Shop Tours

My retirement dream shop

comments (5) May 29th, 2010 in Shop Tours        
richardfrancis richardfrancis, member
thumbs up 6 users recommend
Front of shop devoted to metal working and bike maintenance. The floor was a nightmare using $200/gal. paint.
A portion of the dust collection system using six-inch PVC (S & D pipe) painted silver. I also installed a static electrical discharge system using aluminum tape inside and outside the full length of the pipes, connecting them together with wires at each junction. Ask me how I did this. Interesting, and worked like a charm.
This shows storage and hardware access on the partition separating the front moto-maintenance/metal working area from the woodworking area. I plan to add those vinyl stips in the twelve-foot opening for better separation of temperatures.
Close-up of Cadillac router table serving as outfeed table for table saw as well. This is my own design after careful study of others work. It took me three months to complete. I began by fabricating the leg levelers. The surface is formica with 3/4-inch MDF and then 3/4-inch plywood and angle iron beneath the ply to hold it flat. I can unhook the rear DC hose and use it to vacuum the floor. It has both above and below the table DC. The above table flex hose is easily removed for full table clearance. Works like a charm.
This woman, Jan, is really what keeps me young and ambitious and energetic. When I have a shop problem, I just think of her. And voila!
Front of shop devoted to metal working and bike maintenance. The floor was a nightmare using $200/gal. paint. - CLICK TO ENLARGE

Front of shop devoted to metal working and bike maintenance. The floor was a nightmare using $200/gal. paint.

Photo: Dick Francis
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Shop Specs

  • Location: Live Oak, Florida, USA
  • Size: 1180sq. ft.
  • Type: Detached
  • Focus: Furniture
  • Heating/Cooling: Wall AC; solar barrier roof/walls

Following retirement from an aviation career, and in keeping with my life-long love of woodworking, I am finally completing my dream shop. The facility is a Miracle Truss steel building which went up with the help of one other person, my neighbor. My goal was to be able to take a piece of rough-cut lumber and finish the project without outside help. So far, I still need a jointer. But I have a decent planer (Woodmaster 18"), a Grizzly table saw, a 12" Craftsman radial-arm saw I've had for nearly forty years, a miter saw, a Triton router set in a Cadillac table serving as an outfeed table for the table saw, a Craftsman band saw, a Delta belt/disk sander, and various metal-working machines. Plus a complete dust collection system I designed and installed by my lonesome which works great. The shop is also air-conditioned and I plan to install an air filtrations device soon. I even have a full bath with shower and of course hot water!

posted in: Shop Tours, modern, My retirement dream shop, Wood & metal working shop, Why I have a shop
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Comments (5)

Taigert Taigert writes: Richard,
Nice shop, and I love the Beemer as well.
About two years ago I had to make a desicion, which do I want for a new Beemer just like yours or some new woodworking equipment. Due to a arguement with my wife over getting the new bike I ended up with some new toys for the shop.
The only time I regret my choice is on a hot evening like tonight. I would love to get on the bike for a nice ride and a cool breeze to suppress the heat.
Posted: 6:08 pm on July 21st

drdanw drdanw writes: richard love your silver 1150 rt. My wife and I tour Utah and surrounding area on a pair of 1150's just like yours. If you are ever in our area (Alpine,Ut)look us up. Shop looks great.

Thanks
dan
Posted: 3:40 am on April 16th

Brough Brough writes: Nice Beemer Richard, hope it doesn't gather much saw dust in your new shop.
Posted: 6:27 pm on June 14th

djolico djolico writes: That's quite a shop, congratulations. It's great to have these as motivation for someone on the other end of the ride.

I'm getting ready to install a duct system for my new ClearVue DC and planned on 6" S&D as well. Can you tell me more about your static discharge system? Specifically, where does it terminate and how (or do you) ground at the machine?

Thanks,
Dave
Posted: 12:27 pm on June 3rd

GEide GEide writes: Do you have any exterior photos of the shop? Layout drawings? Thanks for sharing! -Gina, FineWoodworking.com
Posted: 11:03 am on June 1st

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