Shopsmith Forums

It has been kind of quiet on the forum so for fun I thought I would start the ideal shop thread.
What would your shop look like if you wasn't trying to save money, what tools would it contain.

My shop would big enough to have a few wall benches, with enough space in the center for a 4x8 cutting table and a 4x8 adjustable height work table. I would have full complement of Festools tools and vacs and sustainers. I would have a 14 inch bandsaw with a 12" high cutting ability. I would have a router table, grinder/sharpening table, sliding miter saw. 15 inch planner, 3618 pro max drum sander. I would have a complete parts storage like Reible's or Adam Savage ( myth busters). It would totally temperature controlled with a heat pump and lighting would be overhead led. It would have an external air compressor and dust collection system with air and dust collection on every wall and ceiling floor. It would be wired for 110 with each plug on its own breaker.

I don't think I would have a table saw if I did I would get the new flesh sensing Bosch saw. I would probably have a jointer but not certainly. I would have a bench drill press and mortsing machine. In a 8x8 corner I would like a spray booth with HVLP sprayer set up. I would own a Tormek wet sharpener. I would have a full complement of good chisels, planes, screw drivers. Probably not Lie Nelson but close. I would have infinity saw blades and routers. I would like a full complement of woodpecker measuring tools.

The floor would be wood the walls painted a light color and have a sink, shower and toilet. I would have a TV/ internet feed along with a line line phone. I would love to have huge windows but I would want them secure and positioned so no one from outside can survey my tools.

The main thing is I would want quality tools, tools that did not require me to toss around huge chunks of wood, a parts storage system that was totally organized and also discouraged hoarding or being a pack rat. I would want a comfortable safe space without any constraints of air, vac,power heat or conveniences. I think I could do all of that for under $10 grand not counting the actual building.

One thing I know I would be busy for awhile playing with all the Festool toys.

So tell us what would your shop be like?

I don't think mine would end being a whole lot different from what I have now. I would like more space, so maybe 20x30, and a lot of windows and shop lighting, a good bench, an assembly table, I'd definitely keep the SS, but would like to add a regular table saw. I might switch out the RAS for a SCMS, but not sure. A larger selection of hand tools, and a good power planer. Good dust collection, for sure, and plenty of power. And most importantly, climate control!

I do not mind working out of the part of the garage that I have. I would love climate control or at least heat for the winter. I would like a few skylights where I normally work since it is along the connecting wall to the house.

I am pretty green at this still, but my 20x30 shop seems perfect to me. I keep the Mark V and Mark 7 in the center of the room and three 10ER's along the parimeter (against the wood rack). I have a work bench and three smaller benches on my Gorilla racks.

Pretty comfy if I do say so myself .....

Mine would be about 6-800sq ft, machine bench, wood workers bench, the ERs in there proper place, Marks V in theirs, a lay up/assembly table, stand alone 6" jointer, table saw, band saw, planer/spindle sander flip flop stand, dust collector, nice sound system, internet, and depending above ground or below, ideally above many windows just above machine height, some sky lights, maybe, HAVC controlled, slop sink and toilet. Since I have not sprayed yet, a separate finish/spray alcove. For austitics a wood burner just for that stuff that is not use able scrap, 2 comfortable chairs, by the wood burner, to sit and jaw around with a friend, or just contemplate projects and life!!!

Be careful what you wish for, it may just come true!! Too much space just turns into too much stuff around

Organized!!!

I have built my ideal shop. I spent about 5 years thinking about it before I built it. It is now 6 years old and I have no desire to radically change anything. In fact I have not changed anything at all from the original design/lay out.

It is 30' X 40' with lots of florescent lights and big windows for natural light. It has a bathroom with a laundry sink, toilet and hot water. There is a 10' X 12' finishing room with two windows. A Clearview Max cyclone dust collector and a Quincey 4 cylinder air compressor. Two ceiling mounted air filters in the main shop and one in the finishing room.

I also have an internet connection and DirecTV.

The shop is a combination of Shopsmith and stand alone tools and ALL get used regularly.

Consider me impressed and jealous!

jsburger wrote:I have built my ideal shop. I spent about 5 years thinking about it before I built it. It is now 6 years old and I have no desire to radically change anything. In fact I have not changed anything at all from the original design/lay out.

It is 30' X 40' with lots of florescent lights and big windows for natural light. It has a bathroom with a laundry sink, toilet and hot water. There is a 10' X 12' finishing room with two windows. A Clearview Max cyclone dust collector and a Quincey 4 cylinder air compressor. Two ceiling mounted air filters in the main shop and one in the finishing room.

I also have an internet connection and DirecTV.

The shop is a combination of Shopsmith and stand alone tools and ALL get used regularly.

Perhaps I am too paranoid but those windows to me invite a break in. I have had my tools stolen too many times. Tools are like gold almost Impossible to trace and easily sold to guys that only care about a bargain.. For some reason they don't seem to be able to connect the dots when offered a $300 tool for $60. Or maybe you they do but simplyy don't care.

Also you have tons of space but how will that shop be to work in when the hip goes or the shoulder no longer allows you to muscle around a full 4x8 of plywood.

Thatval said I like your shop. I have a case of envy!