Workshop Miscellaneous

Marking gauge is an essential tool for basic carpentry and joinery. Download this plan to make one for your shop.

Here are instruction for an easy-to-build steam bending system.

This handy workshop accessory goes together in a jiffy. Imagine having your drill in a place where you can find it at all times, and fully charged to boot.

Use the free downloadable templates available at the link to make your own extension cord holder or reel.

Build this stool and fold it up when not in use. Build a folding shop stool using these free woodworking instructions.

After many good years of use, I finally decided to replace the crude shop cabinets I built when I first got started in woodworking. One of my goals for the new cabinets was to squeeze every last bit of storage space out of them.

More or less a personal journey of installing a factory made tail vise.

This tool rest is made up of three parts: a base, a platform that rotates, and another platform that moves in and out. Here is how to build it.

This easy-to-build tool bench will allow you to tote everything you need for a task, while providing a perfect seat.

Here is a look at a few simple homemade tools and jigs that can prove useful on all sorts of DIY projects. A jig is an accessory used in woodworking or metalworking that controls the movement or location of a tool.

Few shop chores rival the awkwardness of moving large sheet goods by yourself. And it is nigh on impossible to get them up on sawhorses without help (or the horses skittering across the floor). You will never again have to cajole reluctant family members into helping if you use this system.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a cart with two open shelves, designed to work in roll-away workshop system. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

Because shop space is nearly always limited and there are so many different types and sizes of nails and screws, the space-saving, low-cost hardware organizer, has been a real advantage in my shop. It lets me see at a glance what is in each can.

These small parts storage boxes feature beautiful finger jointed corners. Make multiples for your workshop small bits and pieces to keep things organized. Also great for in the house too. Follow along and build your own nifty boxes.

Here is a great idea if you want your tools close at hand but still organized and off the workbench.

The stand built here is sized for a benchtop planer. It also works well for a benchtop drill press or jointer.

The Idea Shop 5 wall cleat system featured on page 86 of the November 2003 issue of WOOD works great for supporting more than cabinets and tool racks. This easy-to-build light support fits and locks onto the same cleat, and can be located near any number of machine operations.

A sharpening guide helps avoid gouging the surface.

Follow along with the free step-by-step instructions at the link and build your own woodworking mallet.

At the link you will find a video as well as free plans to build your own outfeed roller for your planer. It is easy to build and works like a charm.

Build your own workshop broom by following along at the link. There is a video to help guide you through the process.

These slide out cabinet trays make finding things in the back of any cabinet easier. At the link there is a short video as well as free downloadable plans.

Keep your woodworking tools handy and organized by building a wall-mounted tool rack. This one was built using 1 x 12 and 1 x 4 boards. Follow along at the link to build your own.

This is a link to a Google 3D SketchUp drawing for a lumber buggy which gives you a handy way to push material aroung the shop. You will need the SketchUp software to download this drawing and its freely available online. We do not provide support for this software. Not all drawings have the measurements displayed but you can use the measurement tool in SketchUp to easily and accurately determine the dimensions of each lumber part. Most drawings do not have instructions, its assumed you can build it based on the completed drawing provided.

In a short evening, you can turn a few scraps of wood into an accurate, easy-to-use layout tool. It is tough to beat a marking gauge for creating crisp, repeatable layout lines. Consisting of a beam, a sliding fence held in place by a small wedge, and a scribing point, this time-tested tool sets up quickly. Enlarged images of patterns are PDFs.

Have you got finishing supplies scattered all over your shop? Concerned that they are a fire hazard? Organize them into this cabinet built out of one sheet of plywood and you will sleep better at night.

Crosscut sections of 4 inches PVC pipe, screw them to slats of wood, and hang the assembly from your shop ceiling for out-of-the way storage.

This extension cord rack leaves both hands free to wrap up the cord.

The jigs shown below are from the article - Get the Most from Your Planer from issue 173, November 2006, of WOOD magazine.

Aligning jointer knives does not have to be difficult. Using an inexpensive dial indicator, a shop-made holder, and these six simple steps, you can achieve perfection in under 30 minutes.