Hey everyone! I'm nearing retirement and planning to move to Maine, where I want to build a small workshop that's just 12x12 feet. My goal is to focus on making guitars, other musical instruments, and a bit of small furniture. I'm looking to shift from using power tools to more hand tool work since it creates less dust and more shavings. Currently, I have a larger workshop filled with many power tools, such as a bandsaw, drill press, a couple of old planers, a table saw, and a mini lathe. I'm thinking about swapping my table saw for a track saw and possibly adding a sliding compound miter saw. I'm also considering getting a benchtop planer or committing entirely to hand tools. Any suggestions on what to prioritize in this small space? And can anyone recommend guides or resources for designing a small workshop that leans towards hand tool use?
3 Answers
I strictly use hand tools and could never give up my bandsaw, especially since I work in tight spaces too. Having a larger bandsaw could really help with larger pieces. And don't forget about a solid sharpening setup; it’s essential to keep your tools in shape, otherwise you're battling dull tools which can affect your work. Also, consider a water supply for your shop since working with hide glue for guitars can be a pain without it. An electric kettle is a handy addition for cleanup.
I'd recommend checking out Scott Landis's workshop book. It really emphasizes the importance of having a modular setup for a hand tool shop since the bench becomes the central piece, not the table saw like in power shops. I’m on a similar journey; I make guitars too (though I haven't built one from scratch yet)! I do power stock prep, but I use hand tools for the joinery and finishing touches. Also, the anarchist workbench design is a great start and it's available as a free PDF now. You'll love that setup!
Thanks! I have the anarchist's workbench book, and it's definitely first on my list to build.
The Landis book is such a valuable resource!
For your small workshop, I think keeping the bandsaw is essential, but the thickness planer could be less vital if you're focusing on hand tools. I mainly use a Dewalt 735 for bigger projects, but frankly, I enjoy hand planing too much to rely heavily on power tools. As for a track saw, it's a good choice for smaller projects but might not be necessary unless you’re working with a lot of sheet goods.
That makes sense, thanks for the advice!
Good point on the bandsaw! I'll definitely keep that.