T.J. Mahaffey
02-27-2006, 5:31 PM
I started essentially 'building' my shop in Fall of 2004 by adding a slab, furring strips and plywood facing the walls. This led to my first good table saw and a string of really lucky machinery deals. I'm outfitted to fill my needs for the forseeable future.
Along the way, I've set up my shop with found cabinetry I bought for a song at auctions and thrift stores. This has served me well my first year (04 - 05), but up through last month there have always been compromises. Since I didn't build the cabinets, I'm always having to work around their designs and shortcomings. Too tall, too short, odd shape, etc. I'm not complaining, believe me, I've been very, very lucky.
But each time I think my arrangement and setup is in a good state and ready for a 'real' project, I start on one and end up running into my shop's workflow shortcomings. Also, I'm now in need of a revised arrangement into which I can install some DC duct work and get my new DC into service. I've tried to fight the urge to essentially rebuild my shop for months, but it finally got the best of me last weekend. I have a very obsessive side and my creativity and focus cannot work if my mind is distracted by things not having their place.:o
A week ago today (Monday, Feb.20), I succumbed to this urge and started planning an entirely new arrangement and custom cabinets. So far, I think its going to work out great. (And I feel like putting all other projects on hold for now, while I do this, will pay dividends in productivity and enjoyment in thend. Here's hoping.:o )
Historically, I've bought plywood from Lowe's. But now that I know a bit more about such things, I decided to price plywood at a hardwood place up the street from my office. Wow! I was able to get this poplar 3/4" 4x8' sheet plywood for $25/per sheet. That's $15/per sheet LESS than I paid Lowe's for birch ply and it seems to be of comparable quality. Definitely good for shop cabinets.
First thing Saturday, I moved out a bunch of loose or mobile tools to make room to handle 4x8' sheets of poplar 3/4" plywood. This isn't a simple feat in a 17x17' shop. About 2 years ago, the 'Old Me' would have been very impatient and tried running these sheets through the table saw unaided. (Tough very dangerous. Don't ask me how I know that.) However, I'm mostly a different person now, and have gained some patience thanks to the many lessons I've learned in this time. So, instead I took the time to set up a folding table as an infeed, raised on some bricks, and used my Workmate as an outfeed.
http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/infeed_setup.jpg
The setup above has been one of the smartest things I've ever done. And let me tell you, I won't try to rip large sheets any other way again. Wow. Its still tricky to get those suckers on the table, but after that, things are a breeze.
So, here are my cabinet parts all cut as of late Saturday afternoon.
http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/parts_cut.jpg
My cabinets are based on a plan from American Woodworker. (Spring, 05 sometime)
The picture above shows the main carcass parts cut and ready to go.
By Sat. evening, I had the base constructed and leveled.
Yesterday (Sunday) around noon, here's my weekend's progress:
http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/boxes_done.jpg
I followed the suggestions made in the plans (another first for me. lol) and built a rectangular box equal to the width of the top and bottom panels. This was a HUGE help and allowed me to clamp the panels together while leaving my hands free to screw, countersink and glue.
I'm pretty happy with the progress. When I'm in the shop, I start thinking ahead by several projects and often get frustrated when I'm not able to build Rome in a day. However, I've learned that if I set smaller, more realistic and visible goals, I'm just as happy with my progress.
Getting the shop arrangement reconfigured, nonessential tools temporarily moved and carcasses and base assembled (minus the backs) were my goals. And I achieved them.
Thanks for letting me vent a bit.
Along the way, I've set up my shop with found cabinetry I bought for a song at auctions and thrift stores. This has served me well my first year (04 - 05), but up through last month there have always been compromises. Since I didn't build the cabinets, I'm always having to work around their designs and shortcomings. Too tall, too short, odd shape, etc. I'm not complaining, believe me, I've been very, very lucky.
But each time I think my arrangement and setup is in a good state and ready for a 'real' project, I start on one and end up running into my shop's workflow shortcomings. Also, I'm now in need of a revised arrangement into which I can install some DC duct work and get my new DC into service. I've tried to fight the urge to essentially rebuild my shop for months, but it finally got the best of me last weekend. I have a very obsessive side and my creativity and focus cannot work if my mind is distracted by things not having their place.:o
A week ago today (Monday, Feb.20), I succumbed to this urge and started planning an entirely new arrangement and custom cabinets. So far, I think its going to work out great. (And I feel like putting all other projects on hold for now, while I do this, will pay dividends in productivity and enjoyment in thend. Here's hoping.:o )
Historically, I've bought plywood from Lowe's. But now that I know a bit more about such things, I decided to price plywood at a hardwood place up the street from my office. Wow! I was able to get this poplar 3/4" 4x8' sheet plywood for $25/per sheet. That's $15/per sheet LESS than I paid Lowe's for birch ply and it seems to be of comparable quality. Definitely good for shop cabinets.
First thing Saturday, I moved out a bunch of loose or mobile tools to make room to handle 4x8' sheets of poplar 3/4" plywood. This isn't a simple feat in a 17x17' shop. About 2 years ago, the 'Old Me' would have been very impatient and tried running these sheets through the table saw unaided. (Tough very dangerous. Don't ask me how I know that.) However, I'm mostly a different person now, and have gained some patience thanks to the many lessons I've learned in this time. So, instead I took the time to set up a folding table as an infeed, raised on some bricks, and used my Workmate as an outfeed.
http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/infeed_setup.jpg
The setup above has been one of the smartest things I've ever done. And let me tell you, I won't try to rip large sheets any other way again. Wow. Its still tricky to get those suckers on the table, but after that, things are a breeze.
So, here are my cabinet parts all cut as of late Saturday afternoon.
http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/parts_cut.jpg
My cabinets are based on a plan from American Woodworker. (Spring, 05 sometime)
The picture above shows the main carcass parts cut and ready to go.
By Sat. evening, I had the base constructed and leveled.
Yesterday (Sunday) around noon, here's my weekend's progress:
http://workshop.tjmahaffey.com/workshop/img/tmp/boxes_done.jpg
I followed the suggestions made in the plans (another first for me. lol) and built a rectangular box equal to the width of the top and bottom panels. This was a HUGE help and allowed me to clamp the panels together while leaving my hands free to screw, countersink and glue.
I'm pretty happy with the progress. When I'm in the shop, I start thinking ahead by several projects and often get frustrated when I'm not able to build Rome in a day. However, I've learned that if I set smaller, more realistic and visible goals, I'm just as happy with my progress.
Getting the shop arrangement reconfigured, nonessential tools temporarily moved and carcasses and base assembled (minus the backs) were my goals. And I achieved them.
Thanks for letting me vent a bit.