I'm extremely impressed with how much you've managed to fit into such a small space. I hope you'll do a series of videos as you make changes. I think it'd be really helpful to a lot of us with small work spaces to see the process, challenges, decision points, etc. .
I like how far you went for that opening shot. That's dedication! Small shops are definitely tricky, particularly when trying to film while working too!
I too work from a one-car garage and I like your setup, it gave me a few ideas for improving my workspace. BTW, the router setup using the junk saw top is brilliant. Nicely done.
You have utilized the space very well. I like your idea for the vise! I mounted a 1-foot section of 1-1/2" steel tubing under a workbench that one open end is an inch back from the lip of the top and drilled one hole through the sides at the end closets to the lip. I then took a slightly smaller diameter 1 ft section of steel tube, drilled holes through the sides of it in 1" increments and that slides into the larger tube. The smaller tube has a 1" pcs of the larger tube welded to its end. I then welded a small diameter pipe to a steel plate's underside and the vise is bolted to the plate. Now when I need the vise I can take it from under the workbench top and slide it into the tube that is mounted. And I figure how far out from the workbench I wanted and secure it with a homemade cotter pin. This way it's not taking up real estate on the bench.
My little Bosch portable contractors saw has a sliding extensions for out feed and another on the L/H side for oversize panels. However, I did need to build an out feed extension for my Rikon 14 in band saw. My comment is, all parts for that came from scraps in my off cuts box. Also the 5/16 bolts & nuts were saved from some remotely distant memory. So while almost all of those really are scraps, you just don't ever know which. Portability is the answer for all major tools in my one car garage shop. I still use my fathers small but great workbench for my Drill Press, leaving its two vices available for random work. Having the Bosch portable table saw and plainer on wheels means that opening the Garage door and moving them outside onto the driveway can eliminate clouds of sawdust from the shop. I'm pretty sure that I could not get a car in, however, a golf cart easily fits. The other garage side is large enough for two. Cabinets opening that way allow for an entire tool wall in the shop and contain sawdust and racket.
Great video. I'm a beginner and don't have a large space in my garage so your video tour really helps my morale that I can make do with what I have. I like your setup very much. I'll check out your other videos now that I have seen this one.
Just found your channel looking up "painting a guitar". Then I noticed we had a common OTHER hobby with garage shop and woodworking. Loved the tour and use of your space. Thanks for keeping it "REAL" and showing a shop thats used instead of just cleaned up. Appreciate the content you create. Liked and new Sub'r.
Nice organization. I really like your maple workbench. If you were to buy one of those today you would have to pull out several thousand dollars from your pocket.
OMG! I have the same saw (planning on refurbishing it) and bought a second one for the wings as well. I am going to seriously consider hat dual setup with the router. Great idea!
Thanks for sharing I just converted my one car carport into a one car garage which I want to use as my DIY woodworking shop, and I like how you got your shop set up to still get a car inside plus I also what you did with older tools, like your table saw that was a ingenious ideal. I also love your work table and that’s wood vice that you showed as I noticed you have two of them. Is there anyway you can explain it as I want one but there out of my budget at the moment so it would be nice to try and maybe one temporary until I get the funds.
Great little video with good clear narration, really enjoyed it. I also,work out of my garage and I also have a vintage cast iron table saw. I also made JH’s fence and I’m very happy with it. I see that you also made his router lift. What do you think of his router lift ? Cheers, Phil.
Great tour man. I have almost identical space and similar setup and about 90% similar power/hand tools. So great aspirational setup for us 1 car non YT woodworkers. The lunch box planer with a custom sled (instead of jointer) could be one final* tool.
Fascinating video. I'm also in Chicagoland with a one car garage and trying to figure out how much space I have to work with. What's the minimum width you have to get the car in? Between your workbench on the right and whatever is on the left (drill press etc.) I'm planning on building a miter station on one side but I still need to fit the car. Thanks!
Hi. I noticed you had a couple of the Ridgid saw horses - I'd love to hear your experience with them. What's your favorite thing about them? What do you least like about them? Thanks!
I like that they fold pretty flat, that the height can be adjusted to use them for table saw out feed, and that the top is a 2x4 so if I cut it or it gets messed up I can replace it. Really what I don't like is the price but otherwise...
Nice set up. Wondering what you use to get tv in your shop. I have my shop in a detached garage and was looking for an affordable option to be able to get tv without having to run cable and without needing to pay for cable. I am probably wrong but I thought you called it Rasberry Pie? Appreciate any suggestions you would be willing to provide. Thanks, Mike
The Raspberry Pi is a tiny Linux computer. So I don't have Cable TV but basically a computer hooked up to the internet. I also have an antenna for it which gets some channels, but now that sports aren't really on normal channels anymore I don't really use it.