Downsizing

[oradba69]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car  :'(
I came to realise I need to make drastic changes to continue my hobby and will probably need to get rid of my tablesaw, planer thicknesser, drum sander and big dust extractor (all Jet).
Since i am already heavily invested into Festool I need some encouragement, tips and workflow suggestions from fellow woodworkers that went through the same situation to help highlight how the work of my Jet machines can be done with Festool alternatives?

 

[luvmytoolz]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car :'(

Fixed it for you!

 

[oradba69]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car :'(

Fixed it for you!

[big grin]

 

[DynaGlide]

Things you can do: Get a jobsite table saw with a rack and pinion fence. You'll miss your bigger one, but they're still very capable. I've never owned a big one and it hasn't stopped me yet.

Wall mount dust collector.

MFT style setups. Whether it's parf guide, MFT/3, or something else. Something easily stored.

If it's your partners car, surprise them with a bigger one that you forgot to check if it would fit in the garage. Surprise, it doesn't.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Whatever you do, don't get rid of the drum sander, that is one of the handiest task specific machines you could own! I couldn't imagine being able to do without one now, I routinely use it with coarse grits as a very aggressive thickness sander, as well as finer finishing sanding. In fact I very often use it instead of the thicknesser as I get better results, even if it takes a little longer.

I too also suffer from a tiny amount of shed space that means everytime I come across a bit of timber or some stuff, I no longer have room to swing a cat and have to re-arrange everything. The one thing I've done is put as much as possible onto wheeled carts, or trolleys, that also contain loads of storage space underneath. I've put deep shelving along the walls to hold as much stuff as possible, and I just move the occasionally used machines around as needed and space permits.

Luckily in OZ it's considered very unusual to park a car in a garage, so at least I don't have to contend with that as well!

The attached pic gives you an idea of how crammed my main workspace is, you can see my drum sander on a rolling chest, these are  fantastic, I have about 6 of them with big heavy stuff on them which gives me loads of storage and makes them easy to move. My drill press came with a useless 4 legged platform which was a total waste of space, so I bolted it to a low rolling enclosed cabinet with loads of storage underneath to hold all the consumables for the bandsaw, drill press, grinders, etc.

Even the metal wood rack to the right is on a double set of $10 dollies from Bunnings so I can move it if I need to.

 

[rmwarren]

To expand on Cheese's & luvmytoolz's practical suggestions, put everything on wheels and use a 2 tier system where the wheeled tools roll under a slightly higher fixed work surface. Hopefully you have the option to roll tools outside and expand you work area in clear weather.

Also replace any floorstanding tools (drill press or bandsaw) with bench top models on the fixed worksurface. They are less capable but better than not having the tool at all.

I find the biggest challenge is material storage. It's tough to keep much stock on hand with limited space.

Lastly, my rule is "if it's not used in the shop, it's not stored in the shop". The weedwhacker goes to the dining room...

Welcome to the never ending efficiency project.  [poke]

RMW

 

[rvieceli]

In addition to the already good suggestions, here are some other options.

If the space permits (some one cars are only big enough for the car), keep what you have. Put everything on rollers tucked against the walls and corners. Roll the car out and roll out the machines and assemble your shop. Use a lot of high storage for supplies and materials.

If possible arrange/build some storage at the near the garage entrance, shed, lean to etc. roll the car out of the garage and then move your machines in.

Is it possible to find (rent or build) a shop space nearby.

If you are in a retirement community, does the community have some space you could utilize perhaps in exchange for lessons for residents.

Please expand a bit on your circumstances as far a the type of place you are in. Retirement could mean a place with a lot of extra area or a place with zero lot lines and literally no extra useable space surrounding.

Ron

 

[bobtskutter]

I'm building a garage extension.

The roof design of my garage means there's 50% more volume above my head, so I'm going install the dust collection system in the roof space.  Some people I work with built full attic rooms above their garages.

Regards
bob

 

[ChuckM]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car :'(

Fixed it for you!

This ^^^^^. A serious and the best solution unless by retirement home, you mean a community home where you must park your car in your own garage. Some of my neighbors never park their cars in their garages, just on their driveways.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Exchange the big table saw for something more compact...if you really like Festool, consider their new portable saw as it has accuracy features not available in any other small saw that I'm aware of. While you can use the tracksaw for a lot of things, nothing beats an accurate table saw for cutting small components, both for rips and for crosscutting. Alternatively, a saw with an R&P fence as has already been suggested. Personally, I'd not get rid of the planer/thicknesser, but have it on a mobile base so it can be tucked away. For "me", a drum sander is a specialty tool. I'd need a definite reason tied to "what gets built" to keep it when space is at a premium, personally.

 

[guybo]

Hi, one of the members here used a lift for his mft style table to mount to the ceiling,however i have found the stm1800 to be great small footprint when not in use, it use is only limited by imagination.I also like the new festool table saw.Whatever you keep or sale will fund your happy retirement. whenever i see a motorcyle i think of [member=44099]Cheese[/member] also [poke]

 

[mino]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car  :'(
I came to realise I need to make drastic changes to continue my hobby and will probably need to get rid of my tablesaw, planer thicknesser, drum sander and big dust extractor (all Jet).
Since i am already heavily invested into Festool I need some encouragement, tips and workflow suggestions from fellow woodworkers that went through the same situation to help highlight how the work of my Jet machines can be done with Festool alternatives?

Seriously reconsider dropping the planer-thicknesser and the associated Jet extractor. That is the one tool which you cannot really replace by more compact stuff and which is a key enabler for a lot of workflows.

Placing it along one wall should be doable even in a small garage and you will thank yourself later on.

 

[darita]

I feel your pain.  Since retiring and moving into a smaller garage space, which is shared by a car, I've gotten rid of several larger machines and replaced some with smaller versions, some bench top and others on smaller rolling bases.  The two machines I do have are my J/P and smaller DC.  My table saw was replaced by a SawStop JSPro, but lots of dimensioning is done on an MFT, with upgrades from Dash Board, which has been pivotal in improving the accuracy and flexibility of my TSC 55KEB and tacks.  Don't know why I waited so long to go cordless and with the DB accessories, I hardly use the JSPro and would be happy with the SS Compact Saw, which in my opinion, is a better, more accurate saw and smaller to boot.  All of this is predicated on the things I build and your needs may differ.

 

[Coen]

Buy used Festools instead of new; it saves like 20-30mm for each Systainer  [tongue]

 

[jeffinsgf]

I had a very good friend who had a very, very complete woodshop and parked two cars in the garage every night. Everything was on wheels and had a permanent and exclusive home. When the cars were parked you would never believe that he could build furniture in the space. When he had it in shop mode you would never believe he could (in a matter of minutes) clear things away enough to get the cars in. But he did. Every day. Al Griffin. Glad this thread reminded me of him.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Buy used Festools instead of new; it saves like 20-30mm for each Systainer  [tongue]

[big grin] way to keep it going Coen......  [big grin]

 

[wmarazita]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car  :'(
I came to realise I need to make drastic changes to continue my hobby and will probably need to get rid of my tablesaw, planer thicknesser, drum sander and big dust extractor (all Jet).
Since i am already heavily invested into Festool I need some encouragement, tips and workflow suggestions from fellow woodworkers that went through the same situation to help highlight how the work of my Jet machines can be done with Festool alternatives?

Here are some suggestions:
Replace the Tablesaw with a Festool Track Saw. Track saws do have limitations compared to a tablesaw, but they are so much more compact and safer for cutting sheet goods. You will need to find work arounds for other operations though. Would probably need a Festool work table in order to replicate crosscuts, etc which are easy on a tablesaw.
Replace the Drum Sander with a Smoothing Plane. A smoothing plane takes up no space, makes no noise, makes no harmful dust, leaves a hand-planed surface, and is faster than a drum sander for most projects. Frankly, it is a lot more enjoyable as well (for me).
Replace the Big Dust Extractor with a Festool Dust Extractor. You will need one for the track saw and any other Festools you buy in the future.
The Thickness Planer is a bit tougher to replace. Maybe a small tabletop thickness planer would be adequate? I'm not really sure if the Festool Dust Extractor could keep up with it though? And you would need a Festool cyclone to separate the large chips otherwise the bags would fill way too fast. Sorry, not sure about a good option there.

 

[oradba69]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Really appreciated.

 

[Coen]

Festool CS 50 as table saw; can be folded away. Or parked above a CT 26.

 

[Toolpig]

We moved into our retirement home and I went from a double garage which was only used as a workshop to a single garage where I need to share space with a car  :'(
I came to realise I need to make drastic changes to continue my hobby and will probably need to get rid of my tablesaw, planer thicknesser, drum sander and big dust extractor (all Jet).
Since i am already heavily invested into Festool I need some encouragement, tips and workflow suggestions from fellow woodworkers that went through the same situation to help highlight how the work of my Jet machines can be done with Festool alternatives?

I got rid of my 8” jointer. I now flatten one face and one edge with hand planes and do the rest with a bench top planer and either my tracksaw or tablesaw. Nice having the extra floor space and the hand planes are fun and great exercise.

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