10 SIMPLE tips to a better workshop layout

[@jeffp5991]

I'm sure this has some gems for 1% of the people looking for information on shop layout. For me this is the equivalent to learning how to dock a 60 foot yacht when all I have is a canoe! 😅

[@barrytipton1249]

"If you don't use it, get rid of it" - this is wisdom of the ages. Great advice! It also works for your entire house. I watch a lot of videos regarding tools you should not buy. I have saved tens of thousands by learning from what you and others have shared. I had so many plans when I retired, but your wisdom (and others) brought me back down to earth. Keep up the great videos! 👍

[@ianpearse4480]

Thanks for the share. Did my 22 years with the Corps. My brothers and sisters have been a huge support and I am grateful for them. Always good to talk. I guess I should throw out my brain as I hardly ever use it! LOL.

[@bentswoodworking]

That is awesome!

[@JeffWiswell]

Putting my shop back together from scratch and the advice about using a diagonal layout was surprisingly helpful!

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad it helped!

[@stevenmcintosh3303]

Good advice. I recently moved some things around in my shop and got rid of a large tool I wasn't using. Really makes a difference. I'm always looking for ways to optimize my workflow and storage.

[@bentswoodworking]

It never ends. Something can always be a bit better

[@WCFAsyncQueryable]

Thanks a lot for the 45 degree tip. I'm in the process of designing my next shop and I think it will make my layout much better.

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

When I set my shop up I had less usable space. And less tools. As I have added tools I just put there where I had space. It’s really hard to undo what I’ve done and see it in any other way. But I’ve been slowly working on it. Getting rid of things I don’t use is also a really hard thing for me. But I’ve been slowly doing that. I still need another round of purging. You had some great points that will definitely help me get things changed up and more efficient.

[@Gazman299]

I hear you. Same here. Now I have everything on wheels which I have found to really help. Eventually everything will find its spot. Eventually :-)

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@keithdavenport7009]

Well done, I need to let go of a few things in my shop and had been thinking about doing that, you pushed me into following through on doing it. Thanks!

[@bentswoodworking]

Go for it!

[@DEVINREYNOLDS06]

This was a great video Bents and thank u for showing us ajd your a great woodworker and u we’re so much fun to meet and I will miss that time but thank you for posting and u always make great videos and thank u for your service!!

[@ewetuber186000]

Thanks for your service Jason. I’m a veteran as well. I served proudly, but for just 3 years and without ever being in harms way. Your videos are always helpful and informative. Thank you. Are you a professional woodworker, or are you strictly a content creator? I’m neither. I’m just a retired guy with an expensive hobby. Would you lay out your shop differently if you were just doing a hobby?

[@branchandfoundry560]

Getting rid of your drill press totally got my attention & boggles my mind. But it shows how significantly workflows can vary within woodworking. Super interesting! Thank you for this insightful video.

[@jamiethompson-x5n]

That is great layout experience. Thanks Sgt. T

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great overview of important layout considerations. Instead of software (like Sketchup), i used graph paper to make a scale model of my stationary tools & 1-car garage space that’s abound 10’ longer than average. I put larger tools on wheels, made maximum use of wall space (French Cleat wall & shelves), and built a 4’ x4’ x 7’ tall “tool tower” w/ cleats to hang tools on 3 outside sides & drawers on heavy duty full extension slides. Wood storage is on the ceiling, except for sheet goods which I break down outside the shop whenever possible. It’s not perfect, but it works, and allows a ~6’ aisle down the center for workflow. Thought I’d share this for consideration by those in a similar situation. The “tool tower,” French Cleat wall, and storing lumber on the ceiling were the biggest game-changers that allowed me to increase usable space.

[@cuebj]

Did similar with our current house kitchen extension too. Also, did it for our first whole house, along with cutouts representing my wife and me and moving them around the model

[@Mike-dn4ju]

Welcome home! Hope you guys had a good time.

[@bentswoodworking]

We sure did!

[@Gazman299]

I'd love to see a video on that sliding table saw with examples on what you use it for one day. You have a great looking shop. A lovely space for sure. Your demeaner is perfect for teaching. Thank you for all the great content that you produce.

[@bentswoodworking]

Thank you!

[@branchandfoundry560]

He's made a few videos about it 😉

[@Gazman299]

@@branchandfoundry560 Thank you!

[@troyqueen9503]

Their a great saw , 10 in with scoring blade or 12 in , 4 horse power also you can use it for miter work, use mine for cabinets and furniture.👍🏝️🇨🇦

[@burlewoodfordson3923]

So helpful, man you keeping hitting dingers with these videos!!

[@daviddejulio863]

Fantastic advice and thought process. Thank you for making this. About to move and looking forward to a fresh start. This was perfect to watch.

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aaronblackford981]

Ty for you and your s/o service.

[@wittworks]

I see you and your AMS

[@jesusfreakster101]

This is awesome, getting ready to start process of 25x35 shop!!! Thank you so mich

[@bentswoodworking]

Very welcome!

[@bw162]

I can’t convince my wife not to park HER car in MY shop. Your idea of putting a wall up inside the garage door gave me an idea. She’s visiting her mother next month.

[@bentswoodworking]

Best of luck 🤣🤣

[@andrewbeaumont5492]

Brave man!

[@onehandedmaker]

Thanks for the tips! I keep moving machines in my shop, but it happens less and less frequent, so I must be getting close to where I need to....... I think. Love your shop and channel and your message. Regards James One Handed Maker - Australia

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad to help!

[@Gazman299]

A question: With your layout help plan. Would that include discussions with my wife about all of her totally unused and neglected 'stuff' (to be nice) in our garage?

[@bentswoodworking]

🤣🤣 it can but that may cost extra

[@darodes]

Jason, first off thanks for your service…. Secondly, that info about the obstructions is so overlooked. I’ve never heard anyone else talk about that… everyone talks about prioritizing floor space for most used tools and taking advantage of vertical space, but what happens if you position everything and then end up pinholed to an awkward spot like next to a pole, staircase, or shelving unit? It makes sense to take those things into consideration early!

[@hs1626]

Good video! But it would have been nice to see a quick floorplan diagram for your shop to help contextualise your wide shots!

[@bentswoodworking]

Good point

[@wittworks]

15:00 HSS

[@sanyoshovah2887]

Great Info. Ive been trying to consider placing large Tools like my table saw at a 45 degree angle but it's still difficult for me, evene when using Sketch up. My workshop is in the shape of a octagon which makes things extra tricky

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MarkSteenbakkers_CzD]

Really jealous over here. My workshop is 94 square feet (if I did the conversion correctly). At the moment I'm renovating the shed and your tips might come in handy.

[@ravenheart1439]

The first thought I had setting up was, flow..how to make it flow with less movement...to be efficient you need flow...kinda goes without saying.... dust collection was my second thought...

[@atomictyler]

I have one of those support poles right in the middle of my 22x22 garage. It really limits the options. I went and put plywood around it (it was already finished off to be squarish) and put my track guides and and boom arms on it. I still wish it wasn't there, but it's better now that I'm using it for something. I also need to raise my assembly table and make it not be my table saw out feed. you know what's a real pain in the butt when you need to make a cut on the table saw while having things in the middle of being assembled? ya, moving everything back and forth for a single cut. edit: bambu x1c is fantastic! I make a lot of templates with mine. I'll make the templates and then create some out of plywood if I'm going to need to reuse it a bunch.

[@hansangb]

@0:30 LOL. I'm guessing you never had to load up the truck with FM's to max out the DITY move check 😂 Do they even have DITY move options these days?

[@silverbackag9790]

DITY moves suck ass. I did it once. F250 pulling a 24’ box trailer, then an explorer pulling a 10’ box trailer, then a U-Haul pulling a car trailer. Maybe I just have too much shit? Some of it is still in storage until I get my shop and house finished.

[@bentswoodworking]

They do but they are now PPMs. Personally procured move

[@turningwiththewoods]

Thank you for your service. Our country thanks you.

[@bentswoodworking]

Much appreciated

[@davidwhiteley3879]

Thank you for your service and this very helpful video.

[@bentswoodworking]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jamiethompson-x5n]

Hello my brother I have been watching you for a while and I was wondering if you know of a program from festool to get older style corded track saws with cords cheaper. I would really love to have a festool track saw. I just can’t afford it.

[@dvdwlsh]

Jason, there's no better way to tell you how timeless and solid these tips are than by sharing this "shop tour" video my grandfather (known best as Mr. Sawdust) made back in the 1980s: "Setting Up Your Ideal Small Shop" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5y7ZaCsmdZ6qLs - So many small details you mention were immediately familiar from his, including the wasted space around a "lolly column" and how to best arrange machinery in a classic two-car garage.

[@stephancote4745]

Anyone who's 3-4-5 d anything knows you get more space on a diagonal don't they ? 😅

[@stevealbums7897]

Hi Jason, your videos are always enjoyable and informative, I have learned a lot! Steve from your Leeds UK

[@bentswoodworking]

Great to hear!

[@pctatc66]

Curious how deep your miter station is? Im about to embark on building mine and always looking for new ideas

[@bentswoodworking]

23” if I remember correctly

[@patrickdavis5678]

crying over my 1 car garage without room for more tools

[@thomasnn]

Y'all got a garage? My workshop is a corner of my bedroom lmao

[@Benmeglei1]

Crying for a 1 car garage with my 2nd condo bedroom as my shop.

[@darodes]

Same I’m using 1/2 of my half-basement 🙃 small workspace problems lol

[@aaronblackford981]

Are you in a worse place now is our worse place to start. Great for all, you realize it. But he didn’t start there. Just use some or all, depending your place in life, to get where you want to besides a millionaire or billionaire. Just do what you love that’s affordable to you, then you might get to m or b

[@aaronblackford981]

I don’t even have a one car garage. Lucky you to be able to. But I am lucky that I know I use same videos as you and may get to your level someday

[@troyqueen9503]

How to utilize space living out of a locker for 22 years in the navy.

[@Eagle1836]

Thanks for your military service.

[@purtis99]

SGM ????

[@Mioux1]

about 6 minutes, talk about 90 degree vs 45 layout... also think what 30/60 degree set up

[@flamabl1]

Why go higher? Ummm because you have more stuff to store.