Thread: Need more space?

I nearly put this in "The Shed" forum, but in the end thought maybe here. If the moderators disagree please feel free to move it or chuck it out the back door if not considered worthy. Just let me know so I can get out of the bath in time .

I have too much gear and not enough space, but it wouldn't matter how much space you gave me, I'd use it all. However two things happened recently. I have got into such a mess that the shed, which is basic and only has three walls, was like a maze in that I had to zig-zag across the shed to get from one side to the other.

Enough was enough. Remedial action required! The second thing was that for Xmas I had asked for a book called "Great Book of Woodworking Tips". It was produced by American woodworker and sold here by our own AWR.

One of the projects involved making a stand to accommodate benchtop tools and it employed using a Black and Decker Workmate. The idea was to have a modular system where the tool, like a mitre saw for example, was used on top of the workmate but stored separately in the stand.

Well I didn't have a B & D workmate ( that sounds like it should be in the #### section ) but I did have a GMC work station. Actually I have two and they were both permanently set up occupying space: One with my small thicknesser and the other with an ancient, but mighty, 15" Makita cut-off saw.

I also had a quantity of pine salvaged from packing crates. I dressed up the pine and made up the stand you see. Functional rather than beautiful. The rails are some old mdf with melamine surface. I had some strips about 150mm wide which I couldn't bring myself to throw away. I lined the guide rails with these so the modules slid easily. The modules themselves were old (and quite battered) table tops out of a material I call plasply. It is plywood with a plastic surface and is often used for concrete formwork.
Each module has a rim of melamine around the base to locate it on the GMC stand. I may attach some timber buttons under the GMC stand at a later date if it is warranted.

The stand itself is 2m high. I couldn't go any higher than this as even in the high part of the shed I could only just tilt the stand into position. The low side is just above head height. Did I mention the shed was basic? At this point I must ask you not to overdo the sympathy as there are forum members out there who have sheds the size of a lawn locker and do the most amazing work.

I take my hat off to you .

The DeWalt metal cutting drop saw is the lightest and has a handle on it so that went at the bottom. The old Makita circular saw is heavy and awkward with it's cast iron base so that went at the most convenient height and the thicknesser although weighty at > 30Kgs is just manageable.

You will note that there is a fourth module sitting empty at the top. There are a number of reasons for this: Firstly I haven't got anything to put on it, secondly somebody might want to buy me something that I could put on it, thirdly the shed roof precludes any more on top, Fourthly it's a bit high to lift anything weighty (please bear that in mind if nay of you want to buy me something) and lastly it is there for future development when I build the new shed .

Remember it's functional; Not beautiful .

Module stand 007.jpgModule stand 001.jpgModule stand 002.jpgModule stand 004.jpgModule stand 006.jpgcubby house 008.jpg

The last shot of the trailer is to show how the timber started. I used 100 x 100 planed down to about 80mm.

Regards
Paul