Re: Small workshop design

Aug 17, 2003 4 Replies

Don't buy a Delta Midi until you've looked closely at a Jet Mini Lathe.



Barry



Hi ... I'm pretty new to woodturning and up until now, I've been doing my
> turning at the woodshop in the town's community center. I live in a
> townhouse and because I don't have a garage, I've been thinking about
> setting up a small shop in a 10'x10' room in the finished basement. This
> room has a door and windows.
>
> Assuming a limited budget and limited space, my questions are:
> - I'm probably going to get the Delta Midi but am open to other

suggestions.


- The room is carpeted right now so what flooring would you suggest as a
> replacement (I'm guessing it's a concrete slab under there).
> - Given I still have access to the town's woodshop, what equipment is
> absolutely necessary (e.g., drill press, grinder)?
> - What dust collection/air filtering systems work best, and are the
> quietest, in small spaces?
>
> Assuming an unlimited budget and limited space, would your answers be the > same? >
> Thanks for any and all suggestions.
>
> Jane
>
>

I started with the jet mini ... execellent starter lathe. either is a good machine.

i use rubber matts on concrete. saves on the legs and the tools when dropped.

required for me for bowls,platters,etc.: lathe, face shield, smock, safety glasses, slow speed grinder, alum oxide wheels (60/100 grits), diamond dressing bar (like the one from crafts supply), wolverine grinding jig (oneway), Jacobs" type chuck that fits in the tailstock Morse Taper, faceplates, chuck (oneway talon), 3/8, 1/2 bowl gougle (ellsworth grind), thin parting tool, dust mask (dust bee-gone), handsaw or bandsaw to rough out blanks, 4-prong spur drive (usually comes with lathe), latex/nitro gloves (thou shalt not let solvents on the skin), CA glues/accelerator, turning videos, books, AAW membership, local AAW club membership,

fein shop vac ... most quiet

. no

Thanks for all your good advice and in particular the suggestion I get "a good looking man to 'help' around the shop/studio" (been there, done that ... will stick to turning). Right now, I guess I just have to do it in stages and see what fits. Starting with the lathe, grinder, drill press, dust collector/air filter, and workbench. Then perhaps a bandsaw if room allows. For flooring, I think I'll do some of the inexpensive glueless laminates I've recently seen at Costco and use some anti-fatigue mats for comfort and safety.

Thanks again.

Jane

suggestions.

Yes ... further research shows they come with and without the rubber backing but either way, it seems a low cost do-it-yourself solution. The fake wood look is attractive, seems like you can sweep up the dust and mob up easily, and I agree the rubber backing would definitely be the way to go over concrete.

Jane

Hi Jane, Be real careful about the fake laminated wood stuff. It gets real slick when a little sawdust is on it. Suggest you get a few pieces - maybe some odds and end that the store will part with cheap - and put it in your shop where you can walk on it.

Jim

js148 wrote:

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