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    Shop Tours

    Shop Tour: Christian Becksvoort

    Efficiency is important to pros like Christian Becksvoort, and his shop reflects that. From machine layout and hardware storage to a bench dedicated to glue-ups, Chris’s shop incorporates the lessons learned in a long and industrious career.

    By Christian Becksvoort, Ben Strano Oct 29, 2019

    Chris Becksvoort built his 24-ft. x 40-ft. shop in the early 1980s out of lumber from the local sawmill. He did most of the framing and installed the floor, which is 1-1⁄2-in.-thick hemlock. A few friends helped with the main support beam down the center of the shop, and the roof shingles. An electrician did the 120/240 wiring. This year Becksvoort updated the roof to standing-seam metal, and reports that “snow slides off in a hurry.”

    The center of the shop is obstructed by a support post and a set of stairs, which lead up to his lumber loft and can be folded upward if necessary. But Becksvoort has never had to do that. Instead, he parked three machines around the stairs, and tucks scrap bins and other items below.

    Becksvoort keeps his big Lie-Nielsen workbench out in the open, and most of his work happens on or around it. Nearby is a long counter with storage for routers and bits, sanders, clamps, fasteners, a Bose audio system, and the phone. Above the countertop and close at hand for benchwork is his big wall-mounted tool cabinet (see FWW #153).

    The other dedicated workstation that juts into the shop is Becksvoort’s 7-ft. glue-up table with slotted rails for bar clamps. Most everything else in this shop is along the walls, leaving plenty of assembly and work space in the middle, critical for a working pro. Like many woodworkers, Becksvoort realized that his tablesaw doesn’t need any extra room on the extension end, so he parks that against a wall, leaving plenty of room for infeed and outfeed on both sides. His lathe sits in front of an east-facing window, which offers wonderful light for morning turning sessions.

    Other articles about Chris’ shop:

    Tool-Cabinet Design

    By Christian Becksvoort #153–Tools & Shops 2002 Issue

    Every shop has specific needs, but the strategies for storing hand tools are universal

    Build a Basic Tablesaw Outfeed Table

    By Christian Becksvoort #272–Tools & Shops 2019 Issue

    Christian Becksvoort outfeed table is durable, versatile and easy to build

    Tricks For Working at the Right Height

    By Christian Becksvoort #265–Tools & Shops 2018 Issue

    Optimize the elevation of your workbench for the task at hand

    sears tool

    Under-Bench Tool Cabinet

    By Christian Becksvoort #258–Tools & Shops 2017 Issue

    Practical storage cabinet utilizes the wasted space beneath your benchtop

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    Comments

    1. graymo | Oct 30, 2019 12:11pm | #1

      Lovely shop, lovely man.

    2. nilswhite | Oct 30, 2019 04:31pm | #2

      Thank you Ben, that was magical. What a legend

    3. DaveRichards | Oct 30, 2019 06:55pm | #3

      Very nice tour. Thank you Ben. I love the Apple disk sander.

      Kicking myself for not trying to get in touch with Mr. B. when I was in Maine recently.

    4. Kevin_Almeyda | Nov 01, 2019 08:46am | #4

      That was fun. Always great to see a legend’s shop.

    5. Martino23 | Jun 30, 2020 12:30am | #5

      Is the video for the round stand available yet?

      1. User avater FWW Editor
        BenStrano | Jun 30, 2020 08:21am | #6

        It'll be on the site soon. End of August probably.

    6. Martino23 | Jun 30, 2020 08:32am | #7

      Will a DVD be available for purchase? I am a subscriber to the site, but I like to keep my own copy for when I don't have an internet connection.
      Thanks for your fast response!

      1. User avater FWW Editor
        BenStrano | Jun 30, 2020 08:37am | #8

        It's doubtful. The DVD market isn't what it used to be.

    7. Martino23 | Jun 30, 2020 08:48am | #9

      Sorry to hear that.

    8. rssllshelly | Dec 10, 2020 06:28pm | #10

      I am so happy to see the legendary Mr. Becksvoort has such a great personality. This personal touch was the one thing I was missing by having the print FWW sub alone. I now have achieved totality.

      BTW... I should have known Chris Becksvoort would have a great personality after seeing his cameo on Parks and Recreation a few years back. Great show, great video, great man.
      And Ben, you’re not so bad yourself. Thanks for all the great content.

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