Shop pictures

[Steve Wurster]

In a few recent threads related to sliding table saws, I've noted that I have one in my ~16'x22' basement shop, along with a decent amount of other tools. Todd Zucker recently reached out to me asking if I have ever posted pictures of my shop to show how I have managed to fit everything in there. Well, I don't think I have done that, so this thread takes care of that request.

This is the view when you enter the shop "proper". The table saw is the heart of the shop and dominates the space, while the dust collector mounted to the right also takes up some room. Note that the outrigger for the saw is mounted on the wall above the A3-31 jointer / planer. My shop is too small to leave the outrigger mounted all the time, so it only comes down when needed and mounts (and dismounts) very quickly.

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Turning to the left there are the HVAC units, the water heater, a shop vac with dust deputy, and the (hardly ever used) drum sander. To the right of them is a old tool cabinet that mostly contains accessories for the slider, along with blades and clamps on top. The crosscut fence for the slider is mounted on the wall above the cabinet, and just to the right of that is the outrigger fence. Further to the right are my bandsaws; I haven't used the Grizzly since I bought the larger Harvey model, however I'm keeping it for when (if?) I need to do curve-based work. Also note the dust collection drop; that line comes down from in between the joists and above HVAC lines. It was a pain to install but helps in overall workflow compared to dragging hoses on the floor.

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Further down is the jointer / planer, router table, and plywood cart tucked in the corner. My Fritz-and-Franz jig is mounted on the wall, along with router accessories and screw storage. The cabinet above the plywood cart used to be in our kitchen and currently holds router accessories and extra screws. You can also see my assembly table in the middle there; that gets moved around as needed.

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The "back" wall has a French cleat system with various items mounted on it. The cabinets below (barely pictured) used to be in a friend's kitchen and now contain drill accessories, extra sandpaper, sharpening equipment, and various other small tools and accessories. Further down is my drill press and clamps.

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The "bench" wall also has a French cleat system with mostly hand tools that I use at the bench or assembly table. The bench is against the wall of course, but that's a compromise for having a small shop packed with stuff. To the left of the bench is my sander cart.

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Turning further right we are behind the table saw, where we have a better view of the DC. Tucked in under the saw is my Festool CT MIDI vacuum along with my Domino storage (barely visible). That DC line dropping down feeds both the back of the saw and the overhead mount (Harvey Shark Guard). It's a very circuitous route from the DC to that drop, but it's the best I could do given my shop layout.

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Finally back in front of the saw we see my lumber storage and the litter boxes. To the right of that is a shelving rack with some finishing supplies and other household things. Further to the right is a toolbox with mostly non-woodworking-specific tools.

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Not shown is what is even further to the right of the toolbox / on the other side of the HVAC equipment. Over here is shelving for paint and other household stuff, along with some woodworking-related things (cheap scroll saw, large extensions for my A3-31, hammer drill for making holes in the cement walls), etc. There is also a refrigerator, ladders, and various other small things.

It is tight in the shop, especially when dealing with larger pieces, and the limited ceiling height can also make things cramped. But I've gotten used to it as it's evolved over the years and as a result I'm very comfortable in here. I would love to be able to fit something like the Hammer edge sander in here, but I honestly have no idea how I would make that work. At some point I might build replacement cabinets for the old ones, tailoring the new ones to my needs, but in the meantime I can continue to use the ones I got for free.

[Todd Zucker]

Thanks for posting those photos. Really helpful to visualize.

What is that triangle accessory on the slider wagon that you and Derek both have?

[Steve Wurster]

Thanks for posting those photos. Really helpful to visualize.

What is that triangle accessory on the slider wagon that you and Derek both have?

That's just a little extension table, Felder part number 503-137. I have it setup so it sits directly in front of the crosscut fence when that is installed. Note that the table is a pain to setup and align due to an annoying design flaw on their end, so once it's dialed in you don't want to touch it.

Current link to product: https://www.felder-group.com/en-us/s...nsion-sp123915

[Jim Becker]

As always, that's a nice space, Steve. I've alway appreciated what you've managed to do with your arrangement, both before slider and now with slider.

[Jim Reffner]

Thanks for sharing Steve. Were the machines brought down the basement steps?

[Steve Wurster]

Thanks for sharing Steve. Were the machines brought down the basement steps?

Yes. I don't have a walkout, so everything is brought down either the interior steps or through the very steep exterior steps that are covered by a Bilco door.

The Hammer A3-31 (bought in 2016) and Hammer K3 (bought in 2018) were both brought down via ramps laid on the outside stairs and lowered using straps connected to a pickup truck that was slowly moving forward (the stairs are perpendicular to the driveway which makes the move more challenging). Here's a picture from when we brought down the A3-31. You can't tell from the picture but a second "shallow" ramp was present down near the bottom so that the machines could more easily be brought into the basement.

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The Harvey Alpha bandsaw (bought in 2022) was moved down those same stairs by a group of piano movers. They tilted it backwards onto moving dollies, rolled it over the stairs, placed it on a moving blanket, and slid it down the stairs (no ramp was made this time). It took them maybe 10 minutes tops and they charged me quite a bit to do that. That was after I attempted to use a powered stair climber, which proved to be very unwieldy even without the saw strapped to it.

Everything else was either slid down the interior stairs (e.g. main drum sander box) or simply carried down one of the stairs. Full sheets of plywood have to go down the outside stairs; I use a panel carrier that goes under the sheet when doing that.

[Rick Potter]

Well thought out Steve. Very good use of the space.

[Jim Reffner]

Appreciate your reply Steve. I had to bring tools through the kitchen and down the steps, I feel your trepidation. Great job getting everything in and up and running.

[Tom Bender]

Someday somebody is going to have to haul all that stuff up out of our basement shops, but it won't be me.

[George Yetka]

Fake news... I dont see one bit of dust or mess. This must be AI

[Steve Wurster]

Someday somebody is going to have to haul all that stuff up out of our basement shops, but it won't be me.

When that day arrives I plan on hiring professional movers. I might have to build another ramp on the stairs, but that will probably be the easiest part.

[Steve Wurster]

Fake news... I dont see one bit of dust or mess. This must be AI

Come on, there's a fine coat of dust visible on the DC collection barrel! As for the mess, I moved the then-ongoing project out of the way before taking the pictures.

[George Yetka]

Come on, there's a fine coat of dust visible on the DC collection barrel! As for the mess, I moved the then-ongoing project out of the way before taking the pictures.

I have at least a barrel off my dust collector spread evenly everywhere. After my cabinets are done Im taking everything out and spending 8 hours vacuuming

[Bruce Mack]

Good man. I share the shop area with cats and and an ancient chair. Hand tools only when cat is sleeping.
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[Rick Potter]

Sounds like a novel way to say you don't use power tools, Bruce.