Workshop

I have what many woodworkers would describe as a "dream workshop." I wanted to document the experience of creating my workshop so others thinking of doing the same might get some ideas and learn from my mistakes. Make no mistake, building my shop was a huge committment on many levels. The scope of the financial committment is obvious - this is not a cheap thing to do. But, for me personally, it was the culmination of a lifetime working wood. It was the natural answer to the question of what I wanted to do with my time when I retire. What do I want to do with the rest of my life?

Every woodworker has to figure out the answer to these questions and most will not choose to do what I have done. But others might, and it is for those that I've documented much of the process that I went through.

Shop Construction

Building the exterior shell was the culmination of months of planning
The interior construction was done by my wife and I and took the entire summer.
This very detailed description of the building process contains lots of thoughts and ideas that could be useful to anyone thinking of doing this.

Tools

My Powermatic table saw is the heart of the shop.
My miter bench storage system has become a key part of the workshop
This assembly table was another key addition to the shop. It has become my most used shop asset.
Here are some of my other major power tools.

Wood Magazine

In the summer of 2008 Wood magazine visited my work shop for a photoshoot in preparation for an article they will publish in 2009 in their publication America's Greatest Home Workshops.