Tools and the Shop
My shop, such as it is, is geared towards building small boats. I'd like to branch out into building some furniture as well but that's gonna take practice. All those perfect right angles! Boats are so much easier. The shop started as an outdoor lean-to in the back yard where I built a makeshift bench using 2x6's and some 4x4 legs. Space is available beneath this lean-to that will accomodate a boat project up to about 18' in length. My bandsaw lives out under the lean-to during the summer months when there's no rain.
Recently, we've gained access to a small garage at the back of our lot which was still full of the previous tenant's junk until the landlord finally had it cleared out. The garage is rough, having been shored up, patched, re-roofed - all by amateurs rather than pro's - over the years. There's a partial concrete pad within and the rest of the floor is dirt and broken up concrete (probably the remains of the original concrete floor from many years ago). And no electricity.
Not having had any experience with electrical work I purchased a book, spent some time learning, and wired up the shop. I have a 30 amp circuit feeding a sub-panel from the main service to the house. The sub-panel has four circuits - two 15 amp 120 volt, one 20 amp 120 volt, and one 20 amp 240 volt. One of the 15 amp circuits powers eight ceiling lights with switches by the side door and the main garage door. The other 15 amp circuit supplies outlets along two walls for the sake of convenience and not having extension cords all over the place. The 20 amp 120 volt circuit is intended to supply my drill press or bench grinder as well as things like portable tools that draw alot. The 240 volt circuit supplies power to my cabinet saw.
The back half of the garage has some intact concrete which I've covered with 3/4" plywood laid over 2x4's to relieve my back while working. I've put another 2x6 bench along one wall and above this are racks for lumber storage (up to 20' in length). I've put a small table in one corner and this table will fold down against the wall to make room should I need it. And I can just sit at the chair and smoke my pipe in peace.
I also store my boat Ellie, and the kayak La Reine Matilde in the garage. So things are a bit cramped and the intention is to wheel these boats out of the garage when using the tools.
Here's some info about various tools I've collected...