Tom Godley
10-04-2007, 11:11 AM
I am trying to get an idea of the space requirements for a nice miter saw area in my new shop. I have been looking over the forum and also too many back issues of every kind of wood magazine I still keep. Like everything in life, reading more about a subject makes the decision harder!
I do not have a space problem - but I do not want to make the bench/station so big that it ends up always covered with "stuff".
I see myself using it for general woodworking - not framing a house. Over the years I have used many different types of crosscutting saws and I always go bact to my smaller saws for most of my work. I am 48 now, and when I first started the "wood" hobby I used a radial arm saw for all my crosscuts (I do not think "chop" saws were around) - then bought what looks like a small RAS from Sears, then moved to the very nice 8.5 Hatachi. I also had a 10" Dewalt that I bought for building a deck (it sat in the box when I hire someone else to build it - no time!) I eventually used it, but gave it to a friend when I always went back to the others. To be honest I really like the small Sears unit because you pull it towards you -- unlike the others -- I also do not like cutting small stock with a 12" blade!
I do not wish to make this too long -- but I do not want people thinking I am going to be cutting 20' 6x6's.
My ideas:
1. I noticed some with a wood rack above - I can not tell if this is a good idea -- looks like it blocks the area and the light. Not sure How much it would get used ???
2. Having a larger area to the left -- maybe 11' and then 5' to the right. Sound good? --- vs -- centered
3. I think I like having some cabinets under the table vs building a unit that just cantilevers off the wall. I was in a shop years ago that all the lower cabinets hung off the wall but not touching the floor -- made cleaning very nice.
4. How deep should I make it -- some look too deep.
5. I also want to make the unit so I can change the saw -- Not that I plan to -- but, best to plan ahead - need a sturdy mounting area.
6. What to make the top surface out of.
7. In general, do you find it easier to build cabinets (boxes) and then attach them to the wall -- or begin by attaching the top to the wall with a 2x? under it. I was thinking that maybe I should get some skill with building boxes -- I have a few to make this year if I am ever going to get the shop together. This depends on #3.
Thanks for any help - I am sure there are many "Why did/ didn't I do this" out there!
TAG
I do not have a space problem - but I do not want to make the bench/station so big that it ends up always covered with "stuff".
I see myself using it for general woodworking - not framing a house. Over the years I have used many different types of crosscutting saws and I always go bact to my smaller saws for most of my work. I am 48 now, and when I first started the "wood" hobby I used a radial arm saw for all my crosscuts (I do not think "chop" saws were around) - then bought what looks like a small RAS from Sears, then moved to the very nice 8.5 Hatachi. I also had a 10" Dewalt that I bought for building a deck (it sat in the box when I hire someone else to build it - no time!) I eventually used it, but gave it to a friend when I always went back to the others. To be honest I really like the small Sears unit because you pull it towards you -- unlike the others -- I also do not like cutting small stock with a 12" blade!
I do not wish to make this too long -- but I do not want people thinking I am going to be cutting 20' 6x6's.
My ideas:
1. I noticed some with a wood rack above - I can not tell if this is a good idea -- looks like it blocks the area and the light. Not sure How much it would get used ???
2. Having a larger area to the left -- maybe 11' and then 5' to the right. Sound good? --- vs -- centered
3. I think I like having some cabinets under the table vs building a unit that just cantilevers off the wall. I was in a shop years ago that all the lower cabinets hung off the wall but not touching the floor -- made cleaning very nice.
4. How deep should I make it -- some look too deep.
5. I also want to make the unit so I can change the saw -- Not that I plan to -- but, best to plan ahead - need a sturdy mounting area.
6. What to make the top surface out of.
7. In general, do you find it easier to build cabinets (boxes) and then attach them to the wall -- or begin by attaching the top to the wall with a 2x? under it. I was thinking that maybe I should get some skill with building boxes -- I have a few to make this year if I am ever going to get the shop together. This depends on #3.
Thanks for any help - I am sure there are many "Why did/ didn't I do this" out there!
TAG