Free Beginner’s Guide to If you're a beginner and money is tight, you can buy all the hand tools you'll need to start woodworking with just a C--note.

B ginning woodworkers have it bad when it comes to buying their first hand tools. First you have to figure out what tools you need to get started. Then you have a hard choice. You can buy the cheapest stuff at discount stores and risk being disappointed with the quality later. Or you can buy the nice stuff from catalogs and specialty woodworking stores that is considerably more expensive. However there's a third op­ tion that few beginning woodworkers consider: buy used hand tools. Flea markets, garage sales and antique malls are usually awash with quality used hand tools at reasonable prices. A #4 Stanley smoothing that costs $57.50 new in the box can be had for $15 to $20 used. Wooden handled that average about $10 each new can be bought for $5. There are some downsides to buying used, though. If you're not happy with your purchase, it's unlikely you can get a refund. And some used tools need restoration before use. But if you follow the guidelines in this article, you can minimize the amount of time you'll spend fixing up your old tools and quick-

by Christopher Schwarz

ly put your new toys to work. all day waiting for the tools you're inter­ Let me first say that buying used isn't ested in to come up for sale. And even then for everyone. It's unlikely you'll be able to you might lose to a higher bidder and end go to one flea market on a Saturday morn­ up only with a few extra pounds from all ing and equip your entire shop. So you're those pimento cheese sandwiches you ate. going to have to shop around. And for Garage sales are nice because the per­ many people there's something inexplic­ son running them might have no idea how ably appealing about owning a brand new to price the tools. I've found good hand . But if money is tight and you've got planes at yard sales for $5. Problem is a few weekends free, it's entirely possible you usually have to drive all over town to to equip your shop with all the basic hand find a garage sale that may or may not have tools for less than $100. tools for sale. And most garage sales have just a few tools for sale. Antique malls, on Your Shopping List the other hand, are nice because there are First figure out what you need to get start­ usually lots oftools to choose from. But ed. Even if you're a power tool junkie you're you have to pay for that convenience. going to have to buy about 20 hand tools Prices can be higher than those listed here (until they invent an electric scratch aw I). and there's little chance to bargain. If you're inclined to do all your work with I prefer the flea markets. There are lots hand tools, this list is still a great place of tools to chose from, there's no waiting to start-you '11 be able to do a lot of things around and the prices are low, especially with these tools. The chart below is a if you are willing to haggle. decent shopping list with some average flea market prices that we've seen in the Chisels Midwest, South and East. When you go You've gotta have chisels. From squaring up shopping, be sure to take a list of the tools cut with your to paring dove­ you need, a good-quality steel ruler marked tails, chisels are a necessity. Luckily, used in inches and a pencil. chisels are easy to find and inexpensive. The There are four places to find good used nice thing about used chisels is that the ma­ tools: auctions, garage sales, antique malls jority of them have wooden handles, which and flea markets. Auctions are great be­ I'm partial to. The downside to used chisels cause you can sometimes pick up an en­ is you're going to have to grind the cutting tire box of tools for $20. The prices are rea­ edge back to . I've never seen a used sonable because this is where many flea that didn't need work. market vendors purchase tools to sell. But But don't get too worked up about that. auctions are time consuming. You can sit Many new chisels need to be reground .---SH_O_P_P-IN_G_LI_ST______, right out of the box, too.

Tool Low price High price New price :j: So when you're looking Wooden-handled chisels to buy a used chisel, here's 1/.4'' chisel $4 $7 $7-$1 I what to keep in mind. First %" chisel $4 $7 $7.25-$1 I measure the chisel with 112'' chisel $4 $7 $7.50-$1 I %"chisel $4 $7 $7.50-$11 your steel ruler to make 3/-4" chisel $4 $7 $8.50-$11 sure it's a size you need. I" chisel $4 $7 $9.50-$1 I Look for chisels that aren't Wooden-handled mortising chisels too rusty, especially on the 1/4" chisel $5 $7 $16 %" chisel $5 $7 $17 back. Surface rust is OK, * $5 $15 $19-$50 but if there are deep pits $5 $7 $6-$1 0 on the back of the chisel, Low-angle $7 $18 $45 #4Smoothingplane $15 $20 $54 you'llhavealotofflat- Scraper t $5 $5 $5 tening to do before you Mill bastard file $1 $2 $6 can get a decent cutting $3 $5 $10-$20 Screwdrivers $2 $3 $3 each edge. Rust on the front $5 $25 $20-$65 isn't a big deal, as long as Scratch awl $2 $7 $5-1 0 it's not too severe. Marking $4 $8 $1 0-$40 Sliding gauge $5 $8 $16-$20 How much of the * I recommend buying a new backsaw. Read why in the story. is left is also important. t You're unlikely to find a used scraper. Buy a new one. Unless the chisel is a butt 1...------....j :j: Prices for "new tools" are for tools comparable in quality to what you'd find used. metal on the sole in front of the blade. If it moves, your throat is adjustable. Chisels are plentiful, so you can be picky about Another issue with used block planes the quality and price. is the blade itself. Look for one that's not Here a couple chisels too rusty and has some life left in it. New sit among some 1 carving tools-anoth­ block plane are about 4 / z" long. er common item at If yours is considerably smaller, you might shows (right). be in for trouble. Replacement blades for Always take a ruler some block planes can be tricky to find, when buying tools. You especially for oddball brands. It's safe to 3 need only one /a" pass on block planes with stubby blades. chisel for your toolbox (below). Now check the plane bottom for flat­ ness. Hold your straightedge- edge on -against the sole of the plane and up to a light. If you can see some significant gaps between the ruler and sole, you could be on the pull stroke, instead of the push stroke, in for a lot of work. Flatter is better. so they're easier to control. Plus the kerf is Another nice feature in block planes considerably thinner than Western . is called "lateral adjustment." This allows Coping saws are simple tools that are you to pivot the blade slightly to the left great for cutting curves and cleaning out or right to get a perfectly square cut. Lateral waste between dovetails. Make sure a used adjustments aren't the same on all planes one is fully adjustable. That is, you can so look for a lever on the back of the plane chisel (which is supposed to have a short lock the blade at any angle. Buy some new that moves the blade left or right. blade) you should have at least 3" to 4" of blades for about 30 cents each at the hard­ Smoothing planes are useful for heavy­ blade remaining. If you've got less, you might ware store that have 15 teeth per inch. duty . If you have a rough-sawn not have any tempered steel left in the blade edge on a board, a can and the chisel won't hold an edge. Pass. Planes dress it. You also can use it for the final Now check out the handle. Can you You'll need a low-angle block plane for lots smoothing of rough-sawn . Most pull the handle out of the socket? If you of stuff. For example, when you've glued smoothing planes, especially those made can, you'll need to fix that or tum a new up two pieces of and one edge is by Stanley, will have a #4 on them. If you handle. Follow the same rules with mortis­ slightly proud of the other, a low-angle can't find a #4 plane, a #3 or a #5 will also ing ch~ls, which have considerably thick­ block plane is great for leveling the joint. serve you well as a first all-purpose plane. er blades and no bevel on the sides. In ad­ You'll usually find two kinds of block Many of the same rules for block planes dition, make sure these look like they can planes for sale: one is your plain old block apply to smoothing planes, except smooth­ take a lot more abuse, such as getting plane, the other is a low-angle block plane. ing planes do not have adjustable throats. whacked by a hammer every day. Block planes have the blade set at about a 20-degree Backsaw and angle to the sole. The blade You need a backsaw for cutting dovetails in the low-angles is set at and tenons, and other small work. 12 degrees. Low-angle planes are so named because they have a rigid will cut everything that a spine clamped to the back of the blade that block plane will, and they stiffens the blade during the cut. Larger work better on planing end backsaws are called tenon saws. Smaller grain and highly figured ones are called dovetails saws. And little . So try to buy a low­ ones with a round handle are often called angle version if you can. gent's saws. You'll find a lot of saws for sale, You also want this tool but they usually need a lot of work, such to have an adjustable throat. as fixing missing teeth and resharpening. The throat is the opening Let a professional do this for you. between the blade and plane body. It's im­ A couple of decent block planes. The one on the If you're not an old tool purist, I recom­ portant that this is adjustable because the left was tempting because it was a bargain; however it didn't have an adjustable throat and it mend you buy a new Japanese-style back­ thinner the opening you can create, the was a standard block plane, not the /ow-angle saw. Lee Valley Tools, for example, sells a less tearout you'll get- especially in fig­ version. The plane on the right was priced at great Korean-made Dozuki backsaw for ured woods. To see if a block plane has an $18, which is OK for a low-angle block plane with an adjustable throat The small shiny ring $18.95 (item#60T55.01 • 800-871-8158). adjustable throat, unscrew the front knob below the front knob of this plane moves the I like Japanese-style saws because they cut on the plane and try to wiggle the piece of throat forward and back. for laying out mortises and tenons. If you find one of these, consider it a bonus. Also, make sure you can lock the tightly on the beam.

Sliding Bevel Gauge These handy contraptions are usefu I for transferring angles from one place to an­ other. Say you need to set your 's blade to a particular angle that matches a Look for a frog adjustment screw when picking out a smoothing plane. This screw moves the frog piece on your project. Adjust the bevel forward and back, which opens and closes the gauge to the angle on the project and lock throat of the plane. the blade down. Now put the gauge against Scrapers your table saw's blade and tilt it until it fits Scrapers are simply a piece ofhardened metal perfectly against the bevel gauge. that have a special burr on them. Til.ese use­ There are two things to look for. First ful tools work like supercharged make sure the blade isn't too rusted or and can flatten tabletops and remove glue warped. You want it to be as straight as pos­ squeeze-out. I have yet to see a used one for sible. Second, make sure you can lock the sale. Buy a new one. You'll also need to buy blade down tightly so it won't move if you Ed checks the sole of a smoothing plane to see a mill bastard file and bumi her to sharpen bump it slightly. how flat it is.You can flatten plane bottoms using your scraper. Mill bastard files will be marked a slab of glass, some kerosene and 90-grit silicon carbide (available in many woodworking cata­ as such. Burnishers look like a metal magic Bargaining logs). However, the more light you can see under wand with a wooden handle. Some people love to haggle; others won't that ruler, the more work you'll have to do to do it except when buying cars. I'm indif­ flatten the sole. Combination Squares ferent, but I can almost always get a bet­ lnsi:ead they have adjustable frog·s. The The combination square is a constant com­ ter price one of two ways- without being frog is the piece of me~al that the blade sits panion to the woodworker. It can lay on. By moving it forward you can do e the out joints, draw lines parallel to the tnroat. Look for a frog screw at the back edge of a board, draw 45-degree miters of the plane. Planes without this crew are and set up all your machinery. So be still somewh:it aajustable, but it's more of careful when you buy one. I usually a pain to accomplish. look for a Starrett-brand square. They cost more ($25 used; $57 new), but they're worth every penny. Other A WORD ABOUT squares are serviceable if money is WHITE ELEPHANTS tight. Here's what to look for. There is something magical First make sure your square is about finding a mint-condition still square. Put the square against tool at a flea market that sends the edge of a piece of wood and mark all reason into a tails~in.A few The rust on this sliding bevel gauge isn't much to a line. Now tum the square over and mark worry about Be more concerned with the months ago I was looking at gauge's ability to lock down. two #4 smoothing ~lanes in a a second line very close to the first. If the shop in Florida. Both were Stanleys. One was obviously lines are parallel, your square is square. rude. First, assume they'll come down about very old but looked so sparkling Otherwise pass. 15 to 20 percent on most items, then offer new that it could have had Make sure you can lock the blade down that much. If a plane is $25, offer $20. robot dust on it. Price $63.The other one was cruddy and used tightly. If you find one that passes all these They'll almost always take it. Second, buy and only $23. Like a crow that's tests, don't think about it, buy it. Good two or more items from the same dealer. drawn to bright and shiny ob­ squares are hard to find. Usually the price becomes more flexible. jects, I was mesmerized by the pretty one, even though it was I once bought a $25 plane, a $25 combi­ way_ too expensive. nation square and an $8 bevel gauge for Then I came to my senses. I The marking gauge lays out mortises, tenons $40 - 31 percent off. checked the sole of each ~lane with a straightedge.The old and dovetails. A pin on one end of the One more thing: prices at flea mar­ plane was almost perfectly flat. gauge marks the wood while the head de­ kets usually go down as it gets closer to quit­ The shiny one was horriblY termines where that mark is made. ting time. Sure the selection ain't as good, warped, twisted, you name it. It Look for a marking gauge with a pin but if you're ready with cash, the dealer was unusable, except as a ~a­ perweight. So if you see a shiny that hasn't been ground out of existence. won't have to pack up the item for his next tool at a flea market be careful. Some gauges have two pins. These are nice show. You just might get lucky. PW There's a reason that tool might never have been used. It could be that it was born a piece of junk. Choose Your Tooling and Storage SHOP Designing With a Paper Grid Make a list of all the machines, the • lathe and Paper Tools tools and the storage areas that you • press Obviously, it’s easier to move pieces ultimately will want. • of paper than machines and cabinets, • dust collector and the benefits of this technique are FURNITURE OR SHOP If you want • band saw far-reaching. Generally, the problem to build furniture, consider: • grinder (or a powered sharpening with home woodshops is too little • workbench device) space, not too much space. Placing • drill press items becomes a struggle toward ef- • table saw And storage cabinets and shelves for: ficiency. When arranging the paper • disc/belt cutouts, it might become apparent • band saw • lathe tools that the floor plan and machin- • joinery machine • lathe accessories ery don’t match. There may not be • router table or shaper • enough space for your needs. It may • dust collector • hand tools be impossible to have a comfortable • • blend of machines, cabinets, safe • • finishing supplies areas around machines and open • planer • sanding supplies and sandpaper work areas. The paper cutouts will aid • air compressor • lumber, blocks, logs and small in this discovery, which is part of the pieces of wood reason that you should include every Also consider storage cabinets and possible item on the master plan list. shelves for: MISCELLANEOUS NEEDS List all other im- Don’t leave out machines and shop • routers portant features that are useful for furniture that will be acquired in the • biscuit any woodshop: future. Even if the purchase of some- • drills • electrical service panel thing is several years off, include it • clamps • electrical outlets (110V and 220V) in the master plan. All too often the • sanders • plumbing (sinks, toilets and so on) owner of a cramped woodshop will • hand tools • secondary lighting (spotlights) spend too much time attempting to • spray equipment • windows overcome the problem of space limita- • finishing supplies • doors tions. Storage becomes convoluted, • air tools • containers for scrap wood machines are too close together and, • lumber and instead of working on projects, time Design the Woodshop on Paper is spent either moving things around 1 WOODCARVING SHOP Use ⁄4" grid paper and use a scale of or finding, or hiding, objects. Be pre- 1 • workbench ⁄4" = 1'. First, draw the shape of the pared for future acquisitions. • dust collector woodshop. Include all permanent ele- • band saw ments of the room, such as support Planning for the Future • scroll saw beams, steps, water heaters. On an- Here’s an issue that’s complicated and • grinder (powered sharpening de- other sheet of paper, draw representa- somewhat vexing: How do you know vice) tional shapes of all machines, shelves how to start out compared to where • drill press and storage units and cut them out you will end up? Perhaps you’ve seen • disc/ with scissors (or copy the images on beautiful handmade furniture, bowls page 31 and use those). Now, try the and carvings at a craft fair, and this And storage cabinets and shelves for: cutouts in different locations on the has inspired you to take up wood- • rotary carving tools floor-plan drawing. Note the way that working. But you’ve had no wood- • clamps open space or machine positions dif- working lessons or experiences with • sanders fer from your preconceptions of an other woodworkers. What do you do • drills idealized layout. It may seem that to get started? Let’s assume that you • burrs and bits for rotary tool particular machines, which should read woodworking books and maga- • finishing supplies be easy to place, become difficult to zines, watch do-it-yourself videos and • assorted hand tools (carving chisels locate because of windows or doors. visit tool stores. All of these are very and ) Storage units may have to be modified inspirationally produced by experts. • lumber and small pieces of wood from original designs because of ma- But do these sources really help you chine placement or electrical outlets. to find a starting place? The ques-

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ZZ24652465 PPGG 0046-065.indd46-065.indd 6600 66/19/09/19/09 10:50:4810:50:48 AAMM (left) This is the exterior of Steve Balter’s shop.

(above) Steve Balter has a display room in the front of his workshop.

tion is, will you make furniture, turn chased machinery, tools and supplies, the potential woodshop area has 200 bowls or carve? What if you set up a don’t get discouraged. I have talked square feet, and you are planning on woodshop for carving and later find with hundreds of beginning wood- generalized woodworking for your- that lathe-turned bowls are your real workers and heard many very similar self and your family. First, what will interest? questions. Usually beginning wood- $3,000 purchase? Make a list of possi- Relax. When you create the mas- workers have specific budget amounts ble selections. Also factor into this list ter plan, realize that most machines and space limitations as their first pri- whether you are planning to purchase are for general-purpose applications. orities. These conditions are quickly locally or through mail-order catalogs Table saws and band saws aren’t de- followed by questions about what and whether you prefer machines signed for single-purpose use. How- type of machinery and hand tools made in the U.S.A. or those made in ever, carving chisels and lathe tools should be purchased. After these is- foreign countries. are single-purpose tools. Fortunately, sues, questions follow about specific you can start out with a half dozen brands, where to purchase machinery Prioritize Your Purchases of these tools and not spend a large and tools, what books and magazines Obviously both lists are over budget, sum of money. And if you decide that are recommended and where one can and neither list includes hand tools, carving isn’t for you, it’s easy to sell find how-to and hands-on instruc- sharpening supplies, sandpaper and them. If you aren’t certain of the type tion. The response to these questions so on. The next step is to prioritize of woodworking you want to pursue, is like the solution to a complicated the tool list and purchase the most initially stay as general as possible, mathematics problem: Start at the important items first. For general- realizing that some tools are worth beginning, do your step-by-step work purpose woodworking, the scroll purchasing, if for no other reason on paper, and progress through every saw and lathe may not be necessary. than for experimentation. step until the solution is found. However, design the woodshop loca- Translating that type of formula tion as if all the listed machines and BUDGETING FOR SHOP SETUP into designing a woodshop is straight- tool items were available. It’s much If you are setting up a woodshop for forward. Suppose that your budget easier to create the layout require- the first time and have never pur- is $3,000 for machinery and tools, ments in the planning stage than to

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ZZ24652465 PPGG 0046-065.indd46-065.indd 6611 66/19/09/19/09 110:50:490:50:49 AAMM woodshop is properly planned and Potential Machines and Costs designed, cabinets and shelves fit the room and present an orderliness LIST A LIST B that makes work easier. If possible, Cabinetmaker’s table saw ...... $1,600 Contractor’s table saw ...... $800 construct storage cabinets in modu- 15" stationary planer ...... 1,000 12" portable planer ...... 400 lar units. A set of smaller cabinets 6" stationary jointer ...... 1,300 6" portable jointer ...... 300 is easier to build and easier to move 12" band saw ...... 900 10" band saw ...... 350 within the room. For example, a 9'- Heavy-duty lathe ...... 2,000 Benchtop lathe ...... 450 long wall is available for cabinets. It’s conceivable that one 9' cabinet could 161⁄ 2" floor drill press ...... 400 Benchtop drill press ...... 100 be installed. However, it’s difficult to Scroll saw ...... 500 Scroll saw ...... 200 build something that large and then Cyclone dust collector with duct ...... 1,000 2-bag dust collector on rollers ...... 400 install it. It would be much better to 3-hp plunge router ...... 280 11⁄ 2-hp standard router...... 200 build a set of three cabinets, each 3' Router table w/additional router ...... 400 Router table only ...... 100 long. In fact, build one as a start, and Plate jointer ...... 200 Plate jointer ...... 200 then build the others as the need for 14V cordless drill ...... 210 12V cordless drill ...... 185 more storage arises. Finish sander ...... 80 Finish sander ...... 80 Make paper cutouts of generic 4" x 24" belt sander ...... 225 3" x 21" belt sander ...... 170 rectangular shapes to represent po- tential storage units. If the storage Total ...... $10,095 Total ...... $3,935 is wall-mounted above another unit or apparatus, color the elements dif- ferent colors so that they are visually retrodesign a woodshop when space Saws” or “How To Build a Plywood separated. is unavailable or wasn’t factored into Dingy.” It was difficult to find infor- construction plans. mation or sources for antique tools, Storage Options: If you plan on cutting large specialty tools, foreign-made tools • floor to ceiling amounts of plywood and can’t decide or high-quality tools. Over the years, • wall-mounted above machines or between a cabinetmaker’s table saw I have purchased a variety of table benches (e.g., Delta’s Unisaw), because you saws, routers, drills and assorted gad- • under stairs think it would be more advantageous gets. Most of my earlier purchases • under machines for this procedure, and a contractor’s have been replaced with upgraded • flush fit between wall studs table saw, because it better fits your versions, and the original tools were • overhead in rafters space, consider the following alterna- sold through the newspaper classi- tive. Size plywood into smaller sections fied section. The point is, your skills, PLANNING MACHINE LOCATION with a or by cut- pocketbook and interests change with Two general rules apply to the loca- 1 ting approximately ⁄8" wider than the time. If you know what you want now, tions of the major machines — table measured layout lines and cleaning that’s great. But don’t worry if you saw, radial-arm saw, jointer, planer the rough-cut plywood edges using a aren’t sure — you will know in time. and band saw, in the shop. First, cer- router, a straight bit and a clamped So if you can’t afford a particular ma- tain machines, like the jointer and straightedge. Or construct auxiliary chine at the moment, purchase some- , are only used from tables on both sides and outfeed areas thing that is affordable and upgrade one side. Second, there has to be of the table saw so that the plywood is later on. If you want to try something enough room around other machines, manageable during cutting. different, go ahead and try it. If it isn’t such as the table saw and planer, for When I started woodworking, I right for you, it’s easy to resell most wood to enter and exit the machine. had only a vague concept of what tools; there’s always eBay. When using the paper cutouts, a tools to purchase. At that time, there logical starting point is to place the were no magazines devoted to wood- PLANNING STORAGE one-side-only machines against walls. working and the hardware stores The storage in most woodshops that Optionally, certain machines can be were primarily devoted to the trade have evolved over years of use is grouped together, such as placing the (i.e., contractors and builders). And generally haphazard. It’s common jointer and planer side by side. But 20-some years ago, the main articles to see cabinets built in odd locations make sure to allow enough space for in the mechanic-type magazines were because the space was unused or was long boards to safely clear a machine either “Table Saws Versus Radial-Arm too awkward for other uses. When a without bumping into other wood-

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ZZ24652465 PPGG 0046-065.indd46-065.indd 6622 66/19/09/19/09 110:50:510:50:51 AAMM Tom Dailey’s woodshop is located in a ground-level basement. Plywood is brought in through the back door, then cut with a .

shop items. For example, if a heavy handled and moved. For small wood- equipped with a lock for the on/off board 2" × 8" × 80" is processed on a shops, panel saws are an alternative to switch. This prevents children or jointer, the operator not only has to the table saw. These are wall-mounted other curious types from turning on maintain the board on the machine, units that support the plywood, with a the saw when the owner isn’t present. but he also has to be able to take the track-mounted circular saw for mak- board from the outfeed table and not ing the cuts. Band Saw ram it against other woodshop items. If the band saw is used primarily for In other words, the entry and exit Radial-Arm Saw ripping and resawing long boards, areas around certain machines must If long boards are routinely cut with it too can be located against a wall. be clear: This space is as important as a radial saw, the saw should be placed The work is moved parallel to the the space the machine occupies. against a wall, with long secondary wall, providing a clear pathway for support tables on either side. Many board entry and exit from the blade. Table Saw woodworkers with basement wood- However, if the band saw is used to If full sheets of plywood are rou- shops set up a radial-arm saw in the make curved cuts, the board is moved tinely cut, place the saw centrally in garage and perform rough cuts there, in a radial manner, much like a clock the woodshop and build secondary and then move the shorter pieces to hand, with the blade at the center support tables. Keep the pathway to the woodshop. Note: If the radial-arm point. For this type of use, the band and from the table saw unobstructed saw is in the garage and away from saw should be more centered in the so that the plywood can be safely the main woodshop, it should be woodshop, away from walls.

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ZZ24652465 PPGG 0046-065.indd46-065.indd 6633 66/19/09/19/09 110:50:550:50:55 AAMM Dust Collector The dust collector, although very use- ful, has to be one of the most difficult HIRING A CONTRACTOR machines to place in the woodshop. Some tasks may be too compli- • If you don’t know of a reliable con- It has an awkward shape, and certain cated or require specific exper- tractor, ask friends and colleagues models radiate fine dust and noise. tise. There are many advantages for their recommendations. Ductwork, gates and connectors are to hiring a contractor or other • Watch for any remodeling work also potential complications. If you specialist when remodeling or being done in your own area. Pay don’t want multiple ducts or hoses, building a new woodshop. The attention to any signage on trucks there are portable collectors with problem is how do you know who or yard signs. Ask the homeowner short lengths of hose, that can be to hire? if they are satisfied with the work placed near a machine. This method Never underestimate the being done. only works if you’re doing limited complexities of building or re- •Inquire at local lumber yards, build- work with the floor free of obstruc- modeling a woodshop. Just as ing supply centers and hardware tions. The best method is placing the with a house, the fundamentals stores for recommendations. dust collector somewhere away from of , electrical, plumbing, • Check with local builders or trade the work area and using ducts to the concrete, trenching and all the associations. machines. other construction techniques are • Ask all potential contractors for required. references and photographs of their To control the dust that settles While there are many who are work. Note: It’s easy to have photos around a collector, and to reduce the skilled enough or have enough of any attractive project. Check pho- noise level, the dust collector can be time to do their own work, often tos for images of the contractor, the located in a closet-type of room. If you it is better and faster to have company’s sign, some sort of indica- choose to do this, be certain that there someone else do the work. tion the work was actually done by is air flow into the room. Cut a square If you’ve done your design the person showing the photos. hole in the door and cover it with a fur- work and choose to hire a con- • Once you have selected a contractor, nace filter. The filter keeps dust from tractor, you must be comfortable talk with him concerning recommen- exiting the room, and the hole will with your choice. After all, this dations for subcontractors. reduce air pressure within the room. person is going to turn your draw- • Indirect recommendations often I’ve seen a dust collector room that, ings into your ideal woodshop. occur after several unrelated sources when the collector was running, creat- Selecting a contractor isn’t recommend the same person. ed so much air pressure that the door that simple. The building process • A personal note: I don’t like couldn’t be opened. That isn’t wise. is complex and expensive so you contractors’ advertisements with must be certain that it will go ac- only a telephone number listed. I Miscellaneous Tools and Machines cording to your stated objectives want to see a street address or at A number of machines are used to and budgetary limits. least a city name. primarily process shorter lengths of wood. This allows for some freedom in floor plan use. The drill press, rout- a woodshop, the electrical wiring and extension cords. Not only do they cre- er table, shaper, scroll saw and joinery plumbing are often undervalued. It is ate more floor clutter, but long exten- machines can be located in less open not uncommon to see that the one or sion cords can lead to unnecessary areas. Occasionally, the router table two existing outlets in the garage or electrical motor wear. A representative or shaper is used for longer pieces; basement are overused with extension from an air compressor company the machines can then be moved for cords and extension bars. If there is once told me that the majority of these specific operations. a laundry sink or toilet already in the compressors returned for motor re- garage or basement, it is usually left pairs were those that were used with PLAN FOR ELECTRICAL AND as is. Wouldn’t it seem to be much extension cords. Apparently, owners PLUMBING NEEDS smarter to upgrade both the electrical forgot that longer air hoses were a When a new building is under con- systems and plumbing while design- better way to work at a distance from struction, there is a sequence to the ing the woodshop? the compressor. I have one retractable order of events. That is, electricians ceiling-mounted extension cord in my and plumbers complete their work Wiring the Shop woodshop. It’s 30'-long 14/3 SJT wire before drywallers and painters. While The importance of having a proper and rated at 13A, 125V, 1,625 watts. this sequence should apply when electrical service cannot be overstated. I only use it with hand drills, finish converting a basement or garage into First, I advise against using very long sanders and similar tools. I would

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ZZ24652465 PPGG 0046-065.indd46-065.indd 6644 66/19/09/19/09 10:50:5910:50:59 AAMM never use it for band saws and other in a woodshop? From a design view- 5. Be reasonable. Understand that a stationary machines. point, if form and function are con- woodshop takes time and money to The placement of machines rela- sidered, the question is, “What value create and that you can proceed at tive to the proper outlet is fundamen- does plumbing serve?” What I value your own pace of acquisition. tal. If you want to use the table saw at in a woodshop sink, besides washing 6. Always consider alternatives. Buy a particular location, then having an my hands, is that it permits me to inexpensive, resell and buy more isolated 110V or 220V outlet at that lo- maintain waterstones for sharpen- expensive. Consider multipurpose cation is mandatory. Since this section ing, mix dyes and water-soluble fin- machines. Consider hand tools in- is about guidelines for designing the ishes, clean the HVLP spray gun and stead of power tools. woodshop, the key factors are: wiring nozzle, clean restoration projects and from an existing service panel (inte- use the new polyurethane glues. All rior or exterior to the wall), installing of which are necessities. Warning: If a subpanel, outlet locations and loca- there is a sink in the woodshop, don’t tion of lights. use it to dispose of toxic solvents, Interior wiring is difficult when the flammable liquids and other hazard- wall studs and ceiling rafters are al- ous wastes. Water, soap, dirt and ready covered. The standard technique grime are the only things that should is to cut holes in the wall or ceiling go down the drain. and “fish” the new wires in place using Garage and basement woodshops a fish tape tool. New wiring that is not are often near laundry rooms. This within walls should be run through proximity permits the addition of new metal conduits that are firmly attached water pipes to the woodshop area. to the walls. If the room framework Copper and PVC pipes are fairly easy is still exposed, it’s straightforward to to work with and it shouldn’t be too run wiring through the studs, around complicated to route pipes several feet windows and door frames to the ser- to the woodshop. If you aren’t sure vice. Subpanels are a very good choice about cutting into water pipes, call a when upgrading the woodshop. They plumbing contractor for assistance. are easily mounted near the main Undoubtedly, he can do the work service panel, and conduit can then be faster than a woodworker! routed anywhere in the woodshop. Once the electrical system and The design of the outlets should plumbing needs have been deter- accommodate both the placement mined, add these elements to the of machines and the use of electri- master plan and draw them onto the cal tools at various locations. There planning grid. Hopefully, the pro- should be outlets near both ends and posed design will accommodate all of at the center of the workbench, as these elements. well as outlets near the open areas in the woodshop that can be used for as- A SUMMARY OF THE WOODSHOP sembly and detail work. For example, DESIGN PROCESS you have constructed a 3'-wide by 1. Create a master plan of all the key 7'-high bookcase and want to use a woodshop elements: machines, router for detail work on its sides. If tools, workbench, open areas, lum- the bookcase is set on the workbench, ber racks, storage, electrical and it may be too high for safe and easy plumbing. work. If the bookcase is on the floor 2. Be realistic, as much as possible, in an assembly area, the work height and know your own personal inter- is correct. An overhead outlet or out- ests. let about three feet from the floor will 3. Be somewhat hypothetical in choos- facilitate the router’s use. ing the woodshop elements. At this point you haven’t spent any Shop Plumbing Concerns money. The same generalities apply to 4. Make paper mock-ups of different plumbing. Is plumbing necessary woodshop layouts.

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