How to Work and Setup a Small Woodworking Shop

Working in a small woodworking shop can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Those who are passionate about woodworking understand the importance of having a dedicated workspace, even if it is a small one. Working in a small woodworking shop requires careful planning, organization, and efficient use of space. One of the most important things to keep in mind when working in a small woodworking shop is safety. With limited space, it's crucial to have a well-organized work area and to keep safety in mind at all times. When working in a small woodworking shop, it's important to have a good understanding of the tools and materials you'll be using. By mastering the essential techniques and tools of woodworking, you can maximize your creativity and achieve high-quality results even in a limited workspace. When planning projects, it's important to consider the available space and resources in your small woodworking shop. By being thoughtful and deliberate in your planning, you can make the most of the space you have and create beautiful, functional pieces. Overall, working in a small woodworking shop requires focus, dedication, and a love for the craft. With these qualities, you can achieve incredible things even in the most limited of spaces.

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[Kijiji-nyqh]

My shop is 9' by 11' in the basement. Everything is on casters and I use the space between the ceiling joists for storage. I only keep tools I use - small power tools (table saw, band saw, miter saw, lathe, grinder) and hand tools. I keep it clean and meticulously organized. Sheet goods get cut outside and brought in. I find this works for me.

[emerald]

Not long ago I put all the money I had into building my own wood shop. For me, there was no better choice, after decades of bucketing into impossibly small cubicles with old discarded tools of inferior quality. It's a dream come true, each minute I can spend here is just great fun! Your video message has boosted my confidence, I do have my devices all mobile and experiment exactly as you advise. And I am enjoying to discover what works best for me. I'm not sure where all this will lead to yet, but I'm definitely going to make one change after watching your video: I'm going to put a heavy work table in the middle of my work space. Now I've made a long table along the wall, and while it certainly offers useful and nice work space, it's really too limited for woodworking.
This will be followed by further figuring out how I'm going to keep all the tools accessible along the walls - and how I'm going to find them again. Because one of my weaknesses is that I like to use a large work table so as not to have to tidy up all those small tools... So then I would need another large work table! And so another workshop. Thanks for your great videos each time again!

[karlmartin]

I love finding incremental ways to optimize my very small workspace because it doesn't help just one project, but every future project I make in the space.

[tcary]

Thanks for the video and helping to remind me that if I would just clean a bunch stuff out of my workshop/garage then I would have more room!

[arthurbrands]

My tools are in a shed where we used to have a garage, at the end of a driveway that devolves into a garden path. My only limitation is the weather. My shop is the great outdoors (side yard)!

[izgoodbking]

Currently setting up a 10x10 and need room to move in my wheelchair. It's going to be an adventure.

[stevem]

i work in a double car garage, so 450 sqft of heated, drywalled, insulated space with wood flooring. but i also have a nice collection of antique machinery that gets used everyday as well my antique handtools with a sprinkling of veritas for good measure.

[airnashville]

I'm sure someone has already addressed this but, as a hybrid hand tool/power tool woodworker I've tried to integrate work flow into the position of my equipment. I have a 6' long traditional workbench with Moxon vise, shooting board setup but, also have a secondary MFT table I use for assembly and glue up. I'm not a fan of moving machines around because of the added work, time and possibility of moving things out of alignment. I know others may have different needs and limitations. Experimentation is a good thing and always avoid the "forever" solution.

[TwinPhoenix]

Thanks, James! I always find inspiration when I watch your videos, no matter what the topic is.

[elijahwilliams]

Mr.wright you are right flexibly is key

[rustyfreeman]

I'm 12x16 hipped roof HD red barn. Love it.

[connorhart]

I'm currently using a converted sofa in my RV for my hand tool woodworking. I kneel on an old pillow that came with the camper, thank GOD it's temporary hahaha

[PaulSmith-rdyc]

Another great video. Just doing my garage at the moment. Single car garage, trying to make it a bit warmer in England. But being blind got to think how to lay out the tools. Lots of tips on making storage for tools would be good specially vintage ones.

[michaelmcdermott]

17 x 22.5 ft with a single roll up door, 10 ft overhead, lots of casters and 2 walls of French cleats. The only things that don't move are benches (2) and my long board and turning blank racks. And even then, never say never.
Thanks for a nice video!

[jimbo]

Locking Castors are crucial in all workshops. Storing timber takes up a lot of space, so be ruthless about what you keep and buy. Small workshop small timber storage.

[levilam]

Hand tools... my shop is 11 x 24.... I have all the power tools, but have to rum power out there to use them.... for small job I just use hand tools, but I do run a generator when I have something big to do..

[rossanctuary]

I have my 2 car garage for a shop, but I work with all kinds of metals, as well as working on engine's. Don't like to limit myself to just marital

[adammono]

I thought it was a video on how to set up small planes! Which i would like to see 😄

[johnfreiler]

Yes: all about experience. I'm working on my new Workbench and I looked to my old workbench and almost all of the time, I've got half of the bench just covered with tools I'm not using right now... Clearly I don't need a bigger bench, perhaps I need better tool storage... And that is how your set up really should go: it's an evolution, not a revolution.