 
START AND STAY SQUARE No matter the craft, one rule remains the same. SHOP OWNER: Paul Andrus LOCATION: Bristol, RI I’m a brand new woodworker. Although I’m 62, I’ve been a toolmaker and hub and die maker for forty years. The same rules I’ve worked by all along apply to woodworking; start and stay square! 
I’m in the process of building my first project, which are kitchen cabinets. The face frames and doors will be cherry. I’ve already finished the carcasses and lazy Susan turntables. I’m about to stain and assemble them over the upcoming warmer months. 
My main direction in woodworking would be in furniture making. I’m a huge fan of Norm Abram and The New Yankee Workshop. 
As I have no garage, I’m setting up my shop in my basement. Woodworking has always been something I wanted to involve myself in when I got close to retirement, and that time is near. 
I’ve read tons of online forums, and made my tool buying decisions split between my budget and reviews. So far, I’ve done ok. The central machine in my shop is a General International 10” tablesaw. For breaking down sheet goods, I purchased a Festool circular saw, aluminum guide, and vacuum. 
A Grizzly 14” band saw takes care of my other sawing needs, and to dimension my own lumber I use a Powermatic 6” jointer along with a gently used Rigid planer I found. 
Of the two routers I have, I use a smaller Porter Cable for hand routing and an Incra router table setup for my larger Porter Cable 3.5 HP. 
To catch up with all the sawdust this equipment will be making, I’ve installed an Oneida V3000 vacuum system. I’m currently waiting for my shop layout that’s being done by Oneida. I’ll use the spiral pipe; no grounding necessary, and it looks better too. . . .
Paul Andrus
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