This press has worked like a charm for my projects ruclips.net/user/postUgkxajoEbapTfqWaadnqb04h6U576yxXp-FE . I didn't even secure it to my table top, mainly due to the fact that I was using a 15 lbs drill vise. It's not flimsy at all as to what others have claimed it to be. Make sure the locking nuts and levers are secured and there won't be any issues with light pressure and patience. I was able to drill through aluminum, plastic, and steel (steel took a while) with no problems at all. Yeah it took a little longer than a regular drill press, but I don't have the space OR the money for one.The instruction manual was worthless, but luckily assembling the press was intuitive. However, the manual would be good for ordering replacement parts if needed. There is a nice breakdown of the parts that are included in the kit. Before ordering, make sure it is compatible with your unit, it is clearly stated what models the press is compatible with.This was an excellent purchase for $40!!
Loved the space in your shop and the way its laid out. I have a Rockwell 14"x40" metal lathe, a Fexac knee mill and a mill drill,16 speed drill press floor model,work bench and welder. All in a 14'x20' one car garage. Now here's the kicker.I do all my machining from a wheelchair. Been a machinist since I was 14 years old and have now reached my 62 year. Space is something I understand.
I like what you say your wife enjoys and that you used your expertise to build her the etching press! I myself learned to work with my hands learning all phases of that work of custom framing, drymounting, chop molding,glass and mirror cutting, and mat cutting. I loved it all learned from him who could do many more things and your mention of your wife and her endeavors really takes me back to time enjoyed. Thanks Tom for your wife's interests. I always enjoy what you have for all of us.
Tom, one hellava cool shop you have! Thank you for the tour. I like many others am always curious as to the layout and machines everyone has, and it was a treat to finally see yours. It just makes total sense now when we see different angle while your filming. You have some nice machines, and have built up quite a nice collection of tools. So I take it you guys live in the apartment? If so that is soo cool. Before I was married I had always dreamed of having a huge shop with house built into one corner, like a big metal building with an office area. Again, thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed it! Oh, what brand of lathe do you own? Adam
Hey Adam, My lathe is a 18 inch gap bed YAM. It can swing 24 in the gap. Yes we live in the apartment upstairs that overlooks the shop. Couldn't do it without my wife. She is totally into it. Regards, Tom
It's funny, my wife is exactly the same as she tells me "I don't care about a house, I just want a huge shop for all my projects" we could just have an apartment upstairs
Thanks Tom it's quite a shop My shop is tiny in my house boiler room.Two 9' southbends ,with all attachments,.A 42' and 36'inch a Burke horizontal mill with a vertical attachment and collets,a Kellner hacksaw.3 drill presses and that's it.I'm happy though,and enjoy my retirement and tiny shop and love the machinist channel.Many talented people out there,including yourself.Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Great tour, thanks for taking the time to show us. Lots of good ideas that can be used or adapted to other workshops. Regards from across the pond. Les Brown. Shepperton, UK.
Hi Tom very nice shop with a great layout. Having the tools is great, but you have the knowledge, talent and skill to apply them to their full potential. Sure wish that I was your neighbor.
Thanks for showing us your shop. VERY clean!! I am impressed but didn't expect anything less. I hope you and your family have a GREAT Thanksgiving! Reid
Awesome space Tom, I'm sure you took great pride in laying it all out and it shows, also amazing how you keep it so neat and organized, great ideas on the setup too!
Hi Michael, Thanks for the compliment. I always think I need to organize before I shoot any video. Knuckles came over today to give me a hand with one of my projects. He told me you called out for his help when your bandsaw broke. All the best, Tom
You are going to have to tell me how to keep Knuckles "motivated', I don't think the pizza is enough, good help is so hard to find, perhaps Chuck can intervene on my benefit LOL
I am so jealous! A number of years ago I was looking at essentially the same layout. Biggish warehouse shop, with apartment above, but there was something about zoning, or perhaps it was the owner. I couldn't live in it, the upstairs had to remain an "office"; with kitchen, bedroom, livingroom, etc., and this in Texas! I passed on it, still pissed about it... Thanks for the tour!
Tom , I work out my garage and thought I had it good. WOW I wish I had the room you did , the setup . Dont ever let go of that space. Its 1 in a million.
Hi bbt, Thanks for the comment. I use the heck out of the Doall. If you want to buy a saw get a good vertical bandsaw first. They can do almost anything. Cheers, Tom
Man I love Your residents, Don't know if I'd love the neighbors so close but that Shop & Down stairs is amazingly Cool so I'm sure the living quarters are just as Sweet!!
I was just introduced to your channel yesterday thru another You Tuber (AVe) and am in awe of what you have at your disposal. This was the first video I have watched and expect I'll be spending a lot of time here as it is clear you are a master craftsman. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Impressive shop. Living at the workshop is the way to go. I should have done the same years ago before i sold up. Subscribed. Regards from NE Thailand.
Tom just looking at some of the older stuff. Even though it is from some time ago. Thanks for the tour. I alway feel its a very big thing to be invited into someons shop. Thanks Will
Thanks for showing us around - most interesting tour. I like how you have it planned and organised, not that it surprised me at all as you strike me as that sort of person! Efficient and organised :-) If it would be possible I would love to see you use some of that sheet metal equipment on some sort of project in the future.
Nice setup you have there. It looks like that place suits you pretty well. Also, good deal on that horizontal bandsaw for 300.00 -especially considering the dinky 4x6 that I own (and love) cost about 230.00.
Tom, I ventured to your channel via the AvE channel.. He has mentioned your name ( in reference to "the master" ) and all I can say is wow. What an impressive shop! I seriously covet being able to look over the shoulder of guys like you and learn something every time I watch a video. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and show guys like me what its like to play in the big leagues. Fantastic, wonderful, exceptional work. -Ben
Hi William, Thanks for the nice comment. It didn't happen overnight but with slow steady progress. I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. Stay tuned for a secret collaboration with our wacky northern com padre. Best, Tom
Very impressive! It looks to me like you are "equipped" to do anything you want to do. I have a very small shop that has evolved over the years in that same vein but mine includes a strong bent towards wood crafting as well. I envy your shop and thanx for sharing it.
Nice video as always Tom. I really liked he gate your wife made, night have to copy that ide for my house. When you got to your torch cutting setup, I was surprised. I thought I was the only one out there that thought the tandem bottle idea works much wide than the normal wide setup.
Hi Saw, I really like the bottle cart. It is much more compact than the twin baby stroller type. I don't even remember where it came from. You rarely see these anymore. Probably a collector item by now. "Tanks" for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Wow. What a great shop. I only have an old South Bend drill press, so you give me inspiration. I learned a lot- specifically how to make a rack and use metal studs for trays. I don't think I'll build a belt sander anytime soon, but it looked awesome. The rotex is exceptionally cool. Thanks for the demonstration. Take care and keep posting! Jonathan
Thanks for the shop tour, Tom. I hope to one day have 1/4 of the machines and tools. If you're ever in Dallas, you're welcome to tour my shop, mostly European motorcycles, parts, and my machine tool collection is growing.
Hi Ox. Much thanks for sharing your cave with us. Pretty incredible collection of tools you have amassed by any standard! Perhaps you could do a tour of yourself at some point in the future? I am sure I am not the only one who would be interested in how you got started on this journey as it would put some context to your way of thinking and the methods you use. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there like you are doing and I just want to reinforce to you that I am learning tons from each and every vid you throw on here and wish you all the best and cant wait for more! Richard.
Hi Richard, Thanks for the comment. I have a blog also where I write in a little more detail about some of the things you mention. Check out oxtool.blogspot.com All the best, Tom
As a tool collector creating the organization of machine spacing in a more limited area than your shop is a feat in planning, sketching out and fabricating as you have. Very grateful for the overall view and how you put it together. Intrigued by the inspection microscope and how functional with x n y axis optics used, a jewel for a one off master machinist. Charlie must have been a guy to learn from? Thank you
I like those white drawer boxes by the mill with angle plates , taper shank drills n such in them. Would like to have a couple sets like them by the lathe , and mill both. My shelves get cluttered holding all the cutters , endmills , drills n so on. Your idea for using those sheet metal wall studs was a good idea on your steel rack. Nice shop.
+Phil Lowman Hi Phil, Those are bank cash drawers I got off Craigs list. They are super heavy duty with bearing slides. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Tom, I read all the comments on this page right down to the bottom, and something strikes me as odd, not one mention of your friends beautiful Masterpiece, truly a work of art and precision, he was a Tool and Diemaker of extremely high standards, can you give more detail of the history of the build, was it toolroom made or his own shop and machines, I have nothing but admiration for his skills, just like your beautifully made Baby Bullet Vise, Edmund......Alberta
+Walter Maisey Hi Walter, If were not careful this is the fate of all of us. Hopefully we can preserve the who, how and why of some of these things so they don't fade away when the person goes to the big shop upstairs. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
I have a Johnson model J band saw very similar to yours. Mine is a 1937 model but it will repeatedly cut 6" bar within .005" of flat so it works good for me! It is a rigid beast but no speed demon. My motor is also inboard mounted like yours, it just hangs off a bracket mounted to the inside of the head and the weight of the motor is what tensions the belt. Besides blades I have done nothing to it in the time I have owned it.
Hi Bc, I will probably work on this one pretty soon. I have and electrical buddy getting some parts together to fix up the on off switch setup. I will probably go through it a bit when I do that modification. It actually cuts pretty good right now. Cheers Tom
Hello Tom, I hope you are well... I was really interesting to see the shop tour from 8 years ago... I wonder how many subscribers you had then and if you ever dreamt your channel would grow this big. I must admit I would love to have a setup like yours, but I guess I would not be the first to say that. Take lots of care. Paul,,
You have some really nice machines over there. I use to work in a tool room and we had a machine I didn't see in your tour. It was a *Surface Grinder* We did a lot of sharpening on die's when they were dull.
I really like that toolmakers microscope, beautifully made. I would love it if you could find a way to use it in a future video. I'm not quite sure how, but finding that out is kind of the point of asking, I guess. Thanks Martin
Hi Martin, Its funny I had the same thought. I was going to try shooting video through the objective lens and see what happens. Maybe a good one for a meatloaf dinner. Cheers, Tom
I would like to see more about that jig borer when you get a chance to get it back in shape and running. I used to work in a mold shop that had a SIP jig borer that could hold about half a tenth in position and size. Fascinating machines.
Hi Joseph, Sorry to disappoint but I traded the Autometric away for a Myford cylindrical grinder. Jig bores are neat machines. Not many in daily use these days. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Haha ...we won´t see the wife´s stuff overthere 😄.. Great channel Got me subed a week ago and have seen 20 video already u guess , well done ! And pretty jealuous of your shop , thats some cool equipement and rooms you got there ☆☆☆☆☆ Greetings from the Netherlands Johny geerts
Nice setup there. I have been thinking about getting into a "Shouse" (What we cal them down here in Oz....Shed/House) As I get older I like to tinker away at various hours, including the midle of the night to keep the mind busy.....I am only 53, but I like the idea of a setup like yours......its actually becoming very trendy nowdays to have a Studio style apartment where you both work and play. Do you have a house front so to speak, or you just come and go via your workshop ? All in all, you have given me some idea's, so thanks for that. John Downunder
Very nice setup Tom,I really like that your living space is close to your shop, just curious how many square feet do you have for your apartment? Hard to find a setup like that here in new england. Thanks for sharing
great tour Tom thanks for filming it. Im not sure if you were making videos back when you built your "under-powered" belt sander haha. i would enjoy watching that project come to life.
Hi Billy, I'm thinking of going to a big block on the belt sander. Thanks for the comment. I built the sander quite a while ago. I don't think RUclips or google even existed then. Cheers, Tom
You should wake up every morning and say a little thank you for finding a woman that shares similar interests. Seriously. You are a very very lucky man. I don't know whether to be more jealous of your shop and tools , your career, your skills, or your relationship. Charlies microscope is amazing. Have you ever considered doing a series on building a little lathe. Maybe a foot or two long. I would love that, and think others may as well. My grandad had one he built long ago, and I miss it, and him, so much. It disappeared, and not having it bothers me to this day. I dont really know if I have the skills or tools to pull it off, but would love to at least try one day. Just an idea for a video series. Thanks for the tour.
Tom, thank you for taking the time to share your personal work space. Very inspirational and motivational energy in there. You may want to start another biz organizing shops for us all. Love the Rotex punch, so cool to select a size and go, Love the wrench gate, that is a first and quite pleasing design, must have been fun collecting up the wrenches for it. Where was the star of the show? the dog? Having a home shop is an interesting thing, collecting machines, tools, etc. What is important and where the focus gets placed says a lot about the owner's real specific interest. Your shop seems to be very well balanced between machining and fabrication. Do you have a couple favorites operations/ project types, that you find the most enjoyable? Most rewarding?
Hi Doug, Thanks for the nice comment. I should probably do another one of these as the shop has evolved considerably since this was shot. The art side of the family is responsible for the gate. She keeps the practical industrial side in check. Best, Tom
At one point it was empty and I had room to have a little oval short track. Couple of XR75's and off we go. Filled it with machinery instead. Best, Tom
Dream shop. Live up in the loft, walk down the stairs to the shop. How did you find such an amazing space? Any tips to someone currently looking for something similar on where/how to search?
+oishisakana Hi Oish, Get to know some artists and be willing to live unconventionally. Having a partner that is like minded is key as well. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
+Still Flame Hi Flame, I joke around and tell people I found her on McMaster carr. Sorry they are out of stock on that one now. Thanks for the comment, Cheers, Tom
Hi Tom, You have an impressive workshop and I think mine would be lost in yours. But then again my hobby (model engineering) entails using much smaller stock materials and much smaller tools. I smile when I hear you or Adam talk about drills and milling cutters being small at around 0.25" dia because my interpretation of small is drills at 0.01" and milling cutters of 1mm dia. I had to make some shaft connection pins the other day with head dia of 0.0625" shaft of 0.040" dia , and these had to be slotted with a 0.01" slot by 0.050" deep. I dropped one on the floor but never found it again. The slot cutting setup was something to be seen and the holder looked like a brass ball pen with the uncut pin poking out of the end and a small BA screw locking it into place. This assembly was mounted in the tool holder of the lathe and the 0.01" cutter was mounted in the lathe chuck, centering and depth controlled by the cross slide and top slide. No one was more amazed than me when they all came out perfect. So I expect you can well understand our differing size perspectives of the work we do. The only advantage I have is that most of my tools are a lot cheaper if only for the lack of material in them. I enjoy your videos immensely as the sheer size makes me shudder at the thought of dropping one of your tools on my toe. Thanks for the entertainment.MoK
Hi Mo, I know what you mean. It takes hours sometimes to whittle a big bar down in the large lathe. On one of your tiny screws its two cuts and whammo at diameter. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Just wondering how your neighbors above deal with some of the noise, especially at night???? I really like the way your shop is set up!! It looks very efficiently set up, for work flow. I also like the gate. If you can't find a end wrench, you know where you can borrow one from. Thank you for the walk thru!!!!!
the saw on the pallet reminded me of something, some plywood under heavy equipment, a bicycle inner tube sticking up through a hole, other end running in a circle with the end in the middle of the ply. stick some cribbing under the tool, put a vac on blow through the tube, tool stand hovercraft, the inner tube idea i came up with a bunch of years ago, i think it just confused everybody.
Hi Tom, Sorry for dredging up an old video! Just wondering about that R8 spindle on your jig borer, was it home made or is it off another machine? Thanks! Edit, ignore me, just found your other video on the jig borer! So much great content it’s taking me ages to get through!
Hello, its been a year since posting your shop tour... nice shop/home, its like a concrete box, with-a-to-die-for ceiling height, must be beautifully cool in summer. How's the Johnson bandsaw project going, did you get around to finishing it? How are you managing fume extraction when your welding over in the corner? Great to hear your partner has a passion complementing yours.. I wish you both many years of creative happiness.
Tom thanks for the tour nice shop looks well thought out. Curious if this is the first space you have setup for "your" shop. Also I'm curious on the time frame that it took you to acquire your machinery. I know that you got the drill press and the autometric fairly recently...but what about the rest of some of the machinery? Enjoy your holiday.
Hi Bill, I have had several home shops over the years. Five years ago I ran an engineering job shop and had free run of the place so I didn't need my own shop. Many of the tools and machines in that shop were mine. When I left there I sold some of the equipment to the old company (bad idea) and stored some of it at home. So without going into detail about each specific piece of equipment this shop is fairly new. I really had to start almost from scratch. To answer your question I have been hard at it for a little over three years. Best, Tom
Hi Tom and thanks for the shop tour. 2 questions 1) What is blanchard grinding (your welding table was blanchart ground) 2) I am looking to buy a Milling machine but because I have little experience I would likely buy a new one (9x49). Any comments on what to look for Many thanks Rod
Hi Rod, The table was Blanchard ground which is also called rotary surface grinding. Its a fast and cheap way to produce flat surfaces. As far as mills go there are lots of decent ones out there now. Your budget and local support will probably drive the decision more than any other factor. I would say the extra table length is worth the extra money. Mine is a 42 inch and I wish it was longer. Get a DRO right out of the gate you will be glad you did. Other than that you will need a basic tooling kit, vise collets, chuck, parallels, etc. Hope this helps. Best, Tom
I was hoping you'd do a tour sometime. I'm envious of all the space you have. Nicely organized. I really liked the Rotex punch. They're on eBay - $2.2 to $5.2K...someday.
Hi Rod, They can be had for much less than that. You just have to be ready to pounce. You know me by now and I didn't pay nearly that much. Keep looking. Regards, Tom
I've watched all your videos, but I don't remember you ever mentioning the make or model of the vertical mill. It looks pretty much like all the other knee mills, but I'm curious what it is.
Hi Stephen, I guess I haven't really talked about it much. Its a 9 x 42 Acra brand Bridgeport clone. I do like it. My favorite non Bridgeport Bridgeport are Sharp mills. Really smooth accurate machines. Best, Tom
nice shop Tom where,s the coffee pot ,just kidding. your wife,s art work fire guard is real cool . tell her I worked in security at the Butler art Museum for ten years and I want to do some cool stuff like your mrs. did.
Correct me if I'm wrong but, I see no commenting on the gates your wife has made, they look cool! Pitty, I only see this video for the first time! Is she still making them, and has she her own online display?
Tom I loved the tour. Some days I just go out to my shops and sit and look at my tools. I just call it Tool Therapy . Some would call it Tool Porn... LOL
This press has worked like a charm for my projects ruclips.net/user/postUgkxajoEbapTfqWaadnqb04h6U576yxXp-FE . I didn't even secure it to my table top, mainly due to the fact that I was using a 15 lbs drill vise. It's not flimsy at all as to what others have claimed it to be. Make sure the locking nuts and levers are secured and there won't be any issues with light pressure and patience. I was able to drill through aluminum, plastic, and steel (steel took a while) with no problems at all. Yeah it took a little longer than a regular drill press, but I don't have the space OR the money for one.The instruction manual was worthless, but luckily assembling the press was intuitive. However, the manual would be good for ordering replacement parts if needed. There is a nice breakdown of the parts that are included in the kit. Before ordering, make sure it is compatible with your unit, it is clearly stated what models the press is compatible with.This was an excellent purchase for $40!!
It’s a privilege to visit your shop. I have enjoyed your book and have only today discovered your channel. Thank you very much.
Loved the space in your shop and the way its laid out. I have a Rockwell 14"x40" metal lathe, a Fexac knee mill and a mill drill,16 speed drill press floor model,work bench and welder. All in a 14'x20' one car garage. Now here's the kicker.I do all my machining from a wheelchair. Been a machinist since I was 14 years old and have now reached my 62 year. Space is something I understand.
I like what you say your wife enjoys and that you used your expertise to build her the etching press! I myself learned to work with my hands learning all phases of that work of custom framing, drymounting, chop molding,glass and mirror cutting, and mat cutting. I loved it all learned from him who could do many more things and your mention of your wife and her endeavors really takes me back to time enjoyed. Thanks Tom for your wife's interests. I always enjoy what you have for all of us.
Hi Lew,
We are still having fun in the shop. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
The wrench gate is fantastic! I love it.❤
I watched this a while ago, and just had to come back to comment what a gem that microscope is. It looks like a toolmakers PhD thesis.
Your knowledge is very much needed for the next generation!
Oh forgot to mention, I see you have an Abom79 approved Eagle oil can over by the mill! Very nice dude! Let me know how you like it.
The only oil cans worth owning say Goldenrod on them.
WOW..Great shop you got there Tom. Thanks very much for the tour.
loving the shop truly such a man cave u are truly living the dream and helping us love it and learn too thanks tom
Craig Nicholson Hey Craig,
I'm still pinching myself to make sure its not all a dream. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Thanks for sharing. Wonderful tools.
I love the 1958 tool instection microscope !!. Adding the LED lights to the scope was great idea.
Thanks for the tour Thom. I’ve got serious shop envy.
Nice shop! The custom gate your wife built is very neat. I understand using that crane to lift objects. I use an engine lift. Thanks for the visit.
Tom, one hellava cool shop you have! Thank you for the tour. I like many others am always curious as to the layout and machines everyone has, and it was a treat to finally see yours. It just makes total sense now when we see different angle while your filming. You have some nice machines, and have built up quite a nice collection of tools.
So I take it you guys live in the apartment? If so that is soo cool. Before I was married I had always dreamed of having a huge shop with house built into one corner, like a big metal building with an office area.
Again, thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed it!
Oh, what brand of lathe do you own?
Adam
Hey Adam,
My lathe is a 18 inch gap bed YAM. It can swing 24 in the gap. Yes we live in the apartment upstairs that overlooks the shop. Couldn't do it without my wife. She is totally into it.
Regards,
Tom
It's funny, my wife is exactly the same as she tells me "I don't care about a house, I just want a huge shop for all my projects" we could just have an apartment upstairs
Much love Adam :)
You are a very fortunate man, I don't think I would have a bored moment with a shop like that. I can't wait until I grow up;) great shop bud!
+Nick Schneider Hi Nick,
Yep. I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. Thanks for the comment,
Cheers,
Tom
Thanks Tom it's quite a shop My shop is tiny in my house boiler room.Two 9' southbends ,with all attachments,.A 42' and 36'inch a Burke horizontal mill with a vertical attachment and collets,a Kellner hacksaw.3 drill presses and that's it.I'm happy though,and enjoy my retirement and tiny shop and love the machinist channel.Many talented people out there,including yourself.Thanks for sharing your knowledge
Once again all I can say is a very big THANK YOU. You really are a legend.
Hey Teed,
Thanks for the ego inflating comment. I may have to change all my hat adjustments after this. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Tom, this was a fun revisit. You have definitely had some evolutionary “tool creep” !😊
Tom Thank you so much for showing me what I want my shop to be when it grows up...
Hi Charron,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
You are living my dream you son of a gun.
Six year’s later, nice shop space for you and your wife!
Boy! do I envy you. What a shop and layout.
Great tour, thanks for taking the time to show us. Lots of good ideas that can be used or adapted to other workshops.
Regards from across the pond.
Les Brown. Shepperton, UK.
Hi Les,
Thanks for the comment and participation. Welcome to the show.
Cheers,
Tom
I dig the shop layout. Looks like a very fun workspace.
Hi Tom very nice shop with a great layout. Having the tools is great, but you have the knowledge, talent and skill to apply them to their full potential. Sure wish that I was your neighbor.
Thanks for the interesting tour Tom. I would kill for all that space. Nicely done, I like the layout and the unique tools are cool too.
Tom, thanks for a great shop tour that gave me some ideas on how to store some of my tools and equipment.
Hey John,
Be sure to leave room to expand when you create your storage. Nothing worse than having two places for something.
cheers,
Tom
Very nice shop. Thank you for the tour.
nice shop would love to have that much space you have done a great job keeping it organized thanks for taking the time to show it
Thanks for showing us your shop. VERY clean!! I am impressed but didn't expect anything less. I hope you and your family have a GREAT Thanksgiving!
Reid
Hi Reid,
Thanks for the comment and compliment.
Best,
Tom
nice layout, nice collection. thanks for the tour.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Thanks for the tour Tom...looks like there's still plenty of room for more tools.
Awesome space Tom, I'm sure you took great pride in laying it all out and it shows, also amazing how you keep it so neat and organized, great ideas on the setup too!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the compliment. I always think I need to organize before I shoot any video. Knuckles came over today to give me a hand with one of my projects. He told me you called out for his help when your bandsaw broke.
All the best,
Tom
You are going to have to tell me how to keep Knuckles "motivated', I don't think the pizza is enough, good help is so hard to find, perhaps Chuck can intervene on my benefit LOL
Great shop tour Tom. Thanks a bunch.
Great shop! Thanks for sharing! Its really cool to see all the stuff you usually just see in the background. Very nice, thanks again..
I am so jealous! A number of years ago I was looking at essentially the same layout. Biggish warehouse shop, with apartment above, but there was something about zoning, or perhaps it was the owner. I couldn't live in it, the upstairs had to remain an "office"; with kitchen, bedroom, livingroom, etc., and this in Texas! I passed on it, still pissed about it...
Thanks for the tour!
Tom ,
I work out my garage and thought I had it good. WOW I wish I had the room you did , the setup . Dont ever let go of that space. Its 1 in a million.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the comment. I keep pinching myself to make sure its real.
Cheers,
Tom
Awesome...just awesome. Love the Do-All bandsaw.
Hi bbt,
Thanks for the comment. I use the heck out of the Doall. If you want to buy a saw get a good vertical bandsaw first. They can do almost anything.
Cheers,
Tom
Man I love Your residents, Don't know if I'd love the neighbors so close but that Shop &
Down stairs is amazingly Cool so I'm sure the living quarters are just as Sweet!!
I was just introduced to your channel yesterday thru another You Tuber (AVe) and am in awe of what you have at your disposal.
This was the first video I have watched and expect I'll be spending a lot of time here as it is clear you are a master craftsman.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Nice shop and it's laid out nicely.
Very cool set up. I like it a lot.
Hey Swaffy,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Impressive shop. Living at the workshop is the way to go. I should have done the same years ago before i sold up.
Subscribed.
Regards from NE Thailand.
Tom just looking at some of the older stuff. Even though it is from some time ago. Thanks for the tour. I alway feel its a very big thing to be invited into someons shop.
Thanks Will
Thanks for showing us around - most interesting tour. I like how you have it planned and organised, not that it surprised me at all as you strike me as that sort of person! Efficient and organised :-)
If it would be possible I would love to see you use some of that sheet metal equipment on some sort of project in the future.
Hi Dan,
Just keep hanging around. I have some sheetmetal projects for sometime in the future. Thanks for the comment.
Regards,
Tom
Nice setup you have there. It looks like that place suits you pretty well. Also, good deal on that horizontal bandsaw for 300.00 -especially considering the dinky 4x6 that I own (and love) cost about 230.00.
Awesome brother, you have the ultimate shop. Me likes, me likes a lot.
Hi Jess,
Thanks for the comment. Grog lik too.
Happy holidays,
Tom
Tom, I ventured to your channel via the AvE channel.. He has mentioned your name ( in reference to "the master" ) and all I can say is wow. What an impressive shop! I seriously covet being able to look over the shoulder of guys like you and learn something every time I watch a video. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and show guys like me what its like to play in the big leagues. Fantastic, wonderful, exceptional work.
-Ben
Hi William,
Thanks for the nice comment. It didn't happen overnight but with slow steady progress. I keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. Stay tuned for a secret collaboration with our wacky northern com padre.
Best,
Tom
Very impressive! It looks to me like you are "equipped" to do anything you want to do. I have a very small shop that has evolved over the years in that same vein but mine includes a strong bent towards wood crafting as well. I envy your shop and thanx for sharing it.
Cool looking shop Tom ! Thanks for the tour.
Very nice shop and plenty of space to play around.
Cheers
Bengt
Nice video as always Tom. I really liked he gate your wife made, night have to copy that ide for my house. When you got to your torch cutting setup, I was surprised. I thought I was the only one out there that thought the tandem bottle idea works much wide than the normal wide setup.
Hi Saw,
I really like the bottle cart. It is much more compact than the twin baby stroller type. I don't even remember where it came from. You rarely see these anymore. Probably a collector item by now. "Tanks" for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Wow. What a great shop. I only have an old South Bend drill press, so you give me inspiration. I learned a lot- specifically how to make a rack and use metal studs for trays. I don't think I'll build a belt sander anytime soon, but it looked awesome. The rotex is exceptionally cool. Thanks for the demonstration. Take care and keep posting! Jonathan
Hi Johnathan,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
enjoyed your shop tour! nice shop!
+Farmer Frank Hey Frank,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Thanks for the shop tour, Tom. I hope to one day have 1/4 of the machines and tools. If you're ever in Dallas, you're welcome to tour my shop, mostly European motorcycles, parts, and my machine tool collection is growing.
Hi Ox.
Much thanks for sharing your cave with us. Pretty incredible collection of tools you have amassed by any standard! Perhaps you could do a tour of yourself at some point in the future? I am sure I am not the only one who would be interested in how you got started on this journey as it would put some context to your way of thinking and the methods you use.
It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there like you are doing and I just want to reinforce to you that I am learning tons from each and every vid you throw on here and wish you all the best and cant wait for more!
Richard.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for the comment. I have a blog also where I write in a little more detail about some of the things you mention. Check out oxtool.blogspot.com
All the best,
Tom
As a tool collector creating the organization of machine spacing in a more limited area than your shop is a feat in planning, sketching out and fabricating as you have. Very grateful for the overall view and how you put it together. Intrigued by the inspection microscope and how functional with x n y axis optics used, a jewel for a one off master machinist. Charlie must have been a guy to learn from? Thank you
I am now going backwards through your videos. Way cool shop!
Hey Paul,
Time warp. When you reach the first one you will see me being born.
Cheers,
Tom
oxtoolco Note to self. Skip first video.
I like those white drawer boxes by the mill with angle plates , taper shank drills n such in them. Would like to have a couple sets like them by the lathe , and mill both. My shelves get cluttered holding all the cutters , endmills , drills n so on. Your idea for using those sheet metal wall studs was a good idea on your steel rack. Nice shop.
+Phil Lowman Hi Phil,
Those are bank cash drawers I got off Craigs list. They are super heavy duty with bearing slides. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Been a while since I have tuned in, Tom. OX TOOLS 4 LIFE!
Tom,
I read all the comments on this page right down to the bottom, and something strikes me as odd, not one mention of your friends beautiful Masterpiece, truly a work of art and precision, he was a Tool and Diemaker of extremely high standards, can you give more detail of the history of the build, was it toolroom made or his own shop and machines, I have nothing but admiration for his skills, just like your beautifully made Baby Bullet Vise,
Edmund......Alberta
+Walter Maisey Hi Walter,
If were not careful this is the fate of all of us. Hopefully we can preserve the who, how and why of some of these things so they don't fade away when the person goes to the big shop upstairs. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
I have a Johnson model J band saw very similar to yours. Mine is a 1937 model but it will repeatedly cut 6" bar within .005" of flat so it works good for me! It is a rigid beast but no speed demon. My motor is also inboard mounted like yours, it just hangs off a bracket mounted to the inside of the head and the weight of the motor is what tensions the belt. Besides blades I have done nothing to it in the time I have owned it.
Hi Bc,
I will probably work on this one pretty soon. I have and electrical buddy getting some parts together to fix up the on off switch setup. I will probably go through it a bit when I do that modification. It actually cuts pretty good right now.
Cheers
Tom
What an excellent setup
Fantastic! Loved the tour.
Hello Tom,
I hope you are well... I was really interesting to see the shop tour from 8 years ago... I wonder how many subscribers you had then and if you ever dreamt your channel would grow this big.
I must admit I would love to have a setup like yours, but I guess I would not be the first to say that.
Take lots of care.
Paul,,
Great videos, thanks
Thank you for this interesting view into your shop!
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the comment. Welcome to the show.
Cheers,
Tom
You have some really nice machines over there. I use to work in a tool room and we had a machine I didn't see in your tour. It was a *Surface Grinder* We did a lot of sharpening on die's when they were dull.
Hi Ruben,
A surface grinder is on my machine list. Lots of interesting things you can do on one. Thanks for the comment.
Best,
Tom
Wow, truly a shop to envy! I just got finished your book Sink or Swim, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep up the great work!!
I really like that toolmakers microscope, beautifully made. I would love it if you could find a way to use it in a future video. I'm not quite sure how, but finding that out is kind of the point of asking, I guess.
Thanks
Martin
Hi Martin,
Its funny I had the same thought. I was going to try shooting video through the objective lens and see what happens. Maybe a good one for a meatloaf dinner.
Cheers,
Tom
My second posting on this video; what a great shop! As always, thanks’ for taking the time to make this video! And I support this site. ~M~
Mike A Drover Hey Mike,
Thanks for the repeat view.
Best,
Tom
I would like to see more about that jig borer when you get a chance to get it back in shape and running.
I used to work in a mold shop that had a SIP jig borer that could hold about half a tenth in position and size. Fascinating machines.
Hi Joseph,
Sorry to disappoint but I traded the Autometric away for a Myford cylindrical grinder. Jig bores are neat machines. Not many in daily use these days. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Haha ...we won´t see the wife´s stuff overthere 😄..
Great channel
Got me subed a week ago and have seen 20 video already u guess , well done !
And pretty jealuous of your shop , thats some cool equipement and rooms you got there ☆☆☆☆☆
Greetings from the Netherlands
Johny geerts
So cool! thanks for sharing
Nice setup there.
I have been thinking about getting into a "Shouse" (What we cal them down here in Oz....Shed/House)
As I get older I like to tinker away at various hours, including the midle of the night to keep the mind busy.....I am only 53, but I like the idea of a setup like yours......its actually becoming very trendy nowdays to have a Studio style apartment where you both work and play.
Do you have a house front so to speak, or you just come and go via your workshop ?
All in all, you have given me some idea's, so thanks for that.
John
Downunder
Very nice setup Tom,I really like that your living space is close to your shop, just curious how many square feet do you have for your apartment? Hard to find a setup like that here in new england. Thanks for sharing
Hi Johnny,
The apartment is about 1K square feet. Kitchen and B-room are on the lower floor. Thanks for the comment.
Best,
Tom
great tour Tom thanks for filming it. Im not sure if you were making videos back when you built your "under-powered" belt sander haha. i would enjoy watching that project come to life.
Hi Billy,
I'm thinking of going to a big block on the belt sander. Thanks for the comment. I built the sander quite a while ago. I don't think RUclips or google even existed then.
Cheers,
Tom
You should wake up every morning and say a little thank you for finding a woman that shares similar interests. Seriously. You are a very very lucky man. I don't know whether to be more jealous of your shop and tools , your career, your skills, or your relationship. Charlies microscope is amazing. Have you ever considered doing a series on building a little lathe. Maybe a foot or two long. I would love that, and think others may as well. My grandad had one he built long ago, and I miss it, and him, so much. It disappeared, and not having it bothers me to this day. I dont really know if I have the skills or tools to pull it off, but would love to at least try one day. Just an idea for a video series. Thanks for the tour.
that English wheel is great tom Steve McQueen was the man
Tom, thank you for taking the time to share your personal work space. Very inspirational and motivational energy in there. You may want to start another biz organizing shops for us all. Love the Rotex punch, so cool to select a size and go, Love the wrench gate, that is a first and quite pleasing design, must have been fun collecting up the wrenches for it. Where was the star of the show? the dog?
Having a home shop is an interesting thing, collecting machines, tools, etc. What is important and where the focus gets placed says a lot about the owner's real specific interest. Your shop seems to be very well balanced between machining and fabrication.
Do you have a couple favorites operations/ project types, that you find the most enjoyable?
Most rewarding?
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the nice comment. I should probably do another one of these as the shop has evolved considerably since this was shot. The art side of the family is responsible for the gate. She keeps the practical industrial side in check.
Best,
Tom
Now that's a cool place to do some shop projects.
At one point it was empty and I had room to have a little oval short track. Couple of XR75's and off we go. Filled it with machinery instead.
Best,
Tom
Dream shop. Live up in the loft, walk down the stairs to the shop. How did you find such an amazing space? Any tips to someone currently looking for something similar on where/how to search?
+oishisakana Hi Oish,
Get to know some artists and be willing to live unconventionally. Having a partner that is like minded is key as well. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
+Still Flame Hi Flame,
I joke around and tell people I found her on McMaster carr. Sorry they are out of stock on that one now. Thanks for the comment,
Cheers,
Tom
Nice shop Tom, one thing I did not see that I thought was odd for a machine shop was no press. How do you do a pressed fit without a Press?
Wow.you are my tool hero. :-)
Awesome shop!!!!!
Hi Cecil,
I'll have to get a tee shirt with a big T on it for tool superhero. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Nice Poster of what looks to be James Hunt!
nice. like the jib crane. the forming table looks like one of those old-school drafting erasing shields ...haha
+John Galt Hi John,
Your going to need a big eraser for that one. Never thought about it but your totally right. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom,
You have an impressive workshop and I think mine would be lost in yours. But then again my hobby (model engineering) entails using much smaller stock materials and much smaller tools. I smile when I hear you or Adam talk about drills and milling cutters being small at around 0.25" dia because my interpretation of small is drills at 0.01" and milling cutters of 1mm dia.
I had to make some shaft connection pins the other day with head dia of 0.0625" shaft of 0.040" dia , and these had to be slotted with a 0.01" slot by 0.050" deep. I dropped one on the floor but never found it again. The slot cutting setup was something to be seen and the holder looked like a brass ball pen with the uncut pin poking out of the end and a small BA screw locking it into place. This assembly was mounted in the tool holder of the lathe and the 0.01" cutter was mounted in the lathe chuck, centering and depth controlled by the cross slide and top slide. No one was more amazed than me when they all came out perfect. So I expect you can well understand our differing size perspectives of the work we do. The only advantage I have is that most of my tools are a lot cheaper if only for the lack of material in them. I enjoy your videos immensely as the sheer size makes me shudder at the thought of dropping one of your tools on my toe. Thanks for the entertainment.MoK
Hi Mo,
I know what you mean. It takes hours sometimes to whittle a big bar down in the large lathe. On one of your tiny screws its two cuts and whammo at diameter. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Just wondering how your neighbors above deal with some of the noise, especially at night????
I really like the way your shop is set up!! It looks very efficiently set up, for work flow.
I also like the gate.
If you can't find a end wrench, you know where you can borrow one from.
Thank you for the walk thru!!!!!
WOW I love your shop I wish I had one like that.. maybe some day
the saw on the pallet reminded me of something, some plywood under heavy equipment, a bicycle inner tube sticking up through a hole, other end running in a circle with the end in the middle of the ply. stick some cribbing under the tool, put a vac on blow through the tube, tool stand hovercraft, the inner tube idea i came up with a bunch of years ago, i think it just confused everybody.
Hi Tom,
Sorry for dredging up an old video! Just wondering about that R8 spindle on your jig borer, was it home made or is it off another machine?
Thanks!
Edit, ignore me, just found your other video on the jig borer! So much great content it’s taking me ages to get through!
Hello, its been a year since posting your shop tour... nice shop/home, its like a concrete box, with-a-to-die-for ceiling height, must be beautifully cool in summer. How's the Johnson bandsaw project going, did you get around to finishing it?
How are you managing fume extraction when your welding over in the corner? Great to hear your partner has a passion complementing yours.. I wish you both many years of creative happiness.
amazing workshop
Tom thanks for the tour nice shop looks well thought out. Curious if this is the first space you have setup for "your" shop. Also I'm curious on the time frame that it took you to acquire your machinery. I know that you got the drill press and the autometric fairly recently...but what about the rest of some of the machinery?
Enjoy your holiday.
Hi Bill,
I have had several home shops over the years. Five years ago I ran an engineering job shop and had free run of the place so I didn't need my own shop. Many of the tools and machines in that shop were mine. When I left there I sold some of the equipment to the old company (bad idea) and stored some of it at home. So without going into detail about each specific piece of equipment this shop is fairly new. I really had to start almost from scratch. To answer your question I have been hard at it for a little over three years.
Best,
Tom
Hi Tom and thanks for the shop tour. 2 questions
1) What is blanchard grinding (your welding table was blanchart ground)
2) I am looking to buy a Milling machine but because I have little experience
I would likely buy a new one (9x49). Any comments on what to look for
Many thanks
Rod
Hi Rod,
The table was Blanchard ground which is also called rotary surface grinding. Its a fast and cheap way to produce flat surfaces. As far as mills go there are lots of decent ones out there now. Your budget and local support will probably drive the decision more than any other factor. I would say the extra table length is worth the extra money. Mine is a 42 inch and I wish it was longer. Get a DRO right out of the gate you will be glad you did. Other than that you will need a basic tooling kit, vise collets, chuck, parallels, etc.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Tom
I was hoping you'd do a tour sometime. I'm envious of all the space you have. Nicely organized. I really liked the Rotex punch. They're on eBay - $2.2 to $5.2K...someday.
Hi Rod,
They can be had for much less than that. You just have to be ready to pounce. You know me by now and I didn't pay nearly that much. Keep looking.
Regards,
Tom
And at the end we get to see your "Johnson" saw that is..Nice Shop
I've watched all your videos, but I don't remember you ever mentioning the make or model of the vertical mill. It looks pretty much like all the other knee mills, but I'm curious what it is.
Hi Stephen,
I guess I haven't really talked about it much. Its a 9 x 42 Acra brand Bridgeport clone. I do like it. My favorite non Bridgeport Bridgeport are Sharp mills. Really smooth accurate machines.
Best,
Tom
nice shop Tom where,s the coffee pot ,just kidding. your wife,s art work fire guard is real cool . tell her I worked in security at the Butler art Museum for ten years and I want to do some cool stuff like your mrs. did.
Hey Frank,
Thanks for the comment. I'll check out the Butler institute. Thanks for the lead.
All the best,
Tom
Correct me if I'm wrong but, I see no commenting on the gates your wife has made, they look cool! Pitty, I only see this video for the first time! Is she still making them, and has she her own online display?
Tom I loved the tour. Some days I just go out to my shops and sit and look at my tools. I just call it Tool Therapy . Some would call it Tool Porn... LOL