My 10 X 14 basement workshop

Having only a very small workspace has forced me to organize my space. The slat system on the walls allows me to move tools out of the way when not being used or to a more convinient position when needed. he tablesaw and bandsaw are on mobile bases allowing them to be moved for working on larger pieces. I use my space for crafts with my scout troop, building furniture and various crafts. I have also built 3 wod kayaks. My current project is "lincoln log" bird houses for Christmas presents. The vacuum system can be turned on or off from any of the 4 wall hose locations. The sink in the workbench is covered by a top to give a larger work table. SOme would consider my space too small - but I am never more than 3 steps from any of my tools!

Comments

[davidcarr3]

Makes me chuckle "having only a very small workspace", I have a cupboard 1.1 X 2.3 M, that I've managed to cram a workbench+Vice and loads of tools into. Which brings me to the reason for this post. Does anyone know where I can find some guides tutorials for woodworking entirely by hand? I mean everything even sharpening your chisels without bench grinders etc. As previously mentioned I have an insanely small working area, so certainly don't have room for lots of power tools, also I would quite like to say that something was made entirely by hand. Any pointers for me? Cheers David PS nice shop I am extremely envious.

[american_wife]

Youtube has a wealth of video tutorials for woodworking by hand. Search topics that have helped me learn more than I ever intended to are: how to cut dovetails by hand, hand plane essentials, the woodwright shop, christopher schwarz, rob cosman. Run a search for something basic and the related videos will help you out too.

[Bushie]

Re: Sharpening tools -

* Knives, chisels and scissors should only be sharpened by hand, as overheating by electric grinders will degrade the "temper" of the steel, and it will no longer hold the edge as well...

* Electric grinders, including bench grinders, should only be used to true up cutting tools, getting rid of nicks, etc. before hand sharpening and honing ~ your best and favourite cutting tools should hopefully never see a grinder.

* To maintain your chisels, knives and plane blades, you could start your own sharpening "kit" with a combination stone (something like 4000 grit on one side, and 1000 on the finer (finishing..) side, a couple of diamond hones, maybe a "steel", and a leather strop for finishing off..

* Angle guides are available to help with sharpening chisels and plane blades..

* There are specialist books available on sharpening knives and tools ~ plus some of the better knife and tool companies have tutorials on maintaining and sharpening their tools, on their websites...

[ArtsyFartsyGirl]

I make jewelry not furniture, but if I had 10x15' of space, i'd feel like I was in the White House!! I guess it's all relative! My "studio" is the top of my 4'6" desk!!!!!!

[Ken Chevy]

Nice idea for small spaces.  The 1/4"  'hook' on the back works much better than the 45 degree system.

Here is the link from the comments, making it hot so it can just be clicked on.  There are people who don't understand about highlighting a link and copying it to the URL address bar.

The updated AW article, has nice photos and explanation.  Spacing for the slats center to center would work well at 10 or 12 inches.  And they don't all have to be the same spacing either, it is all up to YOU in YOUR shop.

http://www.americanwoodworker.com/hyperorganizedshopw

When you see the URL belongs to the magazine, like in the link above, then you know the Copyright issues are okay.


FOR YOUR/ANYONE'S  INFORMATION:
I  never made the URL link with the rar file in it because most of the sites, like this one with the rar file are not in the USA because of Copyright issues.  This one is registered in Australia.

Ken

102510 0300

[neiljackson1984]

That modular slat system is awesome. I wonder if anything like that is commercially available.

[neiljackson1984]

There must be a certain economy of movement that can be achieved with such a small space, if it is well organized.

[steliart]

Congratulations, a very nice and well organized workshop!

[dantimdad]

Here's a link to view the article about the slat system for free:

http://hotfile.com/dl/14214999/4ba58bc/americanwoodworker-125.rar.html

[chriscol]

I'd like to see how you built the 'slats' on the walls. They seem to be more than a simple board nailed to the wall--but I can't see behind the board. Also how did you space them--and why did you choose that spacing?

[marlinhendricks]

Thanks Chriscol, I designed the slat system from an article in the AMERICAN WOODWORKER magazine - Nov. 2006 issue. I used their spacing & shim method behind. It would be far easier for you to find a copy of that mag than for me to describe it in detail. 1 addition I made was the "tables" for my power tools - scroll saw, chop saw, belt sander, etc. Since these tools are often limited by being on the wall (even if they can be moved) I made a plywood base for the tool separate from the table which hooks to the slats. They are indexed together with short stub dowels in the tool base that fit into holes in the table. This dowel indexing matches the holes in a craftsman folding work table so I can place the tool on the table in the middle of the room. I hope all this makes sense. :-) There is an article in the AMERICAN WOODWORKER Nov. 08 issue that give a variation to use with smaller tools. I hope this helps. Marlin

[keerock]

This. Is. Awesome!

Many thanks, Marlin, for the highly inspiring instructable.  This winter I'll be organizing my 12 x 20 shop and this is just the kick-in-the-pants I needed!

Btw, I tried in vain to find the AW Nov '06 issue on ebay.  While recently checking out at my local orange big box store, made an impulse purchase at the magazine rack.  I picked up American Woodworker #144, Oct/Nov 2009 and low-and-behold, the article you referred to has been reprinted and embellished with even more detail available online.  Talk about lucky!  Check out the following:

www.americanwoodworker.com/hyperorganizedshop

Thanks again!

[Lor]

I really don't get it. What do the slats do. Your pictures move to fast to see anything. How is everything held up? I try to press stop but it doesn't stop. Would love to know.

[Doc Holliday]

To make those really useful slats on the wall, take a piece of 1x4(or larger) hardwood and rip a 45 degree angle down the middle (length-wise). Attach one strip to the wall, with the 45 degree "sharp edge" out wards and upwards, use the other as a back brace for whatever you want to hang onto the first piece, and mount it to interlock with the wall piece. That is: 45 degree angle down, and out. The parallel wall pieces keep everything vertical and easy to reposition. Once you've done this, setting up or moving a shop is a snap.

[Jwayne101]

Any chance you might throw together a DIY/How To/FAQ on your vacuum system, thats a brilliant system, and I would love to know how you set that up. I like a tighter space for that same reason all my tools/equipment in one spot/arms reach. NICE WORK!!

[marlinhendricks]

How about a short explanation?? My vacuum - a 15 gal sits in the closet of an adjacent bedroom. The hose & cord go thru the wall to beneath my workbench to a "DUST DEPUTY" 10 gal. cyclone dust trap. (It is amazing! 50 gallons of dust and still on my first filter/bag in the vacuum). From there it goes into 2 1/2 clear on the wall. It y's to a blast gate to the table saw. The main goes to the ceiling and y's 3 ways to blast gates on the other 3 wall. Each of those has a 12 foot hose attached which can be hooked to the various machines. The vacuum is wired through a relay which can be turned on from a switch at each of the blast gates. Hope this helps. Marlin

[cheapchuck]

Your set-up is perfect for my 10X15 garage. I am inspired!

[chalky]

hey,nice set up man:)

[foobear]

Interesting organization strategy. Very clean too!

[Weissensteinburg]

I like your fold down drawing table.