Today is my 2-year FOG anniversary. Boy....What a ride it's been!

[philphilop]

I would imagine that most professional joiners, Cabinet makers with their own shop dream of being an helicopter pilot, not knowing most helicopter pilots dream of being cabinet makers with their own shop

 

[PA floor guy]

Frank,
  I too have enjoyed your journey. I have the thought process as you.  But i wanna see the shop tools.  Make a list of those. Put a pic on here of your incra/sawstop table saw.  That thing is unreal.  I have been outfitting a shop just like yours. Slowly, but all top notch stuff. I pick up the last piece of my puzzle on Sunday.  A delta shaper.  The ones that look like a unisaw.  I really like older delta equipment.  I have a similar stack of systainers like you as well.  But here's my question, where are all your vacs.  You only have 2??  What????  I have 6 now and still find myself wanting another one.  I'm a flooring guy though and use them alot

 

[leakyroof]

Frank, I think we're tied for systainers/Sortainer total count if I looked over your picture correctly.  But, no Kapex for me yet, as I'm always waiting for Version 2.0.
Enjoy your stuff, and as Peter pointed out, go actually make something with them once in a while.  JORAFT knows what I'm talking about... ;D

 

[SittingElf]

I'm curious why you'd go with porcelain tile??

The important thing... Porcelain tile, NOT Ceramic tile.

There are a number of people in the last couple of years that have done their garage shop floors with porcelain for a number of reasons.

The Porcelain is tough. It will withstand the weight of heavy machines without complaint. If you know the codes, porcelain is rated for commercial use and OSHA requirements for slippage and strength. Porcelain does not stain. Drop some goo on the tile and just clean it up. Dropping an object on the tile is unlikely to crack it, unlike ceramic tile. Easy to sweep and clean. Good looking. Light colored tile increases the reflection of overhead lights and brightens the shop.

The other reason I have settled on Porcelain is that my current shop floor had a not-so-great epoxy job done on it by the original house builders. It is badly stained and in poor condition.
If I was to re-epoxy the floor, I would have to completely strip the floor which is a BIG job, and then put down new epoxy...an expensive proposition.  Overpainting is absolutely NOT recommended.

If you do a search for porcelain garage floors, you will find some incredible examples. They look great; stand up to heavy use; are safe when wet; easy to clean; don't stain; and I estimate I can do my entire 1000SF floor for about $3000 (Using tile contractors) The porcelain I am looking to use is from HD and essentially $1.00/SF plus installation. 

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

Enjoy your stuff, and as Peter pointed out, go actually make something with them once in a while.  JORAFT knows what I'm talking about... ;D

Recent:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/veg-trug-type-planter-for-my-wife/

http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/breadboxtowel-dispenser-for-my-wife-all-day-mother%27s-day-gift!/

I'd do more, but I don't get that much time with my tools while I'm still working overseas half the year.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

But here's my question, where are all your vacs.  You only have 2??  What????  I have 6 now and still find myself wanting another one.  I'm a flooring guy though and use them alot

You mean this beast in my shop that I am preparing to duct through my attic soon?? [big grin]

JDS 3HP Cyclone.
[attachimg=1]

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

I would imagine that most professional joiners, Cabinet makers with their own shop dream of being an helicopter pilot, not knowing most helicopter pilots dream of being cabinet makers with their own shop

I don't know if I'd want to be a cabinet maker, but I certainly want to eventually make esthetic pieces of furniture, doodads, frames, boxes, shelving, and other items. Not looking to make a living at it...but you never know! [embarassed]  Woodworking is very therapeutic and stress-relieving for me. It's a hobby...an expensive one for sure...but will likely always be a hobby.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

Frank I don't know where you are purchasing the porcelain tile, but you need to check out Floor and Decor in Orlando or Jacksonville as they have some excellent tile at very reasonable prices.  You also might want to look into the Mapei poly grout.  Permanently sealed once it is down.  I worked part time at the store in Brandon, FL for 3 years after retiring and before my wife retired.

Peace in Nigeria.  Regards, Bill

Bill,
I'll check that out before I commit. Thanks for the reference! [big grin]  At the very least, I'll take a hard look at the grout you have recommended. The options in the BORG are limited...and not top line.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

How time's flying by with a pilot at the helm.  [smile]

By the way, didn't you buy that ASA boom arm too? How's that hanging?

Heh heh!

It's still "hanging" out in it's shipping box. Steel beam to be installed in my shop later this summer to support it.

Frank

 

[festooltim]

That's a lot of boxes. Wonder if I can fit them all into my van. I could stop by and see if they would fit. Just let me know when your not home ha ha. But seriously i am envious that is a nice collection of Festools. Hope you get to enjoy those for many years.

 

[deepcreek]

I estimate I can do my entire 1000SF floor for about $3000 (Using tile contractors) The porcelain I am looking to use is from HD and essentially $1.00/SF plus installation.

I applaud you for using a pro instead of trying to do it yourself.  My tile installer was once asked why he charged more than another installer.  He explained that he had been doing it 28 years and the other man had just started.  He likened it to which doctor you would rather see - The one who has 28 years of experience or the guy just out of med school?

I would, however, recommend against using a "big box" store for your material (and NEVER for the install).  In their quest to offer the absolute lowest price, they often pressure otherwise quality manufacturers to cut corners.  Pick up a Kohler faucet at Home Depot and the same one at a plumbing supplier.  The model number will be almost identical but one will have plastic guts while the other will have ceramic valves and a brass body.

Get you tile installer to give you his price at a major tile manufacturer like DalTile.  Buy their commercial grade porcelain and you'll have no regrets.  Be sure to check the coeffecient of friction to determine slip resistance.  You may need a waterproofing membrane like RedGard to control moisture permeating up through the slab or an underlayment like Ditra to minimize the chance of cracking due to slab movement.  Thinset and grout also vary in quality from spec-grade (cheap) to heavy-duty.  If you tile pro is not well versed in product knowledge regarding the various options, find another one.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

p.s.  Happy Anniversary!  You have amassed an enviable collection.

 

[SittingElf]

Frank,
  I too have enjoyed your journey. I have the thought process as you.  But i wanna see the shop tools.  Make a list of those. Put a pic on here of your incra/sawstop table saw.  That thing is unreal......

Here's a sampling of what I have currently, though the dressed out SawStop PCS with router table extension is to be sold and replaced with a SawStop ICS 5HP and a dedicated router table, but both with Incra positioners again.

I don't have pictures of all my machines, but I do have some taken either recently during unpacking, or from my old shop.

Dressed up Sawstop (in my old shop):
[attachimg=1]

Laguna Italian LT20 6HP Bandsaw unpacking:
[attachimg=2]

My Hammer A3-41 just after unpacking:
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]

My Powermatic 3520B Mustard Monster:
[attachimg=6]

My Laguna Revo Mini-Lath on a Keter stand:
[attachimg=7]

My ASA5000 Boom Arm (still in its shipping box awaiting installation)
[attachimg=8]

I don't have pictures for the following in my shop:
Delta 18-900L 18" Drill Press
Laguna 14" SUV Band Saw
Dewalt DW788 Scroll Saw
JDS Air Filtration XP system
Harbor Freight 12" Compound Miter Saw (Yes, I know [embarassed])  For cutting crap wood and pallets. (It was on sale!!! [blink])

Adding soon:
JET 22-44ODS Oscillating Drum Sander Kit with closed stand
As yet to be determined Disc sander
CNC Shark HD3

THERE!  That should satisfy you for a bit. Can't wait to be able to do a shop tour once everything is pretty much done!

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Cheese]

[member=20326]SittingElf[/member]
Great pictures of "little Frank", cute kid. Also nice to see work pictures of you, puts a face on a name.

Love the Hammer A3...do you have any time frame in mind as to when you expect/want this shop to be up & running?

 

[Paul G]

Frank, please tell me you have a business and are writing this all off  [crying]

 

[Kev]

I get the porcelain now I understand the floor history ... just make sure you've got some good rubber matting where you're using nice chisels [big grin]

I envy your space ... pity my 30sqm. My systainer density is a problem and I'm looking at ways to be more efficient, but I can't see myself buying 100+ of those plastic drawers!

(I've given up on the A3/41, B3, N4400 combo until I can at least double my workspace - considering a small bandsaw, lunchbox thicknesser and work with the two CMS's)