Woodshop Plan

January 04, 2025

I’m blessed in owning a lot of tools handed down from my grandfathers plus I’ve also picked up a lot of hand and battery-powered tools over the years for odd jobs around the farm and the like.

Machines I own:

  1. Bandsaw

  2. Chopsaw

  3. Drill press

  4. Wood Lathe (10in x 18in)

  5. Contractor Table Saw

  6. Have access to full-size Table Saw

  7. Router and table

  8. Bench grinder

  9. Work Sharp Knife Sharpener

  10. Traditional Joiner’s Bench

The biggest tool(s) I don’t currently own are:

  1. Planer

  2. Joiner

  3. Dust Collection System

This is an odd place to be for me to have almost everything I need.

I’m not ready for the expense of the planer/joiner yet, and I need to complete a substantial amount of demolition before I can install the dust collection system.

Issues I know of:

  • It’s a cinder-block basement.

  • It’s damp

  • Low clearance - It’s around 6 foot 6 inches

  • Wiring is an eclectic mess.

  • Minimal lighting

Solutions to issues:

  • Studying the cinder-block moisture issue. There is a rigid foam product that functions as a vapor barrier to prevent the moisture from condensation on the cinder blocks from penetrating the studs. There is also a sill vapor barrier to protect the bottom plate from moisture.

  • I’m also planning on running a large dehumidifier to help deal with the dampness that comes from being underground with a cinder-block basement.

  • The low clearance only prevents me from working on single-piece large projects, which are not really in my wheelhouse or desire anyway. I’m more in favor of making 100 small pieces to sell for 10 dollars each than 10 larger items to sell for 100 a pop. (These are made-up numbers. I will follow the market research on what I can get for them).

  • The lighting is going to be fixed with daisy-chained work lights from Menard’s. I’ve used these before, and they work wonders.

  • The wiring is problematic. I think the best solution is going to be to pull the existing wiring from the receptacles and light fixtures, and run new wire that’s up to modern code, and ensure that my receptacles are three-pronged outlets. I do need to run a 220V outlet. I am planning on putting at least one 110 receptacle above the workbench.

Quality of Life Improvements

  • French cleat walls for tool storage. Because I am either hyper-organized or chaos-unleashed, it is of utmost importance that there is a place for everything and everything goes to its place. My plan involves spending 20-30 per week in the shop, and I’d rather not waste any time not being able to find a tool I need because I didn’t put it back where it belonged.

  • Tools that need to be portable will live in Milwaukee Pack Out cases so that I can take them to where they are needed. I will probably buy one or two of the Pack Out Wall Mounts to store these on.

  • Handtools that are rarely needed will live in a drawered toolbox in foam so I know they got back where they belong (or see if someone borrowed something)

  • Dedicated stands for the Drill Press, Band Saw, Lathe, and Chop Saw. These will be built in the shop from either pallet wood or scrap 2x4 depending on what I can find easy.

  • Carving Horse for draw knife roughing out - because I’ve wanted one for about 10 years and just never got around to making it.