Replies

1. 
   mudman | Aug 12, 2005 04:15am | #1

   I dont think that we quite understand your situation. Aranging a small shop is very personal. Meaning no two will think alike.

   Mike

1. 
   demondriven | Aug 12, 2005 04:12pm | #10

   Mudman, Youre right. What I should have written is  I'm just trying to find creative shop solutions that work for my space.

2. 
   SawdustSteve | Aug 12, 2005 06:08am | #2

   How about a revolving bar clamp rack built around this center post?? SawdustSteve

1. 
   demondriven | Aug 12, 2005 04:15pm | #11

   sawdust, I actually have a nice mobile rack for all my clamps. But I do have another post twoards the rear of the shop that would be perfect for that.  Thanks for the reply its a great idea. 

2. 
   generalkael | Aug 12, 2005 05:52pm | #14

   Wow, a revolving clamp rack in the middle of the shop is a good idea. One of the things I've seen in the past in this situation is to put the drill press on one side of the post and the band saw against an adjacent side. Make sure the two don't conflict by arranging appropriately. Mobile bases may get in the way with both items.Scott

3. 
   brianmexico | Aug 12, 2005 06:56am | #3

   Demondriven (can't say I understand that)

   Without a good idea of measurements, placement and dimensions of tools, ceiling height, access for lumber and storage, it's really difficult to be able to suggest anything concrete.

   At this point my best suggestion is hack the post out and cross your fingers :-)

   Maybe if you posted a drawing with some measurements you could get some better ideas from people with similar situations.

   Good Luck,

   Brian

1. 
   BG | Aug 12, 2005 01:19pm | #5

   brian,"At this point my best suggestion is hack the post out and cross your fingers :-)"
   That support column is under the main support beam running down the middle of the house...not such a great idea....lol

2. 
   demondriven | Aug 12, 2005 04:19pm | #12

   I am gonna see if I can grab a digital camera and post a couple pictures with dimmensions. After I cut that post out its not int the way anymore but what saved in floor space I lost in head room.

1. 
   dukeone | Aug 12, 2005 04:56pm | #13

   Cut out the support and put a up big steel I beam. Quick weekend job. :) KDMKenneth Duke Masters
   The Bill of Rights
   December 15 1791
   NRA Endowment Member
   LEAA Life Member
   CRPA Member

4. 
   BG | Aug 12, 2005 01:14pm | #4

   demondriven,
   My lolly-column is next to the TS, so I built a nice big shelf to support the TS paraphernalia. The shelf is about 30x24 and about 5' from the floor. It's supported by large brackets clamped top and bottom to the column. The shelf holds the blades, wrenches, radio, etc. and the throat plates, featherboards hang from the brackets. It's really quite handy and keeps things off of the TS.

5. 
   jericho | Aug 12, 2005 02:16pm | #6

   ddrive,

   I think if you pose the the question in a different way you might get the response you're looking for. Why not ask if people would post a pic of their basement shop? This way you can eat off of the buffet instead of the menu.

   just a thought,

   jericho

6. 
   Elcoholic | Aug 12, 2005 02:29pm | #7

   Check out The Workshop Book, by Scot Landis.  Ton's of ideas in there.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

7. 
   Garry | Aug 12, 2005 03:33pm | #8

   I do not have a basement shop but I do have to deal with two support post because I have a floor above for storage. Only one of them has been a challenge.
   I clustered my drill press, bandsaw, belt/disc sander, router table and shop vac around the post. The advantage is that, I use a shop vac in this area for my dust collecting and all I need to do is connect the hose to each machine and not move the shop vac around. The cluster looks a bit conjested but actually works quiet well. It also saves floor space around the walls which allows for tool or storage racks.

   If you would like I can post a photo of the area in my shop, just let me know.

   http://www.superwoodworks.com

1. 
   demondriven | Aug 12, 2005 04:10pm | #9

   Gary, I checked out your website and see what youre talking about keeping the bandsaw and drill press around the post.  I think I am gonna try it out. I really like the idea of not having to move a shop vac around mostly because I usually don't.  By the way I love the Walnut and Poplar coffee table. Thanks

8. 
   WillGeorge | Aug 12, 2005 07:30pm | #15

   Picture would help of what you have..

   Anything goes if you are happy with it!

9. 
   kenshep | Aug 13, 2005 02:43am | #16

   I was thinking you could use the column (assuming its round steel) as a column to support lazy susan type shelving, ala the clamp rack suggested.  You could put drawer slides upside down on the bottom of each shelf, attach mason jar lids to hold mason jars (or the container of choice) to them and store all your fasteners, bits, etc. on them.  Pull them out when you need them and push them back in when you don't.  If you do this in an octagon layout, you could attach pieces on the end that would keep the space enclosed when the slides are pushed in.  Sandpaper storage, finish storage, brush storage would all work well if you built pull out cubbies.

     If you want pull out shelves down low for drills, routers, etc. you can mount drawer slides normally and have a tray.

   Creative use of plexiglass in this unit would aid in seeing what you are looking for and letting light in.

     The size of this would be up to you, but it could easily be a work in progress that uses whatever hits your scrap bin.  PVC pipes could be used as your spacers between shelves.

   Ken

    

   Regards,

   Ken

   "Do as you would be done by." C.S. Lewis

10. 
    papanick | Aug 15, 2005 07:35pm | #17

    My garage shop has a metal post in the middle that supports the loft structures above.

    I used the column as the end point of a wall of 16" deep open shelving that I built.

    It separates that half my garage shop into two parts. The one face with the shelving faces my workbench and handtools, and the other side backs against my bandsaw and lathe.

    I picked up a ton of storage, and really didn't lose any floor space, since I couldn't use that area productively.

    I'll try to find some of the photos I took of the shop and post them.

    The older I get, the better I was....