Replies

1. 
   Senomozi | Nov 22, 2007 06:35pm | #1

   Hello andyfew322,

   It's refreshing to see someone your age having interest in woodworking.  I suggest looking at the articles in the "Shop Design" section of this site: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopDirectory.aspx?dir=Workshop+Design.  One of the articles, "Smart Shop in a One-Car Garage" seems relevant to your situation.

   Building things to organize a shop is a great way to learn woodworking/cabinet making skills.  Good luck!

   Senomozi

2. 
   stantheman | Nov 22, 2007 09:56pm | #2

   andyfew322 

   my biggest tip to is organize and arrange things to make cleanup easy - no open shelves, orient tools to facilitate hooking up dust collection, etc.   Wasted a lot of time cleaing up instead of making things.

1. 
   andyfew322 | Nov 23, 2007 12:16am | #3

   "no open shelves", havent heard that one before, good idea, thanks. I don't have a dust collection system.

   Edited 11/22/2007 4:17 pm ET by andyfew322

3. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 23, 2007 07:38pm | #4

   I have a 8'X13' workshop. any tips to make this more space efficient? stuff that a 14 year old kid can do.

   Mine is a bit wider en' 8 foot but not that much..

   You say.. stuff that a 14 year old kid can do.
   HAY at 14 I could do anything! Just be safety minded and have fun!

   Shop work is not good without fingers and hearing! OK, so I'm preaching a bit but I'd think you understand because you asked.

   Not sure how to respond to actual tasks to do.. How about asking Mom what she like in wood (without her knowing) Very hard to do!

   Be sure to tell her she is not allowed into the shop until your finished!

   Be safe and have fun.. Mom/Dad wants you in one HUNK!

   EDIT: Gee.. I'm so old I forgot to ask what tools you have and comfortable using?

   EDIT: At your age I had a hard time lacing my shoes!

   Keep posting your thoughts.. Sure some will have better suggestions than mine!

   EDIT Again..

   Be carefull of those you post to.. I would think anybody in here is OK but you never know on the net.. If you think something strange ask Mom or Dad.. OK so I have children I want safe too!

   Edited 11/23/2007 11:44 am by WillGeorge

   Edited 11/23/2007 11:53 am by WillGeorge

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/23/2007 12:00 pm by WillGeorge

1. 
   andyfew322 | Nov 24, 2007 06:03am | #7

   (yes or no = if i can use it)

   bandsaw yes

   chopsaw yes

   tablesaw w/ supervision

   router/table yes

   circularsaw no

   jigsaw yes

   drill, sander yes

1. 
   Woodguy48 | Dec 05, 2007 01:32am | #17

   I think the best advise I have received is to always buy the best tool you can afford. It may mean saving up for a good tool, but cheap tools are generally 2 to 3 time more expensive.

   Based on the tools you have available I would suggest making some small desk clocks. These can be made from a couple of small blocks of wood.

   You can purchase some inexpensive clock movements at Rockler or Woodcraft Supply.

   You can e-mail me I will send you a photo of some clocks I made as Christmas gifts.

   A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

   George Bernard Shaw

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 05, 2007 02:17am | #18

   naw, I'm not makin clocks, already  did that a wile ago. I'm making a triangular cornertable in woodshop. last year i made a sterio cabinet on my own.

1. 
   Scott_y | Dec 06, 2007 07:14am | #19

   Putting every thing you can on casters and moveable bases may be more important than finding one optimal layout. This includes all cabinets and work tables, not just the bigger machines. Having enough room to work around your machines is an important safety tip. With all the stuff you have in a small place, being able to roll the stuff you are not using into a corner also leaves you much more working room.

   Have fun.

    

   Scotty

    

2. 
   rwjiudice | Dec 06, 2007 03:20pm | #20

   Ditto on the casters solution! I've had a medium sized shop for years and last summer I put "EVERYTHING" on casters.... good ones - red poly wheels.

   It makes a world of difference! If I want to spend a lot of time on my bench, I wheel the otherstuff outa the way, roll the bench to the center and have at it. Wish I did that 3 years ago!!!! 

2. 
   mapleman | Nov 24, 2007 11:03am | #8

   Be carefull of those you post to.. I would think anybody in here is OK but you never know on the net.. If you think something strange ask Mom or Dad..

   As long as I have been on knots I don't think there have been any reports of child tampering......

   Well, maybe child-like tantrums

   Lee

1. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 24, 2007 01:41pm | #9

   As long as I have been on knots I don't think there have been any reports of child tampering......I'm sure there is none here but I have no idea where else the boy/girl may be posting. I have first hand knowledge of a young girl that was approached by some jerk. Luckily her mother was also aware because she was sitting next to her daughter at the time. The form was about pottery or ceramics as far as I know.Sorry, but children can be to trusting of others. I'll keep my mouth shut next time.

1. 
   mapleman | Nov 24, 2007 07:13pm | #10

   Hey Will,

   You have valid points - I was just being a smart aleck. Please don't keep your mouth shut - I thoroughly enjoy your posts! Hope I didn't offend ;)

   Cheers,

   Lee

1. 
   WillGeorge | Nov 26, 2007 03:28pm | #16

   Hope I didn't offend ;)None taken.. Have a great day!

4. 
   GRW | Nov 24, 2007 02:12am | #5

   Andy,

   Welcome. Glad you're with us. This is a great place for getting tips from some  nice folks. Here's a couple to get you started.

   1) Install a shelf up high,(but not out of reach while standing) for storage. I keep screws, nails, sandpaper on mine. It's high enough so that it's not in my way. If you make it too high, and need a ladder each time you need something. 

   2) I use rubbermaid/tupperware plastic boxes to store sharpening stones, and some tools under my workbench. If you get a few of the same size they will usually stack well, and hopefully save some space. ( I use clear boxes so I can see inside. Marking what's in the boxes with a sharpie works well too)

   GRW

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 24, 2007 07:21pm | #11

   " Install a shelf up high,(but not out of reach while standing)...."  GR, I bought one of those grab-it gadgets (don't know the brand name) that's like a big pincher with rubber cups on each tip.  It works great!  I can grab a pint can, or even a can of paste wax, off of a high shelf and bring it down.  Has greatly increased the usable space in my shop!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   GRW | Nov 25, 2007 02:00am | #12

   Good idea FG. Thanks.

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 26, 2007 06:55am | #15

   I finally had time to run out and look at the "reacher" I have.  It's the Deluxe Gopher Pick-up and Reaching Tool.  You can get it here, or check at Ace Hardware, maybe the big-box stores too.  It's very strong, probably due to the design at the ends with that leaf-spring sorta thing, and the rubber cups help with grip.  It has a lock to hold it closed if you want, and it folds in half for easier storage.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   colebearanimals | Dec 07, 2007 12:43am | #21

   Hi Jamie,

           " I bought one of those grab-it gadgets......"

             lol . I thought I was the only one that used those.

                                        Paul

   ps      Glad to hear you didn't completely wash out to sea.

   Edited 12/6/2007 4:45 pm ET by colebearanimals

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 07, 2007 08:52am | #22

   "Glad to hear you didn't completely wash out to sea."  Thanks!  Especially since "sea" (or at least the Puget Sound) is only a few hundred yards as the Chickadee flies!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

5. 
   Dave45 | Nov 24, 2007 02:36am | #6

   Andy -

   Write this on the palm of your hand and never wash it off!!

   THERE AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH SHOP SPACE!!!

   As you embark on this insane journey of woodworking, you will alway be looking for:

   • a bigger shop
   • more space to store "stuff"
   • better (i.e. more expensive) tools
   • more challenging projects
   • the ability to do something over without that little mistake that nobody else will ever notice.
   • a whole bunch of other things that I can't think of right now.

   Now that I've imparted what passes for wisdom on my part, I'll recommend that you first decide what kind of projects you want to do first.  With that in mind, decide what tools you need to do those projects.  Make a scale drawing of the space you have and play around with layouts until you have one that you think you can live with. 

   Obviously, you're going to have to get double duty from a lot of your stuff (e.g. making your workbench/assembly/finishing table also serve as an outfeed table for your table saw. 

   Always be thinking about storage space.  Make your own stands for your tools and include as many drawers, etc as possible.

   Get some kind of dust collection early on.  Even if it's just a shop vac it's better than trying to work in clouds of dust.

    

6. 
   flairwoodworks | Nov 25, 2007 08:24am | #13

   Andy,

   Make a floorplan to make the best use of your space.  Determine the footprint each tool occupies and how much infeed/outfeed space they need.  Also note the table height of each tool and arrange them so that they are not in the way of eachother.  The less you have to move your tools around, the more work you can do!  I've put cabinets in my shop starting two inches above my head up to the ceiling.  They provide lots of space without being in the way.

   Best of luck,

   Chris @ flairwoodworks

7. 
   charlie4444 | Nov 25, 2007 10:02am | #14

   Here's a link to a free simple shop planner that Grizzly's website has.   It might help you figure out your best layout.

   http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner.cfm

    

   charlie -- "Count your blessings....it could always be worse!"

8. 
   Sancho | Dec 26, 2007 08:09am | #23

   think wheels/moblity and multiple use. Check out Woodshop Stations by Danny Proulx

   do you have tools already? if so how large is you TS? If not think Rousseau
   http://www.rousseauco.com/

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/26/2007 12:13 am by Sancho

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 27, 2007 04:04am | #26

   Yeah i have one of those portable ones 

   It takes studs to build a house

1. 
   Sancho | Dec 27, 2007 08:01am | #27

   That rousseau system should allow you to make some accurate cuts on some large pieces of lumber then fold it up and put it away when you are finished for the day. You will have plenty of room in the shop

9. 
   frenchy | Dec 26, 2007 07:38pm | #24

   Andyfew 322

     put everything on casters or some other way to make ever single tool moble no matter how big or heavy!  If you are planning a 8 foot board or sawing or doing anything else  it takes 16 feet.   That's your diagonal.   sooner or later you will work with wood that long or longer..  when you do shove everything out of the way untill you finish with that taks and then move the next piece of equipment in place. 

    eventually you will need a bench to assemble things that too should be moble..

    

1. 
   andyfew322 | Dec 27, 2007 04:02am | #25

   yea I am aready building it. sry too late 

   It takes studs to build a house