2023 Shop Tour + Shop setup recommendations

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[@JayBates]

I misspoke in the video. The Nordfab alternative I was referring to was CAROLINA Air Systems....not California.

[@barrydarnell9748]

I love about 45 min form Carolina Air. If you happen to stop by needing a part not in stock, they will run and weld it up for you while you wait too. Great folks!!!

[@johnreimer5843]

Do you have a website or link to California air.

[@guiturtlewood]

​@@johnreimer5843Carolina, not California. Google "Carolina Air Systems" it's the first result

[@shepardadventures5234]

I was going to say, "I never thought I would see the day when something is cheaper coming out if California." Lol

[@dwb468]

Jay...THANK YOU! "It must be nice" to live within your means. "It must be nice" to work hard in your chosen field to achieve your goals. "It must be nice" to generously share your talents with the world. I wish you and your family a continued lifetime of "nice". -db

[@spartan_7389]

This comment couldn’t say it better. Cheers to you sir, what an awesome shop and what a great story. This made my day

[@KK-WNY]

This is the best shop tour video I have watched. The unapologetic intro story was great. Work hard, and you will achieve some measure of success. The detailed thought process behind the layout, based on use and experience, was a treat to listen to. I'm currently building an addition to house my dream shop. It's smaller than yours at 24x32, but I will definitely employ the concepts you describe. Good luck with your new land and eventual new-new shop. I'll be tuning in for sure.

[@paulkramer7698]

that was great for me to watch. I have a 40x60 work shop that aslo has my boat and woodworking tools. Im moving and need to build a new shop and this was an informative video. Thank you.

[@arayawoodworks]

5:13 absolutely encouraging. I don’t understand why people cannot see the fact that you have work hard for what you have. I love seeing the old shop pictures and where you are now.

[@merlinsatrom6678]

Love the “bucket pod”. Says a lot about you being such a hard working creative entrepreneur that has a shop completely paid for! Impressive Jay! It is indeed encouraging and you are not boastful!

[@duncanwilkie179]

Boy howdy have you taken a huge leap since this video. I admire your vision and just do it attitude, Kudos to your wife for her support and hard work.

[@dagwood1327]

The “young kid with complete freedom” is a wonderful place to be. As an old man I remember those days.

[@JAMESMT-mm6zl]

Great video. I’ve been watching your channel for years and enjoy it all. Keep up the great work.

[@mikedtubey]

Great Story Brother! You should be proud you've accomplished what you have. Enjoy the space and your life with your family!!! Oh, by the way great organization for the space.

[@kiwdwks]

Thanks for your shop tour. Awesome set-up/tips!

[@Hvn1957]

I’ve been following you for a while, and I’ve always been impressed with your native practicality, and calm delivery. Hearing more about your path to where you are just reinforces that. It seems clear that you like working for yourself, but I’d like to plant an idea. When I watch your videos, I always think “I would have loved having him as a shop teacher”. I’m 66, and a lifelong professional woodworker. These days, I find myself looking for young people to pass my knowledge to. Someday, when your trajectory as a creator is slowing, perhaps you could think about becoming a high school shop teacher. I am certain that a generation of young people will remember you as the best teacher they ever had.

[@nctplarry]

Thanks, Victor, for advancing the idea of Jay's being a teacher. HOWEVER, as a now-retired educator (I began my professional career as a junior high Industrial Arts teacher (and I am thankful to have been so fortunate as to being selected as the Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year in only my second year of teaching -- that's being thankful, not boastful), then a middle school Principal, and winding up my educator career as a university professor of Vocational and Technology Education at Mississippi State University for 17 years. Now, having said all that "fluff," I need to express why I disagree, somewhat, with your exhortation to Jay about his being a high school shop teacher. Here's why: Jay is amazing. He has shown us over the years that we watched him to be an effervescently creative person who is not afraid to try things, even if those ideas don't turn out to be what he imagined. Therein comes the rub. The educational "system" these days has become a machine focused upon achieving high test scores. Thus, students often are tested, tested, and tested just so the "system" can satisfy itself that some rather innocuous collection of data points have been achieved by some arbitrarily fashioned mechanisms. I know of many teachers--and even administrators--who have become so frustrated with this setup that they choose to leave the profession. The true art of teaching has, in many situations, been abandoned in favor of "meeting the test points" and "educator disenfranchisement" is continuing to sweep across this nation in a viral fashion, unfortunately. I do, however, think that Jay could make some very positive impacts upon lives of young people, perhaps simply by using his creative prowess to architect a method that would produce the desired results that I suspect you intended when you wrote your commendation. I just don't see how Jay can feel satisfied as a "normal teacher" inside a system that is, in many ways, broken beyond repair. Thanks for enduring my rambling, but I am passionate about this matter, especially as I have been privileged to work with schools and educators around the world. Thank you for bringing up the matter to Jay. If he chooses to respond, I look quite forward to reading his thoughts. I know they will be provocative.

[@Hvn1957]

@@nctplarry I am the child of college professors, and the product of a very elite education that was utterly wasted on me. My point was that we need new thinking and new directions. College is NOT the ultimate goal. Crafts and trades are honorable careers and do no require a Bachelor of whatever. So what we need in K-12 is people who think in different ways, and do not care to fit a mold that has clearly stopped working. I hated school for 16 years because I could not use my hands and my innate skills, to do what I longed to do. Now here we are. The trades are in dire straits because there are no trained workers (no ten year Journeymen). Why? Because everyone was sold a bill of goods that said they needed a college education to prosper. That is BS. I’m 66 and I can’t find anyone skilled enough to replace me. It takes ten years in my trade to even call yourself qualified. It’s incredibly frustrating.

[@cjanoch]

Jay -- thanks so much for the walk-thru. Learned more than I thought I would! Really interested in the work you have done to channel airflow *outside* of your collection pipes. Would really like to see a video of you cleaning up the shop after a messy project, and how long it takes the air to filter back to good levels.

[@Whatsthe_411]

I love how you incorporated your old items from the previous shop.

[@marcher78]

Congrats on one of the Best hobbyist woodworking shops. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and sacrifices!

[@scmarinemom24]

I 100% get not having debt..I sold my home and 3.75 acres, (got remarried) paid off our barn and 10 acre note, bought a 12x32 shed for my shop and paid cash for all my tools. No mortgage, no debt. We went from a 2500sf home to a 1000sf barn apartment that I'm about to upgrade. Just the husband and me so we don't need all the extra room. You sleep so much better at night knowing you own your life and not have bank payments. 😊

[@JayBates]

You indeed sleep much better :) Good on you for living within your means :)

[@HomesteadEngineering]

Wow! That little bit of back story was really interesting for sure. Thanks! :)

[@jimbecker5675]

Blastgate Company is also more affordable for quick connect duct and completely compatible with your existing Nordfab other than the adjustable sleeves which have to match the brand they are being used with. Also, a floor sweep should only be used with a two-stage dust collection system with pre-separation. You don't want any metal (screws, nails, swarf from drilling) to pass through the impeller as it potentially can cause a spark. Great lesson in workflow...I hope folks take that to heart as it really makes things work a lot better!

[@jamesmccann3630]

I really admire your skill, your work ethic, and your attitude. Thanks for this.

[@RichardMerrill3Hawk]

I normally don't watch shop tours, but I was captivated by yours right away. The most educational tour for someone reworking or creating a shop space. The concept of grouping the dead spaces of tools is simple genius. I have a 10 x 9 shop space with a 7 foot ceiling, and I use a wheelchair. My bench is 24" high with a clamp-on mini-bench for extra height. I can still find ways to improve it from what I learned in this video -- thanks for a great tour, and a great channel.

[@marcbarash6045]

Thanks Jay for the tour!

[@danitafunk9236]

Be proud of what you've accomplished without apology,,, Your videos have helped me a lot. You are a good teacher, not everyone can teach, so thank you

[@itsmejoe6718]

Hey, very nice shop, I have followed you since your two car garage shop. I'm very impressed with what you have done. My days of woodworking are over, I stopped about five years ago. I was working out of a two car garage, I'm 79 years old now but I enjoyed it for 40 plus years. I'm envious and I'm a fan.

[@wwtrkr3189]

Man! That dust collection is epic. Just moved into my new place and designing my workshop, so lots and lots of KZbin shop tours to steal inspiration. From you, I'm stealing two things. The dust collection is exceptional and i love the table saw / bandsaw / planer combination layout. Nice job! That is a VERY nice space.

[@TomsDIYShop]

Really appreciate you putting this out here Jay! It’s obvious you put a LOT of time and effort into the design and layout of your shop and I will absolutely be putting them to use in my new shop space.

[@MostlyChevies]

With any success comes the naysayers. I've watched you off and on for years. It's cool to see you fill in the details. Best of luck with your future endeavors.

[@breakinn403]

Great tips on space management. Thanks Jay :o)

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Love the islands with large isles, I'm convinced its the the most efficient way to arrange.

[@SnoValleyGuy]

Love the layout, thanks for sharing Jay!

[@deneseweems3292]

You had me at eating chips and watching paint dry on the dog house back in 2014. Always great content Jay!

[@makethepart]

Hey Jay, this was a really good review of your journey and everything you've learned along the way in organizing and laying out a woodworking shop. Thanks for your contributions to the community!

[@bradleytuckwell4881]

This has to be one of my favourite videos it was great to hear how you got started and where you are now. I love how you share your knowledge of woodworking it’s a great help it took me so many changes to get a flow in my work space. Thank God for KZbin it helped me a lot.

[@SteelBladeWoodworks]

Awesome shop layout! Definitely some great takeaways to utilize in my new shop setup. Thanks for sharing Jay!!

[@HarrisonFord11]

I’ve been a viewer for a long time. I always considered you and Marc TWW as the guys that really pushed woodworking KZbin to the forefront. I remember the apartment days that’s when I started watching and woodworking. Awhile ago I emailed you because I don’t have social media and it was photos of my replica 3 tier half lap shelves I made of yours. I recently finished my own version of your miter station and SYP workbench.

[@thewoodshop]

That is an awesome shop! Congratulations on new shop layout, and thanks for the tip on California Air Systems.

[@ytbillybob]

Your channel along with Steve Ramsey's and Inspire Woodcraft are my three favorite. Of course Rob Cossman is right up there with y'all.

[@dmfor9001]

Mathias Wandel was asked what KZbinrs he follows. He mentioned Jay as on of a select few. That was a nice compliment I think

[@loueubank4399]

great info. Just moved and trying to layout my shop and your comments and suggestions were just what I needed. Thanks.

[@FloridasFinest]

Cleanest shop tour I’ve seen!

[@BNETT21]

Right before air filter change day, I blow dust/dirt off everything. I'll often blow the shop a few times with the leaf blower before I call it good enough. Once the air looks clear enough I'll chill with the blower and change the filters or let them run a day then change them.

[@benchtopwoodworks]

Love the encouraging intro man! Thanks for sharing.

[@Condor1970]

The only issue I'm having with my potential floor plan layout, is I only have 24x30 to work with. The center of the shop has an auto lift tower. This gets in the way if I want to be able to cut large 4x8 sheets from either length or width direction. I noticed the one thing about your table saw, is you don't have the space to rip a very long board much more than 8ft in length.

[@CFAinNoVA]

Fantastic video. Thank you. Very helpful.

[@FAMAWoodworking]

Wonderful place! It's a dream.

[@thesplinteredfinger]

Jay, it’s good to see how you have progressed. I’ve been following you since your second and maybe even towards the end of your first shop. Always loved what you do and the way you explain it clearly!

[@timort2260]

I can dig it. Currently living in a rv 1980s pos working out of a small work shop. Very cool to see how you got into wood working as I've watched a bunch of your video but only now subbed. Nice guitar always gotta have one in the shop when there is space.

[@JustinDepew]

Amazing shop and layout Jay! You absolutely deserve it and I applaud your achievements. I've enjoyed watching your evolution over the years. I would be interested in hearing more about how you've ran your business. Considering you are a media company you have never seemed worried about the KZbin algorithm and staying relevant. How do you keep from getting burned out? Keep up the great work!

[@daviddickmeyer5231]

I just wish I could be so damn organized! 😂

[@lindrake8315]

Oh man. I remember seeing that trailer. Looking good man

[@homerj1640]

I love your shop tour. I know a shop layout is constantly evolving. It seems like you are nearing perfection. I was told to not put a blast gate on my table saw so I would never starve the cyclone. I like your magnet on a stick, but I think I would drill a small hole in the blast gate handle (perhaps add an eye bolt to it) and put a j-hook in the end of a dowel and leave it connected to the blast gate. It could still be temporarily be removed if it got in the way of a specific project operation. I feel kind of bad even mentioning it because I can tell you really like the magnet.

[@PPGExplorer]

Great job on this. Best shop tour and discussion on your setup I have seen.

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

Your deliberate approach really is amazing. At 70, I still get great ideas from you. And you are so right about flex space. The times when my various shops over the decades became choked with crapola were when I didn't have room for flex.

[@brucemitchell5637]

Your wife is definitely a keeper, there is absolutely no way my wife would even consider living in a wood shop/ apartment!

[@JayBates]

We didn't live in that one. That was an extra unit full to the top of the windows with old appliances and junk before I cleaned it up.

[@JayBates]

But she definitely is a keeper :)

[@_rlb]

@@JayBates I like that you added this reply a few hours later as if your wife made you do that :P

[@p3ntastar]

Your videos have been great content over the years. A good upgrade to that red hand truck is solid, puncture-proof tires. Mine will soon get grease zerks and cotter pin retention to the axle.

[@fredparsons5134]

Really cool video Jay! I was surprised when you said you don’t do production work in your shop as a way to earn money. But, I think that’s a great strategy because if you got bogged down in production labor, you couldn’t be as effective making content and also having the time to set up a near perfect shop. I remember in the early internet years, young people would say they wanted to be a KZbinr and I’m like what is that? Your path to that career has definitely involved a lot of work! Congratulations on your success, you have put in the work.

[@leatherbydragonfly]

Great update Jay. This layout looks like it will flow well. 👍🏻

[@lesterhuhta5624]

Great job on your video and your shop tour! That is an awesome shop. Thank you!

[@nctplarry]

Jay, you have so many comments to read, consider, and respond to---so just let send you a virtual high five, fist bump, and "well done, sir." Now, go enjoy that marvelous family. Still hoping to get down that way some time for a visit.

[@brianaustin637]

Great recommendations on shop design! I recently moved and renovated an older pole barn. I'm in the process of designing the new shop (which is the same size!) and this was VERY helpful. Thank you!!

[@bobmonday925]

Great video. I am moving to North Carolina and building a 30x60 shop. I will definitely use a lot of the ideas from your shop..thank you. I am replacing my planer with the 20” Oliver just because end/out feed tables are stationary.

[@jhtrice]

You're not kidding about being frustrated with having to move things around. I work out of half of a 2 car garage and car has to come back in at night, so IM constantly moving out a tool, to do a process, put it back to get tot eh next tool. It has tremendously helped my planning of projects but its a major undertaking to have to go back and redo a portion for whatever reason.

[@jameshalliday412]

Nice tour, Jay. You’ve really come a long way. Congratulations and keep up the great work! Something to think about: The grinder debris can occasionally smoulder for a surprising amount of time. You did say you suck it up with dust collector and that could be catastrophic. I’m sure you’re leaving that debris for a while, but I got burned once sweeping up some of that stuff with my hand a good half hour after grinding. Just a thought meant with kindness.

[@jimfeaster4837]

Enjoy video!

[@jj-yv7wv]

Thanks jay! I plan to build a very similar 30x40 workshop and ive been a bit at a loss as to how to begin planning layout. This was very helpful! The air filtration sounds great too and now im thinking about a filtration box for the eondow ac in my current garage setup 🤔

[@markjohnston1466]

Awesome shop and layout- here’s my question for you or anybody else reading- with these types of dedicated wood shops, where is everything else? My two car garage is also packed with lawn equipment, bicycles, kids junk, sports stuff, tools for other jobs like concrete, painting, electrical, metal work, etc. All the nice shops I see never seem to have all this junk so I assume it is another shop elsewhere

[@kevinkelley332]

Ive been following you for some time Jay. So good to see a fellow Detroiter and Red Wing fan as well. I would like to see more content from you. Also I would suggest adding KZbinrs that you follow in your "Channels" tab, also those that send you their shop tour videos.

[@jamesleatherwood2293]

Been a fan since the apartment days. Thanks for what you do.

[@Jeff-yy5fe]

There are foot activated on/off switches you could install to make everything foot activated.

[@stephenodom9108]

I also used Carolina air systems for my duct work and I can absolutely say the snap it duct from them is great hands down. Good idea about using magnets for the blast gates. Where did you get them from so I can buy some strong magnets? Thank you!

[@poconojoe90]

Jay, what’s the height of your workshop? Also what type of lighting are you using and are you satisfied with it?

[@Flyingstationwagon]

My father went to Michigan State. He ended up a career at Ford aerospace as a staff scientist. Saw your Michigan stuff.

[@fuzzywun]

In no way could this video be called boastful.. Just totally inspitational on many levels. Especially how you got started. Many thanks.

[@patrickleahy770]

Outstanding!

[@woodfather]

Workshop looks amazing Jay. Learnt heaps from you back in the apartment workshop days, but always used to wonder what the neighbours must have thought there. 😆I remember when you went fulltime, had fingers crossed that it would pay off for you, and looks like it has, congrats! 👍

[@MattTheDesigner]

Some day… thanks for the inspo!

[@joewhite917]

Could you possibility drill a 4 inch hole in the bottom of the router box. and then attach a dryer flexible tube on the bottom of the router and hole in the bottom of the box. That way the router gets out of breathing the dirty air and pulls in fresh air from the bottom.

[@JayBates]

I like this idea.

[@sureshot311]

Bravo for your shop. You've touted for a long time do not go into debt over tools. To be debt free. It's been awesome to see how you've grown as a creator. Kudos to all of your success. I have learned much from your insights to the shop and your website articles. Thank you for everything you've produced. Are you planning anything content wise for the decade celebration? (Has that already passed? Haha)

[@JayBates]

Already passed. My first video upload for the business was December 8, 2012 and my website was launched March 11 (I think) 2013.

[@daryoushborja5115]

Thanks for sharing.

[@brandonhynes1362]

Jessem tool company just came out with a router motor specifically made for going into a router lift! And it has exactly what you mentioned you wish you had in your video (2 fresh air intakes and optional hose kit to vent it to outside your cabinet)

[@naderfawzy5958]

Good Tour

[@skigglystars9525]

It's not boasting at all. We need something to strive for.

[@sporranheid]

Oooo, look at me. I'm hard working and successful and have an awesome workshop. Outrageous! 😜Just kidding. Never seen you before, but that was an excellent tour with some superb, well thought out tips. Your success is clearly well deserved. All the best from Scotland. 👍

[@gordoncameron2370]

Hi Jay, Thanks very much for the tour. I've enjoyed your projects for several years now, and this new tour came along at a great time for me. I'm building a new basement shop, and have a very old (but never used) ClearVue Cyclone that I'd like to install in my new space. I watched a tour of your previous shop where you built all the ducting out of SDR35 PVC pipe. I believe you've got a newer model of ClearVue Cyclone in your new shop, but you've switched the ducting to Carolina Air Systems. You'd mentioned this was the dream shop and you are unlikely to outgrow it. Isn't that the general reason for Nordfab / Carolina style ducting? That you are moving, or changing things? It seems like it is quite a bit more expensive than PVC. Can you share your thinking on the reasons for the switch, please? Again, many thanks for the content over the years. P.S. DeBrincat should give the Wings 1st line a bunch more pop. Curious to see what Tyler Bertuzzi does for the team where I live. 🙂

[@KJVReViewsTextusReceptus]

Loving the shirt!!!! Right in my back yard I am in Crossville, TN!

[@JohnWilliams-nj2nd]

Great video. Great tips. Do you have a video on that "portable workbench"?

[@ifiwooddesigns]

I usually cringe when I hear shop tours, but this was well explained and executed. I also learned a couple of new things like compressed air doesn’t stir up dust and dust collection system’s requirements to create a vortex depending on restrictions. Maybe add more about shop air quality next time. I’m definitely in need of a better air detector system and better air recirculation in my basement shop. Keep up the great work!

[@remingtonatcheson8106]

what a huge improvement from your last setup!

[@bryanbatts]

Been here since apartment shop! 🎉 you killing it Jay!! 😎

[@ZigBaird]

Awesome video as always. Love seeing the evolution of your shops over the years. Redoing mine right now and you have definitely given me some ideas. I have the Avid 5x10. How did you move your CNC around? I need to relocate mine about 20 feet.

[@JayBates]

Floor jack with a wide board between it and the center leg assembly in the middle. Lift just a 1/2" or so, jog the machine to the center and left until it balances easily. Then pick up and either push or pull from either end. Basically, you want to lift the center a tiny amount to put the weight on the jack so you can more easily manage the rest of it. I've moved mine twice this way with no setup issues afterwards. Level the machine once again and you're back in business.

[@ZigBaird]

@@JayBates Thank you!!!

[@markpalmer5311]

KZbin Gold. This is why I watch.

[@hillbillyfranks]

You got a nice shot you got there not too big not too small Enjoy the video I'll be watching more I just hope you're scrabbed to you dear have a good day

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks, good ideas

[@adamgriska9101]

Awesome shop. Great tour. Thanks. You would love the iVac automatic blast gates. One of the best things I have ever added to my shop. Even works with the CNC.

[@JayBates]

I'm not so sure. I like simplicity.

[@belizebreeze2001]

Loving the MSU Bulldog stuff

[@Eric-469]

plugged your dust collection into you stove outlet Jay, you’re not boasting 🤙

[@GeraldJensen]

What happened to your lathe? Some very good pointers in this video ... thanks!

[@josegonzalez-wb1lv]

Felicidades!! Vivir la pasión por la carpintería es increíble,un lugar acogedor para crear proyectos, saludos desde México.

[@fin3125]

I now use a Dyson cordless vacuum to pickup the dust.

[@mrwaffles1394]

Life goals.

[@JimBurdan79]

That's a dream shop.

[@tomsdreamshopworx]

One of the reasons I enjoy your videos is how much thought you put into your space and processes. On a sidenote, what happened to your workout area?

[@JayBates]

Moved out of the shop. Takes up too much space.

[@ericklodnicki]

​@@JayBates great tour and fantastic layout. How tall are your ceilings to the joists? Thanks!