• Beware of Counterfeit Woodturning Tools (click here for details)
  • Johnathan Silwones is starting a new AAW chapter, Southern Alleghenies Woodturners, in Johnstown, PA. (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Paul May for "Checkerboard (ver 3.0)" being selected as Turning of the Week for March 25, 2024 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Looking for shop improvement ideas

Jim McLain

Artist
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
248
Likes
1,660
Location
Socorro, New Mexico
Website
www.lucadecor.com
Thought I would make some shop improvements during my down time. I recently completed these drawers and cubbies for my Oneway 1224. Still waiting on the knobs. I am looking for any other shop improvements or shop organization enhancements you are proud of that I might be able to incorporate into my shop.

Thanks

F55D4466-4281-4535-916B-8E042271B1B8.jpeg 43E66507-EAAF-49B9-BED6-379313B37422.jpeg
 
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
390
Likes
124
Location
Alexandria, VA
Couldn't help but notice that nice lathe.
You could turn some knobs.
It's a great project for wood like you have in those nice looking cubbies.
It's like turning a bottle stopper, only different.
 
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
2,051
Likes
352
Location
Martinsville, VA
move ur on/off switch to right side of Turning side of lathe..... unless ur left handed which would put it on left ur side lathe
 
Joined
Sep 12, 2017
Messages
897
Likes
1,077
Location
Marietta, Georgia
One quick and easy thing Ive done to improve my shop was to bring in a collection of office file cabinets. Got them cheap or free locally. The wider versions are best, I have my wedgie sled and associated parts in one drawer, dizzy bowl jig for the scrollsaw in another, sanders, saws, routers, misc gee gaws all put away and out of the dust collecting zone.
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
89
Likes
85
Location
Lebanon, TN
And under my SuperMax Drum Sander

DrumSanderCabinet_zps0qitlgbf.jpg
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
89
Likes
85
Location
Lebanon, TN
Certainly, I used a Bora Poratmate PM-1100 as the rolling base. I doubled up 3/4" piece of ply to make the base.

I then moved the drill press onto it and started building up around it. As my structure kin of encapsulates the drill press base, I assembled it all with pocket hole screws, so I can disassemble it easily if necessary.

DrillPressCabinet1_zpscvao04t4.jpg


DrillPressCabinet3_zpsztvyyhux.jpg


DrillPressCabinet2_zps5tygmtxt.jpg


Hope this helps
 
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
2,959
Likes
1,905
Location
Brandon, MS
I have built cabinets and Drawer units all over the shop . Really like to have things hung in the ceiling so my regular use tools are in front of the lathe along with other small things such as drill chucks sanding setups and calipers. Started this with a cabinet under the lathe but did not like that . If I opened a drawer while working shavings on the lathe drop in . So I stacked them and recently made another with shallow drawers to hold turning tools I do not use frequently.The first is the primary lathe station and the second shows some of my wood storage with plastic salvaged from closing drug stores as most of my fixtures also came from.

10.LAthe station8-19.JPG 9.front wood8-19.JPG
 

odie

TOTW Team
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
7,074
Likes
9,475
Location
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
These threads showing the creative solutions other turners have come up with, continue to impress me! :D

For my shop, it's always a "work in progress"......and, I continue to make little improvements that maximize convenience.

Your shop MUST work for you, and not the other way around! :rolleyes:

-----odie-----
 
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
2,959
Likes
1,905
Location
Brandon, MS
Gerald hows the shower curtains work out for you containing the chips?

They work well in keeping the mess localized. Two sides are held on clothes line wire strung across the shop. The back side is a piece of aluminum pipe attached to a pipe flange . The only improvement I would like would be to have a single pipe bent all he way around the lathe similar to hospital curtains.

Clean up is quicker now because I do not have to sweep half the shop up.
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2020
Messages
89
Likes
85
Location
Lebanon, TN
I've done similar to Gerald with the dust curtain and it's really effective keeping the larger dust particles plus shavings to a designated area.

You can buy the material in clear of tinted from McMaster-Carr in various widths in a roll.

I also have a dog door that my two small dogs refuse to use with the solid plastic door provided, so I use this plastic material to make a more flexible dog door.
 
Joined
Jan 16, 2017
Messages
307
Likes
414
Location
Eastern Washington
Here's a list that's mostly comprised of small little projects and improvements that I've done.

Great list of ideas, looks like I'll be making some tenon/dovetail templates this week.

I use shower curtains as well and they do a great job at containing the chips. I have them hanging from galvanized pipe, the shower curtain hooks fit 1/2" pipe quite well. I bought extra long shower curtains from Amazon, and the clear lets plenty of light through.
 

Dave Landers

Beta Tester
Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
803
Likes
2,474
Location
Estes Park, CO
Website
dlwoodturning.com
I made curtains from painters drop cloth (heavier duty stuff). Holes for shower curtain hooks, reinforced with gorilla tape. The drop cloth let me cut it to the length/width I wanted without spending a lot of $$.
Strung parachute cord across the shop and hung the curtains from that.

Only problem with the curtains is that I don't remember to "unfurl" them until after I've roughed out a bunch of bowls. (yes, I blame the curtains for that)
 
Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Messages
61
Likes
108
Location
Ontario Canada
Many similar ideas here. I also use shower curtains, especially when turning green. Here are a few things that make my life a bit easier.

I modified my bandsaw to add a table extension on one side and a removable one behind the saw. This helps me greatly when I need to position large heavy pieces, or when I am re-sawing something that wants to drop off the back of the table.
20200326_152345.jpg

Speaking of heavy, I have trouble with large wet blanks when mounting them on my bandsaw, or trying to get them mounted on my lathe. So, this week I decided it was time to build a hoist for the purpose using my chain-fall.
20200322_163253.jpg

I am getting to an age where my memory is not what it used to be, and I was leaving blast gates open after using my machines. Then I would have to go around the shop to figure out where my vacuum was going. So, I automated my blast gates with pneumatic cylinders so that they open and close automatically when I turn my machines on and off. These have been working like a charm for about 10 years now.
20200326_152439.jpg

I'm sure we have all lost a piece of sandpaper or two to the vacuum system! Here is my solution ..
20200326_152609.jpg

Almost immediately after getting my lathe, I built a cart to hold tools, sanding disks, sand paper and other supplies, and to mount my grinder. Now these things are right behind me when I turn. Then when I bought my coring system, I needed a way to store the knives etc which are very awkward and take up a lot of drawer space. This is what I came up with, using a back corner of the same cart.
20200326_153029.jpg 20200326_153045.jpg
 
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
2,432
Likes
1,849
Location
Bozeman, MT
Here's a thought for those others out there who also use a small compressor to blow out chips. The tank needs to have any condensate drained after use and the drain on the model I have doesn't drain well when it's just sitting on it's base. Tipping it up to more effectively drain the tank, the drain valve strikes whatever surface the compressor is sitting on and I have to stand there an hold it while the valve drips. It's a pain. I've been thinking about a tip-up solution for a long time and finally got a round tuit. The pictures don't show the cut out I made in the base so the valve can drop down when it's tipped up. It's pretty crude but seems to work well. I need to tie the top to the wall behind as it's fairly precariously balanced when up and could easily go over. 4 small recycled hinges, some crap plywood and a few plastic ties.

compressorstand1.JPG compressorstand2.JPG
 
Joined
Feb 21, 2011
Messages
320
Likes
284
Location
Elkhart, IN
Website
www.riccsdesigns.com
I got this idea from Ken Rizza at Woodturners Wonders for storing his "roloc" sanding pads. It's a 1/8" piece of masonite with I think 5/16" holes drilled for each pad. they just screw into the the hardboard like screwing onto a roloc mandrel. It's mounted on the wall beside my lathe. The storage drawers have the extra 2" & 3" discs. If you don't have the roloc style sanding pads and just have the standard velcro pads you could do same with strips of velcro attached to a board.

Ricc
IMG_3787.jpg
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2020
Messages
189
Likes
52
Location
Bloomfield, New Jersey
I made curtains from painters drop cloth (heavier duty stuff). Holes for shower curtain hooks, reinforced with gorilla tape. The drop cloth let me cut it to the length/width I wanted without spending a lot of $$.
Strung parachute cord across the shop and hung the curtains from that.

Only problem with the curtains is that I don't remember to "unfurl" them until after I've roughed out a bunch of bowls. (yes, I blame the curtains for that)

+1 for paracord ;-)
 

Jim McLain

Artist
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
248
Likes
1,660
Location
Socorro, New Mexico
Website
www.lucadecor.com
Have not done much turning lately but have been keeping busy with shop improvements. I made a tail stock cart for my Titan lathe. I can lift it right now but won’t be long and I will have trouble. I made the top removable so it will slide in under my work bench when not in use. I also made some new tool racks out of PVC pipe. I got the idea to angle them from John Ellis one of our club members.

81371912-E8DD-4363-BF68-FA23DE7F1D98.jpeg A685938D-AF1F-4558-BF77-6B9C98A28A10.jpeg 67DE9AF0-C161-42CF-855B-F21E8E6BCA49.jpeg 498155DC-A93E-4F94-992E-15A1FCF95358.jpeg
 
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
2,051
Likes
352
Location
Martinsville, VA
as discuss in previous posts I believe on bucket tool holders

Tool points should be point down
 
Joined
Sep 2, 2017
Messages
155
Likes
72
Location
Sterling, CT
I got this idea from Ken Rizza at Woodturners Wonders for storing his "roloc" sanding pads. It's a 1/8" piece of masonite with I think 5/16" holes drilled for each pad. they just screw into the the hardboard like screwing onto a roloc mandrel. It's mounted on the wall beside my lathe. The storage drawers have the extra 2" & 3" discs. If you don't have the roloc style sanding pads and just have the standard velcro pads you could do same with strips of velcro attached to a board.

Ricc
View attachment 32588
I've been looking for large bins like that for storing my 2" & 3" pads from Ken Rizza without success. Where did you get them?
 
Joined
Sep 2, 2017
Messages
155
Likes
72
Location
Sterling, CT
Here's what I made to store my 4 chucks, my articulated hollowing rig, my Bowl Saver Max 3 and my Oneway bowl and spindle steady's on the lolly column close to my lathe. I can't figure out how to make the thumbnail slightly larger like the ones above.


image.png
 
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
Messages
495
Likes
744
Location
Bay Settlement, WI
I've been looking for large bins like that for storing my 2" & 3" pads from Ken Rizza without success. Where did you get them?
Look for 'Small Parts Bins' at your local home center. In the midwest, Menards carries them ... perhaps Lowes or Home Depot would have something similar.
 

Tom Gall

TOTW Team
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
956
Likes
1,763
Location
Hillsborough, NJ
I've been looking for large bins like that for storing my 2" & 3" pads from Ken Rizza without success. Where did you get them?

Try office supply stores for plastic storage drawer organizers - or maybe Amazon. They come in all kinds of sizes (drawers) and configurations. Some are stackable & interchangeable and all mine have castors included. IRIS brand is one company. I have 5 different units (two in the shop) and they are all configured differently. The two in the shop store all my sandpaper and sanding supplies. I also have a metal tool case (attache' style) for my discs, but they will fit in the plastic units just as well. I cut cardboard tubes about 3" high (PVC pipe also works well) to keep all the different grits of my discs in place. You can tack/glue them with hot melt glue to keep them from moving around. The tool case has a handle which is convenient to carry or move to where I need it. Here is a Staples link for one unit.....scroll down to find other options.

https://www.staples.com/IRIS-Plastic-5-Drawer-Organizer-Black-and-Clear-116865/product_571771
 

odie

TOTW Team
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
7,074
Likes
9,475
Location
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
For us "cheapskates", I've been using peanut cans for sanding discs. (photo is old, and I now store with the lids on.....for obvious reasons! :rolleyes:)
Image027.JPG

odie, the eccentric old guy!
 
Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
213
Likes
96
Location
Canton, Connecticut
Have not done much turning lately but have been keeping busy with shop improvements. I made a tail stock cart for my Titan lathe. I can lift it right now but won’t be long and I will have trouble. I made the top removable so it will slide in under my work bench when not in use. I also made some new tool racks out of PVC pipe. I got the idea to angle them from John Ellis one of our club members.

View attachment 32995 View attachment 32994 View attachment 32996 View attachment 32997

Jim:
I'm about to get started on building a tail stock cart like yours. Just wondering about the construction. Looks like the carcass is plywood (? 3/4"). Did you use anything else on the inside for added support? I'm concerned about the weight of the tail stock and the structural integrity of the cart I'll make. Thanks.
 

Jim McLain

Artist
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
248
Likes
1,660
Location
Socorro, New Mexico
Website
www.lucadecor.com
Jim:
I'm about to get started on building a tail stock cart like yours. Just wondering about the construction. Looks like the carcass is plywood (? 3/4"). Did you use anything else on the inside for added support? I'm concerned about the weight of the tail stock and the structural integrity of the cart I'll make. Thanks.

My cart is pretty basic. 3/4 inch Baltic bitch plywood construction with dados for the top, bottom and a middle divider. I added the middle divider just below the two top drawers for extra support. I also added a 1/2 inch back. The casters also have an additional 3/4 layer of plywood for support. I made mine 18x18 so it would be a little more stable when the tail stock is mounted to it.
 
Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
213
Likes
96
Location
Canton, Connecticut
Jim:
Thanks for the info. Your tail stock looks pretty hefty, as is mine (Grizzly G0800). Thus, to hear that you have good support with your construction design is good to know.
 
Back
Top