Woodworkers are a thrifty and innovative bunch. When the need arises for a new tool or fixture or specialty jig, many prefer to make it from scratch if possible, not only to save money but also for the satisfaction that goes along with creative problem solving. When one of our regular visitors asked what kinds of things others have made for their shops, it struck a resonant chord. Here are some of the replies…
“The shop-built tool that I use most is my work bench. Next is the cyclone head I built for a 40 gallon trashcan. The rolling tool cart and lathe tool holder come in a close third.”
“I’ve built my tablesaw fence; then again I bought a router table insert. Sometimes I buy a tool or jig if I need it quickly, rather than make it.”
“Making a fixture is an excellent learning process, whether you end with labor-intensive firewood or something you can’t remember how you got along without. I was most happy with a mobile cabinet for my contractor tablesaw. I could move it around with one hand.”
“Here is my list: a sharpening station for lathe tools, a heavy bowl scraper, straight and angled hollow turning tools, a router/planer box, and many years ago, I built my first tablesaw, which held my handheld circular saw inverted.”
“I like to restore tools when I can. Basically I just love tinkering. I’ve been working on the wheel pressure of my new power feeder lately.”
“It’s hard to imagine not building jigs and other debris necessary for temporal happiness. All my mobile bases are shop made, as are tool boxes, box joint jigs, a panel cutter, router table, several specialized tablesaw sleds, feather boards, and more.”
“I am stripping paint off the moldings in my Victorian home using handmade scraping tools. I tend to lean toward ‘rolling my own’ whenever time permits.”
“With the exception of router jigs, my only shop built tool is a disk sander, but I am getting into turning, so I am interested in all the goodies for that kind of woodworking.”
“I built a sanding station, a scroll saw stand, a benchtop router table and a folding worktable. Next is a mobile miter saw station, so I can roll the darn thing out of the way.”
“My favorites include an overarm blade guard and dust collector, a router table, radial arm saw cabinet with cutoff bins, a horizontal router table with scissor-jack lift, and a custom drill press table.” “I have not built many tools: a rolling work bench, a 4-speed 9″ lathe with 36″ bed, a horizontal router table in a fold-down, movable cart, and much of my dust collection system is shop-made.”
“The most amazing shop-built tool I’ve seen is a 20-in. band-saw made out of plywood. The machine was an
eye-popper. The best I’ve made was a Biesemeyer-type rip fence that was adjustable for pitch, roll, and yaw. It moved friction-free on the rail, supported by three brass set screws.”
“I built that 20-in. plywood band-saw. The builder-author was Bill Corniel from Thorndale, Ontario. Other than that, I’ve built a tilting table disc sander, a wooden jointer, a wooden scroll saw, a buffing and sharpening system, and my latest endeavor, an outside lumber breakdown station.”
“I’ve made two workbenches, a router table, several cabinets, a lumber storage behemoth, a band-saw stand, an air cleaner, and am starting on a plane and some brass/wood hammers.”
“I build about everything that I can in jigs and fixtures. Most specialty jigs can’t be used for one-off projects.”
“Because I am 6’6, standard tools, jigs and equipment have to be customized. My lathe stand is elevated on two 6x6s, and I make lathe chisel handles dampened with lead shot, larger than standard diameters. I do this to get something I can really use.”
“I am too old to list all the stuff I’ve made. But my list would include all manner of work stations, various turning tools, plug cutters, and every type of scraper imaginable. I enjoy it, and it saves dollars. Latest project underway is a jobsite scaffold.”
“My home-builts are for turning: a bowl lathe with 86-in. swing, a rotating tool stand that holds 60 tools, 12 boring bar systems, hollowing tools, and a bunch of scrapers. I make things that aren’t available commercially or have too high a price.”
“I made an infill smoother plane, a jack plane and a pair of hollows and rounds, along with several dovetail markers and marking knives.” “I’ve built telescoping outriggers for the drill press, a portable chop saw cart that telescopes, and shop knick knacks featuring De-Sta-Co toggle clamps. If you’re of the metal working persuasion, a whole new door opens. Welding is one of the handiest skills a woodworker can acquire.”
“My jigs are faster, more accurate and more productive than anything in the tool catalogs. My shop is full of work, not tools.”
“I’ve built items that reflect my galootish tendencies, while others betray that I still use tailed apprentices when appropriate. The list does not include my hand planes, which have been refitted for use by me and see regular action.”
“I’ve made a mobile tablesaw cabinet, a mobile router table/cabinet, and a mobile lumber rack. I’m glad I did that one, but I feel like a little mouse trying to move an elephant at times.”
“I do what I can: a workbench with storage, two router tables, several mortising and tenoning jigs, and a four-way sliding mortising table. I am frugal to almost stupid levels, so a few hours to save ten dollars seems worthwhile.”
“I’m planning on a large bowl lathe, a router table, table-saw cabinet, and now I am also thinking about a 20-in. bandsaw made of ply wood.”
“I made rolling stands for my tools, each with multiple drawers and pull out trays. I have clamp racks, sliding tables and bending forms. Storage is a problem, but don’t tell my wife.”
“I find shop jigs necessary and unremarkable. I enjoy building spokeshaves, bow saws, mallets, a 16-in. wood compass and wood hand screws. When you buy a tool, you use it and that’s the end of it. When you make it yourself you get much more from it.”
What are your thoughts on this? Add your comments below!