A trip to Rockler

[Cochese]

A trip to a store usually isn't something to brag about or discuss, but I mention it because it's the first time I've been in several months. It's the first time I've gone to a woodworking store in several months at all. Whereas I would stop by after work occasionally, with my remote status I barely go into work anymore, thus eliminating my excuse to stop in.

The store and what it stocks is pretty much the same since I went in last. I picked up one of their new glue sets, but I left with something more.

I'm sure some of you know my shop frustrations. It's become depressing to even set foot in there, a lot of that because I have so many aspirations and don't know how to get there. I may have bought one or two tools too many, or bought tools that were good buys but are now too big for the space. I don't particularly want to replace or rid myself of them, but simply moving around is annoying, much less trying to put something together. I know others deal with shops the same size or smaller than mine, but putting a vision together and executing it to how I would like to is a problem.

It was nice to talk to the couple of employees there and be able to vent a bit. I enjoyed looking at all the cool things there and there is so much I'd like to grab, even keeping the shop the same. So it was great to get if not inspiration, a desire to make this thing work and be a pleasure to be in. In that respect, I left the store a richer person than when I arrived, which is a rare thing.

[russde]

Well put Cochese...sometimes the biggest step forward in any project is made first in our mind and attitude.

[wardprobst]

I've had similar frustrations through the years regarding space. Pack a few grands in and any space looks small! Suggestion, rent storage, put all but the most necessary tools in it. Work on projects in the remaining space. If, after six months or a year you find you haven't pulled a tool out of storage, make a decision. Having to pay storage is a great incentive to understand how precious our space has become.
FWIW,
DP

[ironhat]

Well put Cochese...sometimes the biggest step forward in any project is made first in our mind and attitude.

Exactly, 'russde'! I know from experience that sometimes the limitations are all in our minds. I know this from a project which was pushing my skill-envelope. It had mortise and tenon joinery as well as raised panel door, both of which were outside my talents. I was posting on this site and bugging the guys for more info. In the end, it was as easy as the drawing made it! Add some patience and I had it made!

[Cochese]

Back at work for a couple of days this week, and that meant more opportunities to visit shops. Yesterday I hit Highland and gawked at their two floors of tools. I picked up a Oneway Wolverine to finally tune up the lathe tools.

Today I got to visit Peachtree and Woodcraft. I purchased some turner's sandpaper rolls at the former, but it was what I found at Woodcraft that was surprising and may do me the most good. I browsed the whole store, but with $100 in purchases at the prior two stores in the previous 24 hours, I wasn't looking to buy much. Just reacquaint myself with the product lines, see if there was anything that truly piqued my interest. The nearly $1200 Kreg router table nearly gave me a heart attack.

What caught my attention was a stack of old magazines. I scanned the covers as I went through them and two caught my eye: one for a patio serving cart I've been wanting to build, and the other was 'The best basement shop ever!' from WOOD, November 1997. I happened to flip straight to page 52, and my reaction can only be summarized with a YouTube clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf0yQbrY9Pw

In short, it's a flip top planer/sander cabinet, a lathe on a cabinet, and a miter saw on a stand. The AHA bit is the flip shelf over the lathe that doubles as the miter saw extension table. It's brutally simplistic but genius.

I don't know if that idea will make it into my shop, but it's a great example of an idea that might lead to other great ideas to take space back. I'm excited.

[Cochese]

Ever since this trip to Rockler I've been on an absolute roll. Tonight I exited the shop with it as clean as it's been in a year, with actual room to move around.

I noticed the base to my old router table had some nice little nooks that were the old drawer boxes, so I took the wheels off of it and stashed it under the saw and it's a temporary cutoff bin. That's pure wasted space reclaimed, and getting other junk out of my way. I shifted some stuff around so that the lathe is in front of the window, and will allow me in the spring to add a window A/C or fan unit.

Space is still not quite where I want it to be, but it seems to be coming together very nicely. I have a few things in mind, such as a lathe stand with storage that I may work on in late winter (that little $10 heater I bought has more than paid for itself, I just have to watch how hot the plug gets). I'll also be redoing the miter stand as I have come to realize it is a bit too big and I don't utilize all the drawers. I have also moved the dust separator out from under it, and it may eventually replace the vac (see below). So, the miter saw can shrink a bit which will make even more room. If I can further rid myself of some larger pieces of scrap plywood, that's nearly half a wall's worth of floor space now free for other use.

As for that other use, I'm considering a folding router table which I found the plans for in an old American Woodworker. I could then use it as a working planer stand, and a stand for a grinder, sander or whatever else I need via the T-track and hold downs.

The other thing I'd really like to make room for, and will be the last addition to the shop not being a replacement, is the HF DC. I think I may make enough room where I can have an irregular install of it, either up on a wall or below a work surface. I'm still kicking that around. I may take advantage of the next great coupon on it and grab it.

[chopnhack]

Sometimes you just need a good push and the right environment to get rolling! I am glad you are picking up steam again!! Good for you.

Another hazard we have as woodworkers of this era is advertising... we "need" all these tools and equipment.... B.S. It's an excuse and an easy way out for us to use to keep us from working wood. Stay focused on the task and find a way to get it done with what you have. You will learn from the experience and be more knowledgeable about you really need to get the same task done again in the future more efficiently.

[Cochese]

Fell a little into that trap on Monday when it was the last day of Woodcraft's Rikon 8" grinder promotion. Did I need it? Well, it turns out that I actually did.

My Ryobi 6" did well enough, but the speed and whatever wheel I bought for it was bluing the chisels like crazy. HF chisels, but still. For $99 I got the 8" slow speed, a 60-grit and a 120 grit white wheel, a wheel cleaner and it sharpens so much better. Flew through an oak blank that I previously had trouble with.

I could max out my cards (all of them) with things that I want for the shop. Hopefully I can fill a need with Christmas coming up, but we'll see.

[chopnhack]

Oh man!! How did I miss that! I need a grinder, lol. let us know how the new machine functions.

[capncarl]

The dust collector needs to moved outside the building in a little add on closet. The only reason it should stay inside is if you have a heated/cooled humidity controlled inside environment, then you filter the heck out of the discharge air. That will gain you enough room for the sharpening station you need for your new grinder. The HF dust collector may overtax your already questionable wiring and power supply though.
capncarl

[Cochese]

The dust collector needs to moved outside the building in a little add on closet. The only reason it should stay inside is if you have a heated/cooled humidity controlled inside environment, then you filter the heck out of the discharge air. That will gain you enough room for the sharpening station you need for your new grinder. The HF dust collector may overtax your already questionable wiring and power supply though.
capncarl

The only question would be of what size extension cord. I've seen claims of it needing 20A or even 30A startup power. I'm going to at some point have to call an electrician out to see how much it would be to run service.

As far as an outside closet goes, the impression I got from the county was I'd need a permit, and I wouldn't get one with how close it is to the line.