6 Guru-Level Tips for Setting Up A Small Shop

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1 - Manage you scrap wood. I get ENTIRE projects from the scrap wood I have, and that's only possible if you effectively manage and keep track of it. I made that large "closet" a few years ago to keep it easy to find the right piece I need, and also keep it dust free. I consider the space it takes up as well worth it.
2 - Keep some lumber on hand. Even if you don't have a project planned, it's a great idea to have an assortment of hardwood (and softwood) on hand. The longer it sits in your shop, the more of the drying stress will leave the wood making it much better to work with.
3 - Follow through. A storage solution, whether you buy it or make it yourself, is only as good as how you use it. Take the time to efficiently organize the storage you have and you'll save countless hours not looking for the stuff you need.
4 - Maximize the space around your go-to tools. If you use a tool almost every time you are in your shop, that's one of your main tools and you should set it up in the best way possible. For something like a drill press, that means locating where you can use it without moving it or something else out the way, and then building storage space around it to put the space it uses to work.
5 - Avoid single purpose cabinets. Instead work in a modular fashion where you can add new pieces above, below and on either side without having to change anything. Better yet, build (or buy) vertical units that start on the floor and extend up near the ceiling. Section off areas inside for specific things, like drilling accessories or sanding accessories.
6 - Be realistic about dust collection. Sure, everyone wants top notch dust collection, but it's expensive and takes up a lot of space in a small shop. If you are just doing the weekend thing and not running a production shop, your money can be spent on more important things.
Consider a combination of passive dust collection and small shop vacs placed locally, in areas that otherwise wouldn't be used. Install a high CFM air cleaner to run when the dust is flying to clean the air. And embrace the broom! Sweeping up takes seconds and it doesn't need to be spotless - it's a workshop, after all.
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[@JohnHeisz]

Sign up for my workshop setup series! rlnk.cc/jhworkshopsetupcourse 1 - Manage you scrap wood. I get ENTIRE projects from the scrap wood I have, and that's only possible if you effectively manage and keep track of it. I made that large "closet" a few years ago to keep it easy to find the right piece I need, and also keep it dust free. I consider the space it takes up as well worth it. 2 - Keep some lumber on hand. Even if you don't have a project planned, it's a great idea to have an assortment of hardwood (and softwood) on hand. The longer it sits in your shop, the more of the drying stress will leave the wood making it much better to work with. 3 - Follow through. A storage solution, whether you buy it or make it yourself, is only as good as how you use it. Take the time to efficiently organize the storage you have and you'll save countless hours not looking for the stuff you need. 4 - Maximize the space around your go-to tools. If you use a tool almost every time you are in your shop, that's one of your main tools and you should set it up in the best way possible. For something like a drill press, that means locating where you can use it without moving it or something else out the way, and then building storage space around it to put the space it uses to work. 5 - Avoid single purpose cabinets. Instead work in a modular fashion where you can add new pieces above, below and on either side without having to change anything. Better yet, build (or buy) vertical units that start on the floor and extend up near the ceiling. Section off areas inside for specific things, like drilling accessories or sanding accessories. 6 - Be realistic about dust collection. Sure, everyone wants top notch dust collection, but it's expensive and takes up a lot of space in a small shop. If you are just doing the weekend thing and not running a production shop, your money can be spent on more important things. Consider a combination of passive dust collection and small shop vacs placed locally, in areas that otherwise wouldn't be used. Install a high CFM air cleaner to run when the dust is flying to clean the air. And embrace the broom! Sweeping up takes seconds and it doesn't need to be spotless - it's a workshop, after all.

[@southpole76]

we have a different definition of "small" for sure

[@LuigiBrotha]

That's bigger then my livingroom.

[@MrWardEC]

Yep...it's about 4x bigger than mine.

[@Kavik79]

Yeuup. I've been trying to make a 14'4"x7'8" enclosed porch in an apartment work for years now (obviously, i don't do anything with full sheet pieces lol)

[@opumfrey7625]

Agreed. This is a massive space. Doesn’t know how lucky he is!

[@MohammedNatheer]

To me you are in heaven, my workshop is 2*4 meters, I tiptop on my toes while moving around.

[@beefchicken]

I just clicked on some random “typical KZbin woodworker” video. The regular KZbin woodworking fare: gigantic shop, shiny new expensive tools, awkward excuses about why their new sponsored tool is better but just as good as the slightly older tool from from a different sponsor. I almost barfed. Keep doing what you’re doing, John!

[@peterkasarov5973]

Yep, the "Concrete/epoxy resin desk with hidden charger and secret compartment" type of projects.

[@fritz4345]

I like the clean white shop look.

[@daveknott4563]

John, love your work, and very thorough. Thanks for sharing! Setting up woodshop (2 car garage, full time cars winter) and trying to find efficiency. I appreciate your dedication to making videos as you sacrifice wall space for clean viewing and flow.

[@PMichaels]

Great video, John! I love your advice. Too many people think with a one-size-fits-all mentality which leads to problems. I like your practical solutions, especially with dust control. Lots of good tips here. 👍🏼

[@onecarwood]

At the start of the video I thought you were going to say the most important thing was the door to get in! I know it sounded funnier in my head.

[@rentonchappell5966]

Me too!

[@gordyoliva6171]

I absolutely thought the same and was a little disappointed the sarcasm wasn’t there. Otherwise, great cabinet!

[@foddermott9532]

​@@gordyoliva6171 I was thinking the door would fill the need for a quick escape when the sawdust blows up.

[@rentonchappell5966]

John, thanks for another great vid. Your humble and relaxed manner is so approachable and I really appreciate that. I like your occasional little micro-laughs too.

[@waynebrough8330]

One of the best, most succinct videos on setting up a (small) shop. Thank you!

[@hernancoronel]

John I totally agree on the standalone shop vac strategy, running cables is much much cheaper than running ducts and all the complications of such a setup: blast gates, loosing capacity, etc, etc. David Picciuto does the same as you do with a much larger shop and I am sure it still is a sound investment, plus you can fine tune the capacity of the vac (and noise level) to the tool you are using. Thank you for sharing your ideas and keep up the great content!

[@MrMarkpeggy]

Thanks for the great tips John. Please stay safe and healthy now and through the new year.

[@jimhinkle7245]

Anyone that builds stuff with a Van Halen shirt on, is a friend of mine!!!!

[@peterhamilton8430]

Thanks John, perfect timing (the roof just went on my little workshop/shed) and great advice as always.

[@170makes9]

always look forward to anything by you! thank you!

[@MerwinMusic]

Wood storage is key. The highs of finding the perfect scrap piece and the lows of tripping over the growing pile of dusty wood.

[@Mikey__R]

I've got stacks of timber in various rooms around my house. Theres no way my 10'x7' shed could fit storage, and besides, I've still not figured out how to control the humidity out there

[@JimmiWazEre]

4x8m, that's massive! You should come to England mate, we'll show you what a small workshop is. In fact I'm just embarking on building a 2.4x4.2m shop myself in a shed!

[@fabiobianchessi9855]

Simply amazig john! We needed this!

[@KishoreWoodStudio]

Guru means Master and you are a perfect master of woodworkers. Love your projects.

[@danieltaylor8347]

Totally agree with you on the central dust vac system. My shop is 20X20 and I use a 5HP Shop Vac connected to a dustopper on my vac cart, which I connect easily to my table saw and band saw. A Festool CT for the Kapex and smaller power tools.

[@perrybrown4985]

My lazy approach to dust collection... I only work in fine weather and just push everything onto the driveway, shut the doors behind me and let the mess rain down upon my neighbours. Luckily, in Australia, the weather is mostly fine and I can get away with this (except in mid-summer when it is just way too hot). Canadians are tough individuals dealing with all that snow... You have my respect. I do have a homebuilt CNC with a cyclone collection system so I can run that anytime, however... It was cutting away a heap of MDF and I had left it running unattended (I know, fire hazard). Some chunk of waste blocked the cyclone and all the dust started going through the blower and into the exhaust, where it somehow blocked the hose and it popped it off. From there, everything was going straight into the shop... When I returned, the whole place was like a "winter wonderland" with MDF snow drifts in all the corners, piled around everything, just everywhere... So much for my "dust free" shop :-(

[@jgriff19861947]

I do about the same but a lot of snow and cold weather

[@davidjames2145]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@baconsoda]

Very interesting , especially seeing shots from old videos to see changes you've made.

[@JohnHeisz]

Brought back memories for me, too.

[@woodandwheelz]

Hey John, I just wanted to share about the dust collection on the table saw. Like you, I use the passive dust collection, except I have a cardboard box directly under my saw that collects everything that falls from the saw. It's not perfect, but it's pretty efficient. It's real easy to vacuum up what missed the box (which isn't a lot). Then, when I feel the box is full enough, I just empty the box into the trash. Or, I can save the clean saw dust for some other projects by dumping it into a 5 gallon bucket. Yes, very thin cutoffs also fall into the box as well but I can pull them right then out later. I have a 2 car garage that I can really only use about half. The other half is mostly storage and where my other hobby table is (I customize diecasts and do dioramas there). This video helped me in thinking of set up. Great video, thank you.

[@dalewoolard2332]

Great video! Killer shirt!!

[@gregj2647]

Agree with you on the dust collection. I had a small shop and tried running hoses all over the place with blast gates and It really didn’t work. After I moved to an even smaller shop, I decided to mount the dust collector on the wall and move the hose to the tool I was using. Not real efficient but it takes up a lot less space. Someday I hope to have a big shop and I’m sure I’ll rethink the design. Enjoying your channel. 👍👍

[@daifeichu]

A few years ago I tried a central dust collection system and I didn't like it. I went back to a couple shop vacs and I'm much happier with that. My shop is 13' X 21'and I found that the dust collector just took up too much room and the large hoses reduced wall space. Plus it didn't do that much better of a job collecting saw dust than a shop vac.

[@patricksephton5433]

Hi John, great video. i have about a 19x 9 foot car garage shop. i have gone with a powerful shop vac and 2" pvc along the walls with 2" smooth flex hose on a scew junction at each machine. i put the setup in the far left corner of the space so i get even suction to the left and right of it. I simply turned some plugs for the ends of the flex hose to each machine on the lathe and they all remain plugged unless a specific machine is being used. The scrap wood is a major challenge as a new woodworker because it is ALL valuable, so you end up with a pile of it.

[@jasondoust4935]

Good advice, John, thank you. Another way for cheap-ish dust collection is a shop vac with a dust devil type cyclone separator on a big drum. I do this with a roughly 3" hose to the separator. As the hose is long-ish (around 4m/13ft), between that and the vacuum power cord, I can get it anywhere for extraction and clean up. It all lives next to/under my bandsaw table and takes ages to fill (unless the thicknesser gets fired up for a big session.) Helpful tip - I found a guy selling waist height PET drums with spring lock lids which are just perfect.

[@theobolt250]

Tiiiiny workshop, big hulky guy. Perfect!!! 😁

[@loganpirie4387]

Sweet T-shirt! Long live the king! Great video too.

[@nobuckle40]

Very much appreciated John. I have a 1-1/2 car garage as well. This is the most space I've ever had to work in. Some of that space is taken up by my lawn tractor. So I am always looking for efficient storage and work solutions. Another issue I have is that I am not allowed to simply mount whatever I want wherever I want because of lease agreement terms. Your insights are helpful.

[@SunflowerLover63]

Love your shop, very organized!

[@shaunbarrickman6339]

I’m working on setting up a shop that is approximately the same size as yours, just a bit smaller. And having been a fan of yours for quite a while now, I’ve been taking lots of advice from you on how to set it up. Thanks!

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Just getting caught up on my watching. Thanks for the tips John.

[@drewsenthused6079]

Great tips, glad I found your channel!

[@thefilthelement]

I have the same size shop and I love my dust collection, it's a small wall mounted 4" dust collection. Granted I have 10' cells but a single 4" pvc running down the middle of the shop with a couple drops so allows me to move things and stay clean

[@AceWoodCo]

I’m just trying to figure out my “shop” as well. Great tips !

[@stevenlengyel9701]

An Hallen ! ROCKS!

[@gregorypeel5136]

Very good looking green screen and presentation John!

[@ruthmoore1448]

Thank you, these tips I will use!

[@johnmichaels4330]

Ty for the info .I'm having lots of issues managing my 2 car garage shop. Subed

[@mg4695]

I actually ENVY the size of your shop. Mine is 8' x 10' (2.4m x 3.0 m) and it includes storage...and a full-size beer fridge. ALL my major tools (table saw, router table, downdraft sanding table, drill press, shop vac) are either tabletop versions, portable, or are mounted to stands that collapse for storage. Those tools, their accessories, power tools, and their accessories, and all my hand tools get packed up and put away after each use so that I have room to do the next task. I've had to get really good at planning all my cuts, drilling, and shaping so I don't have to set up my tools a second time. Fortunately, there is room in my garage to store my lumber and offcuts as well as overflow storage (paints, oils, seldom used jigs, etc.). It's a small 2 car garage and I still have to keep room for our two cars, yard care stuff, my bicycle, recycling bins, and the house HVAC. On the plus side, I'm now really good at Tetris. Every cabinet and table (and even the fridge) in my shop pulls double or triple duty as storage, work surface, or mounting fixture. Unfortunately, I spend more time setting up, taking down, and cleaning up than I do actually making.

[@spyrop.8428]

Same here. My shop is 3m X 4m, and I'm using one side for leatherworking, which means I can't have ANY sawdust in there. Just to make it a bit more challenging :) In the end I made a collapsible woodworking bench and put coasters on everything, and I do all my couting/routing/sanding outside under a garden umbrella, then I clean everything with a leaf blower before I roll it back inside the shop. It takes some planning but it works surprisingly well, as long as the weather is not terrible. Plus I tend to use hand tools more and more because I get to use them inside, which has probably been a good thing for me.

[@bartgiles1068]

Don’t stop there keep going good information

[@GPDIY]

Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@36736fps]

These are all excellent points, especially follow-through. I tend to lose interest in a project at about the 90% mark and never quite finish. Same goes for cleanup and straightening the shop. I am always more interested in designing and starting the the next thing.

[@williamsjoinery8186]

DT teacher wrote on my report that I was good at making things but poor at finishing them - so I can relate! Later in life, someone told me that 50% of the time in making something was in the finishing. Perhaps the thrill of creating something is what excites me the most.

[@TheRitvars7]

The scene where you turn on set up the camera, run to the table, jump up and get into this pose with that pokerface is probably funnier than the thumbnail itself. Great vid, John!

[@zaenalarifin-fw1nf]

That's cool, John.

[@VPOFIT]

Nice video. Great tips. Also, Love the t-shirt man. RIP Eddy...

[@QNux]

Nice video, and tribute to Eddie ;)

[@mmmark8737]

Good ideas. Took notes on a couple of your suggestions.

[@flix4u]

Interesting perspective on some things - thanks

[@alanr745]

Best thumbnail ever.

[@Maker238DeLoach]

Love it thank again John.

[@luismedina2069]

Hola desde chile saludos maestro gracias por todo lo que nos a entregado con su experiencia

[@mmmark8737]

Also, if you hook one shop vac to the back of another and don't mind running 2, the suction is way better. Did that for years. I had a long hose that I drug around and slipped into a hose connection I had on each of the tools. Worked slick, even with a cheap cyclone.

[@JuanGonzalez-qg3oc]

Thanks for sharing

[@RegiPavan]

Thanks for the great tips

[@thatguythatdoesstuff7448]

My shop is similar, but not quite 26 feet. My table saw and bandsaw are the only tools with permanent homes. My miter saw is on a Rigid miter saw stand. Literally sets up and folds away in seconds. For me, this is far better than a workstation dedicated to the tool. If I had a bigger shop, maybe I'd build a station for it.

[@rwind656]

Thanks for your thoughts! The one that stood out to me was to "maximize space around the go to tools..." We have very limited space. Our major tools are mobile. But another tool to immediately came to mind -- clamps. Some of our clamps are hung on the wall and when we start reconfiguring to work, or when tools are stored in front, that board can become inaccessible! Terrible! I also would like to get a planer. I am planning to rearrange our work area. I will go back to our incomplete design with this thought in mind. Many thanks.

[@SteveC38]

That's Why You're The Master!

[@Popsimath]

Exactly what I wanted to l know about dust collection and shop set up

[@boydmerriman]

I too have a single car garage I'm using as a shop and as my tool collection grows, so the space I have left shrinks. I think you said something that rang true to me and that is about the single use storage but the best use of space sometimes eludes me. I find that once I put something up, I soon decide that maybe something else should be there instead and here I go second guessing my storage plans. It doesn't help that my floor is slanted down towards the driveway half way through the shop leaving me an unlevel floor to work with, or that I have a garage door and opener above my head taking up vertical space, or that I don't own the house (renting) and afraid to install cabinets and such on the walls. So I work in a circular logical shop. And of course, funds are very little (mostly a hobby shop at this time, but hope to do more soon).

[@donaldmumaw]

That thumbnail 👍

[@blurrybuffalo]

👍

[@hassleoffa]

I'm printing it, framing it, hanging it in my shop.

[@act.13.41]

The thumbnail is the most important part of the video.

[@act.13.41]

@@hassleoffa Maybe John could post the full size photo on his website, so that folks could print and frame it, or make wallpaper out of it.

[@hassleoffa]

@@act.13.41 I work in media ... If there is interest I could do a "Buddha John" Poster he could sell.

[@johnneil921]

Thanks! Great video..everything noted! Planning an extremely small workshop soon..Abit top small but hey better to have small space than none at all... Any handy advic for a 6.5ft by 8ft workshop...going to get snugg in there

[@Kcg99]

Dude’s wearing a Van Halen shirt. Subscribed!

[@FoScoJo]

I'm rocking a 6x4 foot space and that includes a 5x2 foot workbench. So pretty much everything I do has to be done outside. That makes about 2 or 3 weekends per year after accounting for weather and other time commitments. I'll be retired in about 15-20 years so maybe I'll just mothball woodworking until then.

[@1pcfred]

I have a 20x20 garage workshop and I probably only use it 2-3 weekends a year too. So what you're doing sounds about right to me. Keep it up! I just cleaned the table saw off so maybe one of my weekends is coming up?

[@kanedNunable]

in the UK we would call that a 3 car garage, you have so much more space than us...

[@JohnHeisz]

Ah, I'm guilty of space privilege.

[@drumavenger83]

@@JohnHeisz Haha as I read that, I could almost hear your voice!

[@zombietwostep]

In London here, working out of a 7x5 garden shed... And feeling grateful for the space!

[@Rage-of-War]

Sweet T-Shirt!!!

[@jgriff19861947]

Lot's of good ideals but would be happy to have the room you have my work area is 90% out side but clean up is easier

[@ngipzmarz6616]

I love the shirt man!

[@FranksDIY]

great tips John

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks 👍

[@markarita3]

Love the shirt.

[@richardbutterfoss2353]

You have a great voice! RWB

[@StreetMachine18]

I recently got an electric leaf blower and once a week i just blow all the dust out the door.

[@MJorgy5]

Interesting approach to dust collection. I've pondered the same type of set-up but really am liking to use a particle separator these days which lends itself to using more space. Blast gates are annoying and the automated versions I've used before are somewhat slow and finicky. Do you run your vacuum(s) on separate electrical circuits with your more 'power-hungry' tools?

[@davidgraf1909]

Hey John did you say you were going to do a French cleated wall behind the drill press? Thanks for you content been watch for a while, maybe 6+ years.

[@oxfv]

John, what do you think of behind-the-wall dust collection unit, perhaps in a small attached shed outside the garage?

[@billdodson5703]

helpful JH

[@LariFariYoutube]

Wall mount lumber rack, covered with white curtain? Molton? Would be also good for sound dampening.

[@jamartin1]

Nice!💜

[@BrownR87]

Well I can see why you think the dust collection took up too much space, those pipes and the vac looked huge. My grandfather's shop had like 1.5-2" hard clear pipes that ran all around the shop around 1-2ft off the floor, perfectly behind most tools that were against the wall. Several places around the room were places to just hook up a shop vac so if the vacuum was in your way, just move it across the shop and plug it into the pipes at the other end. I hope to reuse that system one day myself, but currently my shop is small enough that the vacuum can reach anything from the middle of the room (~8ft x ~15ft). I plan to get enough space in my next house for a proper sized shop (more like in this video) so I can get a table saw setup and stuff.

[@timothybaker8234]

With your drill press. Cut off the upright pipe and remount the whole thing to a sturdy bench top using the existing floor piece. That way you gain useful space under it.

[@johng1708]

Another great video. I have a similarly sized garage. It fills up pretty quick and that’s without thinking about cameras/filming. Plus where the heck are we supposed to put lawn mowers and such?

[@1pcfred]

I have a shed for the yard equipment. But I have a corner in my garage where I keep hand yard tools. Shovels, rakes etc. Because there's a garden out the door. I'm not walking over to the shed to get a tool either. Not that I don't have hand tools in there too. But I keep the stuff I use for gardening in the corner. Really I wouldn't use that corner for any shop thing anyways. It's perfect for the hand tools.

[@MichaelCampbell01]

Bravo on the shirt.

[@dogwoodtales]

At 11’x25’ My workshop is smaller than yours and I have a shop-built cyclone. It takes up about 9 sf of footprint in one corner. I find it to be more effective and less hassle than shop vacs. The only downside is that it takes up the entire footprint from floor to ceiling so there’s no storage overhead of it. My workshop has a 7’ ceiling which is bothersome. I wish I had a taller ceiling like yours. Good thoughts overall on small shops.

[@JohnHeisz]

As I said in the description, the two big factors against central dust collection in a small shop are cost and the space it takes up. And the space includes all of the ducting to the various tools. To be truly effective, the unit has to be bigger than most guys realize and the ducting needs to be big enough to match that - typically 6".

[@dogwoodtales]

@@JohnHeisz true but the ducting is not in my way and as a shop built cyclone with 5hp the cost was less than half of a dc with much lessor cfm Oh, and a standard high cfm air filter would be a big box in my low ceiling workshop, but I do have ideas to make a different system using an old furnace blower tucked somewhere out of the way as much as possible.

[@dogwoodtales]

​@@JohnHeisz Hi John, you make good points there. It does cost a few bucks and it does require sacrificing some valuable space to have it in a small workshop. Obviously it will not work for everyone working in a small shop due to factors of floor layout and/or budget. Nonetheless, I don't think it's something to be too quickly dismissed. I used to use the same dust collection methods you mentioned, but honestly I found those to be inadequate and so I bit the bullet, got out the credit card, and in 2005 I made a cyclone to fit in my shop that is modeled after the Bill Pentz cyclone plans and recommended supplies. I have never regretted the decision and do not miss the space it takes up. I put together a quick review of how I make it work in my 11x25 workshop for the benefit of those who might find it helpful. I would am honestly interested in your thoughts on this system. Take care. Link to the video review "Bill Pentz cyclone in a small workshop" - kzbin.info/www/bejne/npvZqpJ3qZ2Vf9U

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@creedsexton296]

Hey John, when will you start the new Workbench build????????

[@theobolt250]

Btw my first workshop: 2.2m wide x 3.75m long. Approximately: 6.7ft x 13ft. Later on I got a real workshop. It altered my look out at and feel of dimensions deeply and profound.

[@nagranoth_]

I wish I had a huge space like that available...

[@skyrazor4336]

Let's go million subs

[@OU81TWO]

Make a garden knome that looks like your thumbnail. Probably sell really well.

[@KipdoesStuff]

Planning is the biggest part of utilizing small spaces. Know what things you plan to build, know what tools you plan to use, know what order and procedures you plane to follow to make your projects. I fail this a lot but nothing I do is vital, mostly for fun.

[@johnsrabe]

Late to the game but YES to not having centralized dust collection. Shop vacs work fine. There’s probably a case to be made that the centralized dust collection manufacturers have overstated the need for their systems - much like the wedding industry has convinced women they need destination weddings they can’t afford. (OK, honey, you can have a wedding in Cabo, if I can have an entire set of matched arctic white grizzly Power Tools.)This may not apply to someone who has severe allergies.

[@vonmakeheat]

How did u get that board to cover up the tables saw face while exposing the bevel adjust wheel at @0:36

[@gerritvisser]

Most of your advice works for a metal shop as well, stock/offcut storage is vital to getting projects done (no need to go to the store at last minute). If you can't see it then you can't find it and use it.

[@1pcfred]

If you can't see it then you have to start digging to find it.

[@spyrop.8428]

If I had a shop that size, I'd split it in two with just a big wall right down the middle. This does two things: First it creates more wall space, which is the second biggest commodity in a shop (after floor space), and second it creates a clean and a dirty room. Dirty room is for big dimensioning machines, this is compulsory dust mask area with some dust extraction (as much as possible). You get in, stay as little as possible, come out with your dimensioned timber pieces. Back in there only for sanding. The clean room is for any machine you're confident you can efficiently and reliably control 99% of the dust, for hand tools, and for glue ups/assembly. And videos in your case. And timber, because you are right, nobody wants to go through timber pieces that are buried in a pile of dust. Goes without saying, the goal is to spend 90% of your time in the clean room. I've seen it in action, and it's an efficient and pleasant way to work.

[@mmmmmmm8706]

I started in the garage, 20 ft wide x 1 car length deep. 2 car garage with no cars in it. Started a few years ago and now, can barely walk through from one end to the other. Maybe nows the time to get organized. Bought the miter saw station plans in past, but didn't follow through.

[@1pcfred]

That's what happens. Shops fill up.

[@PMichaels]

In my 20'x10' shop, I have an HF DC for my table saw, jointer, and planer (i switch the hose using Rockler's Dust Right system). For everything else, I have a Ridgid shop vac with a 20' hose. That reaches all other tools and all areas of the shop. Both the DC and SV are on remotes, so it's easy to turn off and on. I was going to try central DC, but this makes more sense for me. I agree with John that shop vacs generally make more sense for a small shop than a plumbed system. Work smarter not harder!

[@TheMilford]

Are those PI speakers in that old shop pic?

[@rodneylundy2644]

My area where my woodworking shop in a detached garage what suggestions on how to setup my shop

[@bhaibhai-qp6fh]

GURU ji🙏🏼