Shop revamp

[rnt80]

We're on spring break this week and while I've been trying to wrap up my latest job (a larger than life built in wardrobe) I've also been turning over my shop.  I'm almost at the point where I've got rid of all of my black and orange tools.  About thirteen years ago when I started messing around with all of this stuff I had mostly Ridgid tools - their table saw, jointer, planer, drill press, router, bandsaw...I think that's it.  I sold the bandsaw and jointer years ago, the drill press went earlier this year, the table saw sold two days ago and all I have left is the planer and router (both on CL).  I bought a Sawstop a couple of weeks ago and am probably going to wait until I finish this job to take delivery of it.  My A3-31 should be here in 3-4 weeks, and I'm really close to pulling the trigger on the CMS-GE.  I'm excited to turn over my shop like this as it's been years of making do, in some respects, with what I had.  I have to admit I kind of felt like I was losing a friend the other day when I sold my table saw and assembly table.  I had had them for so long that it was weird walking into my shop without them there.  My shop is currently a huge mess since my ts was on a mobile cart with two router tables and a lot of storage and my assembly table had seven huge drawers packed with stuff - all of which is now sitting on the outlying floor of my garage.  I have a lot of work to do to get everything organized again and I'm looking forward to posting some pics when I get everything set up and running.  

 

[sancho57]

Seems like a few of us are selling are tools and reorganizing our work shops. My good friend whom Im selling my table saw, drill press, cast iron router table and a few other tools I dont use to wont be able to pick them up until June as he lives out of state.

I starting building my own sort of Guido wall, nothing as organized as his, but it works for me. Im also going to start building a storage center for my shorter guide rails. Nothing fancy but If I havent used the tool in a while and dont see a need for it and have something that will do the same thing why keep it. My table saw and router table take up a lot of space in my shop. Im still debating on selling my jet 6" jointer too. I'll probably keep it but still debating.

 

[rnt80]

It's been ten years with pretty much the same equipment.  It's not that I'm complaining or not grateful to have had what I did but an upgrade was long overdue.  I ended up selling my jointer and planer to the same guy.  That pretty much cleared out all my big machinery (minus the bandsaw and drum sander).  The Sawstop is getting delivered on Thursday and I should have some time this weekend after my install on Saturday to set it up.  I pulled the trigger on the CMS and it should be here on Thursday....I don't think I'll get to that for a while.  I don't know when I'll get to building carts for the mft's.  For now I have them staged end to end and they've been serving as my workbench/assembly table.

 

[rnt80]

Outside of receiving the A3-31 that I have to wait another month for I pretty much have my shop makeover done.  I took a couple of days after I finished up my last job and before I started my next one to build a couple of carts for the mft's.  I haven't attached the mft's to the carts or used any kind of wedge to keep them in place as I don't see it being necessary yet.  I worried a bit about racking since these are on wheels but when I have the wheels locked and the carts joined together they are rock solid.  I spent 30 minutes the other day and built a holder for the ts55 (maybe the best 30 minutes I've ever spent) and then repurposed my old boom arm and holder and came up with something that will work with this set up - it's not pretty but it works.  All of the drawers are flush with the cabinet face and have touch/release slides.  I guess I could've cut out some notches or holes for pulls but the slides weren't that much more expensive than the standard ones I would've used anyhow.  I ordered a pair of fence lock dogs off of ebay which should be here soon.  When I have those I'll be able to have both fences set up on the mft so that I can use two stops at once.  I had the opportunity to do that today (albeit with the miter gauge holding the fence) and it sped things up incredibly.
The sawstop is all set up and is a treat to use. I bought the Jet edge sander, primarily for cabinet doors, a few weeks ago and have finally set it up.  I had a chance to use it the other day when making the boom arm holder and it will remove stock in a hurry.  I have the cms set up but haven't had a chance to dial it in or use it yet.  I imagine I'll get to that in the next couple of weeks.

 

[rnt80]

A few more pics.

 

[tiralie]

Looks great Russ.
How do you like that Rikon BS?
Tim

 

[lumbajac]

Looks great Russ.
How do you like that Rikon BS?
Tim

I second that question - how do you like the Rikon... 18" it looks like?  I'm debating on whether or not to pull the trigger on one myself as it's on sale for ~$450 off the regular price bringing it down to ~$1050 until April 26th... hard to pass up at that price.  Either that or the Grizzly GO513X2BF, but need more time to save up.  I need a bandsaw soon as I've been limited for too long now.

 

[rnt80]

I haven't had the chance to put it through the paces.  The stock blade has a lot to be desired so I'm curious to see the difference that better quality blade will make.  I got this from Woodcraft a couple of years ago when they had the same sale running.  I don't have much to compare it to since my previous bandsaw was a Ridgid that shook more than Harlem.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Russell,

Thank you for showing us the improvements that you are making in your workshop. When I read the first post I thought that you were not going to have a band saw but now I can see one - thank goodness; I have been able to get rid of my big table saw by using the band saw more (in combination with the planer) and then the TS/MFT3.

I see that you have two MFT 3s sitting on those moveable cabinets - do you use them offsite? Otherwise it seems an expensive way to have holes on a bench top.

Keep posting the photographs - it all looks jolly interesting.

Peter

 

[rnt80]

Thanks, Peter.  Like pretty much everyone else involved in woodworking, my space is a continual work in progress.  With that said, the current configuration, minus what will more than likely be a few small adjustments along the way, is what I'm sticking with.  I do 95% of my work in the shop so the mft's will stay put the majority of the time.  When I do need one with me it's just a matter of unscrewing the knobs that connect them and lifting it off the base.  Previously I had a 4X6 assembly table and the mft's were folded up in a corner.  The only time I pulled one out was for an install or when I had to do some crosscutting of sheet goods.  The set up I have now was designed primarily to make the cross cutting process more efficient.  While I do custom work most of it is still boxes - I'm doing an large home office right now, after that I have a small kitchen and two baths, and after that I have a 10X12 niche I have to fill.  Those types of jobs are typical for me so it was paramount that I speed up how I processed sheet goods.  I had a chance to use the set up yesterday as I was cutting pieces for the office and it was sooooo much easier than what I was doing previously, especially for longer box sides that, up to this point, I didn't have a good method of cutting repeatedly in an accurate manner.  Now that I have the longer fence with dual stops that is no longer an issue.

 

[Jalvis]

Lots of good stuff in that space.

Looks like you wont need that Walko!...hint, hint....

 

[rnt80]

Lots of good stuff in that space.

Looks like you wont need that Walko!...hint, hint....

No hint needed on the Walko, it's for sale.  Shipping is a killer though.  I looked into a few months ago and to pack and ship the thing back east was close to $200.  I currently have it listed on CL locally for $400.  It comes with an extra set of tables and a four of the work struts.

 

[builderbob]

I have a side question for you Russ. I see the Transit Connect in one of the photos. I'm curious how you incorporate that. I'm on the prowl for something and I know those don't facilitate sheet goods. I'm curious!

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Jalvis]

I see the Transit Connect in one of the photos. I'm curious how you incorporate that. I'm on the prowl for something and I know those don't facilitate sheet goods. I'm curious!

The Transit Connect was the second thing I noticed!  If you don't have a trailer you can always get a Glass rack for the side of the Connect and sheet goods.

I've been eyeing the Connect for years but have been dreaming of the Sprinter.  The Connect is getting a revamp for 2014.  Word is there will be a diesel averaging 30 mpg.  If thats true it will be hard for me to stay away.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I see the Transit Connect in one of the photos. I'm curious how you incorporate that. I'm on the prowl for something and I know those don't facilitate sheet goods. I'm curious!

The Transit Connect was the second thing I noticed!  If you don't have a trailer you can always get a Glass rack for the side of the Connect and sheet goods.

I've been eyeing the Connect for years but have been dreaming of the Sprinter.  The Connect is getting a revamp for 2014.  Word is there will be a diesel averaging 30 mpg.  If thats true it will be hard for me to stay away.

Sorry to get off the topic of the Shop.  I thought Ford might introduce the full size Transit in 2014.  I admit I haven't followed the Transit news closely.  Russ, I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the Transit. 

 

[Jalvis]

Transit Update.

 

[festooltim]

It looks like one of your mft's has a leg on backwards. Or is it that way for a reason. Your layout looks really sweet thanks for posting.

 

[builderbob]

Peter had made mention of the 2014 Transit in another thread. Wow...I may have to get my first ford ever.

 

[festoolviking]

It looks like one of your mft's has a leg on backwards. Or is it that way for a reason. Your layout looks really sweet thanks for posting.

I think it's probably to avoid the legs hitting eachother when folded out and joined together.
???

Festoolviking

 

[rnt80]

In regards to the Transit....my wife hates it.  She says it reminds her of a clown car.  With that said, I turned my man card in a long time ago and have no problems driving it around.

Pros:
-small footprint and easy maneuverability
-there is a lot of room inside once the back seat is up.  I have the version with the two seat bench which folds up.  Without those seats there it would be even more convenient.  There have been countless times over the past 2 1/2 years that I've amazed myself at how much I can fit in the back, whether it was tools or, and this is where it really shines, with my cabinets.  There is 4' of vertical room in the back and there have been times when I've used every inch.
-the body style makes it stand out and I have vinyl stickers on the side and back so it helps with advertising.
-the sliding side doors make for easy access
-the back doors have an override buttom so that they can be opened beyond 90 degrees, it may not seem like much but it has been very useful
-I put a roof rack on mine and use it when I pick up sheet goods.  The last job involved hauling 7 sheets of 3/4", 3 sheets of 1/4",  and approx. 120' of mitered door stock
-it gets pretty good gas mileage, around 27 on the highway

Cons
-it has no get up and go, don't look to get anywhere in a hurry
-it's not a very quiet ride, the recommended tires are really noisy and I think approx. $110 each.
-I had to replace the break pads after 30,000, I think the OEM is crap

As you can tell by my list I love the van.  It works very well for what I do and I don't regret getting it in the least.  I hope this helps.