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setting up a shop for less then $1ooo

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:17 am
by ERLover
okay Newbiies, I have set up 3 shops in that many years for about $1000.
Craig's List is your best friend. If you cant find a good Wood workers bench on CL get your 20% off coupon and buy the one From HF, to make a better will cost about 200$ more, thicker top, buy some SS, on CL with a jointer and Band Saw, maybe 2 SS and and make one in to a dedicate DP or and lathe if that is your thing. Find some ERs that even do the lathe, and DP better if it has a Speed Changer, All do able fix ups, even a Mark V, you can have a shop for less then a grand. We and the MS have all the knowledge and parts to do it if need be. I have ERs, that are original bearings in them and the motors, as far as I know, on the average 66 years old!!!

Re: setting up a shop for less then $1ooo

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:58 am
by rpd
ERLover wrote:okay Newbiies, I have set up 3 shops in that many years for about $1000.
Craig's List is your best friend. If you cant find a good Wood workers bench on CL get your 20% off coupon and buy the one From HF, to make a better will cost about 200$ more, thicker top, buy some SS, on CL with a jointer and Band Saw, maybe 2 SS and and make one in to a dedicate DP or and lathe if that is your thing. Find some ERs that even do the lathe, and DP better if it has a Speed Changer, All do able fix ups, even a Mark V, you can have a shop for less then a grand. We and the MS have all the knowledge and parts to do it if need be. I have ERs, that are original bearings in them and the motors, as far as I know, on the average 66 years old!!!
It is possible to build a really great woodwork bench inexpensively using construction grade lumber. :)
Here is the thread documenting the one I built, Woodwork Bench Build
Approximate cost.
lumber - $50.00
glue - $15.00
hardware - $15.00
used vise - $35.00
So somewhere around $115-$120 total, (plus sweat equity). ;)

Re: setting up a shop for less then $1ooo

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 3:53 am
by ERLover
My home made work bench was from a plan from Wood workers, I cant relocate it right now, but the top was 3/4/" OSB x 2 glued,1 and 1/2" thick, then I bought from Menards, Big Box Store, a high density particle board 1 and 1/8 or 1 and 1/4 bench top material, then put 1/4" tempered Masonite on it, all surrounded with the same thickness White Ash squared. Base was 2x6 Doug fir Trellis Style, with a cabinet that was an extra. But cost was around $300 with drawer metal guides in the base cabinet, I think 4 pair at about $12 a pair.

Re: setting up a shop for less then $1ooo

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 1:28 pm
by Beave2012
I tend to agree with the above replies. You can make a really nice woodworker bench from construction grade lumber. It just takes some time and skill, which is what people need to learn to use starting out anyways. Toss in a Shopsmith from Craigslist with jointer and bandsaw and your decently out the gate towards doing well. Add some hand planes and chisels from a garage sale or so and your good to go. If I take my original 520 purchase out of the equation and substitute my new 510 I'm around $600 and that includes a $400 pro planner that isn't a necessity, but is nice to have.

But I will totally admit that a used good deal shopsmith is cheaper than even buying decent hand tools to do the same actions. But anything is possible with the right deal.

Re: setting up a shop for less then $1ooo

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 3:53 pm
by masonsailor2
I personally don't have a need for a workbench that I can't router into, build jigs on or drill holes in. I make my bench tops out of two or three layers of plain 3/4" particle board. I tend to really abuse the bench top and after about 6 mos to a year I replace the top piece which is cheap. That way I don't feel bad about screwing jigs to it or drilling holes in it for bar clamps etc. To hold the particle board sheets together just sink a grabber screw at about eight or ten locations on the sheet of PB and then drill a 3/8 hole near the screw and glue a dowel in it. After the glue dries remove the screws. That way there are no screws to hit with a saw or router. When you want to replace the top just drill out the dowels, remove the top sheet and replace with a new one. For less than 20 dollars you have a fresh new top.