New Saw to the Second Floor

[Jim Bennett]

One of the problems with living in the city is space. My small lot meant I needed to put my shop in above my garage. Not a big deal - but I had to make some special arrangements to get my new SawStop upstairs!

[Jim Rimmer]

Makes the thread about just getting it off the truck a waste of time. :D

[Thomas Bank]

Yep! Renting a forklift (or having access to one) does come in handy!

My access is through an internal trap door, but I had to do the same thing to get the planer, wide-belt sander, and powdercoating oven up to the woodshop as well as move a 1.5 ton surface plate into the downstairs shop to use as a welding table.

[Alan Schaffter]

With that big opening you could build and install a folding I-beam with hoist like I did. I used it to haul all my machines and supplies up to my second story shop, including the old 20" Delta planer that weighs close to 1500#!

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[Jim Bennett]

Alan,
You definately have a slick system. I actually found a write up of your shop online and have a copy of it in my "Hoist" folder. Since I didn't work this issue before pulling permits, it didn't make it into the initial shop construction.

What I've considered doing is simply putting in a beam through the wall supported by the 2X12 door headers (and the ceiling joints) with a fixed electric chain hoist mounted outside. I'd have a dormer roof extend out over the hoist to protect it and the doors from the weather. The hoist wouldn't slide into the shop -- I'd have to swing any load in before lowering it. I'm not sure this "swing the load in" part would work for a heavy piece of equipment, but I think it would be fine for plywood and lighter loads.

For the short term I'll probably do nothing. I need to actually use the shop more and work on it less!

[Don Bullock]

Jim, that new shiny black and red SawStop looks great in your shop. Your shop, however, looks far too clean. :eek: You need to start cutting wood with your new saw and mess that shop up some.;):D

[Joe Mioux]

those are some pretty cool ideas for vertical moving...

joe

[Jim Bennett]

Don,
I promise you, I just came in from a glue up and the shop doesn't look anything like that picture. I ripped some 8/4 purple heart and maple and there is no comparison between this saw and my old Ryobi!

However, prior to the SawStop, my most expensive tool was my Oneida dust collection system - so you can't blame me for cleaning up once in a while!

[Alan Schaffter]

I need to actually use the shop more and work on it less!

I know how that goes! One benefit of a shop full of neat stuff, is I've been able to parlay it into a couple of magazine articles and a contest win- all of which have helped pay for more tools, etc.

[Don Bullock]

Don,
... I ripped some 8/4 purple heart and maple and there is no comparison between this saw and my old Ryobi!

However, prior to the SawStop, my most expensive tool was my Oneida dust collection system - so you can't blame me for cleaning up once in a while!

Oh, I fully agree with you on the saw. I stepped up to a SawStop 5hp ICS with an Incra fence from a 1970s vintage Craftsman contractors saw. Wow, what a difference that was! Just recently, because I'm finally done with a lot of carpentry projects and my contractors are finished using the saw, I replaced the SawStop blade a new Forest WWII blade. I couldn't believe the difference. It cut through the walnut I'm using for table legs like a hot knife through butter. The SawStop is by far the most expensive piece of wwing equipment in my shop but it was well worth the price. Enjoy your new saw and keep the sawdust flowing through your DC system.:D

[Jim Rimmer]

I know how that goes! One benefit of a shop full of neat stuff, is I've been able to parlay it into a couple of magazine articles and a contest win- all of which have helped pay for more tools, etc.
Just looked at one of my Dec/Jan mags last night (don't remember which one) and saw your shop in it. I recognizrd the hoist/beam in the second fllor door. Will read it tonight. Didn't you also have an article or video about your auto blast gates?

[Alan Schaffter]

Just looked at one of my Dec/Jan mags last night (don't remember which one) and saw your shop in it. I recognized the hoist/beam in the second fllor door. Will read it tonight. Didn't you also have an article or video about your auto blast gates?

Yup, I've been busy and had a number of things published by AWW and have some videos on their website. Last year this time I had a big, two-part article published about torsion boxes and my adjustable height assembly table, earlier this fall I had a small article how to build a blast gate published, and this month my shop was in the "My Shop" section of the mag. In addition to a few tips published in other mags, I earned a Top Tip from AWW in Sept. There are videos of my automatic DC system (http://videos.americanwoodworker.com/video/Automatic-Dust-Collection), adjustable height assembly table (http://videos.americanwoodworker.com/video/AWW-Adjustable-Height-Assembl-2), and adjustable height woodworking bench (http://videos.americanwoodworker.com/video/Adjustable-Height-Woodworking-B) on the AWW website.