How to Build a Great Home Workshop

Build Your Dream Shop

Turn your basement, backyard shed, or garage space into the perfect shop for your needs. Everything is covered--lighting and ventilation, smooth workflow, handy storage for tools and materials, sturdy fold-away work surfaces--all at a cost to fit any budget. Choose one of five basic layouts and then customize the one that's best for you. There are dozens of great projects, including workbenches, all-hung and floor-mounted cabinets, movable power tool accessory chests, rolling sheet goods racks and more.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: A Woodworker's Dream Shop
How to Find Space for the Woodworking Shop, Wiring Guidelines for Your Shop, Shop Lighting Strategies, Climate Control Considerations, Storage Space

Chapter 2: Customize Your Space
Idea Number 1: A Bountiful Basement, Idea Number 2: Eficiency in One Stall, Idea Number 3: Two-Car Garage Workshop, Idea Number 4: No-Nonsense Dedicated Space, Idea Number 5: A Professional's Place, How to Lay Out Your Shop

Chapter 3: Clean Air in Your Shop
Basic Dust Defense, A Case Sunday in Dust Collection, Guidlines for Setting Up Your Own Dust-Collection System, Step Up to Air Filtration, Shop-Made Dust-Collection Systems

Chapter 4: Shop Heating Systems at a Glance
Workshop heating Considerations, Forced-Air Heaters, Tube Heaters, Radiant Heating, Electric Options, Is Wood Good?, How to Determine Which Heating System to Use

Chapter 5: Workshop Safety and Security
Tools as Targets, Protect Your Shop from Fire, Safety Equipment, The Danger of Dust, First Aid for the Shop, Shop Safety Check

Chapter 6: The Workbench: Heart of the Shop
One-Day Workbench, Durable Workbench, Drop-Leaf Mobile Workbench, Tough-Stuff Workbench, Full-Service Workbench with Surprises. Lift-Up Router Table, Flip-Up Benchtop Tool Table, Workbench with Side-Draft Dust-Collection System, Workbench Tool Crib, Flatten Your Workbenche's Top

Chapter 7: Shop Cabinet Craftsmanship
Start with a Base Cabinet, Now, Try a Wall Cabinet, Clamp a Large Box with Confidence, Build a Floor-Cabinet System: The Basic Cainet, Three-Drawer Utility Cabinet, Flip-Top Work Center, Dual-Purpose Sanding Center, Swivel-Topped Cainet, Modular Wall Cabinet System, Another Take on a Wall-Cainet System, Make Customized Tool Holders, Handy Cabinets, Reference Center

Chapter 8: Solving Special Storage Needs
Flexible Wall Storage System, Tablesaw Accessory Cabinet, Mobile Tablesaw Base, Mobile Tool Cabinet, Swing-Out Cabinet for Bits, Scrollsaw Blade Drawer, Drop-Down Tool Tray, Wall Hanging Sanding-Supply Organizer, Drum-Sander Holder, 11-in-One Sander Cainet

Chapter 9: Storing Lumber and Sheet Goods
Quick-and-Easy Mobile Storage, Roll-Around Plywood Cart, Sheet Goods Move/Lifter, Lumber Storage Rack, Double-Duty Clamp/Lumber Rack A Catchall for Cutoffs

Chapter 10: Easy Racks, Holders, and Organizers
At-the-Ready Bit Shelf, Easy Router Bit Storage, Bandsaw-Blade Holder, Saw-Blade Holder, Scrollsaw-Blade Organizer, Cordless Drill Recharging Station, Wall-Hung Plane Holder, Wall-Hung Router Organizer,

Five Great Clamp Organizers, Clamp-Rack Combo, Safe Chisel Storage, A Simple But Top-Notch Chisel Rack, Wrench Rack, Simple Saw Rack, Ready-for-Work Tool Holders, Hose/Cord Holders, Glue Caddy, Lathe Tool Rack, Lathe Tool Board

Chapter 11: Stands, Stools, and Supports
Leg Stand for Stationary Tools, Super-Sturdy Scrollsaw Stand, Mobile Mitersaw Stand, Roll-Around Tool Base, Workshop Rest Stop, Two-in-One Seat/Step Stool, Sturdy Stool, Fold-Out Work Support, Knockdown Cutting Platform, Knockdown Sawhorses, Back-to-Basics Sawhorses