What Tools Do I Keep

[BKind2Anmls]

I currently live out in the country with a 1000 sq foot shop.  I have the usual big tools and quite a bit of special lumber. However, we are moving into a small house in town and I have purchased a small building for my new shop...around 140 square feet.

In this last chapter of my woodworking life I want to center everything around the scroll saw, concentrating on marquetry, but I also want to make gifts, bowls, etc and try my hand at intarsia.

I will be keeping a router, jigsaw, circ saw and recip saw for home improvement projects. I also have the Dremel set of accessories, including the Dremel mini router table and mini drill press which I think will be handy for scroll saw projects.

My question to all of you...

                Which tool (besides the scroll saw) should I consider taking with me? Which do you find most useful, if any, for a scroll saw workshop?

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Oh that is a question only you can answer. You know yourself better than we do. What work is it that you want to do and when you do it what tools are you always using. I could not do what I do without a full shop of tools. i would just quit and give everything up if I had to do that. Build another shed. Now you can get away with sourcing out woods in various thickness and this comes with a price. Doing scrollsaw work does not take many tools depending on what type scrollsawing it is and how involved. I make clocks that are scrollsawn but need to dimention lumber to get the bases and the wood to scroll. I make other projects and yes use a scrollsaw but also need other tools to get the wood to the size I need. Like I said you can source this part out but then the price is increased. You need basic tools like sanders and finishing tools but they are small. You can go to bench top tools for bandsaws and even tablesaws. So there are ways around things but you do sacrifice things in the long run. Many people work out of small shops and do just fine. Find what works for you.

[Fedido]

I have about all the tools you are keeping along with a one inch belt sander. Those are the majority of tools I use around the house. I just have a two car garage with two cars in them. I also have used a miter saw. Currently a 12 inch harbor freight special. I am waiting for an excuse to upgrade it. I don't do all the work you do, but didn't want to leave you hanging. 

Hendo

[meflick]

It might first be easier if you told us what other tools you have that you are thinking of not taking with you. My scroll saws sit in my husband’s shop. He gave me. “Corner” of HIS shop when I started scrolling. So there are lots of tools out there that he uses that I don’t usually but can come in handy when I need something done (sometimes I use them, other times I have him do it.) Couple of examples, his table top drill press, his table saw, the miter saw, the planer, and the jointer. He made some flip top stands that let you put two tools on one stand and you “flip” to the tool needed. That helps get more tools into the same space. I know the planer and jointer are on a flip top stand. The shop is a slightly oversized one car garage space. You can fit a lot of things in a small space when well organized. We have racks in the regular garage space that stores wood. Good luck on your move and downsizing. 

[Scrappile]

If I can't take the tools I have,,,,, I ain't going!!!  At least that is what I keep telling everyone.  Took me years to get what I have, I have good tools and I love them all.  We have a lot of furniture, books, clothers, antiques, boxes and boxes of "Stuff", it has to all go first!!  Okay, I could give up my planner, add the router to my table saw, get a smaller drill press and maybe the big band saw could go,,, but that is it.

[kmmcrafts]

I seen no mention of sanders? 

Not knowing what you have.. I'd say.. you can do an a lot of work with just a scroll saw, drill press, and some sanders..  

Ever thought about making a shop in a enclosed trailer? I've often thought about doing that... at some point my wife talks about being a travel nurse.. and getting a toy hauler 5th wheel camper.. with my business being online.. I can work from most any location provided I can take my shop with me, LOL.. Just gotta get the kids through school and out on their own first..

[new2woodwrk]

Not sure what tools you actually have so...

For me, it's my dremel, drill press, sanders and table saw I can't do without at the moment - I know  the TS is not considered a must in scroll sawing, but I use it quite a bit: making frames, cutting silhouettes to size, cutting wood to size after joining, breaking down large panels etc.

I don't use a router at all, that is one tool I personally could do without.

If you have a large TS, perhaps selling it and downsizing it to a smaller profile.

[tomsteve]

i had a 12 by 12 shop inna shed when i started 14 years ago. granted, it was a barn style shed with 8' side walls.thats 144 sq ft. table saw on wheels,benchtop router table, radial arm saw built into a bench along one wall, scroll saw, benchtop drill press,  grizzley 6" jointer, ..........quite a bit more. i made it work. kinda cramped in the winter but in the summer i could roll my table saw and jointer out for a little more room.

everything got used so i dont know what id say to get rid of. 

[Roberta Moreton]

I would include a small table saw I have a jobsite table saw. It can fold up and tucked away when not in use. 

[OCtoolguy]

It seems like you & I are in a similar situation. I live in a mobile home. No garage but a 9 x 13 attached shed that I commandeered as my shop. I put shelves up high for things my wife wanted stored. Below them (7 ft) is all mine. One small window and 1 large entry door. I have a 14" bandsaw, a Dewalt portable tablesaw on Dewalt roll stand. I have a 32" stack tool box, a B&D workmate, 3 scroll saws (1 to be sold), an 8 ft. long work bench with vice and small drill press. In one corner I have a Fein vac/DustDeputy, and under my bench are all my portable tools. I have a router table, a 4x36 belt sander, 1" belt sander, 2 routers, 12" Dewalt miter saw, Ridgid spindle sander, 12" Delta planer. I put up a 12" shelf that runs the complete shop that is just about 6 feet above the floor with many more small power tools and wood storage and a Wen air filter unit. So, is that enough info? In good weather, and my comfort range is limited, I move my saw out on the driveway. I have a couple folding saw horses that I made a work top for. When needed I put my router table, sanders or whatever I need at the moment outside on that table. It's not what I would call "ideal" working conditions but I make it work for what I need at this point in my life. I make small stuff now so it works. I think my biggest benefit is the Southern California climate. I very seldom have to turn on my little heater in my shop. 

Edited February 17, 2020 by octoolguy

[Wichman]

 

My first question is do you use sheet goods (plywood)? If so, how are you going to cut down the sheets into manageable pieces.?

Second question: how are you going to sand your material ?

Third : Dust control; shop vac or DC?

The answers to those questions will provide guidance as to the tools and layout you will need.

Enjoy!

 

 

[Puzzleguy]

im going to be doing this as well in the next couple of years -

its hard to get ride of stuff becasue their all like old friends - but out most of it must go

have to give this alot of though