On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:11:52 -0400you write: >I have a small basement shop. I would like a jointer and plainer but no room >for them. The other day I visited the Wood Craft store and they have a >combination eight inch jointer and plainer. It is a bench top unit standing >16 inches tall and I think 33 inches long. >I want to talk to a neighbor who does a little welding and has access to a >lot of square tubing. I am thinking about having a frame that will hold the >unit a little below the top. then Place a work surface on the top to replace >one of the work tables that I use. >I would mount rubber wheels and a locking system similar to my shop fox >table saw support. When I want to use the tool raise it and lock it in place >at the top for the jointer and a little higher for the plainer. I would also >then have a small storage underneath. >The tool is $329. The welding and parts would be a little more than two >cases of beer. >I want to first talk to him about the idea then try and convince Karen. All >that she said when she saw it was, and where do you think you could put it?
My shop is small as well. It is about 19" x 16". Of course, my Brother's is 30" x 30". He says he doesn't have enough room to cuss the cat. Space, or the lack there of, is a huge problem for all wood workers I know. There never seems to be enough. Little tricks like you are thinking are the best way to maximize the use of your available space. Make a cabinet double for more than one purpose. In my shop, my router is my out feed table for my table saw. Have work surfaces function for more than one purpose. All my bench top tools are kept in a cabinet mortiser, disk sander, spindle sander, ... The top of this cabinet is the work surface utilized by these tools. The base of each tool locks into some tee track embedded in the surface. When I need to use a tool, I lift it out of the cabinet and set it on the work surface. This cabinet also acts as the left side table for my miter saw and the right side table for my radial arm saw. Keep in mind though, a piece of equipment utilized for more than one purpose has a certain amount of inconvenience associated. You just have to decide what is too much. An example for me is I decided early on not to purchase Shop Smith equipment. I do believe their products are well made and of the highest quality; I didn't want to spend my time doing all the set up when swapping tools. The most important suggestion is to keep everything on wheels. (remain flexable) Terry
