Author Topic: Ultimate Workshop Tour (Read 13629 times)

egmiii · « **Reply #30 on:** December 17, 2019, 09:49 PM »

Thanks for sharing a tour of your shop. I encourage you to remain active here under an alias. Some will criticize. Just ignore them. Others will be grateful. Personally, I could learn a lot from how you’ve integrated the various tools shown into your workflows.

I’m fairly new to woodworking with a basement shop still in the setup phase. I recognized a lot of your tools because I own similar equipment. Felder, Barth, Rangate tooling, etc. Any additional photos of tools walls and storage ideas would be welcome. I’m also interested in what you like and don’t like about the multi press. I just assembled mine (non grid version).

Cheese · « **Reply #31 on:** December 17, 2019, 11:06 PM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 17, 2019, 08:59 PM

That is my shop. I was told that video was re-posted here. I am a member of this group, but posting under a different account I just created as my username is my real name. In this case, I do not want my name associated with that video and the associated negative comments about me. I just had Richard, the guy who has that Youtube channel post a comment on my behalf that is pinned and you can read it.

Richard of DFW Crown impressed me as a very talented trim guy and I figured I could learn from him. So many different skill sets involving the use of wood - and the skills for trim are different than for cabinetmaking and furniture making and chair making and guitar building etc.

I am glad someone picked up on my dovetail jig setup. I really like using that with a router table. Very easy and very accurate. But of course, that is not the same level of craftsmanship as the dovetails on Andy Rae's tool cabinet.

Martin, first off, I'm in awe of the equipment you have in your shop. I covet the equipment but obviously my needs are different than yours and consequently I can get by with less. But that's neither here or there. I am also a big fan of your dovetail jig and will probably fabricate a similar version because the simplicity of using the jig is the charm.

What really brought this thread to the fore front is why with owning the equipment you do, and having the hands-on talent that you have, what made you decide to outsource the trim job. That's pretty much basic stuff that you'd be fully capable of completing yourself unless I'm missing something. Just trying to learn..

martin felder · « **Reply #32 on:** December 17, 2019, 11:28 PM »

I am not wanting to outsource. I am wanting to have him work with me. He is an expert in crown and wainscoting and spraying trim etc. He knows a lot of tricks, and I could learn a lot and as a bonus the work would get done WAY faster than I could do it.

egmiii · « **Reply #33 on:** December 17, 2019, 11:43 PM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 17, 2019, 11:28 PM

I am not wanting to outsource. I am wanting to have him work with me. He is an expert in crown and wainscoting and spraying trim etc. He knows a lot of tricks, and I could learn a lot and as a bonus the work would get done WAY faster than I could do it.

I believe you mentioned owning an older house. That’s reason enough to get someone with experience to help. I refurbished a two family from 1890 as my first home. Not a single surface was plumb or flat. Installing the new cabinetry, windows, and trim was a nightmare given my experience level at the time. Having zero tricks in my bag, I struggled to make it all work. Working alongside a pro for a few days would have saved me weeks and resulted in much better end product.

Enjoy the training and some time off from work. Likely well deserved.

Jim Kirkpatrick · « **Reply #34 on:** December 18, 2019, 06:14 AM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 17, 2019, 08:59 PM

That is my shop. I was told that video was re-posted here. I am a member of this group, but posting under a different account I just created as my username is my real name. In this case, I do not want my name associated with that video and the associated negative comments about me. I just had Richard, the guy who has that Youtube channel post a comment on my behalf that is pinned and you can read it.

You may know that some think of you as "rich guys" with "more money than brains" etc. for being "Festfools" for buying this "overpriced" equipment instead of Porter Cable and DeWalt.

For those of you that have provided me with information here, many thanks. I always value help and advice, something I was able to get a lot of in the Felder Owners Group in particular over the years. Richard of DFW Crown impressed me as a very talented trim guy and I figured I could learn from him. So many different skill sets involving the use of wood - and the skills for trim are different than for cabinetmaking and furniture making and chair making and guitar building etc.

I am glad someone picked up on my dovetail jig setup. I really like using that with a router table. Very easy and very accurate. But of course, that is not the same level of craftsmanship as the dovetails on Andy Rae's tool cabinet.

Martin, I'm the one who started this thread. Don't let the negative comments get you down. They're coming from the green eyed monster of envy and nothing more. Personally, I am in awe of your shop and that's why I posted it here, in the spirit of sharing, I knew there would be others who would love it too.
Know that you have a shop that most here would love to have in their next lifetime. The stuff of dreams, kid.

Getting back to my original statement that no matter how good you have it, someone has it better, have you personally ever seen a shop better than yours? I'm guessing yes.

I hope you post more here. I never knew Felder sliders were automated to the degree that they are. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed watching.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sparktrician · « **Reply #35 on:** December 18, 2019, 08:13 AM »

That is one sweet shop!!! I'm in awe...

DynaGlide · « **Reply #36 on:** December 18, 2019, 09:39 AM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 17, 2019, 11:28 PM

I am not wanting to outsource. I am wanting to have him work with me. He is an expert in crown and wainscoting and spraying trim etc. He knows a lot of tricks, and I could learn a lot and as a bonus the work would get done WAY faster than I could do it.

Well hopefully all of this hasn't turned you off to the idea of him shooting some videos of the work. I think there's a lot of us that can build a nice cabinet but the trim carpentry work is where all the skill comes to light.

Even if I had the money and space for a shop like yours I wouldn't have a clue what to do with it. I'm still starting out and learning as I go. Maybe some day I'll have some of the cool stuff that you do as I have many years ahead of me.

RKA · « **Reply #37 on:** December 18, 2019, 10:54 AM »

I enjoyed seeing the demos of all the machinery. Thanks for letting him share your shop with us! And it's nice that he's willing to work with you on the trim...hard to find a contractor that would go for that (for understandable reasons), but it looks like this arrangement works well for both of you!

jobsworth · « **Reply #38 on:** December 18, 2019, 11:11 AM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 17, 2019, 11:28 PM

I am not wanting to outsource. I am wanting to have him work with me. He is an expert in crown and wainscoting and spraying trim etc. He knows a lot of tricks, and I could learn a lot and as a bonus the work would get done WAY faster than I could do it.

Martin dont sweat the whiners. They are bugged cuz they either cant afford the tools or dont understand the quality tools.

On another forum, I got jumped on out of the blue because of my festools, some guy just started complsaining accusing me of bragging about the tools and on and on.
It was a political thread in a forum that has a couple of folders on construction. They all knew I had a lot of festools, and I hardly posted there.

People are weird . BTW I never posted to the guy either.

So just go on doing what you do. People are people ya know

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #39 on:** December 18, 2019, 11:55 AM »

“Martin”, hiring an expert to help you do something shows you know how to maximize the value of money, which probably has something to do with how you managed to assemble such a fine shop.

And you probably don’t have any difficulty assigning the appropriate value to unsolicited opinions.

Thanks for letting us see your shop. And thanks for helping to keep the world economy rolling.

Mario Turcot · « **Reply #40 on:** December 18, 2019, 04:27 PM »

First of

back to the FOG froum and RESPECT

Thank you for having Richard doing a shop tour. I also appreciate the fact that you took the time to explain how most of your tools works.

I am a big fan of your dovetail jig... thank you for the pictures

bmh · « **Reply #41 on:** December 18, 2019, 11:35 PM »

Thank you for the shop tour and the explanation on how these tools work for you. Could you give me more details about your vacuum table it is on my shop upgrade list for a project.

Thank you again

Bruce

martin felder · « **Reply #42 on:** December 19, 2019, 12:53 AM »

The Barth table is my favorite "tool". The best part of it is the ability of it to hydraulically raise and lower with a very nice range. You can work on cabinets or do assembly with it low, and do certain things with hand tools or sanders with it above the normal height. A bonus is the vacuum hold down clamps. I never use it as a rolling cart. I see there is a video on it

I wish the holes were the same size as the smaller Festool holes. There are a limited number of (expensive) clamp options from Barth, and you have to use a lathe to make dowels if you want home made accessories (so far, I have not found metric or other dowels that fit just right for jig making.

I rarely use my traditional workbench except as a counter top to set things on, often as clutter.

jeffinsgf · « **Reply #43 on:** December 19, 2019, 06:33 AM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 19, 2019, 12:53 AM

snip
I wish the holes were the same size as the smaller Festool holes. There are a limited number of (expensive) clamp options from Barth, and you have to use a lathe to make dowels if you want home made accessories (so far, I have not found metric or other dowels that fit just right for jig making.

I rarely use my traditional workbench except as a counter top to set things on, often as clutter.

Any reason not to make a new top for it with 20mm holes on 96mm centers?

AtomicRyan · « **Reply #44 on:** December 19, 2019, 09:38 AM »

Human nature is interesting... It's oddly natural to search out the kink in the armor of someone who has more. With tools, that kink is often something along the lines of:

"Oh... I could do that just as well if I had the kind of tools he does."

Or,

"That guy has it easy because he has so much money."

Of course, the irony here is that these sentiments are being expressed on a Festool forum.

***

In any regard, I do my best to repress that natural sense of jealousy and in its place find appreciation and replace that search for kinks with a quest for knowledge.

"Oh man, look at that table saw I could never afford. It amazes me humans have come from cavemen with sticks and stones to walking creatures of innovation capable of making such things."

And,

"That guy has been more successful at creating revenue than I have been. He must work his ass off. What can I learn from what he has done?"

***

Point being, everyone comes from somewhere... And everyone has their own problems.

ChuckS · « **Reply #45 on:** December 19, 2019, 09:58 AM »

Quote from: AtomicRyan on December 19, 2019, 09:38 AM

Snip.

Point being, everyone comes from somewhere... And everyone has their own problems.

And my problem is that I don't have space for any more tools (my shop is my double garage which also houses two SUVs at night!). But that could be a blessing in disguise meaning I must resist every bit of temptation to buy new or more Festool tools. Must have saved me tons of money.

Jiggy Joiner · « **Reply #46 on:** December 19, 2019, 10:00 AM »

Very nice workshop, I appreciate nice things myself. If somebody can afford, and buys nice things, good luck to them.

DynaGlide · « **Reply #47 on:** December 19, 2019, 10:10 AM »

Quote from: martin felder on December 19, 2019, 12:53 AM

The Barth table is my favorite "tool". The best part of it is the ability of it to hydraulically raise and lower with a very nice range. You can work on cabinets or do assembly with it low, and do certain things with hand tools or sanders with it above the normal height. A bonus is the vacuum hold down clamps. I never use it as a rolling cart. I see there is a video on it

I wish the holes were the same size as the smaller Festool holes. There are a limited number of (expensive) clamp options from Barth, and you have to use a lathe to make dowels if you want home made accessories (so far, I have not found metric or other dowels that fit just right for jig making.

I rarely use my traditional workbench except as a counter top to set things on, often as clutter.

That's what I want out of my vac sys setup. I made a thread on the cart I built for it and it's very functional but I'd love to have the ability to raise and lower like yours. I was aware of the Barth setup before I built it but couldn't figure out a sensible way to make my own with what I had.

egmiii · « **Reply #48 on:** December 19, 2019, 10:44 AM »

Quote from: jeffinsgf on December 19, 2019, 06:33 AM

Quote from: martin felder on December 19, 2019, 12:53 AM
snip
I wish the holes were the same size as the smaller Festool holes. There are a limited number of (expensive) clamp options from Barth, and you have to use a lathe to make dowels if you want home made accessories (so far, I have not found metric or other dowels that fit just right for jig making.

I rarely use my traditional workbench except as a counter top to set things on, often as clutter.

Any reason not to make a new top for it with 20mm holes on 96mm centers?

Possibly cost if you want to exactly replicate what is already there. You would need a sheet of 30mm Appleply, then veneer a HPL later, create a CAD file for the holes and vacuum pods, and have it cut on a CNC. Easily a $500 job, but cheaper than the original at $1200.

Cheese · « **Reply #49 on:** December 19, 2019, 11:21 AM »

Quote from: jeffinsgf on December 19, 2019, 06:33 AM

Any reason not to make a new top for it with 20mm holes on 96mm centers?

I think the center-to-center distance not being 96 mm is less of an issue than the diameter of the holes themselves.

I'd keep the top as it is, it certainly seems more robust than the typical 18 mm thick top. Depending upon the ID of the existing holes, I'd machine a bevy of aluminum adapter rings. The OD being the ID of the existing holes and the ID being 20 mm.

To retain the adapter rings without resorting to a flange, I'd machine a small o'ring groove around the periphery and through experimenting with the depth of the groove and the section thickness of the o'ring you'd arrive at a combination that would allow good adapter ring retention along with easy placement & removal.

Probably a dozen or so would get you by.

Roachmill · « **Reply #50 on:** December 19, 2019, 11:27 AM »

I could easily fit every single one of those tools in my 10x4' shed. You just see if I can't! I'll send you the shipping details in just a moment

Anyroad, that's a lovely looking shop you have there and I hope you and Richard can work something out. He seems like a fine fellow who will never stop learning.

greg mann · « **Reply #51 on:** December 19, 2019, 12:09 PM »

Quote from: Roachmill on December 19, 2019, 11:27 AM

I could easily fit every single one of those tools in my 10x4' shed. You just see if I can't! I'll send you the shipping details in just a moment

Anyroad, that's a lovely looking shop you have there and I hope you and Richard can work something out. He seems like a fine fellow who will never stop learning.

What I find refreshing is that Martin feels he can learn from Richard. I suspect that humility and objective reasoning is partly responsible for his achieving what he has in life already.

Acquired Taste Living · « **Reply #52 on:** December 19, 2019, 01:48 PM »

Martin, Thank you so much for allowing this video to be made. We rarely get a glimpse inside very beautifully curated shops and it is a wonderful treat. For every negative comment, there are thousands more that look on in admiration.

martin felder · « **Reply #53 on:** December 19, 2019, 07:06 PM »

On the holes, similar to what was mentioned, I thought about trying to find something like this:

https://www.wlfuller.com/html/drill_stops.html

... a sleeve adaptor so that Festool jigs would work with the Barth table perforations.

However, I think when I am ready to make more attachments for my table, I will probably make my own using my lathe, baltic birch, and Destaco clamps. Next would be to find a very fast easy way to secure pieces for when using the domino or biscuit joiner.

If Richard comes to do the work, I will be OK with him making videos. On one hand, I am not in favor of the loss of privacy, but on the other hand, I am a big believer in sharing info that would help others since I have benefited from others (perhaps some of you who contribute and are reading this). I did not have him come to see my shop or give a bid. He told me what would work for him, I said ok, but he said he would like to see the job first, in part so I could prepare. Ball is in his court. After all this, I hope it will happen!

I did post pictures of a recent project in another section of his forum.

greg mann · « **Reply #54 on:** December 19, 2019, 08:29 PM »

I think one of the cool things in this thread is that with all of the wonderful high value equipment to be seen most of the complements here are over Martin’s creative dovetail jigs, tools that virtually anyone could acquire.

grobkuschelig · « **Reply #55 on:** December 20, 2019, 03:39 AM »

I also want to chime in to encourage you to keep sharing. Your shop is really a blessing, to you and to all who watch.

I always draw tremendous inspiration and motivation from seeing other peoples shops, regardless of equipment level. Mainly because there is always so much „process“ hidden in how the machines are laid out etc.

I particularly liked how you combine the shaper and the router into a „single tool“ with two different collets. Makes a lot of sense!
What your shop shows, in my opinion, is not the amount of money you spent, but rather the amount of thinking you put into shop layout, precision and safety!
And we can all learn from that!

I would like to see some of the work you do, not finished product, but actual work. I am quite sure there will be a lot of good things to learn on how to do stuff (see the interest in your dovetail jig application).

Thanks for being you and doing what you do.

usernumber1 · « **Reply #56 on:** December 20, 2019, 05:51 AM »

im surprised nobody mentioned the pinball machines!

Vondawg · « **Reply #57 on:** December 20, 2019, 09:07 AM »

And guitars/amps playing area...ha! ....and I think acoustic sound panels on the ceiling

Steve Rowe · « **Reply #58 on:** December 20, 2019, 10:00 AM »

A Youtube friend suggested this thread since my channel is Extreme Woodworker and I seldom participate in forums. Congratulations to Martin for such a fine shop. Up until this video, I did not know Martin machinery even made a combo jointer/planer.

To correct some earlier statements about me, I have spent the last 40+ years as a licensed professional engineer in the nuclear power generation industry and former US Navy submarine officer. Other than work on a framing crew in my younger years, I have never made a living doing woodworking. I am not 'trying to make it as a Youtuber' and have not created any new content for almost 2 years. Work schedule combined with a lot of vitriol directed at me personally in my channels comment sections were major factors in my decision to suspend production. I may resume now that the work schedule is no longer an issue but still need to ponder this.

On the subject of shop tours, I did a shop tour because it was requested by so many viewers. It is a difficult decision to invite the entire world into your shop since a number of viewers will look at it as 'showing off' regardless of reality. I recall a tour done by Popular Woodworking a number of years ago about a Martin and Kundig filled shop near St. Louis as I recall. I think his name was Kent and I remember seeing the s***storm of negative comments before it was finally turned off. Nobody deserves that type of treatment. I should have known better and making a shop tour video is a mistake I will never repeat. Honestly, if you have a shop with higher end equipment and tools, you are better off keeping it to yourself regardless of the fact that the majority of viewers will likely enjoy it. It is a simple thing to encourage one to ignore the haters but be silent in the comment section. Kudos to those who are willing to endure. It is simply not worth it to me. Perhaps my expectation that woodworkers who share a common passion and interest would actually be civil and not act like a bunch of name calling politicians is unreasonable in this day and age. Only time will tell.

ChuckS · « **Reply #59 on:** December 20, 2019, 11:34 AM »

Yesterday I came across a news item about an 8 year-old kid making $26 million (or so) via his youtube production (don't know what his youtube videos are about). Not a subscriber of anything online, I suppose if negative comments, in addition to views, also counted towards revenue, he might have welcomed them.

I do admire people of all trades who are willing to invest their money (video equipment for example) and time in producing free videos, but Youtube has commercialized the whole sharing environment that some viewers feel cynical about the motives of their productions. These days, as a free member I can hardly find a youtube video that does not come with an ad segment at the beginning or in the middle of viewing (sometimes more than one ad).