Synopsis: Space comes at a premium on the island of Cyprus, where woodworker Stelios Stavrinides lives. So he designed a movable shop that fits in a 5-ft. by 5-ft. storage room when not in use. To make it work, he converted portable power tools into stationary machines, mounting them on a compact, rolling bench. This bench houses five major tools: tablesaw, router table, jigsaw, drill press, and disk sander. And it leaves plenty of space in the storeroom for lumber and other tools.

At the very least, starting a woodworking shop requires two things: good woodworking tools and adequate space. Where I live, on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, both are in short supply.

But I love woodworking, and I didn’t want to let these problems stand in my way. so, using sketchUp, I designed a fully functioning shop that would fit into a 5-ft. by 5-ft. storage room when not in use.

To make it work, I converted the portable power tools I already had into stationary machines, mounting them on a compact, rolling bench. This bench houses five major tools: tablesaw, router table, jigsaw, drill press, and disk sander. And it leaves plenty of space in my store room for lumber and other tools.

Of course, the shop has limits. I don’t have a jointer or a planer, so I have to start with stock that is already jointed flat and milled to thickness. Also, the tools must be rolled out into the covered parking area of my apartment complex for use. It’s not good for cold weather, but fortunately, we have very little of that here.

Apart from those drawbacks, my little shop can do a lot of woodworking. here’s a look at how it works.

Rolling workstation is the key

The power-tool station rides on casters, so it rolls easily out of its storage area. After connecting to a nearby power outlet, Stavrinides is ready to begin work on any of five power tools.

HOW TO FIT A WHOLE HOBBY INTO A 5X5 CLOSET

Stavrinides packs all of his woodworking tools and supplies into this storage room in the parking area of his apartment building. The room measures approximately 5 ft. square and 8 ft. high—a little more than twice the volume inside Volkswagen’s modern Beetle.

From Fine Woodworking #216

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