My Workshop and My Tools
Have you ever found a woodworker that think his shop is too large? Or one who thinks he has too many tools?
Ask any woodworker about the size of their shop, and probably 9 out of 10 will say that their shop is too small. My shop is not a large one either - occupying ½ of our 1-car garage - with less than 120 sq ft available for tools, workbenches and wood storage. I am not complaining - I used to do woodworking in a 4x6' washer/dryer closet on the patio of where I used to live. That was like a small walk-in tool cabinet, so this is a big change for me. And I know there are many woodworkers with less space available than I have now. My current size shop has been helpful in many ways. Mostly in keeping my spending on stationary power tools to a minimum (not much space for more tools).
The tools I own has been accumulated mostly over the last 15 years - starting with hand tools and then adding power tools as I got shop space - and a little extra money to spend. Some of the tools (mostly carving tools) are inherited from my late uncle Harald. Other tools were bought new, other used - from local suppliers, online suppliers, through Craigslist and eBay.
My most important power tools
- Delta 12" Drill Press
- Delta ShopMaster BS100 9" Bandsaw
- Delta 4x6" Belt and Disc Sander
- Craftsman Model 241601 7½" table saw
- Teknatool Mercury Mini Lathe
- Grizzly G0555X Extreme 14" bandsaw
Tools for sharpening
- Craftsman 6" bench grinder with Oneway Wolverine Sharpening Jigs
- Grizzly Model T10010 10" Wet Grinder
Dust collection
My dust collection system consists of three different units:
- Harbor Freight ¾ HP dust collector
- Shop Vac w/automatic power switch for Delta 9 in bandsaw
- Shop Vac with Veritas Cyclone Lid and Craftsman 2½" x20' extension hose
The setup is shown here.