"Island" Shop In FWW

[LarryG]

Those of you who've seen the "island" shop in FWW's annual Tools & Shops issue, in which a fellow combined all of his stationary tools (jointer excepted) into one large, 6' x 13' grouping ... what did you think of this concept? See any glaring flaws, etc?

[hobkirk]

The answer to your Q is:

• I think if you've been doing WW for a gazillion years and know exactly what you like, you know the size of lumber you will be using, etc., etc., you can do it with confidence.
• I loved his design - for him, but not for me - I'm much to confused
• (boy do I love his space!)

But, that being said...
I am currently laying out a 2-car garage shop - the article inspired me to experiment with an alternative floor plan.

• I am trying out the workability of locating my DC at the end of the center overhead runners and building a two-sided island in the 8' between it and the front doors.
  • It would shorten my DC plumbing runs and concentrate a lot of equipment in space that I hadn't planned on utilizing much.
    • And that lead me to considering blocking off one door to gain an extra 8' of "wall space".
      • And that lead to contemplating rebuilding the garage into a new SuperDome...

Oops... my brain drain is showing... Drats...

[crokett]

What Doug said. I can't see me working with all my tools like that, esp, since I have a very bad habit of using my tablesaw as a workbench.

[Bulkley]

For those who haven't read the mag, there is a movie of this shop here:

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/wvt119.asp

[LarryG]

I think it's an interesting concept, but wonder whether it was taken too far (i.e., "One way or another, EVERYTHING goes into the island!"). There are two things I sorta-kinda don't like, and two things I don't like at all.

Sorta-Kinda Don't Like:
1. Planer is too far from jointer. Perhaps easily remedied by moving the jointer, since it's the one tool that stands on its own base.
2. Router placement. I prefer to be able to reach the bit area from at least three sides of the table, and also have completely independent setups for the table saw and router. But I could live with this arrangement if I had to.

Don't Like At All:
1. Drill press is too high. The quill is virtually at eye level! This might work okay for very small workpieces, but holding and drilling long/large workpieces has gotta be awkward as ****.
2. Bandaw access is restricted on the infeed side. It looks like you'd have to lean in sideways too far to see what you're doing and control the workpiece.

But I do like the way the DC unit is integrated into the tool grouping. And I've never thought about a setup where a table saw and a miter saw (or in this case, a radial arm) shared some of the same table space. Like Doug, I wouldn't want this same setup either, or probably anything even remotely like it, BUT there are some ideas that are making me think, and re-think, and re-think again.

[jnesmith]

How does he tilt his BS table?

[Bulkley]

I like a large work centre built around the table saw, but I don't like this guys setup, particularly the DC setup in the middle. I think his work centre is so big that it becomes its own problem.

[JR]

quote:Originally posted by LarryG

Those of you who've seen the "island" shop in FWW's annual Tools & Shops issue,

Is this something that should come with my subscription? If so, I haven't seen it yet.

JR

[DaveW]

quote:Originally posted by JR

Is this something that should come with my subscription? If so, I haven't seen it yet.

JR

Yes - mine showed up last night.

[Jim Boyd]

quote:Originally posted by DaveW

quote:Originally posted by JR

Is this something that should come with my subscription? If so, I haven't seen it yet.

JR

Yes - mine showed up last night.

Mine too. It looks too neat for me. Not enough clutter space

[JR]

Well, I finally got my copy (pony express to the west coast ain't what it used to be).

I really like the wide open spaces of that setup. It would be so nice to throw your lumber onto that surface and just push it around from station to station.

The center post also gave me something to think about. I've got big square post that currently devines the edge of my shop in the third stall of the 3-car garage. If I were to exercise the right of eminent domain over the adjacent stall, a setup of this type could be very useful. After the scratches and broken bones heal, of course - that's LOML's stall.[8D]

I read the plan in some detail and found the method for getting the tools all at that height somewhat mystifying. I think it said something like "put your tools all at the same height." Okaaay.

Oh, and what's up with that desk-orama thing? This guy never leaves his shop, does he?

JR

[Bulkley]

Re: "put your tools all at the same height." This is one of the best suggestions for a shop, particularly a small one. Basicly, measure the height of your table saw. All other tool platforms, work benches or obstructions should be kept to, or below, that measurement. When you do this, you have an easier time handling long stock. Moreover, other tool platforms can be used to support the other end of long stock when cutting it.

[JR]

Bulkley, the reason for doing it is obvious. Actually doing it in a multi-cabinet system like that is less obvious. For instance, how to get the thickness planer infeed and outfeed tables to line up with the table top.

JR

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by JR

For instance, how to get the thickness planer infeed and outfeed tables to line up with the table top.

A common approach for such situations is to make the recess deeper than required, then shim the machine up until it's exactly flush. However, one of the possible flaws I've thought about for this setup is: what happens if a machine dies and you replace it with something else of a different size? Rebuild a portion of the island as necessary, I guess.

I hadn't thought about how the bandsaw table tilts. That IS a good question.

[LCHIEN]

I dunno, I think the way the bandsaw feeds is awkward - I understand they have it so the infeed and outfeed are in-line with the length of the bench but I usually stand next to the infeed and push the work into the blade, I can't see standing next to the BS like you'd have to do here for either ripping or curve work.

Also the thing's gotta weigh a lot - is it movable? So you can slide it to one side of the garage?

Still there seems to be some merit to this. I'll keep it in mind.