Matt Meiser
10-11-2006, 9:47 AM
As I announced in another thread, I'm scaling back my shop to make room for other hobbies. I'm looking for some feedback on my plan. Since we pretty much have a house full of furniture, the projects I envision doing are more cabinetry projects (bath cabinets, office furniture maybe, small things here an there.)
I don't want to turn this into an EZ thread, but I plan make the EZ Smart system a key part of the scaled back shop. I already have the rails, table, and square. I'm thinking I should add the parts for the smart clamping system, cabinet maker, and the router guide. This will give me the capabilities for ripping smaller parts, making dados, cutting panels easier, etc.
For making mortises I've got a jig I previously made to use with the plunge router. For tenons, I plan to keep my bandsaw which will also give me the ability to make rip cuts in heavier stock that a circular saw might not like. I don't think I need a table saw if I do this.
I'd like to get rid of my jointer. Doing that, I envision that I would stright line rip with the EZ system, then clean up the cut as necessary with a jointer plane. I've rarely used my jointer for flattening anyway.
I'm replacing my large planer with a lunchbox planer that I can store on a shelf when not in use.
Since most of my projects going forward will be more utilitarian, most of the joinery would be more utilitarian--i.e. pocket screws or dados & glue. For utilitarian drawers, I've been using Mark Singer's pocket screw approach already. If I find I want to do dovetailed drawers, I'll probably buy something like the MLCS through dovetail template set (Link (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/dovetailjig.html).) I've only been using my Leigh jig for through dovetails anyway and rarely at that. I'm still debating the biscuit joiner.
Router table--I'd like to get rid of my NYW router table and dedicated DW621 router and going to one router with both bases that can go in a smaller benchtop table. Right now I have the Dewalt and 2 PC's with 2 fixed and 1 plunge base. I'm wondering if something like the Dewalt or Bosch system might not make a better choice, but still let me use the accessories I have (including an extra aluminum router plate drilled for the PC 690?)
Turning--not going to do it. If I need something turned, I'll phone a friend. :D
Hand tools--I'm going to keep a regular block plane, a low angle rabbet block plane, smooth plane, jointer plane, a basic set of chisels and a japanese saw as well as measuring/marking tools.
I don't want to turn this into an EZ thread, but I plan make the EZ Smart system a key part of the scaled back shop. I already have the rails, table, and square. I'm thinking I should add the parts for the smart clamping system, cabinet maker, and the router guide. This will give me the capabilities for ripping smaller parts, making dados, cutting panels easier, etc.
For making mortises I've got a jig I previously made to use with the plunge router. For tenons, I plan to keep my bandsaw which will also give me the ability to make rip cuts in heavier stock that a circular saw might not like. I don't think I need a table saw if I do this.
I'd like to get rid of my jointer. Doing that, I envision that I would stright line rip with the EZ system, then clean up the cut as necessary with a jointer plane. I've rarely used my jointer for flattening anyway.
I'm replacing my large planer with a lunchbox planer that I can store on a shelf when not in use.
Since most of my projects going forward will be more utilitarian, most of the joinery would be more utilitarian--i.e. pocket screws or dados & glue. For utilitarian drawers, I've been using Mark Singer's pocket screw approach already. If I find I want to do dovetailed drawers, I'll probably buy something like the MLCS through dovetail template set (Link (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/dovetailjig.html).) I've only been using my Leigh jig for through dovetails anyway and rarely at that. I'm still debating the biscuit joiner.
Router table--I'd like to get rid of my NYW router table and dedicated DW621 router and going to one router with both bases that can go in a smaller benchtop table. Right now I have the Dewalt and 2 PC's with 2 fixed and 1 plunge base. I'm wondering if something like the Dewalt or Bosch system might not make a better choice, but still let me use the accessories I have (including an extra aluminum router plate drilled for the PC 690?)
Turning--not going to do it. If I need something turned, I'll phone a friend. :D
Hand tools--I'm going to keep a regular block plane, a low angle rabbet block plane, smooth plane, jointer plane, a basic set of chisels and a japanese saw as well as measuring/marking tools.