Basement Shop In Progress

[stljake]

I've been lurking as a guest here for a while, but it's time to say hi and share.

We bought a house in St. Louis about 2 years ago with a mostly finished basement, except one 20 ft x 25 ft room was still bare cement walls. Nothing in there except the circuit breaker box and a sump pump. My wife loved the house, I loved the future workshop. What a deal!

After one year of the typical move-in projects, I got started. Studded out the walls, closed off the vents, insulated the ceiling to reduce noise, added a sub-panel for lots of lights and circuits. Then plywood on the walls, a workbench surface, roll-away cabinets, wall cabinets.

Pictures of the present state are at www.flickr.com/gp/65764307@N00/M4fB3X

Next I want to build a cabinet-makers/assembly workbench and some tool stations for sanders & a drill press. I see several great pictures of both here on the forums. If you have a forum thread on your workbench project, post a link to it so I don't miss it.

Also, I'm making a couple cross-cut sleds for the table saw, but I'm a little confused on the best way to square the fence with the cut. I mean, I need the fence on before I cut the kerf so the sled doesn't fall apart, but I can't really get it square until after I've made the cut. So what's the best way to proceed?

Thanks!

[cgallery]

Nice shop, great work, fantastic first post!

[gad5264]

Jake, welcome aboard and don't be shy about asking questions or commenting on others questions. This is the best bunch of guys you may never meet but will become good friends with.

BTW, nice shop.

[Pappy]

Welcome to the Asylum, Jake. Nice shop area you have going.

Couple of methods come to mind on the sleds.

1. Set your runners and make a cut part way thruogh withthe blade set high. Stop the saw and use a square against the blade and set the fence to that.

2. Set temporary pieces on the front and back edges of the sled. With the runners attached, make a complete kerf cut and align the fence/front piece to the kerf.

[bigstick509]

Welcome

[Ed62]

Welcome aboard. I'm envious of your shop. Nice!

Ed

[hermit]

Nice looking space there Steve! I love clean, organized workshops. I'm always looking for little things I can copy........... like your parts bins and the rolling cabinet idea. Thanks! And welcome. Keep the pictures coming.

Todd

Ok is it Steve or Jake?! I saw Steve on your slideshow. Whatever, welcome anyway.

[stljake]

It's both! Real name Steve, but my nickname's Jake.

Thanks for the compliments.

[Hoakie]

Welcome and nice shop. You've given my a lot of ideas as I start to trick mine out this spring.

[BT3 WOODOG]

Where did You get the red drawers,and were they a good deal?

[messmaker]

It is very nice. One of the best I have seen. Where is all of your junk? Any WW worth beans need wood all over the place and so stuff that won't fit anywhere, no matter how hard you try.

[stljake]

Toolbox Trays at Lee Valley

Where did You get the red drawers,and were they a good deal?

The red drawers are "toolbox trays" by Veritas sold online at www.leevalley.com

I thought they were very reasonable and they look great. Even cheaper if you buy lots of them.

[stljake]

Where is all of your junk? Any WW worth beans need wood all over the place and so stuff that won't fit anywhere, no matter how hard you try.

Didn't you notice that the pictures show 1/2 of the shop?

[LarryG]

Really nice shop you have there, Jake. You too, Steve.

Neat idea with the door panels. I've had my eye on that plastic pegboard at Lowe's, trying to think of ways I could use it. (First thought that came to mind: a downdraft sanding table.) I just may end up steal--er, emulating your idea.

[stljake]

Neat idea with the door panels. I've had my eye on that plastic pegboard at Lowe's, trying to think of ways I could use it. (First thought that came to mind: a downdraft sanding table.) I just may end up steal--er, emulating your idea.

The plastic pegboard from Lowe's cuts easily on the table saw, plus its good and stiff. The only drawback is that its so slick that the pegs fall out even easier than they do with hardboard, so I use those little hold-down clips. The downdraft table might suffer similarly - there might not be enough friction to hold the wood you're sanding. Grab a piece of wood at Lowe's and see what you think before you buy a sheet - 'cause it ain't cheap either.

Hey, I don't think there's anything in my shop that was my original idea, so you won't be stealing or emulating from me!