays out that way.

 

[christopher.layton]

Nice workshop!

As for the dado blade, I always use 2 or 3 saw blades on the table saw this works just fine for what I need from it. I use the trick I found on woodgears.ca:
http://woodgears.ca/shop-tricks/dado.html

On the same site I also found plans for a cheap cyclone dust collector:
http://woodgears.ca/dust_collector/index.html

Thanks! I ended up going with the Freud Dado blade. The price was right and it's working well for me. Thank's for the link on the cyclone. The DIY approach may be a good avenue.

 

[christopher.layton]

Another day another cart. This time a cart for the planer (withe a biscuit joiner below).

It’s exciting to see the jointer and planer nested where I had originally envisioned them.

It’s really starting to come together. Sure, there are many ways this doesn’t yet meet my vision for the garage, Its exciting to step out into the garage these days: it’s really starting to feel (and smell) like a woodshop.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Your set up is looking great, well done

The Ridgid planer you have is very similar to my Ryobi, how do you find it?

Regards

 

[HSpencer]

Absolutely loving your shop. Everything is so neat and well organized. I especially like the tool set up and storage. It would be very comfortable working in there. Keep posting your improvements so we here on the GJ can steal them!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[transplant_wi]

You can build your own Thien baffle - it's not all that difficult with the info available on the web. Here's what I did to my dust collector. Almost no dust passes through the separator, so the cartridge filter does not get clogged. I agree with the multi-pronged approach to dust capture.

 

[Dirk Thelen]

Thanks! I ended up going with the Freud Dado blade. The price was right and it's working well for me. Thank's for the link on the cyclone. The DIY approach may be a good avenue.

You're welcome. For me the small dimensions where key, my shop space is only 9' x 10' so therefor I try to keep everything as compact as possible. And this particular extractor can travel with me in the back of my van.

 

[christopher.layton]

That's a really cool dust collector you've made. Did you document the build somewhere?Where did you get your cartridge filter? Given the prices on commercially-made cyclones I may end up going the direction you did.

 

[christopher.layton]

Your set up is looking great, well done

The Ridgid planer you have is very similar to my Ryobi, how do you find it?

Regards

I only just got the planer, and used it once. The knives weren't as sharp as the seller claimed. I did tell my wife that this is the tool where I notice the biggest difference between the tools I used to work on and the smaller ones I'm getting for the garage. Not in terms of capacity (13" is fine) but in terms of power. Sometime this week I am going to tear into some redwood (for a picnic table), and will let you know how that goes.
By the way, I am loving your outside woodshop ideas: the clean air and natural light are seriously valuable commodities.

 

[captain14]

Do you have a work table set up in the middle of the shop to assemble the projects? Access to all sides make it easier to work on. Maybe something collapsible sheen not in use?

Just a thought.

 

[christopher.layton]

Do you have a work table set up in the middle of the shop to assemble the projects? Access to all sides make it easier to work on. Maybe something collapsible sheen not in use?

Just a thought.

I definitely need something like that. Right now I have some plywood thrown on sawhorses. I plan on making something that I can move around and store out of the way, like this:

It will function both as a layout and assembly table and also the outfeed table for the table saw.

 

[Nolift911]

Great use of space - love your website as well, looks like good things to come out of this shop!

What do you think I that Delta bench top drill press? I have one as well and while it serves its purpose, seems...not right? Can't really put my finger on it...not accurate, flimsy? Would like to get another opinion...

 

[christopher.layton]

Great use of space - love your website as well, looks like good things to come out of this shop!

What do you think I that Delta bench top drill press? I have one as well and while it serves its purpose, seems...not right? Can't really put my finger on it...not accurate, flimsy? Would like to get another opinion...

Thanks! We're definitely just getting going with both the shop and website, and the encouragement sure helps.
Mostly I think the drill press is too small. I didn't realize how small it was until I met the guy who was selling it on Craigslist. But for $40 I figured it would last for a while and I can always sell it for at least that. I think that the small size really gives it the sensation of not being robust. I haven't noticed any issues with accuracy though.

 

[aggierailroad]

Site is nice. I have to ask, did you machine cut those dovetails, if so, what jig?

 

[christopher.layton]

Site is nice. I have to ask, did you machine cut those dovetails, if so, what jig?

Thanks! I did use a dovetail jig. Nothing fancy, something the same design as this one. It takes a lot of fiddling to get it set up.
I think the nicer ones are easier to set up quickly, and allow for some variation, e.g., through or half-blind. At some point I'd like to get a Leigh jig, which allows adjusting the pins' spacing.

 

[Notgrownup]

Nice, I plan on eventually having my 24x24 set up for some woodworking....I always have enjoyed it and have only built miniature stuff for my grand daughters dolls ....it's very therapeutic....

 

[transplant_wi]

I got the filter cartridge from Wynn Environmental - they have a page with several options and info on retrofitting your DC. I also spoke directly with Mr. Wynn, who was very helpful. I used somebody else's build thread on the Thien baffle forum - IIRC it is a 'top hat' build.

 

[Modern Jess]

I definitely need something like that. Right now I have some plywood thrown on sawhorses. I plan on making something that I can move around and store out of the way, like this:

I'm not sure whether you're a fan of track saws or the Festool kind of approach to woodworking, but there's a pretty nifty portable workbench design out there called the MFTC -- Multifunction Tool Cart. It's a workbench, a track saw cutting table, and an all-around clever contraption. The guy that developed it sells the plans, and many have been built. Pretty easy to customize to your specific needs, too.

The MFTC is on my short list, as I'm a big fan of using a track saw for sheet goods (I have a DeWalt track saw).

 

[rieferman]

Hey! I haven't been into your thread for awhile so it was really fun to read through all the progress. Looking good!

Regarding the fine dust issue... Definitely a concern woodworkers should have in mind, so I'm happy to hear that you're thinking about it.

In my opinion, Thien baffle + exhausting outside (rather than through internal filter of any sort) + air cleaner = success. Also, 6" pipe rather than 4" pipe is much more effective. I have yet to upgrade to 6" pipe, and have yet to get the air cleaner, but wear a mask when I'm in serious work mode to compensate.

I bought the harbor freight DC and reconfigured the hardware that it comes with to create a thien setup in a very small footprint. I'd like to "pretty it up" someday, but it's just so darn effective, it never works its way to the top of the to-do list. If you're curious:

bob's dust collector mod

 

[transplant_wi]

One more thought, prompted by rieferman - if you build a Thien baffle, make it tall enough to accommodate a 6" inlet. I put a 4" inlet into a removable plate on mine in case I wanted to upgrade later.

You can also build your own air cleaner by building a plywood box around a used or salvaged furnace blower, pulling air through a couple of pleated furnace filters. I put a 'clockwork' timer switch on it, so it runs for 15 min and then shuts-down. I also changed the wiring so it ran at a lower (and quieter) speed.

Before I invested in a Festool sander and vac I tried to do much of my sanding outside, or with a mask inside. With the Festool I can sand indoors with almost no mess escaping.

 

[christopher.layton]

Over this week I made the drawers for the router table cart. Got all the pieces sized down and machined.

I dry fit the drawers and learned that the cheapo drawer slides I bought require that I trim down the sides and back so I can work around the wheel. Fortunately It didn’t take that long and I hadn’t glued everything together yet!

Hardware on and loaded up!

 

[christopher.layton]

One more thought, prompted by rieferman - if you build a Thien baffle, make it tall enough to accommodate a 6" inlet. I put a 4" inlet into a removable plate on mine in case I wanted to upgrade later.

You can also build your own air cleaner by building a plywood box around a used or salvaged furnace blower, pulling air through a couple of pleated furnace filters. I put a 'clockwork' timer switch on it, so it runs for 15 min and then shuts-down. I also changed the wiring so it ran at a lower (and quieter) speed.

Before I invested in a Festool sander and vac I tried to do much of my sanding outside, or with a mask inside. With the Festool I can sand indoors with almost no mess escaping.

Thanks for the ideas, and for the comment. I like putting idea of putting the air cleaner on a timer. It doesn't seem like too much work to modify the switch I made for that purpose.

The Fein Vac works much in the same way as the Festool Vacs: it's such a nice feeling to sand without making any mess.

 

[christopher.layton]

Hey! I haven't been into your thread for awhile so it was really fun to read through all the progress. Looking good!

Regarding the fine dust issue... Definitely a concern woodworkers should have in mind, so I'm happy to hear that you're thinking about it.

In my opinion, Thien baffle + exhausting outside (rather than through internal filter of any sort) + air cleaner = success. Also, 6" pipe rather than 4" pipe is much more effective. I have yet to upgrade to 6" pipe, and have yet to get the air cleaner, but wear a mask when I'm in serious work mode to compensate.

I bought the harbor freight DC and reconfigured the hardware that it comes with to create a thien setup in a very small footprint. I'd like to "pretty it up" someday, but it's just so darn effective, it never works its way to the top of the to-do list. If you're curious:

bob's dust collector mod

Thanks for stopping by! I have seen some of the HF DC transformations online, and I like the look of yours. My neighbors might not take kindly on venting the exhaust outside though. But I agree, that is the best solution.

 

[HSpencer]

Have you used the bosch router table enough yet to review and rate it? I am interested in a new one, and not sure what I need to get. The cart you made for the router table is fantastic!! Great job!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[rieferman]

My neighbors might not take kindly on venting the exhaust outside though. But I agree, that is the best solution.

You're right, that nearby neighbors would be a concern for external exhaust setups, but primarily for noise output reasons rather than the dust output.

The external vent on my setup appears to be blowing out nothing at all when running (because all the visible dust falls into the catcher due to the Thien baffle) but it does sound like a small shop vac humming. After a few years of my setup, there's no fine dust build up visible on the side of my building or nearby.

My neighbor's house is about 50 feet from my external exhaust, and it's barely audible from that distance. Closer proximity neighbors could possibly be nearer to the annoying zone, but I'll say that most of my equipment running in my shop is noisier through the shop walls than the DC exhaust.

Great posts, keep them coming! You do really nice work!

 

[christopher.layton]

Thanks for the kind words, Herb. I haven't used it enough to give you a solid review. It seems like a nice compromise (slotting well below a full-blown router table in price and size). The asking price might be a bit high, though, if you're willing to find a more robust table used. I found my Bosch table for $50 used, which I couldn't pass up.I know you're watching the space real carefully, so the Bosch might be a winning solution.

Have you used the bosch router table enough yet to review and rate it? I am interested in a new one, and not sure what I need to get. The cart you made for the router table is fantastic!! Great job!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[christopher.layton]

Nice, I plan on eventually having my 24x24 set up for some woodworking....I always have enjoyed it and have only built miniature stuff for my grand daughters dolls ....it's very therapeutic....

Thanks for the comment. I find woodworking a great outlet for my creative side. I look forward to seeing what you come up with, shop wise.

 

[christopher.layton]

hmm. I am going to have to think about this. I had leaned away from the DIY solutions, but I'll have to think about whether I could pull off something like what you're describing. I have head of people building a sort of muffler for the external exhaust. The house next door to mine (on the garage side, anyway) is vacant (wish the owner would just sell it rather than letting it deteriorate), but only 10ft away. Urban living, alas.

 

[christopher.layton]

Thanks, I think you guys are pushing me in the DIY direction!