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THE WOOD SHOP

Over many years of woodworking, I have bought, used and upgraded my tool shop.  I have also spent time building cabinets and other storage solutions to accommodate my tools and  keep the shop neat.   Like many of you, no matter how many neat tools I have, it seems I always need that one tool that I don't have.   So the tool shop has growth with every project.   Some of my favorite tools are made by FESTOOL, JET, Dewalt, Incra, and Milwaukee.  

I will share the layout of the wood shop and the a review of some of my favorites.  I hope you will benefit from my research.  Enjoy!

Custom Woodshop Storage

We make and sell custom tool organizers.  Here are some examples.

Before

After
I made all the cabinets for the wood shop.  Most are 48" wide  and 25" deep so they are easy to move and reconfigure.   I made several cabinets that hold the Festool products.  Most have butcher block tops.  I just like the look.  I also like quiet so I bought an AIRTOOLS compressor and build a cabinet with sound deadening insulation and a built in air hose reel.  Great cabinet.  All the cabinets are on casters that can be locked down to the floor for stability.  

FESTOOL is one of my favorite tool manufacturers.  I have upgraded a large portion of my tools to FESTOOL.  I like the storage capability and how well thought out the tools are.   I like their systainer solution of stackable tool holders.  The challenge is, to reach the tool sustainer at the bottom of the stack, you need to remove the tools above it.  Alternatively, you can purchase or make cabinets with drawers to handle the systainers, making them easier and faster to access.    So, I made a few and here they are. FESTOOL (https://www.festoolusa.com)

I recently purchased the FESTOOL ROTEX 150 Sander.   It is awesome.  After using my Sawmill to mill my own lumber, I needed a good sanding solution.  The Rotex 150 is it!.

I also own the FESTOOL Kapex 120 Sliding compound Mitre saw with a laser guide.  It is great.  MY only desire is that they make a version with a larger blade to cut larger lumber.   I like the precision of the cut and the portability.

Woodland Sawmill  

HM130MAX Woodlander™​
I purchased the top of the line Woodland HM130 Max Woodlander with all the bells and whistles. I bought the trailer, the extended bed, the loading ramp with winch (that I never use), the lifts to level the log, and even the toolbox. I bought extra blades. They delivered the mill ahead of the worst case timeframe and the delivery was smooth. I was happy with that. I rated it a 4, updated from my original rating of 3 based on their additional customer service managers follow up.

My review: 1) It is pretty well made. It took me about 5 days to put it together with everything. I was taking my time to be sure everything was done correctly. Air tools help. The directions were pretty good. There were a few areas where a picture would be helpful. 2) Parts were missing, although they were small parts, they mail them out regular mail so I was delayed in finishing the build. 3) The sales department is very responsive, but the tech area is NOT. I had to send several emails to tech for missing things, and only when I copied sales did I get a response. I am experiencing a lack of response as I write this. 4) The sawmill began to rust through the green paint in areas that were not wear areas, after only about 3 weeks outside. I asked for the paint color and type so I can prevent further rust and am still waiting on an answer after 3 days. 5) The screws on the back of the toolbox are rusting also. IT's NEW. What gives? It is outside. Why would they not use stainless screws or another metal that does not rust? This is $169+tax toolbox and it's small. I bought it because the color matched and it mounts on the trailer bed.I would also like the toolbox that is deeper for a bit more storage. It is quite small. I would but another brand toolbox that is more durable based on my experience. 6) The performance of the mill is great. It cuts nice and straight. I think taking your time to set it up correctly helps. 7) Definitely buy extra blades. They do not last very long. I am searching for another blade supplier. I hear carbide blades last longer, but they are double the price. The first blades I bought were for both hardwood and softwood. I ordered the hardwood blades as well and am waiting to receive them so I can test them. I do cut mostly hardwoods All in all I like the mill. I would buy it again, even with the issues I experienced. I could suggest a few improvements, but they did a nice job designing the mill. I am not excited about the responsiveness of the Tech team. Very slow. That said, so far they did address my missing part issues. I did not receive one set of screws yet, even though FEDEX said they were delivered. I do not blame Woodland for that, but I am still waiting for them to send out the screws. It's been a couple of days since I reported it to Woodland. I will attach some pics. Update: 9/29/22: I received a call from the customer experience manager. Very nice. She acknowledged that they have been experiencing growing pains and hired more people recently to handle the increased sales load. They are in training now. I appreciate the follow up. She said they would send me the latest missing parts and I should receive them shortly. more to come.

French Cleat Mobile Clamp and Tool Rack

You can never have enough clamps!

Bob's CNC's

In 2022 I added a coupe of CNC machines to the workshop.  I selected Bob's CNC, not bad for the price.  I also made tables for both machines.
To support the larger CNC (KL 744), I made 2 connected cabinet bases.  This will make it easier to move if I ever buy a new home and have to move my woodshed.
Bob's CNC KL744
BOB's CNC Revolution

Sign Making

Cabinets including the Mobile Quiet Air Compressor Cabinet

If you are like me, you use air tools quite a bit and the standard air compressors are VERY loud.  While searching for a quiet air compressor, I came across California Air Tools.  They make very quiet air compressors.  I decided to build a cabinet to house the air compressor, a hose reel, and air tools.  I was able to make the California Air Tools Compressor even more quiet.   I built the cabinet to match the rest of my wood shop with locking casters and butcher block tops.  I also added a built in vice and added a butcher block leaf to the back and side for some additional workspace.