Popular Post prov163 Posted March 28, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 I’m writing this thread to encourage those of you who know you need to make some shop changes but have been putting it off. It seems like a chore when you think about it, but once you get started it’s actually a lot of fun. My shop is a 12x24 stand-alone building. It has always seemed small, tight, cramped. I bought a couple of new machines so it seemed like the right time to do some resetting and changing. The fact that the first new machine didn’t fit exactly the way I wanted it to was also a factor. Lesson #1 - if you’ll go spend money on some new equipment, you’ll enjoy the reset more i started out with a list of frustrations most of which you can see in the first pictures. I’ve got a DJ-20 jointer but where it’s positioned it’s not getting the kind of use it should. To get to the dust collector I had to squeeze by the jointer and do a pirouette to empty the bags and replace them. There’s not enough space between some of the tools. Some hand power tools were across the room from the workbench they’re used on. These things weren’t a problem at first but now they are crying out for change. Lesson #2 - my shop hasn’t gotten smaller, I’ve gotten bigger. What I mean by that is my skill sets are improving. My present setup was fine when I was at that level but now it’s constraining me. It came to the point that I didn’t enjoy my shop time as much so I did less of it. I’ve been watching a lot of your projects, as well as Marc’s and others, and know I can’t get closer to that level of work unless I remove the barriers. Lesson #3 - it ain’t gonna fix itself. The bandsaw and dust collector are going to my son’s house tomorrow. The back right corner is where the dust collector sat, limiting my jointer infeed. The other end comes about 18” from the left wall, limiting the outfeed. The back wall of my shop. Time for some serious changes. More to come. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 Cool. Looking forward to see it after the reset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 Look forward to seeing this also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
difalkner Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 DC going to your son's house? That's going to take a really long hose to reach your tools... If I could get rid of my 10' long Oliver lathe I'd be doing exactly what you're doing. Well, except I'd keep my bandsaw and DC. Looking forward to seeing the changes you're making. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 I just did something similar. Sold my big drum sander, which made room for me to move the jointer over next to my planer and my bandsaw away from my saw/shaper. I now have room for the power feeder to tilt off the shaper, and the jointer has 12' of infeed and outfeed. Before, i had about 6' of outfeed before i had to move my bandsaw out of the way to increase that number to 9'. I might miss the drum sander in the next week or two when i make two cutting boards for people, but so far the extra breathing room and reorganization is incredible. Hope your experience is similar to mine--minus lifting a 1200lb jointer off the ground. Why on earth i put that directly on the floor i will never know.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted March 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 2 hours ago, difalkner said: DC going to your son's house? That's going to take a really long hose to reach your tools... If I could get rid of my 10' long Oliver lathe I'd be doing exactly what you're doing. Well, except I'd keep my bandsaw and DC. Looking forward to seeing the changes you're making. David LOL! I am replacing the DC and Bandsaw with new equipment. That's what kinda forced the shop reset. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted March 28, 2018 Report Share Posted March 28, 2018 While you’ve got a good head of steam up, build some drawers into that router stand. When I see unutilized space under tools it causes a facial tic. Looks like some nice upgrades in a perfect excuse for a bit of a reorg. I am constantly watching for things I can change while I am making parts or building assemblies. Then while in between projects I try to implement these when possible. Go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post prov163 Posted March 29, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 Ok now, where were we? My notes are covered with sawdust, dirt, and cobwebs. Oh yeah! Lesson #4 - just because you think the shop is clean doesn’t mean it is. I am reaping the rewards of less than acceptable dust collection. I now have a Wen air filtration system (I’m impressed), a vacuum hooked to my sander, and a new, more powerful DC. Should stay cleaner when I get finished. Lesson #5 - see below I forgot I had these. Tried using them once and decided they look cool but they weren’t my cup of tea. It happens. I will strip them down for parts. Great knobs. I bet we’ve all got some of those “Why did I buy this?” stories. Let’s hear ‘em. Lesson #7 - every project inevitably leads to another. It’s a Law of the Universe. In this case I figure while I’ve got everything apart I should go ahead and hard pipe the DC system. And while the jointer is being moved, might as well put a Byrd Shelix in it and put it on a mobile base. I’m not starting any new projects until I get everything done but I’m really looking forward to the first project with all these changes. My progress so far. Feels so much more open already. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted March 29, 2018 Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 Coming along nicely! I agree, it's amazing what you found when you start reorganizing and actually cleaning. I hope the new DC and piping works out well - the pipe should help,and I suggest you work hard to optimize any bends or turns since that's probably where you'll lose the most airflow. I read an article a long time ago (Wood Magazine, I think) where they used shop-made ports at the machines that had rounded edges instead of the sharp edges of standard parts, and the increase in airflow was measurable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
difalkner Posted March 29, 2018 Report Share Posted March 29, 2018 You have way more open space that I do, that's for sure. You're going to like the Wynn filter. When our HF had the standard bag that comes with it there was always a light film of dust on everything within about 8' to 10' of the DC. Now, with the Wynn filter, there's no dust anywhere around the DC. Looking good! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted March 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 I tried to call Byrd several times today to ask a couple of questions and order a new head and bearings for my jointer. Never got an answer or a voicemail. Maybe they took the week off? Anyway, I went to a different source and ordered it. So tonight’s task was to break down the jointer. Belt looks fine. While I’m waiting for the new cutter head to arrive I’ll start assembling the bandsaw 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted March 30, 2018 Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 That is the "point of no return" to me when working on machines. Cant walk away from it, or decide not to do the swap now! Any chance this head fits the DJ-20? https://albany.craigslist.org/tls/d/byrd-shelix-8-jointer/6541388509.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted March 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2018 Nope. It's a different model but thanks for the heads up. And you're right - the point of no return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freedhardwoods Posted March 31, 2018 Report Share Posted March 31, 2018 Looks like you're making good progress. I wouldn't call it a reset, but I'm starting a cleanup tomorrow. Adding lots of shelves. Like you said, it's easy to keep putting it off, but after you do it, it's really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 I’ve been working overtime so not as much shop time but I got this far on the bandsaw. It seems to be well packaged. The minute I saw the table I remembered what an upgrade this is going to be. Lesson #8 - give your old equipment to a budding woodworker unless you really need the money. The old Ridgid bandsaw served me faithfully, was cheap enough to entice me to try it, proved invaluable in my shop. Help someone else give the craft a shot. I gave mine (and DC) to my son who has shown interest in woodworking and appreciates tools. Just my .02 The new bandsaw. Hope to have it assembled Sunday evening. Got the base together. This thing is solid and the fit and finish is great. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I see a lot of bandsaw time in my future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 As I’m not familiar with all the colors, which bs did you opt for? As obviously it’s an upgrade, congrats! Regardless of the brand, don’t settle for their stock blade. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 Thanks Coop! I decided on the Rikon 10-326. I already bought a Woodslicer resaw blade and a 1/4” blade as well. I’m going to order some other blades after I play with it a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 Excellent choice on the bs. Those two blades should serve you well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freedhardwoods Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 That is a big table. Where did you buy the bs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 I bought it at Woodcraft. It was on sale at $899 so I saved $100 off of their regular price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 Congrats! I hope the saw works well for you. I have the older one (10-325) - in green, no less - I like it, but from what I've seen the -326 is a step up with the table, trunion, guide, etc. At least the upgraded guides are available as a retrofit (I did that already). 9 hours ago, K Cooper said: As I’m not familiar with all the colors, which bs did you opt for? Some years ago, Rikon went away from the green and went to blue. Maybe blue tools work better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2018 Got the saw mounted to the base. Luckily my son had a few minutes before going on duty. Could have done it myself by putting the base on while the saw was in the box but since I had free labor. Table cleaned up and waxed. Installation later tonight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2018 Came home to a couple of gifts from the UPS guy. Mobile base for my DJ-20. More love for the jointer. New Byrd Shelix head. Bearings will be in tomorrow. Plan to install after the bandsaw is up and running. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2018 Bandsaw assembled. Amazing how much difference there is between this saw and the old one. I can’t wait to put it to use. Lesson #9 - quit being a cheap old bastard. I should have done this two years ago but I didn’t. Glad I pulled the trigger. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prov163 Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Haven’t updated this recently due to work schedule. The shop is progressing, though not fast enough. Installed the new Byrd Shelix head in my jointer. I’m going to go ahead and set the tables while the fence is off. Then I’ll install it and set it at 90 degrees. BTW. A quick compliment on Byrd. I was initially frustrated when they didn’t answer the phone for a couple of days. I decided to try one more time and a very nice lady answered. She had been off for a couple of days and the guys in the plant don’t answer phones. I was going to order a set of bearings. She said to buy them locally at Grainger or Fastenal. She then asked me what jointer I had and gave me the bearing numbers. I ordered them from my local Fastenal and had them the next day - $6 total. The woman at Byrd made an impression that reminds me why I like working with small businesses when I can. I moved a cabinet that was here to another wall and freed up all this space for my clamps. When I get this mess back where it belongs or in their new locations, hopefully by this weekend, I can start building again. Finally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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