HOW TO PACK A COMPLETE SHOP

INTO A ONE-CAR GARAGE! Mobile machines make the difference. INTO A ONE-CAR GARAGE! Mobile machines make the difference.

SHOP OWNER: Jerry Hydle

LOCATION: San Diego County, CA

First, let me say I'm a tool junkie and I'm not ashamed of it. I started woodworking in 1952, when I took my first shop class. But it was many years before I could afford good tools or had a place to set up a shop. Now I'm making up for lost time. I thought other visitors to your site might be interested in the way I have handled having all these machines in my small shop.

My first major machine was a Shop Smith with several accessories, and it was sufficient for a long time. With a multi-purpose machine like this, you have to plan your work carefully, and the tablesaw is marginal; but it got me through.

About six years ago I really got the bug and started to replace my home-shop-quality tools with better stuff. My problem was--and is--space; my shop is a one-car garage with a small storage room attached to the back. To use all these tools I would have to devise a work-around plan.

My solution was to put all the machines on mobile bases so I can drag the ones I need out into the driveway to get enough room to work. I've used several commercial bases, including:

• Jet contractor's saw on a Vega VG-8 "Machine Mover" base (advertised to handle up to 800 lb.);
• Jet 14-in. bandsaw on a Delta Universal Mobile base;
• DeWalt surface planer on a Sears Router Table base on a Delta Universal Mobile base;
• ShopSmith with 1-in. belt sander and 10-in. disk sander attachments on ShopSmith retractable casters;
• Shop Smith Power station with SS band saw also on ShopSmith retractable casters;
• Shop-built router table (Norm's top, my base) on a Delta Universal Mobile base;
• Ryobi 10-in. compound miter saw on a Rousseau Miter Saw Super Stand (the stand sells for over $200 in the tool store but I got this one at a tool swap meet for $100; there is a Ryobi Oscillating Spindle sander stored on the bottom shelf);
• A DeWalt Scroll saw on a Delta Universal Mobile base.

Besides these tools, I've got two benches, a drill press, a radial saw (in the back room), a small jointer, Rockwell lathe, rollaway toolbox, Leigh jig on a portable base, Delta Sharpening Station, Ryobi planer, a 3 hp air compressor and 2 shop vacuums--not to mention a water heater and a washer and dryer. I won't go into the hand tools and hand power tools stored wherever I can find room. Plus, there are two 4-ft.-wide x 6-ft.-high x 10-in.-deep cabinets full of goodies on one wall.

I am a lucky man. Now, all I need is the time and the patience to develop the skills I need to put these wonderful machines to use.