Setting up shop (pics)

[Thom Sturgill]

I'm a new member and thought I would introduce myself. About 6 months ago I accepted an offer from my son-in-law to use his garage as a shop. He lives in his father's house (The father being a 'snow-bird' and only there about six months a year) Because of a recent promotion and the LOML getting a full time position at the same college I work at, I had the cash flow to think about equipping the shop. First I built a workbench
http://thomjoy.us/00001.jpg
http://thomjoy.us/00003.jpg
The top is 3 1/2" Southern Yellow Pine as are the legs.
Then after the wife bought me a new router I built a table for it,
http://thomjoy.us/00004.jpg
It's a little like Norm's, the top is from Woodpecker and I used a Router Depot fence core, which I will replace as it is not square. I especially liked the plumbing fixture I found for dust collection http://thomjoy.us/00005.jpg
Then I started a toolbox (not quite complete yet, it gets drawers for those pidgen holes)
http://thomjoy.us/00002.jpgand last week a table extention for the new JET saw.
http://thomjoy.us/00006.jpg
Thanks to Jim Becker for the idea. Its 3/4 MDF with a laminate added. I could not place an angle as Jim showed, but it worked to bolt it to the mobile base! The legs are just props as I'm waiting on the leg brackets from Rockler.
Seem to keep losing that last pic..

[glenn bradley]

That is a great looking space. You can really enjoy some shoptime in there.

[Bob Noles]

That is a really nice job Thom! Where did you get the plan for the workbench?

Looks like a nice place to spend some serious quality time with the hobby.

[Thom Sturgill]

I based my workbench on two sources, Pop.Woodworking did a special on Workbenches back in May 2005 - Lead article was a $230 workbench. then Woodworkers Journal (Winter 2007) did a mag on Workshop projects and Techniques which I used his idea for the fox joints on the footer. I did not have a bandsaw yet so I did not cut the rounded feet, but came up with the design that I used. The deadman was an addon and is just screwed, no glue, so that it could be dismantled to move when I retire or if I rent a place with a garage. The drawer cabinet just sits on the stretcher and provides storage for power tools. I don't show it, but the far end has a board that can be raised as a stop.

[Jim Kountz]

Great setup there Thom, love the bench and cabinets!

Who's your "helper" there in your avatar??

[Art Mann]

Geez, you have been busy. It looks like everything turned out really nice.

[keith ouellette]

Great work work Thom. It looks like you have some experience. I am new to wood working (and self taught) so setting up shop is a lot of fun for me.

[Sean Troy]

That looks great! I hope your having as much fun as I am setting up a new shop.

[Bill Davis 0302]

Beautiful work Thom!! I noticed the cross cut sled in the picture with the outfeed table, What are the rough dimensions & what kind of wood did you use for the front and rear fences

[Thom Sturgill]

The sled fences are some of the SYP scraps from the workbench. I used UHMW for the guides and part of a phenolic covered ply sheet I had bought from Woodcraft for making jigs. Its about 24" front to back and 30" wide.

[Steven Bolton]

Do you like your mobile bases? Better than casters?

SB