Above 1200 Sq/FT Plugger Workshop

[Prospecter]

Drives:

Toasty warm here. Lots of insulation, lots of firewood, and two wood stoves to supplement. Heat pumps do the bulk of the work though.

Light is good. The more vintage I get, the more I appreciate good lighting. I am looking forward to your build. Good luck on conquering your FSD!

Good to know about the Monarchs. Tending them is just something we've always enjoyed doing. 42 years and counting!

 

[Jacko264]

hi mate Im glad your keeping nice and worm and cosy
stay safe and hope the sun comes out to play
Graham

 

[Prospecter]

Tiller progress. . . I removed the cover for the gear case. I only needed to check the condition of the gears and make sure everything lined up correctly after I replaced the drive axle seals. I finally was able to remove the tine holders. The induction bolt heater is nifty, and would work well on seized bolts, but the tine holder is too much mass for it. In the end, a combination of an air hammer with pickle fork, and my flame weeder did the deed. Tine holder on the ground in the last photo.

 

[Prospecter]

Puttering about in the shop, I was feeling the clutter and tight spaces. I moved some of my cabinets closer to the wall. That added 8" to my aisle space, and removed 8" of flat surface that tends to collect "Stuff." I am also reluctantly giving up my Delta Multiplex Radial Arm Saw, which frees up space both below and above the counter, removes some more flat surface. It also inspired me to make some improvements to dust collection and get both miter saws up where they easy to use. I added some shelves above the "Dirty" bench for oils and sprays.

 

[Prospecter]

A few more pics of the project. I will head out today to do some picking up.

 

[drivesitfar]

I like the at the ready pvc holders for your drills. I couldn’t see brand name but guessing Makita? How many volt batteries and do the batteries provide an hour or so charge?

I’m sure the old radial saws had their use cause a lot of woodworkers owned them but to me they seemed very dangerous especially if kids were around and wanted to use them unsupervised.

I’m not sure you have the room but I’ve seen many table saws built into a workbench with a miter saw built in it too.

I’ve never used the tool that looks like a tuning fork but love the little extra heat method with your propane weed torch.

Nice work!!

 

[Jeff Ivers]

That looks like a lot of work to improve the efficiency of your space and it looks like it was worth it. Were the vertical dividers removable for ease of sawing or did you have to use something like an oscillating saw on them in place?

 

[Prospecter]

Thank you, Drives. Most of my battery tools are Metabo HPT / Hitachi. 18v. I've had good luck with them for many years. My routine is to charge batteries once per month. Generally, the drills and drivers don't need recharging more than that. They also have good battery life for a big project, like screwing down a deck. The smallest batteries are 24a. and the largest are 54. I also have a few Bauer and Dewalt platform tools, that perform in similar ways. Bauer is good for tools I don't use much and can't get in HPT. Dewalt is also good for something I can't get in HPT, and want better than Bauer.

I only use RAS for crosscuts and dados, and always use a negative angle blade which is designed for them. The Delta Multiplex runs smoothly. Yes, scary, but so are old school table saws.

Those table saws built into a bench are clever. My miter saws and the green WT drill press base are all at the same height, so they can serve as extended benches for each other. Maybe some day I will build a fancy fence for them. I have a Sawstop Cabinet saw with a combination outfield / assembly table. Very luxurious, and I am spoiled rotten, but I love it!

The "Tuning Fork" tool is an air hammer. It does for hammering what an impact wrench does for wrenching. Takes different "bits." The fork is really for removing tie rods, but was a good shape for removing the tine holders.

I've been enjoying your organizing lately. In fact that had a lot to do with getting me to think about my own situation.

 

[Prospecter]

That looks like a lot of work to improve the efficiency of your space and it looks like it was worth it. Were the vertical dividers removable for ease of sawing or did you have to use something like an oscillating saw on them in place?

It took a couple days. Nice way to pass cold winter days. The changes make it easier to move around, and reduce minor irritations and inconveniences.

I assume by dividers, you mean the dust shrouds? Those are very flimsy, and attached with a minimum of screws. Easy to take down. A little more difficult to rebuild to better fit the miter saws, but not bad. The carpentry is crude. Some day a major rebuild will be more work, but for now, I tried to work with what I have so the project did not get out of hand.

 

[sawduststeve]

Noooo, not the radial arm saw.

Thats a beaut, can cut way more material than a chop saw. Literally every piece of material that comes out of the rack, its first stop is cut to length at the RAS. And safe also, hands well away from the blade, unlike the dangerous table saws.

Very (VERY) nice set up.

Steve

 

[drivesitfar]

Of course our resident woodworker from London would say a radial saw is safe and I’m sure you probably never had an issue either. That said a spinning saw blade next to my head at my gramps house 60+ years ago does have some frightening thoughts in my head still.

I do have a matebo (sp?) 4.5 inch grinder that works great. We don’t see many of them here and if I recall correctly they are German made?

Happy to hear you have the battery situation figured cause with Ryobi I’m constantly having to remove batteries from my tools and keep the tools from draining the batteries while just sitting.

Sawstop sounds awesome!!

Stay warm but don’t use the torch (hee hee)

 

[kaymccampbell]

I feel bad for your RAS. Mine is still in the long bench, and gets almost as much use as the chopsaw next to it. I'm not giving it up.

 

[sawduststeve]

I feel bad for your RAS. Mine is still in the long bench, and gets almost as much use as the chopsaw next to it. I'm not giving it up.

Absolutely, gotta have a long bench

 

[kaymccampbell]

Absolutely, gotta have a long bench

This is all I've got. Yours is long.

 

[Prospecter]

Absolutely, gotta have a long bench

It was a very difficult choice, for all the reasons you mention. Love your setup. I use similar style bench legs so I can store bins on wheels and, of course, my tool chests. I am looking forward to your home setup, now that you are retired.

 

[Prospecter]

I feel bad for your RAS. Mine is still in the long bench, and gets almost as much use as the chopsaw next to it. I'm not giving it up.

The RAS is a nice and capable saw. The Delta Mulltiplex 12" just glides through the wood with minimal effort. Dewalts are probably similar. Frank Howarth has several and seems to like his. I used mine a lot, and will miss it.

Edit to add that what you have accomplished with your shop is amazing!

 

[Prospecter]

Of course our resident woodworker from London would say a radial saw is safe and I’m sure you probably never had an issue either. That said a spinning saw blade next to my head at my gramps house 60+ years ago does have some frightening thoughts in my head still.

I do have a matebo (sp?) 4.5 inch grinder that works great. We don’t see many of them here and if I recall correctly they are German made?

Stay warm but don’t use the torch (hee hee)

Can't be too careful in the shop! Oddly, my most serious injury in the shop was at the table saw. (The reason for the SawStop.) I will say about an RAS that I always knew my right hand was safe because it was on the handle, and that positioning forced my left arm to the side.

That Metabo grinder is a great tool. I've used, but not owned one too. My green tools are all Hitachi, though sometimes incognito as HPT since the merger with Metabo. The HTP tools are a good price point for me. A little savings over Dewalt, and I like how work. Probably similar to Ryobi to you. I have several Ryobi corded tools and like them fine. (I have an irrational dislike of Milwaukee since they were bought out. It's how Old Man Syndrome manifests in me.

Love the progress in your shop!

 

[Prospecter]

I have several projects going, which gives me something to do on one project while waiting on something for another project.

Forced Spring bulbs. These will get planted when the ground thaws. Gives us a taste of Spring even though there is snow outside.

As part of my shop organization efforts, I took two buckets of offcuts and scraps to the basement to burn.

First "bud" of the season emerged from under the snow.

Two shots comparing old T8 fluorescent with new LED line voltage bulbs. The LED bulbs are 18w v. 32w for the T8. The changeover should safe 1.5 KWH per day, and give me a brighter shop.

 

[Prospecter]

Boat House (shop addition) lighting project. I picked up some free T-12 fixtures on Marketplace. The tombstones for T-12 are the same size as T-8, and match the LED type B line voltage conversion tubes. Remove the ballasts. Red and Blue wires to Black. Yellow wires to white. Install LED tubes, and done.

Miter Saws. Installed zero clearance plates in the 10" and 12".

I picked up an old metal kitchen base cabinet on Marketplace. A little red paint since that is the shop cabinet color, and done. There are so many tool chest colors these days. When I started picking up cabinets the choice was red. Or sometimes black, though with a lot less selection. Used cabinets were also mostly red, so my choice was made for me. The red Rustoleum is surprisingly close to US General red. I rolled and brushed to avoid the hassle of spraying in the shop, but in the cool temperatures in the shop the paint flattened out reasonably will. Good enough for my shop, anyway.

 

[drivesitfar]

I bet it’s bright in the shop now. Well done!!

I’m a fan of old metal cabinets and nice that you made time to paint it to match your toolboxes before you filled it up.

Stay warm and enjoy the day

 

[jon72vega]

Good on the lights.
As my fluorescent tubes go bad, I have been replacing them with LEDs.
Makes quite a difference.

 

[Prospecter]

Thank you to all of you regulars who stop by from time to time. Your visits and comments are much appreciated.

February Project Update:

Not pictured: Much moving of snow. PT twice a week.
We have a flock of Bluebirds that are over wintering with us this year.
The LED replacement project in the workshop has made a huge difference. Brighter, half the energy use, ballasts and tubes recycled appropriately, lamp housings reused and kept out of the landfill.
All my tool storage has updated, larger labels. My catchall section is heavily influenced by GJ.
Mia specially loves these mornings when her sunspot is on the rug in front of the woodstove.
Turkeys are pretty smart. They have been parading single file so the leaders can break trail through the snow for the rest of the flock. They avoid the deeper snow as much as they can. They also make good use of the plowed grassy areas to look for food.
I bought a random orbital sander, which replaced the tiny belt sander. The ROS forced me to adjust the various sander garages that capture most of the dust. The garages are sized so I can push the sanders completely inside when not using them, and pull them out for use.

 

[jon72vega]

I like everything you have going on!
What kind of a bird is this?

Mia looks content.

 

[Prospecter]

Whoops1 Forgot to upload the pictures! Can't leave out the pictures!

More turkey pictures.
In early January I mailed my sails to SailCare to be refreshed. They repaired worn spots and tears, added telltales, replaced the "windows," washed, and recoated. They are clean and white! Very excited to start sailing season!
The next phase of the LED project is to install lighting in the Boat House addition. (The excessively long wires still need to be pulled through some additional EMT.)
Snow needed to be pushed back and stacked higher so it melts slower.
The tiller has wheels and tines installed, and is on the floor/off the lift.
The Radial Arm Saw is off to a new home. Picked up yesterday. The new owner has a lift gate on his truck, which was a huge help.
I am building some stepping blocks for Annabelle. It is getting hard to make the jump to bed and daybed. This one turned into a prototype. The blocks are supposed to be 2'x3', not 2'x4'. I also need to make the sides go lower so Misha won't hide underneath and attack Annabelle as she is climbing up.

 

[Prospecter]

That is a Blue Bird. Kind of like a small Robin with blue coloration. Kind of rare. In '85 we did not have any. Over the years they have been frequent tenants in our bird houses. Last year, we had one or two over winter. This is the first time we have had a flock over winter. They are also native to Michigan, so you might be able to attract some nesting pairs if you are so inclined. It is helpful to provide two nesting boxes maybe 20' apart. Tree swallows are territorial and will occupy one box while protecting the Blue Birds in the other box.

Mia does enjoy the wood stove. She is ready for Spring and often tries slip out the door. She comes right back in when she encounters the cold and snow.

 

[Jayman17]

I converted some old fluorescent fixtures to LED for my garage as well and they are a big improvement over the old 8' fluorescent fixtures.
I switched to 4' fixtures and added more of them. Picked them up for free on CL. Much brighter now and no humming sound.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Your labels remind me I need to start my labeling project.

 

[Prospecter]

I converted some old fluorescent fixtures to LED for my garage as well and they are a big improvement over the old 8' fluorescent fixtures.
I switched to 4' fixtures and added more of them. Picked them up for free on CL. Much brighter now and no humming sound.

Jayman - Thanks for checking in. Should have known someone would have thought of doing that before me. I'm waiting for some replacement tombstones. It should warm up pretty soon so I can get out to the Boathouse Addition to finish up some stuff, including the rest of the lighting project.

 

[Prospecter]

Your labels remind me I need to start my labeling project.

Thank you, Kay. With your highly organized shop that's a nice compliment.

 

[Prospecter]

Much purging, sorting, cleaning going on. Nothing photo worthy, but it is nice to be in a clean, sorted shop. I finished a few projects. All the maple firewood is planed 2 sides. I finished assembling the tiller, and am relieved that it runs as it should. The RAS is gone. Sold to a couple guys older than me who came with a truck with a lift gate. Put together a couple steps for an aging in place dog. The plywood is leftovers, and oriented for best usage, rather than grain alignment.

 

[drivesitfar]

Congrats on all the shop organizing and it looks like the tape and sharpie labeling of drawers had a nice upgrade with printed labels.

I’m guessing you’re going to make something fun since you’re planing maple firewood or do tell?

 

[Prospecter]

Congrats on as ll the shop organizing and it looks like the tape and sharpie labeling of drawers had a nice upgrade with printed labels.

I’m guessing you’re going to make something fun since you’re planing maple firewood or do tell?

"Something fun" is as far as we have gotten. The wood is from the tree that help up a much loved fort at one time. We kept a few pieces rough. Beyond that we still need to figure out something cool to do with it. After all, it is only 25ish years since we took down the tree! Cannot rush these things.

Thank you for stopping by.

 

[rharman]

< snip >
Put together a couple steps for an aging in place dog. The plywood is leftovers, and oriented for best usage, rather than grain alignment.



< /snip >

About 25 years ago, I built box steps like that for our two aging beagles. One flat and a couple of 2-step variations. Used an 18'x36' carpet rug to top them.

To this day, I consider those steps the best thing I have ever built. Brought many a tear to my eyes watching them use the steps to get on the couch or bed.

They've been gone for over 20 years now but we still have the steps. Our cat uses this one for sharpening his claws and hanging out.

 

[Prospecter]

RHARMON: The 18x36 with two steps would be perfect for beagles. I like the dimensions and execution of yours. Dogs become part of our hearts and souls. Mine are for our Grand-dog. She's perhaps mostly pointer? As with most rescues, it's a guess. She lives with a playful cat, who likes to leap out and "attack", so not giving him a space to hide beneath is a consideration. Your design would accomplish that, too. The Grand-cat also likes to take possession from time to time.

Thanks for checking in.

 

[Prospecter]

It's dark to take pictures in the Boathouse. I had the heat going, too. I used the engine lift with the green extension to hold the plywood panels in place while I nail them up. I actually switched to screws to spare my bad shoulder. I try to do 2-3 panels a day, and switch to something else afterwards.

The furniture projects are a "something else" project. The two dining room chairs go with the oak table I did last year. Still need finish, caning, and seat covers. The chair with the band clamps wouldn't be worth fixing except for sentimental reasons. Glue and filler hold the seat together. Someone before me glued some of the dowels in backwards, and the bottom rungs are mismatched. Belongs on the Island for Lost Chairs.

We have had a quick thaw. Daytime temps in the 50s. The fog on the nearby marsh is from the cold snow and ice and warm air. Ice on the stream is beginning to break up. Still plenty of snow and ice in The County though.

 

[Prospecter]

Back home.
Sunrise snuck above the horizon and beneath the cloud cover to briefly turn Mack Mountain orange.
Almost 60 yesterday. I opened up the shop windows and doors, since it was warmer outside than in.
Ended the day with a spectacular sunset as the sun slipped below the clouds before it dropped behind Mack Mountain.

 

[zanyad]

GORGEOUS!

 

[Prospecter]

GORGEOUS!

Thank you. We've lived here a long time and seen our share of nice sunsets, but this one was spectacular. Thanks for checking in.

 

[drivesitfar]

Gorgeous sunset. Is the saying red sky at night sailers delight and red sky in the morning sailers take warning true?

Glad to hear you’re having a bit of a heat wave and hoping spring is not far away. It’s crazy good weather over on this side of the USA and I think it’s forecast to be mid 60’s next week.

Are you hoping to get lights and heat in your boat’s garage this year? No pressure but I know you’d like a bit of heat over there to do some things during the winters.

Have a grand day!!

 

[Just Puttering]

Thank you. We've lived here a long time and seen our share of nice sunsets

Wow, you certainly found yourselves a wonderful piece of paradise!