Hiding, Protecting, Storing Solutions for Woodworking Surfaces

[supimeister]

Hey all,

My hobbyist shop lives in the back of my elongated 1 car garage.  I have stored the vast majority of my power tools in l-boxxes and i-boxxes for quick transport and access.  I also live in Minnesota, which means I do not get to do much woodworking in the winter due to the unheated garage.  [crying] [crying]

I do not live in a terrible part of town, but I still do not like having everything visible for the whole world to see when my garage door is open.  [eek]

Thus, I have stored most of my l-boxxes and i-boxxes in metal cabinets.  Out of sight, out of mind... right?  [blink]

Anyways, I would appreciate ideas on the best way to cover some of my larger tools so they are mostly hidden and protected from dust.  I am content just buying some tarps and adding some magnets to the corners, but I wasn’t sure if you guys had better ideas. 

I looked at the ToolClad magnetic cover, and it looks like it could be an interesting surface cover for my table saw and scroll saw, but it does not hide the tool.  The ZeRust table saw both covers and protects, so it is another interesting option.

I am sorry I do not have pictures, but it is dark in the garage right now and also a total mess.  I am in the midst of a total re-org in the next week or two.

-MFT/3 80/20 miter saw station
-Bosch jobsite table saw on a cart similar to this
-scroll saw
-80/20 mft/3 similar to RMW's
-another workbench surface

I appreciate any advice, even if it is simply: use tarps, idiot  [big grin].  I overthink everything, so...

 

[rvieceli]

Instead of tarps let me suggest canvas drop cloths. They are not as rigid as tarps. they drape over stuff well and are relatively cheap. You can get them in various sizes. I usually keep one in my wife's SUV incase I need to haul something and don't want to get her carpet/upholstery dirty.

All the big box stores have them or a paint store. If they get dirty you can throw them in the laundry.

 

[supimeister]

Hmmm, I was wondering about using canvas drop cloths as well... Will I have any issues with moisture with them for the longer-term aspect of covering my tools?

 

[rvieceli]

Don't think so. They should breathe unlike tarps.

Try one for a test.

 

[rst]

I use the Toolclad mag cover on my PM table saw and it works great for preventing rust in an unconditioned warehouse.  I also have a milling machine and a Jet belt/disc sander in an area that sometimes leaks.  I bought good, large grill covers to keep them under when not in use.

 

[Holmz]

Where in Mn are you [member=18813]supimeister[/member]  ?

 

[supimeister]

Thanks for the feedback [member=25351]rst[/member].  I have one coming for my scroll saw, and if I like it, I will get another one for my jobsite saw...  I am a bit bummed because the size of my top is 22x20, and I have to choose either the 20x20 bandsaw cover or the full table saw size one 28x44.  I guess I could leave 2” exposed on my saw, but that kinda defeats the purpose....

[member=40772]Holmz[/member] I live in the Twin Cities - pretty close to downtown Minneapolis

 

[Holmz]

[member=18813]supimeister[/member]  The relations were in Aiken and up NE in Dan Grayslon's place.

 

[Brent Taylor]

If you have the space,  you might consider building a wall or a pair of doors to enclosure the end of your space. Two pieces of plywood makes a great door and infill the remaining spce with wall, you will also be able to heat the smaller space to extend your work time.  I use to live in the UP of Michigan right on Lake Superior,  I understand your freezing pains, I also don't miss it.  B

 

[supimeister]

Hmmmmm... Building a wall would be nice.  I am currently in a rental and likely won’t be here for too much longer, but even still it could be a nice temporary setup.  I am grateful for the ideas

 

[rvieceli]

[member=18813]supimeister[/member] another thing that the canvas drop cloths are good for is using them for a curtain. If you went to close off a space temporarily. You can stretch a piece of wire rope up near the ceiling add a turnbuckle to take slack out and then use shower curtain hooks or drapery hooks on you drop cloth to make a curtain to close off an area.

 

[LTD]

Shower curtain strung on a cable across the space...?  Many colors at Walmart and cheap....

 

[JohnnyEgo]

Can't help you much with hiding or disguising things.  However, I have two kids and a wife who view every horizontal surface as an opportunity to pile stuff upon, including half-drank water bottles and cups covered in condensate.  Consequently, I have made covers for everything in my shop with a layer of cheap laminate door-skin that is very easily replaceable.  The nice thing is that pencil marks rub right off, so I will often take notes or lay stuff out directly on my shop furniture.

The one on my Sawstop is sized so that it protects the rail and can be placed on my sawhorses to be used as an extension table if necessary.