Tool Layout

[crokett]

I have a DP on an existing stand, a CMS that needs a stand and a bandsaw that needs a stand. I'd like them all on the same wall and would prefer to have support for cutting long boards on the CMS and possibly the DP. Bandsaw should be mobile, the other two do not have to be.

I currently have the DP on a mobile base. I will probably put the BS on this base. One problem with the DP is obviously that its table is adjustable so any outriggers to support long boards would have to be adjustable as well.

Suggestions for arrangement?, stands, etc? I have about 12' along this wall. I'd like the two stationary tools grouped as close to the center as possible for obvious reasons.

[cabinetman]

I've always tried to group tools together, and have the ones that need to move on a mobile base.

For your situation, the table height for the band saw and CMS could be a fixed dimension that is comfortable to you. As for the DP, the height would be within a range that you could move the table to the "fixed" height, and still have it mobile. It's difficult to solve all the problems.

If you put the DP on a mobile base, how about one of these outriggers:




"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[LarryG]

I have about 12' along this wall. I'd like the two stationary tools grouped as close to the center as possible for obvious reasons.

Yabbut let me give you a possible gotcha on the flip side of this. I have my mortiser and CMS sitting cheek by jowl on a workbench. The CMS, the more heavily used of the two, has about 12' of working room to the left and about 7' to the right. The mortiser sits to the left of the CMS, so it has roughly equal working room on both sides. The tables of the two tools are on the same level.

When the mortiser is not being used, which admittedly is most of the time, I run its fence all the way to the rear, out of the path of material destined for the CMS, and its table helps support whatever I'm cutting with the CMS. But when I'm set up to do mortising, with the fence run forward, it interrupts the 12' long area on the left side of the CMS and I'm limited to the 7' space to the right of the blade. This is not only more limiting but is unnatural, so to speak, since a CMS is typically operated with one's right hand.

Point being, think through all your possible setup scenarios and visualize how a setup you don't want to break down will affect the other tools in the line. I was aware of this possible conflict when I positioned my mortiser and CMS, but it has proved to be more of a hassle than I anticipated.