Shop Tour: Christian Becksvoort
Efficiency is important to pros like Christian Becksvoort, and his shop reflects that. From machine layout and hardware storage to a bench dedicated to glue-ups, Chris’s shop incorporates the lessons learned in a long and industrious career.
Chris Becksvoort built his 24-ft. x 40-ft. shop in the early 1980s out of lumber from the local sawmill. He did most of the framing and installed the floor, which is 1-1⁄2-in.-thick hemlock. A few friends helped with the main support beam down the center of the shop, and the roof shingles. An electrician did the 120/240 wiring. This year Becksvoort updated the roof to standing-seam metal, and reports that “snow slides off in a hurry.”
The center of the shop is obstructed by a support post and a set of stairs, which lead up to his lumber loft and can be folded upward if necessary. But Becksvoort has never had to do that. Instead, he parked three machines around the stairs, and tucks scrap bins and other items below.
Becksvoort keeps his big Lie-Nielsen workbench out in the open, and most of his work happens on or around it. Nearby is a long counter with storage for routers and bits, sanders, clamps, fasteners, a Bose audio system, and the phone. Above the countertop and close at hand for benchwork is his big wall-mounted tool cabinet (see FWW #153).
The other dedicated workstation that juts into the shop is Becksvoort’s 7-ft. glue-up table with slotted rails for bar clamps. Most everything else in this shop is along the walls, leaving plenty of assembly and work space in the middle, critical for a working pro. Like many woodworkers, Becksvoort realized that his tablesaw doesn’t need any extra room on the extension end, so he parks that against a wall, leaving plenty of room for infeed and outfeed on both sides. His lathe sits in front of an east-facing window, which offers wonderful light for morning turning sessions.
Other articles about Chris’ shop:
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Tool-Cabinet DesignEvery shop has specific needs, but the strategies for storing hand tools are universal |
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Build a Basic Tablesaw Outfeed TableChristian Becksvoort outfeed table is durable, versatile and easy to build |
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Tricks For Working at the Right Height |
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Under-Bench Tool Cabinet |
Comments
Lovely shop, lovely man.
Thank you Ben, that was magical. What a legend
Very nice tour. Thank you Ben. I love the Apple disk sander.
Kicking myself for not trying to get in touch with Mr. B. when I was in Maine recently.
That was fun. Always great to see a legend’s shop.
Is the video for the round stand available yet?
It'll be on the site soon. End of August probably.
Will a DVD be available for purchase? I am a subscriber to the site, but I like to keep my own copy for when I don't have an internet connection.
Thanks for your fast response!
It's doubtful. The DVD market isn't what it used to be.
Sorry to hear that.
I am so happy to see the legendary Mr. Becksvoort has such a great personality. This personal touch was the one thing I was missing by having the print FWW sub alone. I now have achieved totality.
BTW... I should have known Chris Becksvoort would have a great personality after seeing his cameo on Parks and Recreation a few years back. Great show, great video, great man.
And Ben, you’re not so bad yourself. Thanks for all the great content.
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