Idea Shop 2000

 

1 Welcome

When Better Homes & Gardens magazine editors began planning to build their Blueprint 2000 model home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, they wanted a woodworking shop to go with it. And WOOD® magazine was glad to help out. Here's the shop we came up with. We call it IDEA SHOP 2000 because it has the high-tech features you'd expect in the new millennium.

2 Tablesaw Dust-Collector Hood

This tablesaw dust-collector hood is effective as convenient. The acrylic window lets you see your cut at all times, and nether the hood nor its support will impede your sawing. This project appeared in the December 1999 issue of WOOD, Issue #119.

For information on downloading these plans, click below.

3 Mobile Mitersaw Center

This sturdy plywood unit rolls around and locks in place where needed. Fold-down extensions let you manage long pieces for crosscutting. And there's more, including built-in waste disposal for cutoffs and sawdust, and a unique leveling system for parking the unit on an uneven floor. This project appeared in the December 1999 issue of WOOD, Issue #119.

For information on downloading these plans, click below.

Mobile Mitersaw Center Plan

4 Full Service Workbench

At the heart of any good shop lies a great workbench. With that in mind, we went all out to design a full service workbench. Then we'll show you one of the center cabinets with the lift-up router table in it. And finally, in that same plan, we'll show this same cabinet with a rotating top for mounting a benchtop tool.

Full-Service Workbench Plan Part 1

Lift-Up Router & Tool Table Plan Part 2

 

5 Flip-up Scrollsaw

First, you'll need to construct our Full-Service Workbench. In this plan we show you how to make the end cabinets and the sturdy laminated top for the workbench. Now, with the basics out of the way, let's add a pair of cabinets; one with a lift-up router table and another with a flip-over top that accommodates a scrollsaw or other medium-sized benchtop power tool. To access the scrollsaw table, simply open the cabinet door, tap the foot pedal, pull up the table, swivel it 180° and then lock it in place.

Full-Service Workbench Plan Part 1

Lift-Up Router & Tool Table Plan Part 2

 

6 Flip-up Router Table

First, you'll need to construct our Full-Service Workbench. Click below to view the downloadable plan. In this plan we show you how to make the end cabinets and the sturdy laminated top for the workbench. Now, with the basics out of the way, let's add a pair of cabinets; one with a lift-up router table and another with a flip-over top that accommodates a benchtop power tool. To access the router table, simply open the cabinet door, tap the foot pedal, pull up the table, and lock it in place.

Full-Service Workbench Plan Part 1

Lift-Up Router & Tool Table Plan Part 2

 

7 Swivel-Topped Tool Cabinet

Now, you can store two benchtop tools in one handy mobile unit. By just unlocking and flipping the top, you can switch from the portable planer to the stationary belt/disc sander. Or, mount whatever tools you commonly use in your shop. Click below to view the downloadable plan for this project.

Swivel-Topped Tool Cabinet Woodworking Plan

8 Fold-up Finishing Center

We modeled this project after the finishing center that appeared in the February 1994, issue #68 of WOOD magazine. With shop space at a premium, we decided to go with the wall hung cabinet shown. It features a fold-down worktable that rotates on a lazy Susan bearing, allowing you to apply an even coat of finish on all sides of your project without repositioning it. Then, when you're through for the day, just lift up on the worktable, stash it back in the cabinet, and close the door.

9 Bandsaw

For cutting irregular shapes, a Delta 14" bandsaw connected to our dust-collection system fits the bill perfectly. For a review of several bandsaws, click below to visit the WOOD MALL Tool Charts.

Online Store Directory

 

10 Drill Press

A floor-model drill press, complete with a shop-built dust-collection collar and auxiliary table stands in the corner. The super-versatile drill press table first appeared in the February 1996 issue (#86) of WOOD®.

11 Dust Collector

For a review on numerous dust collectors, click below to visit the WOOD Mall Tool Charts. To view information concerning the electronic blast-gate control used with this dust collection system, click below.

Before you spend $300 on a dust collector, spend $4.95 to learn what to expect from it. Downloadable Tool Reviews, now at WOOD Online.

Online Store Directory

Ecogate System

Downloadable Woodworking Tool Reviews

12 Drilling Cabinet

We used this wall-hung cabinet to organize all our drill bits. The cabinet goes together quickly, and didn't cost an arm and a leg. The acrylic door panel allows us to spot our well-organized bits in a jiffy, and keep the dust away from them too. The slotted backs enable us to build custom holders for our bits and tools and position them exactly where we want. The cabinet and instructions on making your own customized holders was featured in September 1992 issue of WOOD®. Also can be found in the Best-Ever Workshops magazine.

Best-Ever Workshops

 

13 Jointer

The jointer, on its mobile base, stands ready for use. Above it, a particulate filter removes fine dust from the air. Close by is a hanging clamp rack, one of several in varying sizes throughout the shop.

 

14 Workbench

A sturdy, dependable workbench belongs at the center of every hardworking home workshop. This heavy-duty, versatile model features a pair of vises that provide a variety of ways to hold workpieces. You'll also like the knock-down construction, allowing you to easily move the bench. In addition, you can choose from two tops; an indestructible laminated one, and a simpler plywood version. Click below to purchase the downloadable plan for this project.

Workbench woodworking plan

15 Craft Center

Facing the back of the home, the shop's east wall focuses on crafts. Double windows provide plenty of natural light for hobbies, such as decorative painting. For clean-up, there's a wet sink. A moveable workbench serves both crafts and woodworking.

 

16 Additional Views

The shop's south wall contains a mobile, swivel-topped cabinet housing a small planer and belt/disc sander. Next to it, there's a lift-up scrollsaw stand and cabinet. The wall cabinets, featuring a hanging system of mating beveled strips, easily relocate if needed. Flexible hose connects the sander and/or the planer to the main dust-collection system.

This corner of the shop is the home of the dust collector and the electronic blast-gate control (the green box in the photo); a fold-up finishing center with exhaust; and the bandsaw, with the heat/air-conditioning pump above it. The mitersaw can be used tucked against the wall as shown. Or, it can be wheeled outdoors and the extensions raised to crosscut long stock.

Ecogate System

A drill press, complete with a shop-built dust-collection collar and auxillary table (Issue #86, February 1996) stands in the corner. A cabinet holding bits and other accessories hangs nearby. Close by, too, is a hanging clamp rack, one of several in varying sizes throughout the shop. The jointer, on its mobile base, stands ready for use. Above it, a particulate filter removes fine dust from the air.

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