Suggestions for new mini shop.

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R

RMB

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2008
Messages
298
Location
Morgan Hill, California, USA.
I got my boss to let me use a small room in the corner of his shop, so I'm going to turn it into my own "Mini Shop". I hope to be able to make pens, small turned items, jewelry boxes, doodads, and whatzits in this space, with the use of the full size tools in the main shop.
As for powertools in my shop I'd like a mini lathe, scroll saw, shopvac for DC and cleanup, and probably a disk sander for sharpening, squaring, and smoothing things, possibly a drillpress later. The space itself is 45x70 inches, plus the space between the studs, basically a medium sized closet.
The layout I've come up with is basically an L shaped workbench, 16" deep, with various drawers, cubbys and pullouts underneath along two walls of the space, and a barstool in the center. The walls will be partially covered in pegboard to make use of the space between the studs, as well as shelves to hold penblanks and small items.

I know it's tiny, and probably rediculous to think that I'd be able to do much in there, but for some reason I really like the idea of having something that's my own, is neatly organized, efficient, and lets me make quality peices.

What I'd like is peoples opinion on mini lathes, sanders, and scrollsaws that would be good in a small space, reasonably priced, and good quality. And any other thoughts you have on setting up my first shop of my very own.

Thanks!
 
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Ryan good luck in your venture, the best mini lathe I can think of would be the Jet 1014 variable speed.[:p]

I have the manual version and the build quality is excellent, it will run for years!:D
 
I believe only you can decide on the layout of this mini-shop. Good luck. There are a number of mini lathes on the market. Grizzly has several new models worth considering. But, they are new and there is little to no reported experience with them yet. As you will see, this forum is practically house of worship for the Jet minis.
 
I recommend that you set up a sharpening system right next to your lathe. Having it only a step away will save you a ton of time in the long run. I bet that it will also save you money. If you are anything like me, as the hassle factor increases, you are more likely to wait a bit longer before sharpening your tools. This increases your odds of blowing up a blank, in my opinion.
 
As for layout, I recommend that you think of your workflow. I prefer to layout the shop in a way that keeps work in process moving down the line, rather than going back and forth. For instance, in our home workshop, the layout is currently as follows:

- bandsaw
- bench mounted drill press and gluing station
- sharpening station
- lathe
- assembly station

These stations are in an L shape with another table as an 'island'. This is currently my casting/stabilization station. Also, the table saw is currently in a seperate area of the shop.

Once we complete our ongoing storage shed project, we will expand the area to beef up logical storage locations for blanks and kits. Currently, they are stored beneath the stations, but we could do better. We will also include a station for buffing/polishing and powdercoating. The equipment for this has been purchased, we are just waiting for the space to be available.
 
Yeah, I know about workflow, and I did intend to put the sander right next to the lathe for sharpening, but in such a small space, basically everything will be reachable from a swiveling barstool.

I've heard a lot about the Jet Mini, used one and enjoyed it, but it's darn expensive. I'm leaning towards the Turncrafter Pro 1/2 HP VS, although its a bit bigger than I wanted. Maybe I'll be a guinea pig for the new Grizzly.

What I really need is some input on the Scrollsaw, because I've never done much research about what to look for in them. Do any of you have Scrollsaws that you are particularly (un)satisfied with? What should I look for?
 
I had an old (small) Delta, which I never liked. I now have an Excalibur 21, which I do like. But there was a $700 difference in cost. DeWalt also makes a good scroller. Which one you need depends on what you're going to do. Cutting through 1/4 inch stock is completely different from cutting through 1-2" stock or metal. If you're cutting segments then how repeatable the tilt is can be critical.

Given the tiny size of the shop, on of the newer Deltas might do fine. My Excalibur takes up as much space as a mini-lathe.

Marc
Originally posted by RMB


What I really need is some input on the Scrollsaw, because I've never done much research about what to look for in them. Do any of you have Scrollsaws that you are particularly (un)satisfied with? What should I look for?
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by RMB

Yeah, I know about workflow, and I did intend to put the sander right next to the lathe for sharpening, but in such a small space, basically everything will be reachable from a swiveling barstool.

I've heard a lot about the Jet Mini, used one and enjoyed it, but it's darn expensive. I'm leaning towards the Turncrafter Pro 1/2 HP VS, although its a bit bigger than I wanted. Maybe I'll be a guinea pig for the new Grizzly.

What I really need is some input on the Scrollsaw, because I've never done much research about what to look for in them. Do any of you have Scrollsaws that you are particularly (un)satisfied with? What should I look for?
Click to expand...

The "guinea pig" analogy is over the top. I have seen the line of new Grizzly small lathes. The two at the very bottom (one uses a 1/4" drill) are pretty chintzy things that I would avoid. However, from there up, they look like very substantial machines. I saw them in the Grizzly store in Springfield, MO. Grizzly stands behind their products. As long as you check specs to make sure you are getting the model best suited to your needs, I'll betcha you will be very pleased with a mini-Griz.
 
I would rethink the shopvac. Look into the small portable Dust Collectors and upgrade the bag to a 1 micron unit. The noise from a shopvac may make your shop unwlecome in short order. The DC isn't exactly quiet but the sound is a lower octave and much more comfortable to unprotected ears than the high pitched squeel of a shopvac.
 
I have a Jet 1014VS and I'd pick it over the Turncrafter. I use to have a Turncrafter Pro,but now I'm glad I switched over to the Jet. My space is way smaller than yours but dad has all the machinery I need in the other part of the shop.
 
Well, I drywalled and pulled wire for my shop today! Now it's off to order tools!
I'm going with the Grizzly lathe, the 1/2hp VS model, 10x16 I think, and a Dewalt Scroller, ....spensive.
 
i'll be curious to know how that lathe performs for you. i don't know how close morgan hill is to a metro area, or if it is itself, but you might consider craigslist to find some used tools. it's been a gold mine for me, i see a lot of nice old scroll saws on there for great prices. one of the only tools i got new was my jet 1014I and i love it, but i think you were wise with your grizzly purchase. have fun in there. no matter what size the space is, you'll still have a blast in there. :)
 
Well, I might have an extra lathe if anybody's interested..... I must have somehow added two to my cart, then proceeded to check out, didn't notice cuz it was such a large order, 1400 total (with both lathes). I emailed them immediatly upon luckily finding the error a couple minutes later as I excitedly called my Fiance to tell her all the nice tools I ordered to make her pretty things with.

In other screwyness, Kallenshaan sent my engraved pens to my old address in Bakersfield.... $%#@! must have gotten the addy off of my check instead of the order form.

I did czeck CL, for both lathes and scrollsaws, didn't find anything good, don't feel like fussing with old machinery anyways.
 
I have a Rikon mini lathe and it is really nice. It is easy,to change the belt for the various speeds and the price made it very affordable. I got it a t Woodcraft in San Carlos. There are vary few places to buy tools, wood and kits in the Bay Area. The people at Woodcraft have been great, knowledgeable, and willing to share tips, etc. Good luck with your shop.
 
Love my Rikon mini. I know that others are partial to the Jet, but you get a larger clearance and a bit heavier lathe for about the same money. They don't make a variable speed model, but I don't find it that cumbersome. This is a QUALITY lathe.

Blessings,
Statprof
 
Originally posted by RMB



What I really need is some input on the Scrollsaw, because I've never done much research about what to look for in them. Do any of you have Scrollsaws that you are particularly (un)satisfied with? What should I look for?
Click to expand...

Ryan; Last week there was a program on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) with Barry Gross. I noticed that he cut the blanks with a scroll saw. I didn't notice which one he was using though...

Streaming video is available on the web site. Look under "Streaming", "PCN Tours", scroll down to "BG Art Forms". You will need Quicktime installed on your computer.
 
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