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@@UnbeatenPath1 I think it’s pathetic! Content creators selling their soul is what it amounts to. I’m seeing more and more of this b.s. from a lot of creators lately.
@@chrisgordon2530 if that’s how you see it fine. But I see it different. There are other certainly other ways to make money and I’m not implying that one should work from free. I look at the videos looking for value. Not to have an advertisement forced down my throat.
@@chrisgordon2530 and I guess you’re saying it’s ok to give a very deceptive video title to trick people into watching a video and then forcing a 2 minute commercial inside the video is good business practice.
I'm from BUFFALO! Seriously, most of my family is still there! I really like this video. I actually have nearly twice as much raw space as you but it's shared with laundry, furnace, water heater, other gear storage, cat litter box, and WAY too much crap I don't really need! I'm trying to downsize declutter and optimize so I needed to hear all this. Thanks for all you do!
Hi. I really like this channel, gives me lot of tips and its good to see how other people woodwork in smaller places :) One tip tho, that i've been thinking about is the names of your videos. I understand there is a good makerting reason, but id love to see something in the title that is refering to what you going to do/ talk about in the video! Keep up the good work, Swedish Woodworker :)
I'm so tired of the click-bait titles of the videos. If I want to come back to reference something I saw in one of these, I can never find what I'm looking for because all of the titles are garbage.
Tip number 6: if your workshop walls are bare studs, panel them with OSB. It’s inexpensive and will give you infinitely more mounting points and flexibility for storage solutions.
Tip number 7: If you plan on doing the above.....consider insulating before mounting the OSB. This will save you a lot of headache if you plan on upgrading your HVAC situation later.
@@J-D248 yes, the shop is in his garage. Most apartments will allow you to do something like screw things to the walls, since it’s not permanent. He should have no issue putting up OSB. In fact, in some other videos, the walls are paneled.
Buffalo and just got done with my shop in like September. Living in Wisconsin it’s code to have insulation. Beings that it’s been -30 with the windchill. It’s a must. How did u learn how to make videos? I am a woodworker, just not the most tech savvy one
Buffalo. I am going through a purge myself. During the pandemic, I collected (hoarded) tons of tools and "projects." I was just telling a friend about putting a piece of painters tape on things and marking the date you last used it. It really holds me accountable for what I keep! Thanks as always for the great content.
Buffalo! I just started watching your channel, and it is refreshing to see someone who works in a small shop like many of us. Helping us make the choices needed to scale down and work within your limits is nice to see. Thanks!
My garage shop is only a little larger than yours. But, I need to maintain a walkway through the shop since this is where we unload groceries and go in and out, etc. Putting everything on wheels is paramount to working in a small space. I built a heavy, solid bench and designed it with retractable wheels so it sits solidly on the floor until I need to move it. The stacked tool box is another great tool. Look around any old-timers shop and you will see one. Must be a reason. Also, have you seen the vertical clamp hanging system on Inspire Woodworking channel. It's genius. I have incorporated an 8 hole version into my bench legs for "often reached for" 4" and 6" clamps. Thanks for another great video.
Buffalo: Working backwards in a 12x24 'bard' roof shed I share with a riding mower and lawn equipment....Going vertical - and up - was the best thought ever! Cover the studs with OSB (sort of expensive this year) but put 1/2" foam board inside for cheap insulation. I tried Fench cleats and covered all the available wall space but, in the end, built more drawer storage into French cleat-hung, movable small cabinets. All stationary tools are on 3" locking wheels; I can get a broom under each without having to move anything. Inside tool stands are shelves and more storage, including a 1 gallon compressor. (I lined to inside to absorb noise.) At 8 feet there is loft storage accessible with a 10-foot ladder that hangs horizontally on hooks on a ceiling joist. Lumber storage is around the room about 18 inches from the ceiling joists. There's more, but it's good to see other people working in small spaces. Thanks!
Hey Buffalo, I moved from a small garage to a big shop 1.5 years ago. I did exactly what you are talking about. Even having muuuuuch more space, I managed to fill it with lots of big machines a "real woodworker" has to have.....thanks Craigslist and Marketplace deals..... and suddenly your small garage tips apply to a place much bigger. Keep up the good work.
Buffalo. The tool chest tip is great. Another thing to watch out for is old cabinets that people tear out for remodels. I was able to re-purpose a long set of cabinets that originally hung above a stove into an 8 foot long miter saw station with cabinets. To build something like that would have cost me a tremendous amount of money in wood and hardware. I just cut some plywood for the top and now it's a great work space and miter saw station. I also took another piece from that same kitchen remodel and made a rolling cart with it....and the best thing about it is that the only cost was a few screws, caster wheels, and a bit of plywood for the top! The best part about all of that? The cabinets are all made from a mix of solid oak and baltic birch from the 1990s. It looks amazing!!!
Small space? You mean like my 8'x10' metal garden shed? Yeah, my husband bought it for me for Christmas. I built the floor (there's not a flat spot on the property) and put the thing together. Dealt with a major leakage issue (still trying to resolve the last little bit, almost there), and moving all my tools scattered all over (in the barn, in the house, on the back porch) into one place and organize them. Maybe now I'll know what I have and what I need? And maybe, just maybe, I can actually get stuff built, AND finished! Thankfully, most of what I need to build is small stuff.
Hey, my home town is Buffalo! Thanks for all the great tips. I am envious of your organization skills. The hardest part for me when it comes to organizing is settling on what system I'm gonna use.
fubalo. great job. I have moved from a large home with a small shop to a small home with a large shop. i am still unpacking as I still have that 50 hour a week engineering job and still getting the house in order. What a mind shock to remove the overstock tools. I had accumulated a family friend's left over tools and still have not cataloged that stuff as I am opening up boxes that were in storage for over a year. fubalo is a screwed up buffalo. Keep up the great work.
Buffalo. Thank you for your video about getting rid of accumulated items. I've spend years saving screws and bolts but I can't find the right size when I need them. I even have drills that haven't worked in years thinking I'm going to fix them. I also have two table saws and two compound miters saws. Each type I have a 7 1/2" and a 10" blade version. Thank you for reminding me how much clutter I have. I'll thin out some of my "stuff".
Buffalo, "Yes Luke, throw away the F*****L drill. Keep the orange and light green tools. Feel the cheaper force." I agree, clutter can be more than off-cuts. Pare it down and be happy.
BUFFALO I have a small basement workshop and workflow goes out the window often. I also have a huge problem getting rid of cutoff pieces of wood that clutter up my area and make certain parts inaccessible. I have a huge workbench against a wall that just holds stuff so I can't really use it. Thank you for the decluttering video. I hope to use some of your suggestions in the future.
Buffalo. As a hoarder it's impossible to get rid of anything! During the recent cold spell, I did burn some small useless scraps of wood that I kept for no good reason.....
Buffalo. Putting the workbench on wheels was a game changer for me (still in a garage I need to move the car out of to work, but that's minor). Sometimes you can find brackets at the dollar store that screw into roof joists that you can then store wood in (great for longer pieces and doesn't require as tall a ladder (just need to have the garage space)
Buffalo. I have inherited so many tools from my father in law, dad and grandfather's. I so relate to this. I made starter tool sets for my kids and donated the remainder to our high school. They were very happy to accept. Thanks!!
Hi. I just wanted to say thank you. I am a van lifer and the ONLY way to get anything done is customization. There is no choice. So at an advanced age I am having to learn a whole bunch of new skills. Like table saws and routers, especially routers. I'll be honest I make a mess. I cover stuff up well but I really need to learn and improve my skills. I also do not have an income so no money for expensive tools that I might only use once. Harbor Freight is my friend!! I am hooked on your down to earth honest approach. A confined space and a lot of ingenuity to overcome not being an eccentric millionaire. I totally relate. So you have helped me with the woodworking angle. I still wrestle with the 8020 profile stuff and everything from electrics to caulking. I get it done though. Thank you very much and I am ploughing through your complete library. You are the best and I shall follow you forever.
Buffalo. Love your Insert "add" here. ;) Great ideas and suggestions, especially with going vertical. I've put up those large platforms over one of my garage doors so I can store some of the bulkier things easier.
When my last Dewalt 18v nicad battery quit I decided to upgrade to Kobalt 24v, love them, then I gave the full Dewalt set to a friend who had had his tools stolen, I told hin to just buy a few 20v lithium adapters for them, very happy to help out a friend. Buffalo
I have a 10x12 shed I want to work in and that shed also has all my lawn and garden stuff in it. I’m building a small workbench soon (on wheels). I’ll have a much better idea about organization after that’s done. Also, Buffalo
Not near Buffalo, rather on the other side of the ocean. I'm in the design phase of my new workshop in an old house I will renovate and have come up with a, possibly, interesting wall organization system that I'd love opinions on. The space is a 300+ year old 3 story stone house shell, with a 8m x 5m interior footprint and 50cm thick exterior walls with no interior columns and currently no partition walls. Or upper floors. Spacious. Wavy rough concrete floor, new roof 10m up with a skylight, and almost nothing in between. Does have entrances on the first two levels, so I can have the entire ground floor as the workshop and access the upper floors without an interior stairs in the shop. I'm stripping the plaster from the stones now up to the, to be added, first floor, intending to clean and deep repoint them to have just bare rock walls. Its rubble stone work, and I know this space was at least partially destroyed in WWII so the stonework will be a patchwork of sizes and will include roof tiles in the mix. One of the advantages of rubble stone walls is that if you "blow them up", almost all of your rebuilding materials (at least for the exterior walls) is just laying on the ground needing to be stacked back up with fresh mortar. Then go cut a couple of trees (2-3 depending) and some new roof tiles and you have a house again. The "ceiling" will be exposed wood beams and the underside of T&G planking. I don't want to cover all the stone with paneling just for wall storage, but I really like exposed storage even for hand tools. And I will be putting in a partial partition wall to have as a wet wall for the upper floors. So here's the system I came up with for invisible wall storage. It is based around standard concrete reinforcement mesh. This is a steel mesh with 3-4mm wires welded intersections spaced at 125mm in both directions that comes in a standard sheet of 3m x 2m. What I'm going to do is: 0) Leave the mesh bare, allowing the surface corrosion. 1) Mount a 3m x 1m strip on standoffs drilled into the rock, above bench height on one wall. Under this will be the standard location for one of my wheeled benches. 2) Build a frame to support 4 relatively closely spaced panels. 3 on full length pullout pantry type sliders, and the front one fixed vertically for stability. The panels would have a leading wheel running in an off the shelf U channel on the floor, so the slider doesn't have to hold the weight. The panels would be a plywood and box tube combination outer frame supporting in tension in both directions a 1.5x2.5m grid mesh vertically. The storage system will hang on the grids, made up of simple 3D printed or laser cut hooks, platforms, boxes, shelves, lights, etc. All will have a lip hook or even clamping assemblies to hang on the grid wires. The intent of #2, is to have one full height grid always accessible, with one of the other three able to be pulled out as needed depending upon the project in process. And all 4 layers can be viewed through so its easy to see which layer to pull out. This will be along the partial partition that I'm building in. Combined with the wall grid and I can easily reconfigure my workbench wall with the project specific tooling by swapping things out of the pullouts. Aside from where items are racked, the grid on the wall should turn relatively invisible, not blocking the stonework. Clearly I like your ideas regarding vertical storage. And yes, wheels on everything, even if you think a setup is fixed, you need to often get behind things like for running cables or hoses. Or for that really good sweep out. One really cool item the space has is a full 5m span I Beam girder already in place. Definitely going to have a travelling winch on that. One of my principal tools that's arriving in March for my new shop is a 40x40x40 cm work volume combination Dual head 3D printer, 200w CNC router, and 10w Laser (not hawking, so not naming the brand). I'm going to build my work benches out of reclaimed beams from this house, post and beam style since the beams are 16x16 cm or larger, but when I do I will make sure the bench height is the same as the CNC router waste plate height, so in theory I could do longer CNC cuts by just stepping the panel. I'm also looking forward to experimenting with CNC milling decorative shapes into wood and then using the laser for some dot shading by scorching some of the wood. I'm also interested in possibly 3D printing shapes and then either milling certain features with any of a number of Dremel style bits including cut off disks, or possibly using the laser to selectively fuse for strength or melt in fine details... Ah, got rambling talking about tools. sorry for the TLDR :)
Hey Buffalo! I'm about to build a 12x16 shed dedicated to making and I'm going two extra feet taller than the norm (10' instead of the usual 8') for storage purposes. I've mocked it up in Sketchup and from the looks of it, I'll be VERY happy of "going vertical". Thanks for the wonderful videos, keep them coming!
BUFFALO. I work in a 9x18 1947 garage with a broken up floor with orange paint at the cracks. I have taken a diamond wheel on angle grinder to sort of smooth them and everything has to be moved over these cracks. Everything is on wheels. Garden equipment (on wheels, lawnmowers etc) has to come out before I can even start. I am constantly moving things from every flat space to another flat space then back again. It's annoying and frustrating. It gets 116 in summer and below freezing in winter with no heat or A/C and it limits my working time which ever season. I wish my shop could be that organized. All my wood is stacked on the floor in front of the garage door. I never buy anything that I can make another tool do.
my shop is the same way during the seasonal changes, it's rough! I highly suggest getting rid of all those flat spaces so it forces you to be organized
BUFFALO, You really hit a lot of truth in this video. Over the years i have done a lot of different things in my shop layout and your absolutely right when it comes to being mobile and floor space being so important. I am still trying to find the right mix for myself but i am getting closer. I completely agree with your stance on tool boxes i have a bunch and when shopping in the used market you can get some amazing deals. One issue i have to address in my own shop is that if I cant find something I own what good is it? I have all my mechanics tools in its own toolbox and I spent a lot of time organizing it and that works awesome but a few other types of tools need that treatment. I also built a wood shed this summer so some of my lumber doesn't have to be in the shop.
Couple of additions. First, a drill bit dispenser cabinet, the kind that stores the bits in drawers that slide out, is a very nice thing. The little plastic index cases that common bits come in are super annoying when you try to dig the bit you want out from too-tight slots they're in using your giant Homer fingers, or when you just can't be bothered to fight 'em back into the right slot and then have to get the calipers out later to know what size a bit is. I recommend one of the cabinets that go from 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/16" increments; it's unusual to need a common bit larger than 1/2". Vevor makes a decent one for about $50; saves a lot of hassle and time. Second, that inherited tool chest, being principally composed of non-flammable steel, is a good place to keep solvents and other flammables; just sayin'. Decent alternative, typically easily found for free, is a disused metal filing cabinet.
I picked up 4 horizontal used cabinets for 10 buck a piece … these things are great for paint and other storage … I have two in the shop .. one for paint and the other for rags, quilts and sheets which you can also get for almost nothing …. I have two in my storage facility for trailer parts and auto supplies … you are right on target.. I just wanted to back you up with this ..
Buffalo. I've been looking at getting a tool chest/cabinet soon for exactly that reason. I currently have tool boxes or the small items sit near the machines I use them with most. But that eats up time searching for what I need which could better be used WORKING. So I've been wanting to save up for that to really just bring all of the smaller items together in a permanent home, so then it just gets put up every time I use it (instead of a temp home by what I use it most, some exceptions with dedicated spots for wrenches or keys for tool changes right by the power equipment, but that is a dedicated tool for another tool so doesn't count). I have a lot of dead space in the garage due to storage of non-tool/woodworking/yard tools. That will be cleaned out soon enough. In any case, love your videos and your great work. You have helped me get more organized and get deeper into this hobby (I'm in it for the making speaker cabinets, so I like crossing multiple of my hobbies together which helps me never get bored, soon to come a YT channel over audio, which I still have to learn how to make intros, thumbnails, etc., but I've got the PC power, mostly, and the lights for a home filming studio, although I'll be starting with my phone for the camera). Once again, keep up the great work!
Buffalo, speaking of I'd like to see them win a Super Bowl. Great tips here, I'm glad I'm doing all of them, but need to build more mobile stands. I think I'm due for another round of getting rid of tools I don't need as well. 👍
Buffalo! All I can hear is the slot machine in Las Vegas. 🤣 Its so easy to accumulate stuff. Had a 2-1/2 car garage/shop for 20+ years and I accumulated so much stuff. We moved 1500+ miles and I purged a ton. Now back into a 3 car garage and just need to keep from acquiring a ton of stuff I don't need. Its going to be a fun build to get into shape.
Buffalo. I went through my workspace and got rid of a lot of old scrap wood cutoffs that I would never use for a project by using them for campfires. I try to put everything on wheels and elevate them as well so I'm working at a proper height (useful for the planer, router table and workbench hand tools), which makes a difference. I try very hard not to get into GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), as it's very easy to overbuy tools. I let the projects I work on dictate whether I **reallly** need that tool or not.
I have a third car garage to use! I have been putting all equipment on wheels! My dad always mounts all his tool and screw cabinets on the wall! So times you just got to use what you have and make it work😊. If you wait till you have a perfect shop you will never make anything or build something.
Buffalo. Thank you for singing the tool chest's praises. I have a big Husky rolling tool chest / workbench deal (I can't roll it because of the curb in my garage though), and I LOVE the amount of storage I get. My french cleat wall is great, but I much prefer putting the majority of my smaller tools (from a trim router to wrenches) in the various drawers and leave the wall storage for things that do not store in a drawer well (like saw blades or clamps). Also, agreed on the wheels. I too work out of a garage and my miter saw and table saw are both on their own rolling stands. And you are 1000% right about forgetting "flow" in a small shop. Space is precious, so cherish it.
Great video. Comparatively, I have a shop that could house a family of BUFFALO (2 car garage with a couple of side spaces... about 700sqf total), so SOME of your advice was not for me (don't need everything on wheels). But I confess, I'm a tool hoarder and am in SERIOUS need of a down-scaling, and re-org of my space.
Buffalo, from South Africa... I also work in a single garage. I am about to put wheels on my table saw which is the only 'large' item I have requiring moving around. It has to be moved to allow the two motorbikes to park in the garage. We had our kitchen cupboards redone recently and (some of) the old ones make for great storage.
BUFFALO - I also use a one car garage as my workshop. I second advice - forget about workflows. One car garage is small enough that everything is nearby, so when planing the space: first plan the storage (boards, sheets then tools), consider putting everything under ceiling, walls, then drawers, shelves, cabinets). Then consider the large tools arrangement, mind the cables, dust collection hoses.
Buffalo. Thanks for the video. I work out of one stall of a two car garage that is also a storage room for too much stuff. This spring will be a major purge to setup a real workshop.
BUFFALO...I just came across your videos on RUclips. Want to say thank you for the advice and ideas. I have a two car garage which was converted to a half a car garage, (sons weight machines). Seen the setup of your small work space gave me a lot of ideas to redo mine. Again thank you and god bless
Buffalo... My first workshop as it were, was the back patio of my apartment. I had a Craftsman rolling tool cabinet to hold my tools. The only place I could put that was my kitchen.. it was a start
Buffalo: I really appreciate your presentation style and content. I too have a small workshop space about your garage carved out in a portion of my walkout basement. This video has given me some ideas and “permissions” to purge some stuff. Thanks!
My shop is 20' shipping container with a single 20 amp outlet. It's just wide enough to get a vehicle in so long as you don't want to open the door to get out of the truck. It's amazing how much you can get done in such a confined space with just a little planning.
Buffalo. Great ideas. I too have a small space (a 4.5 metre by 7 metre garage) which is way too cluttered, and there are many tools I bought to do a specific project and haven't used again. I really need to get rid of them but tell myself that they don't take much space and might come in handy one day. It's hard to change old habits.
Buffalo - Hello. My workshop is the same size as yours and regarding the size of my projects, it is similar as well. I dabble in wood and metal, and I have made it so far with lesser-quality power tools that have been passed on to me, but I am looking to replace them in due time with higher-quality ones (DeWalt, Bosch, Makita...). I have a question about cordED and cordLESS tools (mainly for these tools, and if I have forgotten something vital please point it out -> Impact Driver, Drill, Jigsaw, Angle Grinder, Circular Saw, Orbital Sander, Router...) Which tools, in your opinion, are overall better cordless, and which ones should be corded and why? I know there is no definite answer and it will come down to personal preference, budget, and specific working requirements. You can expand your answer as much as you can so more people (including me :D) can find themselves in those categories and make a better long-term tool buying decision. Thanks in advance!
Buffalo. My workshop is a two car garage in which we still park two cars. There is extra space around the sides, so the garage is almost three cars wide, but with only a two car garage door. Everything except my workbench is on wheels. When I finish in the "shop" for the day, I vacuum up the mess, push everything back against the wall, pull the cars back in and close it up for the night. I even store lumber (not the good stuff) on the floor under my SUV. I made a flip cart for my planer and drill press. I made a small cabinet with drawers that fits under one end of my bench in which I store some small "crap" such as screws, layout tools, fasteners, files, etc. You get the idea. The storage space under my bench is just an open shelf. I have some power tools in their plastic cases, a couple of sanders and a tray of socket wrenches. Not the best use of space and I've been thinking about a couple of layers of drawers. Also thinking about at least one drawer under my flip cart and my miter saw cart. My table saw is a Bosch jobsite saw which folds up and stores against the wall also. My bench is made from reclaimed framing lumber. Someone in the neighborhood was remodeling a mid 1970's house and threw a bunch of really good 2x4s on the sidewalk. I asked for them and got enough to totally make my bench. My only cost was glue and a face vice which I received as a gift from my wife. The bench has held up well although it is almost time to resurface it. My hobby keeps me out of trouble, for the most part, in retirement. Good luck on quitting your day job and going full time.
Buffalo. I am going through the purge and I did try making the perfect layout for my single car garage on sketchup. Which worked or all of one month until I replaced a tool and got a new one so yeah, just finding good places to store things when not in use and rolling them around is the best bet. I am very envious of your tall vertical space, my bedroom is above our garage so I have only about 7 feet of vertical space depending on where you are standing.
Buffalo! I used a overhead garage storage rack made for bins that holds about 400 pounds.. I cut the brackets that hang off the joists down to 14 inches and it holds about 250+ board feet on the 4x8 platform stacked and stickered! I work in a two car garage with one half being my home gym that I must keep functioning because the wife enjoys that part of the garage lol
Buffalo! Too cold for my geezing knees! Roll arounds are a huge space saver, purging is a gotta do. Crap accumulates. Space under stairs is also a great place, but not if you just sling stuff into that void. Rack it out first so you can keep GOOD shorts of nice wood accessible without just being a pile. Under part of the stairway up to the raised section in the shop I have two filing cabinets, that's where less often used power and air tools and their accessories get stored. Space over the filing cabinets gets used for hanging extension cords, air hoses, stuff that just doesn't fit in drawers and tends to just be in the way even when using them, but even more in the way when just laying around. Mobile bases are huge, you have got that one dead right. The underside of my mezzanine is used for all sorts of lighter weight item storage. Balsa, unbuild model boat kits, whatever, 8 foot lengths of 1X2 spanning the joists spaced about 10 inches apart with a 24 inch open section in the middle lets you slide dowels, RC aircraft wings and fuselages, anything long, fragile, and light up and in, while the open grid work gives support for sheets of veneer and light labelled boxes. Keeping it open eliminates the urge to just toss stuff up there. My shop is a mixed sort of place so storing stuff for woodworking and model making adds to the joy.
Really good advice! It's so easy to just push stuff around and clutter up a space, regardless of size, that it becomes a problem later. Awesome to see such an efficient use of space!
Buffalo and thanks great video. We’re in the process of moving to Oklahoma near Tulsa my new shop is about 600 sq. ft cooled and heated 100 amp service. Moving a shop is very hard, setting back up is going to take months. And I was thinking I need more space all of my tools will be on wheels.
Buffalo. Im currently looking into ways i can retrofit my 3rd bay of my garage into a mini wood shop/mechanic work area. I want to start off with a larger husky 52" tool chest coupled with some matching standup storage boxes. Its a costly expenditure by itself but desperately needed for all my tools. I have a 3 tier craftsman box i want to re-dedicate to wood working tools ONLY. Chisels, bits, saws, hammers, drills, routers, etc. I like the milwaukee packout wall storage but wow what a sticker shock on accessories. Then amazon sells some metal pegboard walls that are really nice but expensive as well. Definitely going to use some of your tips and make some roll around boxes. Alot of wishes, not enough time or money!
Buffalo. I started my purge a few months ago, but then life got in the way. This video definitely has inspired me to get back out there and finish. If only it would warm back up. Thank you for encouraging the "forget about flow" mindset. Part of what encourage my purge was I finally invested in a CNC. This has been a dream for several years and it's the direction I've wanted to take my work for sometime, but it does take up a good chunk of space in a small shop (18'x20'). I've watched a couple of other videos that say the same thing, so I'm also in the process of going back and putting wheels on everything. Hopefully I can get this done soon and get back to the fun part of making stuff.
Buffalo. Very good advice. I also have a very small workshop, about the same size as yours. I have everything on castors and use the walls to store a lot of stuff. I too have purged tools and crap I don't need.
First i will be coming to your house and checking your trash for tools thanks. I have a small building a 1 car garage I just built into a work shop . I used cleat walls on two sides amazing how much space I gained .I will be going to the fleamarket with all the extra tools I found organizing my new space.Great advise about purging and using the rafters .
Buffalo. I really thought you where going to throw the Domino away 😂😂 great humor. You are correct on all your points, I have a small shop and keep as much organized as I can and flow doesn’t matter. Two steps here and three extra steps there matter not. Same goes for the tool chest vs building drawers. Too time consuming Jajaja. Great job man.
Man our situations are so similar. 10x17 garage, one 15 amp circuit on the ceiling. I've really enjoyed my french cleats to save some space. Still have some old shelves I need to take down.
Now imagine what a small shop looks like when you do woodwork, carpentry, small engine repair, metal work, gardening, computer setup and repair, and restorations. Still working on my shop setup lol
Chipmmunk..this made a nice change from the ten tools you MUST own and is definitely good advice for a Gollum like me...''my precious''. merry Christmas
Well, those points really buffalloed me over. Seeing as I have to re design an old model T carriage house for my family's property into a small workshop, I'm thinking these points will come in handy.
My garage is so small I can't even get a buffalo into it. I'm starting from scratch in my small space so your tips are buffalicious. thanks again... good content.
Buffalo. Great video. I’m setting up a small wood turning shop in my garage and find your tips very helpful. Being in the northeast I’ll be insulating the garage and doing some sort of heating for sure
Buffalo. Some great tips, I'm in the UK and my space is 10x10ft. Agree with you so much on flow and ignoring it in a small space. Flow also really only makes sense commercially
Buffalo...this is one of the best videos Ive seen on storage in a small shop. Your comments about maximizing space vs having every tool in order of when theyd be use is right on the money.
Buffalo. Great suggestions. I’ve got a section of my shed dedicated to woodworking and have everything on wheels has really helped the flexibility and usability of the space. I’ve got a small tool caddy on wheels that I use for the tools that I need at that time. Love the channel
Buffalo…A number of years ago, we went “vertical” by installing slat wall just about everywhere possible in the garage/shop. If I ever re-do that, I’ll use some kind of French cleat. One thing I will say about “the purge”. Since I currently use my shop primarily for home projects, getting rid of the things I didn’t use in the last six months would be crazy…I’d just wind up having to buy another tool when the time came.
Buffalo I have a 2 car detached garage that I’m fortunate enough to use as my shop. I have considered using overhead storage to store lumber, plywood, etc., but I’m a little nervous that the rafters may not support the weight. How think and what is the spacing of your rafters? Thanks!
Buffalo -- I like this a lot. Very helpful. One thing I do is to make wooden tote boxes/ One for auto wiring; one for brakes; one for angle grinder and accessories... One for 1/4-20 nuts and bolts, and so on.
buffalo, you are it. i have a 20 by 20 space with circuits 1-15 amp, 2-20 amp and 1-220 volt and consider myself very lucky. almost everything is on casters. agree with all your tips except i can't go vertical. tip #6 is the stealth shop...space outside the designated shop...creeping expansion into the adjacent section of the unfinished basement. so far, the bride has not objected, except that all but the lowest odor finishes have to be applied outside...not very convenient in winter. i need to cull the herd of tools and materials, but not as good at that as you are. wood working is a great hobby but it has a big footprint. enjoyed the video, thanks!
Buffalo. Just a caution about going vertical: Trussed roof systems like this are not rated to hold ANY static load and should not used for storage. Generally, you can get away with throwing lightweight items up there, but those chords are there to hold the system in tension, not support loads. And never, ever cut them to make more storage space.
Buffalo., so true, I’m going through this too, tools I haven’t touched in years, I built cabinets with lots of drawers and filled all the drawers but I’m still not that organized, time to start selling the tools I haven’t touched in years.
Buffalo My motto: When in doubt, throw it out If the answer to [Will I be using this?] is [Maybe], then that means [No], just get rid of it, because it will stay there collecting dust for another year or so. I don't know if you're allowed to or not but mounting some cabinets on the wall also give you more storage room, since you mentioned going vertical. Like, nothing too deep, just shallow ones for small or flat things, with sliding door, that can be made of board or transparent acrylic.
I never see people say specialize in using tools that fit in small shops. You don't need to build furniture and cabinets which take a lot of money, room and equipment. You can build an entire career using a scroll saw in just a few square feet. Same with a lathe, or a router. A small versatile piece of equipment can pay for its self quickly and make beautiful projects and as much money as you choose. You will never run out if projects or learn everything there is to know about any of those three tools even if you work in one closet of your apartment. Specializing lets you become a master at something rather than just good at lots of things.
Buffalo. As a LEAN practioner throughout my career, the concept that I see in most things is that people will always fill up the space they have available. So not having a lot of space is actually a benefit to not needing to worry about flow. You aren't wasting your time going from one side of the 3 car garage to the other to do the next phase of the job you are working on. If at some point in your future, you have more space, I would recommend limiting yourself to a small portion of that space so you don't create waste in the work you are doing.
Buffalo! Love your channel. I am in a small 1948 detached garage in the LA area and I have to pull a car in. Have ideas about organizing and have started and using some of your ideas. Wheels wheel wheel. Gotta pull this that and the other thing into the driveway but the driveway is where I do my cutting and sanding. Thanks so much!
Buffalo - Similar thoughts as Lincoln Dickerson and others. Workflow is not a static concept. I think you have a built-in dynamic flow concept in that you employ the tool you need at the time you need it. Is it as efficient as a larger shop with lots of circuits and stations for each tool - of course not. But it is nearly as efficient as you can make it in your circumstances. Whatever is not efficient, you have shown the ability to adapt to your requirements and overcome obstacles. I find that encouraging.
buffalo... thanks for all the tips. I'm actually getting my new (22'x30') workshop ready for my retirement and i'll be woodwoking for fun...and a little $.... but i needed some tips and ideas for all my tools and you gave me a lot of great ideas.... thanks again and keep up the good videos...
I wonder how you get by with a workshop in apartments. Most people would complain about noise, but not bat an eye at someone blasting music to the heights decibel.
Where the BUFFALO roam. Fantastic video, my wife and I are currently moving out of one side of our two bay garage and into a dedicated space 12x20 foot shed with a barn style loft. Plenty of room to go vertical. What I'm really interested in is why you have pulled out your "paneling" from the walls. The previous video had the paneling in place and the ad during this one had the paneling in place. Are you perhaps getting ready to move?
Buffalo! I'm just getting started on the woodworking/maker journey, and I also have a shop space with a single 15-amp circuit. I'd love to see how you've dealt with that challenge!
Buffalo is the armpit of America. I love the piece on shop space. Unfortunately, I am in a small basement space that has a vapor barrier on the walls so I cannot put anything on the walls. I am going to act on your suggestion to purge the unused items. Thanks for the great content.
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As someone who used to make fun of people doing paid promotions, you sure have gone all out on them lately
@@UnbeatenPath1 I think it’s pathetic! Content creators selling their soul is what it amounts to. I’m seeing more and more of this b.s. from a lot of creators lately.
@@nomadicgodking you mean people don't work for free? Do you?
@@chrisgordon2530 if that’s how you see it fine. But I see it different. There are other certainly other ways to make money and I’m not implying that one should work from free. I look at the videos looking for value. Not to have an advertisement forced down my throat.
@@chrisgordon2530 and I guess you’re saying it’s ok to give a very deceptive video title to trick people into watching a video and then forcing a 2 minute commercial inside the video is good business practice.
I'm from BUFFALO! Seriously, most of my family is still there!
I really like this video. I actually have nearly twice as much raw space as you but it's shared with laundry, furnace, water heater, other gear storage, cat litter box, and WAY too much crap I don't really need! I'm trying to downsize declutter and optimize so I needed to hear all this. Thanks for all you do!
Hi.
I really like this channel, gives me lot of tips and its good to see how other people woodwork in smaller places :)
One tip tho, that i've been thinking about is the names of your videos. I understand there is a good makerting reason, but id love to see something in the title that is refering to what you going to do/ talk about in the video!
Keep up the good work,
Swedish Woodworker :)
I'm so tired of the click-bait titles of the videos. If I want to come back to reference something I saw in one of these, I can never find what I'm looking for because all of the titles are garbage.
Tip number 6: if your workshop walls are bare studs, panel them with OSB. It’s inexpensive and will give you infinitely more mounting points and flexibility for storage solutions.
Tip number 7: If you plan on doing the above.....consider insulating before mounting the OSB. This will save you a lot of headache if you plan on upgrading your HVAC situation later.
Except, I believe he is in apartment. But yes good idea! I just insulated my shop walls.. winter sucks.
@@J-D248 yes, the shop is in his garage. Most apartments will allow you to do something like screw things to the walls, since it’s not permanent. He should have no issue putting up OSB. In fact, in some other videos, the walls are paneled.
unless you want to put shelves in between the studs otherwise yes
Buffalo and just got done with my shop in like September. Living in Wisconsin it’s code to have insulation. Beings that it’s been -30 with the windchill. It’s a must. How did u learn how to make videos? I am a woodworker, just not the most tech savvy one
Buffalo. I am going through a purge myself. During the pandemic, I collected (hoarded) tons of tools and "projects." I was just telling a friend about putting a piece of painters tape on things and marking the date you last used it. It really holds me accountable for what I keep! Thanks as always for the great content.
Led me to think
The combination of woodworking and video editing skills makes this channel great!
Buffalo! I just started watching your channel, and it is refreshing to see someone who works in a small shop like many of us. Helping us make the choices needed to scale down and work within your limits is nice to see. Thanks!
My garage shop is only a little larger than yours. But, I need to maintain a walkway through the shop since this is where we unload groceries and go in and out, etc. Putting everything on wheels is paramount to working in a small space. I built a heavy, solid bench and designed it with retractable wheels so it sits solidly on the floor until I need to move it. The stacked tool box is another great tool. Look around any old-timers shop and you will see one. Must be a reason. Also, have you seen the vertical clamp hanging system on Inspire Woodworking channel. It's genius. I have incorporated an 8 hole version into my bench legs for "often reached for" 4" and 6" clamps. Thanks for another great video.
Buffalo: Working backwards in a 12x24 'bard' roof shed I share with a riding mower and lawn equipment....Going vertical - and up - was the best thought ever! Cover the studs with OSB (sort of expensive this year) but put 1/2" foam board inside for cheap insulation. I tried Fench cleats and covered all the available wall space but, in the end, built more drawer storage into French cleat-hung, movable small cabinets.
All stationary tools are on 3" locking wheels; I can get a broom under each without having to move anything. Inside tool stands are shelves and more storage, including a 1 gallon compressor. (I lined to inside to absorb noise.)
At 8 feet there is loft storage accessible with a 10-foot ladder that hangs horizontally on hooks on a ceiling joist. Lumber storage is around the room about 18 inches from the ceiling joists. There's more, but it's good to see other people working in small spaces. Thanks!
I always wonder about folks that keep several brands of battery operated tools --battery inventory must be a pain
Hey Buffalo,
I moved from a small garage to a big shop 1.5 years ago. I did exactly what you are talking about. Even having muuuuuch more space, I managed to fill it with lots of big machines a "real woodworker" has to have.....thanks Craigslist and Marketplace deals.....
and suddenly your small garage tips apply to a place much bigger.
Keep up the good work.
Buffalo. The tool chest tip is great. Another thing to watch out for is old cabinets that people tear out for remodels. I was able to re-purpose a long set of cabinets that originally hung above a stove into an 8 foot long miter saw station with cabinets. To build something like that would have cost me a tremendous amount of money in wood and hardware. I just cut some plywood for the top and now it's a great work space and miter saw station. I also took another piece from that same kitchen remodel and made a rolling cart with it....and the best thing about it is that the only cost was a few screws, caster wheels, and a bit of plywood for the top! The best part about all of that? The cabinets are all made from a mix of solid oak and baltic birch from the 1990s. It looks amazing!!!
Thanks for checking out the video, and thanks for sharing that old cabinet tip!
Agree. I’ve done likewise in my shop. Habitat thrift store is my friend.
Small space? You mean like my 8'x10' metal garden shed? Yeah, my husband bought it for me for Christmas. I built the floor (there's not a flat spot on the property) and put the thing together. Dealt with a major leakage issue (still trying to resolve the last little bit, almost there), and moving all my tools scattered all over (in the barn, in the house, on the back porch) into one place and organize them. Maybe now I'll know what I have and what I need? And maybe, just maybe, I can actually get stuff built, AND finished! Thankfully, most of what I need to build is small stuff.
Hey, my home town is Buffalo! Thanks for all the great tips. I am envious of your organization skills. The hardest part for me when it comes to organizing is settling on what system I'm gonna use.
fubalo. great job. I have moved from a large home with a small shop to a small home with a large shop. i am still unpacking as I still have that 50 hour a week engineering job and still getting the house in order. What a mind shock to remove the overstock tools. I had accumulated a family friend's left over tools and still have not cataloged that stuff as I am opening up boxes that were in storage for over a year. fubalo is a screwed up buffalo. Keep up the great work.
Buffalo. Thank you for your video about getting rid of accumulated items. I've spend years saving screws and bolts but I can't find the right size when I need them. I even have drills that haven't worked in years thinking I'm going to fix them. I also have two table saws and two compound miters saws. Each type I have a 7 1/2" and a 10" blade version. Thank you for reminding me how much clutter I have. I'll thin out some of my "stuff".
Buffalo, "Yes Luke, throw away the F*****L drill. Keep the orange and light green tools. Feel the cheaper force." I agree, clutter can be more than off-cuts. Pare it down and be happy.
Buffalo! Throwing away the Festool drill and Domino had me cackling, thanks for the laugh! 😂😂😂😂😂
BUFFALO I have a small basement workshop and workflow goes out the window often. I also have a huge problem getting rid of cutoff pieces of wood that clutter up my area and make certain parts inaccessible. I have a huge workbench against a wall that just holds stuff so I can't really use it. Thank you for the decluttering video. I hope to use some of your suggestions in the future.
Thanks for sharing and a wish you the best at decluttering :)
Buffalo. As a hoarder it's impossible to get rid of anything! During the recent cold spell, I did burn some small useless scraps of wood that I kept for no good reason.....
Buffalo. Putting the workbench on wheels was a game changer for me (still in a garage I need to move the car out of to work, but that's minor). Sometimes you can find brackets at the dollar store that screw into roof joists that you can then store wood in (great for longer pieces and doesn't require as tall a ladder (just need to have the garage space)
Buffalo. I have inherited so many tools from my father in law, dad and grandfather's. I so relate to this. I made starter tool sets for my kids and donated the remainder to our high school. They were very happy to accept. Thanks!!
Hi. I just wanted to say thank you. I am a van lifer and the ONLY way to get anything done is customization. There is no choice. So at an advanced age I am having to learn a whole bunch of new skills. Like table saws and routers, especially routers. I'll be honest I make a mess. I cover stuff up well but I really need to learn and improve my skills. I also do not have an income so no money for expensive tools that I might only use once. Harbor Freight is my friend!!
I am hooked on your down to earth honest approach. A confined space and a lot of ingenuity to overcome not being an eccentric millionaire. I totally relate. So you have helped me with the woodworking angle. I still wrestle with the 8020 profile stuff and everything from electrics to caulking. I get it done though. Thank you very much and I am ploughing through your complete library. You are the best and I shall follow you forever.
Buffalo.
Love your Insert "add" here. ;)
Great ideas and suggestions, especially with going vertical. I've put up those large platforms over one of my garage doors so I can store some of the bulkier things easier.
When my last Dewalt 18v nicad battery quit I decided to upgrade to Kobalt 24v, love them, then I gave the full Dewalt set to a friend who had had his tools stolen, I told hin to just buy a few 20v lithium adapters for them, very happy to help out a friend.
Buffalo
I have a 10x12 shed I want to work in and that shed also has all my lawn and garden stuff in it. I’m building a small workbench soon (on wheels). I’ll have a much better idea about organization after that’s done.
Also, Buffalo
Not near Buffalo, rather on the other side of the ocean. I'm in the design phase of my new workshop in an old house I will renovate and have come up with a, possibly, interesting wall organization system that I'd love opinions on.
The space is a 300+ year old 3 story stone house shell, with a 8m x 5m interior footprint and 50cm thick exterior walls with no interior columns and currently no partition walls. Or upper floors. Spacious. Wavy rough concrete floor, new roof 10m up with a skylight, and almost nothing in between. Does have entrances on the first two levels, so I can have the entire ground floor as the workshop and access the upper floors without an interior stairs in the shop.
I'm stripping the plaster from the stones now up to the, to be added, first floor, intending to clean and deep repoint them to have just bare rock walls. Its rubble stone work, and I know this space was at least partially destroyed in WWII so the stonework will be a patchwork of sizes and will include roof tiles in the mix. One of the advantages of rubble stone walls is that if you "blow them up", almost all of your rebuilding materials (at least for the exterior walls) is just laying on the ground needing to be stacked back up with fresh mortar. Then go cut a couple of trees (2-3 depending) and some new roof tiles and you have a house again.
The "ceiling" will be exposed wood beams and the underside of T&G planking. I don't want to cover all the stone with paneling just for wall storage, but I really like exposed storage even for hand tools. And I will be putting in a partial partition wall to have as a wet wall for the upper floors.
So here's the system I came up with for invisible wall storage. It is based around standard concrete reinforcement mesh. This is a steel mesh with 3-4mm wires welded intersections spaced at 125mm in both directions that comes in a standard sheet of 3m x 2m.
What I'm going to do is:
0) Leave the mesh bare, allowing the surface corrosion.
1) Mount a 3m x 1m strip on standoffs drilled into the rock, above bench height on one wall. Under this will be the standard location for one of my wheeled benches.
2) Build a frame to support 4 relatively closely spaced panels. 3 on full length pullout pantry type sliders, and the front one fixed vertically for stability. The panels would have a leading wheel running in an off the shelf U channel on the floor, so the slider doesn't have to hold the weight.
The panels would be a plywood and box tube combination outer frame supporting in tension in both directions a 1.5x2.5m grid mesh vertically.
The storage system will hang on the grids, made up of simple 3D printed or laser cut hooks, platforms, boxes, shelves, lights, etc. All will have a lip hook or even clamping assemblies to hang on the grid wires.
The intent of #2, is to have one full height grid always accessible, with one of the other three able to be pulled out as needed depending upon the project in process. And all 4 layers can be viewed through so its easy to see which layer to pull out. This will be along the partial partition that I'm building in.
Combined with the wall grid and I can easily reconfigure my workbench wall with the project specific tooling by swapping things out of the pullouts. Aside from where items are racked, the grid on the wall should turn relatively invisible, not blocking the stonework.
Clearly I like your ideas regarding vertical storage. And yes, wheels on everything, even if you think a setup is fixed, you need to often get behind things like for running cables or hoses. Or for that really good sweep out.
One really cool item the space has is a full 5m span I Beam girder already in place. Definitely going to have a travelling winch on that.
One of my principal tools that's arriving in March for my new shop is a 40x40x40 cm work volume combination Dual head 3D printer, 200w CNC router, and 10w Laser (not hawking, so not naming the brand). I'm going to build my work benches out of reclaimed beams from this house, post and beam style since the beams are 16x16 cm or larger, but when I do I will make sure the bench height is the same as the CNC router waste plate height, so in theory I could do longer CNC cuts by just stepping the panel. I'm also looking forward to experimenting with CNC milling decorative shapes into wood and then using the laser for some dot shading by scorching some of the wood. I'm also interested in possibly 3D printing shapes and then either milling certain features with any of a number of Dremel style bits including cut off disks, or possibly using the laser to selectively fuse for strength or melt in fine details...
Ah, got rambling talking about tools. sorry for the TLDR :)
Hey Buffalo! I'm about to build a 12x16 shed dedicated to making and I'm going two extra feet taller than the norm (10' instead of the usual 8') for storage purposes. I've mocked it up in Sketchup and from the looks of it, I'll be VERY happy of "going vertical". Thanks for the wonderful videos, keep them coming!
BUFFALO. I work in a 9x18 1947 garage with a broken up floor with orange paint at the cracks. I have taken a diamond wheel on angle grinder to sort of smooth them and everything has to be moved over these cracks. Everything is on wheels. Garden equipment (on wheels, lawnmowers etc) has to come out before I can even start. I am constantly moving things from every flat space to another flat space then back again. It's annoying and frustrating. It gets 116 in summer and below freezing in winter with no heat or A/C and it limits my working time which ever season. I wish my shop could be that organized. All my wood is stacked on the floor in front of the garage door. I never buy anything that I can make another tool do.
my shop is the same way during the seasonal changes, it's rough! I highly suggest getting rid of all those flat spaces so it forces you to be organized
BUFFALO, You really hit a lot of truth in this video. Over the years i have done a lot of different things in my shop layout and your absolutely right when it comes to being mobile and floor space being so important. I am still trying to find the right mix for myself but i am getting closer. I completely agree with your stance on tool boxes i have a bunch and when shopping in the used market you can get some amazing deals. One issue i have to address in my own shop is that if I cant find something I own what good is it? I have all my mechanics tools in its own toolbox and I spent a lot of time organizing it and that works awesome but a few other types of tools need that treatment. I also built a wood shed this summer so some of my lumber doesn't have to be in the shop.
Couple of additions. First, a drill bit dispenser cabinet, the kind that stores the bits in drawers that slide out, is a very nice thing. The little plastic index cases that common bits come in are super annoying when you try to dig the bit you want out from too-tight slots they're in using your giant Homer fingers, or when you just can't be bothered to fight 'em back into the right slot and then have to get the calipers out later to know what size a bit is. I recommend one of the cabinets that go from 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/16" increments; it's unusual to need a common bit larger than 1/2". Vevor makes a decent one for about $50; saves a lot of hassle and time. Second, that inherited tool chest, being principally composed of non-flammable steel, is a good place to keep solvents and other flammables; just sayin'. Decent alternative, typically easily found for free, is a disused metal filing cabinet.
I picked up 4 horizontal used cabinets for 10 buck a piece … these things are great for paint and other storage … I have two in the shop .. one for paint and the other for rags, quilts and sheets which you can also get for almost nothing …. I have two in my storage facility for trailer parts and auto supplies … you are right on target.. I just wanted to back you up with this ..
Buffalo. I've been looking at getting a tool chest/cabinet soon for exactly that reason. I currently have tool boxes or the small items sit near the machines I use them with most. But that eats up time searching for what I need which could better be used WORKING. So I've been wanting to save up for that to really just bring all of the smaller items together in a permanent home, so then it just gets put up every time I use it (instead of a temp home by what I use it most, some exceptions with dedicated spots for wrenches or keys for tool changes right by the power equipment, but that is a dedicated tool for another tool so doesn't count).
I have a lot of dead space in the garage due to storage of non-tool/woodworking/yard tools. That will be cleaned out soon enough.
In any case, love your videos and your great work. You have helped me get more organized and get deeper into this hobby (I'm in it for the making speaker cabinets, so I like crossing multiple of my hobbies together which helps me never get bored, soon to come a YT channel over audio, which I still have to learn how to make intros, thumbnails, etc., but I've got the PC power, mostly, and the lights for a home filming studio, although I'll be starting with my phone for the camera).
Once again, keep up the great work!
Buffalo, speaking of I'd like to see them win a Super Bowl. Great tips here, I'm glad I'm doing all of them, but need to build more mobile stands. I think I'm due for another round of getting rid of tools I don't need as well. 👍
Buffalo! All I can hear is the slot machine in Las Vegas. 🤣 Its so easy to accumulate stuff. Had a 2-1/2 car garage/shop for 20+ years and I accumulated so much stuff. We moved 1500+ miles and I purged a ton. Now back into a 3 car garage and just need to keep from acquiring a ton of stuff I don't need. Its going to be a fun build to get into shape.
Buffalo. I went through my workspace and got rid of a lot of old scrap wood cutoffs that I would never use for a project by using them for campfires. I try to put everything on wheels and elevate them as well so I'm working at a proper height (useful for the planer, router table and workbench hand tools), which makes a difference. I try very hard not to get into GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome), as it's very easy to overbuy tools. I let the projects I work on dictate whether I **reallly** need that tool or not.
I have a third car garage to use! I have been putting all equipment on wheels! My dad always mounts all his tool and screw cabinets on the wall! So times you just got to use what you have and make it work😊. If you wait till you have a perfect shop you will never make anything or build something.
Buffalo. Thank you for singing the tool chest's praises. I have a big Husky rolling tool chest / workbench deal (I can't roll it because of the curb in my garage though), and I LOVE the amount of storage I get. My french cleat wall is great, but I much prefer putting the majority of my smaller tools (from a trim router to wrenches) in the various drawers and leave the wall storage for things that do not store in a drawer well (like saw blades or clamps).
Also, agreed on the wheels. I too work out of a garage and my miter saw and table saw are both on their own rolling stands. And you are 1000% right about forgetting "flow" in a small shop. Space is precious, so cherish it.
sounds like you got an awesome setup! thanks so much for supporting the channel
Great video. Comparatively, I have a shop that could house a family of BUFFALO (2 car garage with a couple of side spaces... about 700sqf total), so SOME of your advice was not for me (don't need everything on wheels). But I confess, I'm a tool hoarder and am in SERIOUS need of a down-scaling, and re-org of my space.
Buffalo, from South Africa...
I also work in a single garage. I am about to put wheels on my table saw which is the only 'large' item I have requiring moving around. It has to be moved to allow the two motorbikes to park in the garage.
We had our kitchen cupboards redone recently and (some of) the old ones make for great storage.
Bufalo . One of the best advice on YT on how to organise your shop. I totaly understand the problem of buying toooooooo many tools
BUFFALO - I also use a one car garage as my workshop. I second advice - forget about workflows. One car garage is small enough that everything is nearby, so when planing the space: first plan the storage (boards, sheets then tools), consider putting everything under ceiling, walls, then drawers, shelves, cabinets). Then consider the large tools arrangement, mind the cables, dust collection hoses.
Buffalo. Hold on so your telling me I don’t need 5 combo squares and every scrap piece of hardwood I ever cut.
Buffalo. Thanks for the video. I work out of one stall of a two car garage that is also a storage room for too much stuff. This spring will be a major purge to setup a real workshop.
BUFFALO...I just came across your videos on RUclips. Want to say thank you for the advice and ideas. I have a two car garage which was converted to a half a car garage, (sons weight machines). Seen the setup of your small work space gave me a lot of ideas to redo mine. Again thank you and god bless
Buffalo... My first workshop as it were, was the back patio of my apartment. I had a Craftsman rolling tool cabinet to hold my tools. The only place I could put that was my kitchen.. it was a start
Buffalo: I really appreciate your presentation style and content. I too have a small workshop space about your garage carved out in a portion of my walkout basement. This video has given me some ideas and “permissions” to purge some stuff. Thanks!
My shop is 20' shipping container with a single 20 amp outlet. It's just wide enough to get a vehicle in so long as you don't want to open the door to get out of the truck.
It's amazing how much you can get done in such a confined space with just a little planning.
that's awesome james! i'd love to see it
Buffalo. Great ideas. I too have a small space (a 4.5 metre by 7 metre garage) which is way too cluttered, and there are many tools I bought to do a specific project and haven't used again. I really need to get rid of them but tell myself that they don't take much space and might come in handy one day. It's hard to change old habits.
Buffalo -
Hello.
My workshop is the same size as yours and regarding the size of my projects, it is similar as well. I dabble in wood and metal, and I have made it so far with lesser-quality power tools that have been passed on to me, but I am looking to replace them in due time with higher-quality ones (DeWalt, Bosch, Makita...). I have a question about cordED and cordLESS tools (mainly for these tools, and if I have forgotten something vital please point it out -> Impact Driver, Drill, Jigsaw, Angle Grinder, Circular Saw, Orbital Sander, Router...)
Which tools, in your opinion, are overall better cordless, and which ones should be corded and why?
I know there is no definite answer and it will come down to personal preference, budget, and specific working requirements. You can expand your answer as much as you can so more people (including me :D) can find themselves in those categories and make a better long-term tool buying decision.
Thanks in advance!
Buffalo. My workshop is a two car garage in which we still park two cars. There is extra space around the sides, so the garage is almost three cars wide, but with only a two car garage door. Everything except my workbench is on wheels. When I finish in the "shop" for the day, I vacuum up the mess, push everything back against the wall, pull the cars back in and close it up for the night. I even store lumber (not the good stuff) on the floor under my SUV. I made a flip cart for my planer and drill press. I made a small cabinet with drawers that fits under one end of my bench in which I store some small "crap" such as screws, layout tools, fasteners, files, etc. You get the idea. The storage space under my bench is just an open shelf. I have some power tools in their plastic cases, a couple of sanders and a tray of socket wrenches. Not the best use of space and I've been thinking about a couple of layers of drawers. Also thinking about at least one drawer under my flip cart and my miter saw cart. My table saw is a Bosch jobsite saw which folds up and stores against the wall also. My bench is made from reclaimed framing lumber. Someone in the neighborhood was remodeling a mid 1970's house and threw a bunch of really good 2x4s on the sidewalk. I asked for them and got enough to totally make my bench. My only cost was glue and a face vice which I received as a gift from my wife. The bench has held up well although it is almost time to resurface it. My hobby keeps me out of trouble, for the most part, in retirement. Good luck on quitting your day job and going full time.
Buffalo. I am going through the purge and I did try making the perfect layout for my single car garage on sketchup. Which worked or all of one month until I replaced a tool and got a new one so yeah, just finding good places to store things when not in use and rolling them around is the best bet. I am very envious of your tall vertical space, my bedroom is above our garage so I have only about 7 feet of vertical space depending on where you are standing.
Buffalo! I used a overhead garage storage rack made for bins that holds about 400 pounds.. I cut the brackets that hang off the joists down to 14 inches and it holds about 250+ board feet on the 4x8 platform stacked and stickered! I work in a two car garage with one half being my home gym that I must keep functioning because the wife enjoys that part of the garage lol
Buffalo! Too cold for my geezing knees! Roll arounds are a huge space saver, purging is a gotta do. Crap accumulates. Space under stairs is also a great place, but not if you just sling stuff into that void. Rack it out first so you can keep GOOD shorts of nice wood accessible without just being a pile. Under part of the stairway up to the raised section in the shop I have two filing cabinets, that's where less often used power and air tools and their accessories get stored. Space over the filing cabinets gets used for hanging extension cords, air hoses, stuff that just doesn't fit in drawers and tends to just be in the way even when using them, but even more in the way when just laying around. Mobile bases are huge, you have got that one dead right. The underside of my mezzanine is used for all sorts of lighter weight item storage. Balsa, unbuild model boat kits, whatever, 8 foot lengths of 1X2 spanning the joists spaced about 10 inches apart with a 24 inch open section in the middle lets you slide dowels, RC aircraft wings and fuselages, anything long, fragile, and light up and in, while the open grid work gives support for sheets of veneer and light labelled boxes. Keeping it open eliminates the urge to just toss stuff up there. My shop is a mixed sort of place so storing stuff for woodworking and model making adds to the joy.
Really good advice! It's so easy to just push stuff around and clutter up a space, regardless of size, that it becomes a problem later. Awesome to see such an efficient use of space!
Also, Buffalo. Or was it Bison?
Buffalo and thanks great video. We’re in the process of moving to Oklahoma near Tulsa my new shop is about 600 sq. ft cooled and heated 100 amp service. Moving a shop is very hard, setting back up is going to take months. And I was thinking I need more space all of my tools will be on wheels.
Buffalo. Im currently looking into ways i can retrofit my 3rd bay of my garage into a mini wood shop/mechanic work area. I want to start off with a larger husky 52" tool chest coupled with some matching standup storage boxes. Its a costly expenditure by itself but desperately needed for all my tools. I have a 3 tier craftsman box i want to re-dedicate to wood working tools ONLY. Chisels, bits, saws, hammers, drills, routers, etc. I like the milwaukee packout wall storage but wow what a sticker shock on accessories. Then amazon sells some metal pegboard walls that are really nice but expensive as well. Definitely going to use some of your tips and make some roll around boxes. Alot of wishes, not enough time or money!
Buffalo. I started my purge a few months ago, but then life got in the way. This video definitely has inspired me to get back out there and finish. If only it would warm back up. Thank you for encouraging the "forget about flow" mindset. Part of what encourage my purge was I finally invested in a CNC. This has been a dream for several years and it's the direction I've wanted to take my work for sometime, but it does take up a good chunk of space in a small shop (18'x20'). I've watched a couple of other videos that say the same thing, so I'm also in the process of going back and putting wheels on everything. Hopefully I can get this done soon and get back to the fun part of making stuff.
Buffalo. Very good advice. I also have a very small workshop, about the same size as yours. I have everything on castors and use the walls to store a lot of stuff. I too have purged tools and crap I don't need.
First i will be coming to your house and checking your trash for tools thanks. I have a small building a 1 car garage I just built into a work shop . I used cleat walls on two sides amazing how much space I gained .I will be going to the fleamarket with all the extra tools I found organizing my new space.Great advise about purging and using the rafters .
Buffalo. I really thought you where going to throw the Domino away 😂😂 great humor. You are correct on all your points, I have a small shop and keep as much organized as I can and flow doesn’t matter. Two steps here and three extra steps there matter not. Same goes for the tool chest vs building drawers. Too time consuming Jajaja. Great job man.
I'm not nearly as keen on the clickbait titles and thumnails, Buffalo. I prefer honesty to cheap humour.
Man our situations are so similar. 10x17 garage, one 15 amp circuit on the ceiling. I've really enjoyed my french cleats to save some space. Still have some old shelves I need to take down.
Now imagine what a small shop looks like when you do woodwork, carpentry, small engine repair, metal work, gardening, computer setup and repair, and restorations. Still working on my shop setup lol
Buffalo!!!! Nice psych with throwing away the Domino!😂
Chipmmunk..this made a nice change from the ten tools you MUST own and is definitely good advice for a Gollum like me...''my precious''. merry Christmas
Well, those points really buffalloed me over. Seeing as I have to re design an old model T carriage house for my family's property into a small workshop, I'm thinking these points will come in handy.
Oh my BUFFALO! Going vertical applies to many rooms in the house, not just the small shop.
My garage is so small I can't even get a buffalo into it. I'm starting from scratch in my small space so your tips are buffalicious. thanks again... good content.
Buffalo. Great video. I’m setting up a small wood turning shop in my garage and find your tips very helpful. Being in the northeast I’ll be insulating the garage and doing some sort of heating for sure
Buffalo. Some great tips, I'm in the UK and my space is 10x10ft. Agree with you so much on flow and ignoring it in a small space. Flow also really only makes sense commercially
Buffalo...this is one of the best videos Ive seen on storage in a small shop. Your comments about maximizing space vs having every tool in order of when theyd be use is right on the money.
Buffalo. Great suggestions. I’ve got a section of my shed dedicated to woodworking and have everything on wheels has really helped the flexibility and usability of the space. I’ve got a small tool caddy on wheels that I use for the tools that I need at that time. Love the channel
Buffalo I hear ya... I started on my back deck 2 years ago now I have a single car garage big change, and thank you for the layout tips
That's awesome! I know the struggle out working outside :)
It makes me appreciate the one car garage I'm In now
Buffalo…A number of years ago, we went “vertical” by installing slat wall just about everywhere possible in the garage/shop. If I ever re-do that, I’ll use some kind of French cleat. One thing I will say about “the purge”. Since I currently use my shop primarily for home projects, getting rid of the things I didn’t use in the last six months would be crazy…I’d just wind up having to buy another tool when the time came.
Buffalo, great video! Again, really appreciate how relatable you are. Great ideas. Keep up the great work and I'll keep watching!
Buffalo
I have a 2 car detached garage that I’m fortunate enough to use as my shop. I have considered using overhead storage to store lumber, plywood, etc., but I’m a little nervous that the rafters may not support the weight. How think and what is the spacing of your rafters?
Thanks!
Buffalo -- I like this a lot. Very helpful. One thing I do is to make wooden tote boxes/ One for auto wiring; one for brakes; one for angle grinder and accessories... One for 1/4-20 nuts and bolts, and so on.
buffalo, you are it. i have a 20 by 20 space with circuits 1-15 amp, 2-20 amp and 1-220 volt and consider myself very lucky. almost everything is on casters. agree with all your tips except i can't go vertical. tip #6 is the stealth shop...space outside the designated shop...creeping expansion into the adjacent section of the unfinished basement. so far, the bride has not objected, except that all but the lowest odor finishes have to be applied outside...not very convenient in winter. i need to cull the herd of tools and materials, but not as good at that as you are. wood working is a great hobby but it has a big footprint. enjoyed the video, thanks!
Buffalo.
Thanks for the helpful tips. I'm a novice woodworker in central Florida.
Anyone in Florida doing a purge, let me know!
Buffalo. Just a caution about going vertical: Trussed roof systems like this are not rated to hold ANY static load and should not used for storage. Generally, you can get away with throwing lightweight items up there, but those chords are there to hold the system in tension, not support loads. And never, ever cut them to make more storage space.
Buffalo., so true, I’m going through this too, tools I haven’t touched in years, I built cabinets with lots of drawers and filled all the drawers but I’m still not that organized, time to start selling the tools I haven’t touched in years.
@SpencleyDesignCo0 hello gift?
Buffalo
My motto: When in doubt, throw it out
If the answer to [Will I be using this?] is [Maybe], then that means [No], just get rid of it, because it will stay there collecting dust for another year or so.
I don't know if you're allowed to or not but mounting some cabinets on the wall also give you more storage room, since you mentioned going vertical. Like, nothing too deep, just shallow ones for small or flat things, with sliding door, that can be made of board or transparent acrylic.
I never see people say specialize in using tools that fit in small shops. You don't need to build furniture and cabinets which take a lot of money, room and equipment. You can build an entire career using a scroll saw in just a few square feet. Same with a lathe, or a router. A small versatile piece of equipment can pay for its self quickly and make beautiful projects and as much money as you choose. You will never run out if projects or learn everything there is to know about any of those three tools even if you work in one closet of your apartment. Specializing lets you become a master at something rather than just good at lots of things.
I used to live near BUFFALO.... sort of. We lived in Hilton, NY.
Love all your videos!!
Buffalo. As a LEAN practioner throughout my career, the concept that I see in most things is that people will always fill up the space they have available. So not having a lot of space is actually a benefit to not needing to worry about flow. You aren't wasting your time going from one side of the 3 car garage to the other to do the next phase of the job you are working on. If at some point in your future, you have more space, I would recommend limiting yourself to a small portion of that space so you don't create waste in the work you are doing.
Buffalo! Love your channel. I am in a small 1948 detached garage in the LA area and I have to pull a car in. Have ideas about organizing and have started and using some of your ideas. Wheels wheel wheel. Gotta pull this that and the other thing into the driveway but the driveway is where I do my cutting and sanding. Thanks so much!
I enjoy BUFFALO steaks! I too have a shop in a single bay garage. Use a shopsmith..and working on getting things verticle.
Buffalo - Similar thoughts as Lincoln Dickerson and others. Workflow is not a static concept. I think you have a built-in dynamic flow concept in that you employ the tool you need at the time you need it. Is it as efficient as a larger shop with lots of circuits and stations for each tool - of course not. But it is nearly as efficient as you can make it in your circumstances. Whatever is not efficient, you have shown the ability to adapt to your requirements and overcome obstacles. I find that encouraging.
buffalo... thanks for all the tips. I'm actually getting my new (22'x30') workshop ready for my retirement and i'll be woodwoking for fun...and a little $.... but i needed some tips and ideas for all my tools and you gave me a lot of great ideas.... thanks again and keep up the good videos...
Buffalo, is exactly what your trying to do to everyone pretending you don't love Flow, she's awesome... Seriously been loving your videos, keep it up.
I appreciate that louis!
Some great Buffalo tips. I really need to clean out my toolbox too - it’s been years and I know it’s full of crap!
I wonder how you get by with a workshop in apartments. Most people would complain about noise, but not bat an eye at someone blasting music to the heights decibel.
Where the BUFFALO roam. Fantastic video, my wife and I are currently moving out of one side of our two bay garage and into a dedicated space 12x20 foot shed with a barn style loft. Plenty of room to go vertical.
What I'm really interested in is why you have pulled out your "paneling" from the walls. The previous video had the paneling in place and the ad during this one had the paneling in place. Are you perhaps getting ready to move?
Can’t imagine a cold garage in Buffalo this weekend! Merry Christmas!
Buffalo. Looks like you know me LOL. I find it tough to get rid of stuff, but I don't think I'm alone. Nice Job Thanks
Buffalo. Just retired and wood is my hobby. I am looking forward to this. Thanks.
Buffalo! I'm just getting started on the woodworking/maker journey, and I also have a shop space with a single 15-amp circuit. I'd love to see how you've dealt with that challenge!
Buffalo is the armpit of America. I love the piece on shop space. Unfortunately, I am in a small basement space that has a vapor barrier on the walls so I cannot put anything on the walls. I am going to act on your suggestion to purge the unused items. Thanks for the great content.
I’m suing for emotional damages… you nearly killed me when you threw the Domino into the trash😂
Buffalo. Man it’s a pain being in such a small space. I’m in roughly 15x15 but I look forward to offloading all my stuff that I don’t use.
Buffalo, you always have the best ideas for small shop spaces. Thanks for sharing!