Dust Extraction - Vacuum Connections

Dust Extraction - Vacuum Connections

I have been researching how to connect various dust extractions components to my vac. After a fair amount of investigation I had’t found much useful information, other than it seems to be a well kept secret that the defacto standard diameter for the hose inlet for vacs is 57mm (2 1/4 inches). Confusingly,...

I have been researching how to connect various dust extractions components to my vac. After a fair amount of investigation I had’t found much...

workshop dust collection
Workbench construction  - Part II

Workbench construction - Part II

The bench is almost finished – I just need to secure the top (which I have not done just yet while I figure out what to do with the hoover) and do the finishing touches. In the end I did the leg like this: it is strong and the bench is very solid, I left a...

The bench is almost finished – I just need to secure the top (which I have not done just yet while I figure out what to...

plywood workbench

Plywood workbench construction - Part I

I have completed most of the base now. I’m most pleased with the pocket hole jig- it even comes with a vacuum attachment, which is very useful when you are doing a lot of them. the kit includes a corner clamp with a plastic dowel that inserts into one of the pocket holes to...

I have completed most of the base now. I’m most pleased with the pocket hole jig- it even comes with a vacuum attachment, which...

plywood workbench

Mail me with your critisisms

A letter has flooded in from a Mrs Trellis1 of North Wales. “Dear Mr Miliband, ” (she writes) “Your blog was quite amusing at the start, but now it is boring. Regards Mrs Trellis” Well, fair point Mrs Trellis.  Here is an off colour cartoon to liven things up. 1) name changed to avoid embarrassment. Yes,...

A letter has flooded in from a Mrs Trellis1 of North Wales. “Dear Mr Miliband, ” (she writes) “Your blog was quite amusing at the start,...

workshop fitting-out
Fixing cheap combination squares

Fixing cheap combination squares

My plywood order arrived earlier in the week and I hope to get a few hours this weekend to start on the bench. In the meantime I have been trying to educate myself on some of the basic techniques, for example, how to cut things square. To show the level of my naivety, it had...

My plywood order arrived earlier in the week and I hope to get a few hours this weekend to start on the bench. In the...

marking & measuring
Workbench mitre saw station

Workbench mitre saw station

This is how I plan to accommodate the mitre saw. I currently have an el-cheapo sliding compound mitre saw (an evolution rage 3, which I got for the bargain price of £35 (!) from screwfix a couple of years ago when it was on sale) .  This will fit but not be level with the surrounding bench....

This is how I plan to accommodate the mitre saw. I currently have an el-cheapo sliding compound mitre saw (an evolution rage 3, which I...

plywood workbench
Pylwood Workbench Design

Pylwood Workbench Design

I have set myself the slightly pointless goal of trying to construct my workbench using just 5 pieces of 8’x’4 plywood and some screws/glue, and here is the design: Now I have finished the drawing I can see that there are a some issues that could have been resolved easier/cheaper by...

I have set myself the slightly pointless goal of trying to construct my workbench using just 5 pieces of 8’x’4 plywood and some...

plywood workbench
Evolution Foosball table installed

Evolution Foosball table installed

The table arrived on Monday. It does fit nicely in the corner and, despite being quite heavy, is relatively easy to move around – it folds flat in situ and can be rolled around on the wheels at one end. Having said that it would be a lot more convenient if I could just stand it...

The table arrived on Monday. It does fit nicely in the corner and, despite being quite heavy, is relatively easy to move around – it folds...

workshop fitting-out
Workshop interior - cabinets and benches

Workshop interior - cabinets and benches

I popped to Ikea yesterday and spent £360 on the frames, doors , hinges etc and £80 on the worktop counter for the bench. This was a bit more than I had hoped to spend, so to compensate I am going to try and create the workbench and shelving from three pieces of 8’x4′ plywood...

I popped to Ikea yesterday and spent £360 on the frames, doors , hinges etc and £80 on the worktop counter for the bench. This was...

workshop design
Workshop - Interior design

Workshop - Interior design

Here are my first thoughts on the layout – given limits of time and cash I am planning a combination of ikea cabinets and a hand-made workbench. I would like to make this a dual purpose entertainment and (small) project space, but this plan tends to favour the latter activity. Unless you count a bench as...

Here are my first thoughts on the layout – given limits of time and cash I am planning a combination of ikea cabinets and a hand-made...

workshop construction
Climbing Rose - Mme Alfred Carrère

Climbing Rose - Mme Alfred Carrère

I briefly thought about having a clematis and rose together on the new trellis on the front of the shed, but have now decided to keep it simple with a white rose. I plan to use Mme Alfred Carrère – introduced by Joseph Scwarz in France in 1879. This is a climber that has a tinge...

I briefly thought about having a clematis and rose together on the new trellis on the front of the shed, but have now decided to...

workshop fitting-out
Wire Trellis Installation

Wire Trellis Installation

a narrowly avoided fiasco re. the trellis.  My original plan was to suspend the wires vertically from the overhanging roof, perhaps using pad-eyes,  but I decided it would be too hard to get the wires tight and tidy. The tensioned wire trellis kits from s3i looked a much better option, but it appears I had...

a narrowly avoided fiasco re. the trellis.  My original plan was to suspend the wires vertically from the overhanging roof, perhaps using pad-eyes,  but I...

workshop fitting-out
outstanding workshop jobs - trim

outstanding workshop jobs - trim

One of the little jobs I had forgotten about was to fit some trim between the soffits and the walls. I used oak trim from B&Q, glued and screwed them to the wall and then filled the countersunk screw holes.   I stained the wood with a mahogany stain and then varnished it, and...

One of the little jobs I had forgotten about was to fit some trim between the soffits and the walls. I used oak trim from...

workshop cladding
Building a workshop - things I wish I'd known before starting

Building a workshop - things I wish I'd known before starting

Design In terms of the overall design my main regret is that I did not make it a bit bigger.  No doubt I’d still be saying it was too small, even if I had, but making it a couple of feet wider would have made a big difference to the usability of the space...

Design In terms of the overall design my main regret is that I did not make it a bit bigger.  No doubt I’d still...

overview
How much did it cost?

How much did it cost?

My original guestimate of around £6000 was not even close and my updated, and slightly better informed, estimate of £7500 was not much better.  The actual total was £9760 – add in a skip or two and we can call it £10k. Could it be done for £7500 ? I think so, but I would have had...

My original guestimate of around £6000 was not even close and my updated, and slightly better informed, estimate of £7500 was not much better.  The...

workshop costs
Door and Window Trims

Door and Window Trims

A trip to B&Q was the nudge I needed to finish a couple of jobs on the inside of the shed. I made a corner trim out of some left over plywood to tidy up the join between the door and the window, and also added a bit of aluminum trim over the...

A trip to B&Q was the nudge I needed to finish a couple of jobs on the inside of the shed. I made...

workshop construction