Wood Shop Upgrades

By Robert Robillard on Workshop tips

Improving Your Work Shop Space

Recently I spent some time cleaning out and updating my basement workshop and making some much needed wood shop upgrades..

The wall in the photo below has always bothered me because the clamps on the right [ next to the large red one] take up so much wall space and are in a spot that could be used more efficiently.

My plan was to move these clamps to the left , on the concrete wall, behind my raised panel machine.  [tool with red drawer]  This wall space is pretty much dead space and never used.

Reclaiming Wall Space

I was thinking that the space in the far back [behind the bird house] at the cut-off table saw is perfect real estate for hanging tools and other related jigs to the cut off saw positioned below.

This cabinet has always bugged me and the scrap pile constantly gets tripped over and spills into the floor. Gotta go!!!!

I bought some 3/8″ AC grade plywood for the walls/ I decided to strap the concrete walls with 3/4″ strips of plywood and them finish off the strapping with this plywood.

The sanding station under the cabinet has always been to high for comfort and I thought that by lowering it I could make the top of the sanding cabinet a spot for all my cordless chargers.

The white bookcase type shelf to the right is going receive dividing partitions and will make a perfect spot for my brad and nail guns.

I’m thinking of putting that cabinet that has always bugged me next to the cabinets on the right. Only problem is that the white, vertical dust collector pipe is in the way.

Adding Wall Cabinets

My solution was to leave the dust collector pipe and add the cabinet to the left of it. This allows me a small amount of wall space to hang items related to my table saw and shaper table which is directly below it.

Getting Scrap Wood Out of Way

In the far room is my band saw and here is where I think I will relocate my scrap wood pile.

Opposite wall houses my drill press and dust collector. The drill press desperately needs a small wall board for hanging and storing accessories.

I removed the scrap wood pile and cabinet that bugged me. The next step is to apply 3/4″ strapping, 16″ on center, to the wall as a nailer for my plywood.

Installing Wall Hung Storage

I kept all of the wood and plywood 2-3″ off the floor in case the basement ever floods.

I used my Remington power actuated nailer to install masonry nails through the strapping and into the concrete walls. This tool uses a 22 caliber cartridge to power a firing pin that pushes the nail into the wall.

See:  How to Fasten Furring Strips to a Concrete

The 3/8″ plywood was screwed to the walls. The next step was to remove the slanted storage shelf and peg board to the left of this wall.

Wall studs exposed.

Setting up to cut out a telephone jack. Once I measured the location of the existing phone box I used a blank box to trace the outline. I drilled 4 small holes in the corners and cut out the hole with a jig saw.

Adding Plywood to Exposed Studs

Plywood installed and phone back in order.

I installed the slant storage shelves where the old cabinet was and rolled the band saw over to take the place of my old scrap wood pile.

Hang Some Tools

A hanging board keeps my most used hand planes within reach.

Floor to Ceiling Wall Storage

The next order of business was to strap the wall behind my raised panel machine and to move my clamps to that wall.

The plywood definitely looks better than that gray concrete plus it increases my hanging, storage options. I also ran the plywood up high to cover up the old basement window. [photo above shows window]

Clamps moved over.

Plywood also installed in backroom behind the cut off table saw.

Drill Press Accessories

Drill Press needed storage:

I added a mounted board and shelf to the right for tools and accessories.

Sanding machine lowered:

Before there was were little space above the sanding station. If you look closely you will see an electrical outlet.

I lowered the sanding unit to accommodate my cordless chargers and tools.

Nail gun storage:

Before this white shelf stored book and magazines.

Now it’s more useful and conveniently stores my brad gun, stapler and nails.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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