Author Topic: Small shop/modular work surfaces (AKA how to cram 10# in a 5# sack...) (Read 81263 times)

rizzoa13 · « **Reply #90 on:** January 22, 2015, 10:24 PM »

Joseph fazzios is my idea of Nirvana. That place is amazing. I absolutely love welding for some odd reason and every time i go there its like a family vacation.

Check out their 8/4 - 12/4 (Maybe some 16/4?) cherry, oak and maple planks they have out front. Nice and wide stuff at a good price.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #91 on:** January 23, 2015, 07:22 AM »

Quote from: rizzoa13 on January 22, 2015, 10:24 PM

Joseph fazzios is my idea of Nirvana. That place is amazing. I absolutely love welding for some odd reason and every time i go there its like a family vacation.

Check out their 8/4 - 12/4 (Maybe some 16/4?) cherry, oak and maple planks they have out front. Nice and wide stuff at a good price.

We are kindred spirits. Sandy got my MIG welder and the boss got the insurance payment we received, and I never got a replacement. Recently I have been drooling over some TIG welders and trying to dream up a project for the boss that justifies the, ahem, "need" for it.

Last week they had 5/4 by 3 S4S mahogany (their description) for $2/ LF along with some wider rough stock. Sounds like their selection changes, which is more of a reason to drop by & see what's new.

RMW

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #92 on:** January 23, 2015, 07:30 AM »

Quote from: rvieceli on January 22, 2015, 10:04 PM

My "temporary" fixes tend to become long term semi-permanent fixes.

I vote for closing in the walls while the stuff is down. Throw up those sawhorse work stations on the deck and cut some drywall or ply or whatever.

Ron

Wish it were that simple, wet and snowy here now, there is no floor space to shuffle stuff to and nowhere to store excess material over a couple weeks while working on it 2-3 hours at a time.

Part of the challenge of wholesale change with a small space is just the logistics.

RMW

rvieceli · « **Reply #93 on:** January 23, 2015, 10:14 PM »

I understand. But maybe something like a storage pod in your driveway for a month. Put all your stuff in there and keep the shop clear.

www.pods.com

Tinker · « **Reply #94 on:** January 24, 2015, 03:36 AM »

Quote from: rvieceli on January 23, 2015, 10:14 PM

I understand. But maybe something like a storage pod in your driveway for a month. Put all your stuff in there and keep the shop clear.

www.pods.com

Somehow, I get the idea it might not be a simple as that. Houses are pretty close together in Richards area. I think if he puts a pod in his driveway, he will have to rent a space to put his car

. Or put a flat roof on his house and buy a helicopter

Tinker

SittingElf · « **Reply #95 on:** January 24, 2015, 06:21 AM »

Quote from: Tinker on January 24, 2015, 03:36 AM

Or put a flat roof on his house and buy a helicopter
Tinker

Yup! That would be MY solution!!

Small shop/modular work surfaces (AKA how to cram 10# in a 5# sack...)

This is a great thread. Very entertaining as well as full of great ideas! Stealing some....

Cheers,

Frank

rvieceli · « **Reply #96 on:** January 24, 2015, 07:57 AM »

Ok ok but surely Richard's got a living room or a dining room where he can pile things.

If he did that I'm fairly confident he would get the shop finished faster.

Ron

rizzoa13 · « **Reply #97 on:** January 24, 2015, 08:50 AM »

If you need a hand when the whether breaks building something Richard let me know. I live just up the white horse pike and would love to help you out.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #98 on:** January 24, 2015, 09:45 AM »

Quote from: rizzoa13 on January 24, 2015, 08:50 AM

If you need a hand when the whether breaks building something Richard let me know. I live just up the white horse pike and would love to help you out.

Thanks, a plan is taking shape....

I'll get Tinker to put his muscles where his mouth is, and take over the masonry work for the to-be-built pizza oven...

Frank can airlift the materials into the back yard...

You, Ron and I can lounge and sip cool beverages, while providing Wayne with constructive suggestions and correcting his mistakes...

Then we'll toss a pork loin on the egg and swap tales late into the night.

Who's in?

RMW

Knight Woodworks · « **Reply #99 on:** January 24, 2015, 05:38 PM »

Me! I'll bring the beer.

John

rizzoa13 · « **Reply #100 on:** January 24, 2015, 07:27 PM »

Ehh I think I'll throw my homemade 4 keg kegerator in the back of the truck and take care of the beer situation! Even at 39 Wayne is older than me so I just wouldn't feel right having him do all the work I'll need to make some mistakes too.

Tinker · « **Reply #101 on:** January 24, 2015, 08:07 PM »

I've been playin' in the snow all day. I'll think about all that playin' with a dutch oven later.

As for correcting my mistooks, you no i nvr mak mstaks.

i don't have to think twice about the pork loin and beer tho.

I like german dark

Tinker

rvieceli · « **Reply #102 on:** January 24, 2015, 08:18 PM »

Me me me

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #103 on:** March 22, 2015, 01:19 PM »

Spring arrived in Brigantine yesterday, at least for me it was the first day this year where I had (a) clear weather (b) no snow on the ground and (c) time. Took advantage of the situation to clear out enough piled up junk to make the shop quasi functional and play a bit.

The next big house project (after finishing the shop) will be new cabinets in the laundry/utility area, probably 3-4 months from now. When we moved in we reused the old junk kitchen cabinets from the original house in the utility area, they are cheap 5/8" particle board hot-glued/stapled construction. Last week one wall cabinet gave up the battle and started falling off the wall so I needed a quickie cabinet to get us by until the re-do, it gave me a chance to practice cabinet-making.

First I sized the material using the woodpecker rule/stop to mark length, woodpecker square to align the guide rail @ 90 degrees and rip guides to cut to width width, using the 80/20 knock down table:

I use green masking tape to mark reference surfaces, top/outside corner. My LR32 is pieced together, I don't have the guides so I used a short set of rip guides instead:

Clamping to the 80/20 extension arms is really flexible where they overhang the table frame, in this case the clamp secures the guide rail and material to the arm:

Domino's for alignment and strength:

Pocket holes for assembly:

Overall it worked out great, it was the first time I used the LR32 and the results were perfect. I didn't even mess anything up until I managed to pocket-hole the wrong side of the top...

Best part was just getting outside and making some sawdust, and getting to use the TS/CT/LR32/Domino as a system, as it is designed to be used. Not a crumb of sawdust until I got the the pocket holes.

RMW

Cheese · « **Reply #104 on:** March 22, 2015, 03:11 PM »

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 22, 2015, 01:19 PM

Spring arrived in Brigantine yesterday, at least for me it was the first day this year where I had (a) clear weather (b) no snow on the ground and (c) time. Took advantage of the situation to clear out enough piled up junk to make the shop quasi functional and play a bit.

Nice to just get outside and work in the fresh air & sunshine after the snow leaves.

Really love your 80/20 table. How long does it take to set up?
Do you use the regular socket head cap screws to hold it together or do you have some sort of quick clamping system instead?

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #105 on:** March 22, 2015, 04:12 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on March 22, 2015, 03:11 PM

Quote from: Richard/RMW on March 22, 2015, 01:19 PM
Spring arrived in Brigantine yesterday, at least for me it was the first day this year where I had (a) clear weather (b) no snow on the ground and (c) time. Took advantage of the situation to clear out enough piled up junk to make the shop quasi functional and play a bit.

Nice to just get outside and work in the fresh air & sunshine after the snow leaves.

Really love your 80/20 table. How long does it take to set up?
Do you use the regular socket head cap screws to hold it together or do you have some sort of quick clamping system instead?

Cheese - it takes about 10 minutes to setup, I mostly use the 80/20 standard end fasteners. They require threading the hole in the end of the extrusion, then drilling an access hole in the slot of the piece you want to mate to it. Quick and easy.

Here's a video showing the setup sped up 4X:

RMW

rvieceli · « **Reply #106 on:** March 22, 2015, 05:34 PM »

Richard - didn't you have a few pics of your table build and those pieces of 8020 with the mdf sides?

I can't seem to find them?

thanks - ron

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #107 on:** March 22, 2015, 06:03 PM »

Quote from: rvieceli on March 22, 2015, 05:34 PM

Richard - didn't you have a few pics of your table build and those pieces of 8020 with the mdf sides?

I can't seem to find them?

thanks - ron

Ron,

There are a couple threads where I posted photos, etc. Here, here and here are the ones I could locate.

RMW

rvieceli · « **Reply #108 on:** March 22, 2015, 06:21 PM »

Thanks Richard

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #109 on:** March 22, 2015, 11:01 PM »

Steering this thread back to the original topic, i.e. my shop update, my next task is to finish the insulation (~2 hours) then start drywall installation wall-by-wall. The plan is to do a wall, then install french cleats, move stuff from another wall, then do that wall, etc. I', finally forced to focus on the details of the cleats, so I am looking for any input.

This drawing (first attempt at using Layout in Sketchup) shows the current idea:

OAL wall height is just over 98"
My standard height for work surfaces is 37"/940mm
Bottom cleat finishes off at 940mm OAL height
Upper cleat finishes off at 97" - may come down a tad for clearance if necessary
Intermediate cleats are set in 300mm increments from the top down

Pardon the messy dimensions, I design in metric but still think in Imperial.

Input is welcomed.

RMW

rvieceli · « **Reply #110 on:** March 23, 2015, 07:54 AM »

As you mentioned, you might have some clearance issues with the top row. Maybe mock up something and try it out before committing.

I'm also concerned about the first row at your worktop height. Will you want to push a cart or worktable up against the wall to get it out of the way?

I'm also of the opinion that maybe the whole French cleat system might be a bit of overkill for your space. And might end up making more work for what ever problems it solves. The main advantage of the system is the ability to make easily make changes in the racking and storage system. From looking at your photos from the before side, you seem to be very organized and have a good method for organizing. I really like the rods and the pegs system you have. Also in a small space there are only certain spots that things fit and also fit into your work flow.

Having to add a cleat on the back of your already seemingly good approach to storage seems like just extra work. Sort of like all those shelf pin holes that every one puts in, but most folks never change the position of the shelves.

socaljohn · « **Reply #111 on:** March 23, 2015, 01:35 PM »

Matthias Wandel has a system that works for him. He must like it since he has continued using it after moving to a new shop.

http://woodgears.ca/tool_holders/
http://woodgears.ca/tool_holders/making.html

Tinker · « **Reply #112 on:** March 23, 2015, 04:38 PM »

I like Mattias's tool wall setup. Very neat and able to get a lot of small tools into small space. I have bookmarked but I still like the idea of frnch cleats. I have moved things around too many times to even think in my dreams that any setup might be permanent. I have started reorganizing my shop this weekend (finally) for what should be the last time. i am only 39, so still young and impetuous. Things will get moved probably many more times. My grandson gave me a hand moving the heavy stuff on saturday. On Sunday, i started clearing the floor and hidden corners, cutting all the scraps with my SCMS for kindling wood. Some of the scraps were straight and large enough to be used for cutting boards, trays and other small projects. Those will end up in ........ Oh, i guess i will stop speculating on where they will go. for now, i can actually see the floor of my shop. You guys have inspired me.

back to Mattias's wall: I like the setup, but like FC system as I can move small shelves and boxes around to different locations. For now, i am trying to set up to make best use of two MFT's MFT/3 for main bench and center of work area. The smaller 800 is against the wall so all i have to do is turn around from the /3. All of my Festoy clamps and almost all of tools I use with MFT's, TS 55 and the Festoy router table will be grouped with under the two tables or on the wall within easy reach.

I have two solid wood work benches that are along wall areas with heavy tools such as hammers, mallets, chisels, planes, heavier clamps and other tools not used on the MFT's
Since the two benches are at opposite sides of the shop, i am hoping that i can work out a system with the french cleats where I can select the tools needed and just move a panel from one side of shop to the other. With rearranging of the benches, stationary sanders and SCMS, i now can walk around the shop with room to spare. Well, not a lot of room. Just more. My GS and I are both quite slim but we could not walk, or even slide past on another in working around the /3. We now can get around without sucking in our breaths. It is great and I am sure it will be far more enjoyable for Andrew.
Tinker

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #113 on:** March 23, 2015, 05:43 PM »

Matthias puts out an amazing amount of work, I really respect the way he built a business around his videos, lots of great & clever ideas.

Personally, I don't care to have hand tools hanging on the walls, they live in cabinet drawers. My exposed wall storage will be limited to tools that don't fit in drawers, handsaws, layout squares, straight edges, clamps, guide rails and my 80/20 knock-down table. These are things I will probably rearrange at times, hence the F/C lend themselves to them.

Anything else such as finishes, infrequently used bench tools (Drill Doctor/Arbor Press/Hand Tapper/Metal Chop Saw), shop supplies will go in cabinets. The F/C give me the option to move the cabinets during a reorganization.

Some tools like the chop saw and drum sander will have their own F/C platform, idea being I can pull the whole thing down from an upper position to the working height cleat, use it and then return to the upper storage area.

Lastly, I am thinking things like a router table or shelf for the TS55 can be moved around as needed, then stored out of the way when not in use. To fit all this stuff I need to have some things at ceiling height when not in use, so the F/C seems like a flexible system.

We'll see how it all works out.

RMW

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #114 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:34 PM »

Holy Cow! It's been nearly a year since I made any significant progress on my shop rehab. Thanks to a gentle prod by @rvieceli on another thread (thanks Ron!), and with one of the nicest days any February can be asked to serve up, I got about 1/2 the shop walls insulated and buttoned up.

I had planned to use T1-11 but conveniently my HD did not stock the thin stuff I wanted, but they did have a lift of pretty nice 5mm underlayment @ $11 bucks a sheet, so I made do:

I also got some ~ 5/16" T&G cedar for the ceiling. Hope to get the walls buttoned up tomorrow, and possibly make some progress on the ceiling or french cleats.

RMW

rvieceli · « **Reply #115 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:47 PM »

Looking good Richard.

Holmz · « **Reply #116 on:** February 07, 2016, 12:05 AM »

That looks like "a spend up" on the outlets...
(And wise to have more than you think you need)

Picktool · « **Reply #117 on:** February 07, 2016, 06:33 AM »

Very nice, coming along well.

@Richard/RMW

I had 1/2" plywood on garage walls for a few years and stumbled
along this siding @ Lowes and put it right over it

http://www.lowes.com/pd_15601-132-27905___?productId=3051241&pl=1&Ntt=siding+mdf+panel#img

$21/4x8 @ 7/16"th - It has a pleasing wood grain pressed into this stuff.
You could cut this in half and use it the upper parts of the walls
and finish the lower section w/ some wainscot/plywood to break up the
wood crate look. I have a ways to go with finishing my shop but lil here
lil there its coming along.

Painting it may be a chore, im probably going to spray it.

Sort of like a masonite material to say or dark mdf
that cuts well and has a few patterns you can alternate.

chris s · « **Reply #118 on:** February 07, 2016, 08:59 AM »

Richard; when you insulated the ceiling, did you put anything between the plywood and the insulation? I am thinking of those trough like things. Also are the walls insulated? My shop is similar to yours and I have been thinking of insulating, mainly so I can use it year round.
I have to put a new roof on it as soon as the weather breaks, and think I will raise it up about 4" to make it seem larger.
Chris

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #119 on:** February 08, 2016, 04:25 PM »

Quote from: Picktool on February 07, 2016, 06:33 AM

Very nice, coming along well.

@Richard/RMW

I had 1/2" plywood on garage walls for a few years and stumbled
along this siding @ Lowes and put it right over it

http://www.lowes.com/pd_15601-132-27905___?productId=3051241&pl=1&Ntt=siding+mdf+panel#img

$21/4x8 @ 7/16"th - It has a pleasing wood grain pressed into this stuff.
You could cut this in half and use it the upper parts of the walls
and finish the lower section w/ some wainscot/plywood to break up the
wood crate look. I have a ways to go with finishing my shop but lil here
lil there its coming along.

Painting it may be a chore, im probably going to spray it.

Sort of like a masonite material to say or dark mdf
that cuts well and has a few patterns you can alternate.

That is similar to what I want planning on using, until HD was out of it. I grabbed the underlayment so I could just get it done while the weather held. The plan is to give it a coat of satin poly & run a vertical strip around @ the level of the outlets to break it up and pack it out to ~1/2" so the cover plates fit properly. Also the french cleats will break things up a bit.

While a PITA having to unload all the cabinets and storage racks, it did convince me to relocate some shelves in order to open up the space a bit, still undetermined exactly how though. Using the cleats should let me rearrange stuff until satisfied.

Here's how thing stood midday yesterday before I loaded everything back inside for the night.

RMW