Shop Layout

Keeping my tools (new and old) safe during transport resulted in a lot of packaging. With things unloaded the shop floor was littered with cardboard, metal straps, plastic straps, hard foam, plastic wrap, and bubble wrap. With that cleared out and the majority of machines reassembled I can start to think about layout.

The shop space is 5.4x4.8. Major items include the workbench, table saw (50' rails still to arrive) with included router table, jointer / planer combo, 14" bandsaw, dust extractor, drill press, and wood scrap bin. I plan to keep the metal shelving on the left. The bench on the far wall. The tablesaw in the middle. But then the tetris game gets messy.

Slinging the Wingings and Mounting the Routings

Excuse the tragic title to this post but I want to share about the table-saw wings. The wings are cast iron and attach to main body via three bolts. It's precision work and they are heavy. Moreso I've elected to upgrade the right hand wing with the Laguna Router table. The router table upgrade weighs about 40kg. Good thing I have a crane handy which made the task easy. (Aligning the top will be a task for another day.) I'm still deciding what to do with the secondary MDF extension table and the spare iron wing.

Platinum Series Table-saw Router Table Specs 

• Table size: 19-3/4 in (502mm) x 26-7/8 in (683mm) 
• T slots: 3/4 in x 4 each (2 in each direction) 
• Dust port: 2-1/4 in (57mm) 
• Fence length: 23-1/2 in (597mm)
•  Router rings: 2 each 1 1/8 in (28.6mm) dia. & 2-3/8 in (60mm) 
• Fixing holes: 3 side one, 4 other side 
• Jointer spacers: 0.06 in (1.5mm) thick & 0.03 in (0.75mm) thick 
• Table pins: 2 locations 0.371 in (9.43mm) dia x 1.5 in (38mm) long 
• Universal router mounting clamps: 4 each fitting into t slots 
• Guard: Yes 
• Weight: 84 lb Shipping weight: 93 lb

Unboxing Platinum

Thanks to everyone who gave input on my table-saw search. Although many machines would have been adequate I decided the best value for money option available in the Australia the Laguna -  Platinum Series Tablesaw w/ Dovetail Mech Left-tilt. (Official Website.)

Our Platinum Series Tablesaw features a precision ground table top made of premium grade cast iron, heat treated and ground to mirror-like flat surface. It has a 20" x 27" main table with 2 T-slots, fitted with two 10" x 27" cast iron ground wings. Massive widely spaced cabinet mounted trunnions: perfectly machined to high accuracy to support the heavy-duty saw carriage. Minimizes vibration and ensures proper blade alignment. It comes with a robust spindle supported by two precision ball bearings. Triple belt drive system mounted between the two spindle bearings. This tablesaw comes with a powerful oversized 4HP TEFC motor with a standard magnetic safety switch. EZ-Glide T-Square system for accuracy, repeatability, and easy operation. Standard precisely machined miter gauge with adjustable miter bar. It also comes with a 4" dust port with a sloped dust chute inside cabinet for better dust collection. Standard regular insert and dado insert. CSA, UL, CE certified. What sets this machine apart is the saw carriage traveling via dovetail ways. This provides smoother control when raising and lowering the blade as well as minimal vibration and blade deflection.

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Planer Maintenance

As part of the move I had to remove the iron from the planer/ jointer. On the underside I realised there was a little rust and obvious chips in the paint. A simple clean and repaint with some black enamel anti-rust paint had this look 100% again. I treated the top machined surface with a thin layer of wax. 

Slinging the Pallets

Unloading the pallets was a simple matter using a portable engine crane. The technique was little crude but it worked. We were very careful not to have any person or body part under the pallet while lifted, and other than for photos someone had their hand on it to steady the load. Safety first.

If I was doing it again I would look for a lifting beam or cross beam. This would allow a safer and more controlled method to center the slings and distribute weight.

How do you lift 270kg?

With an engine crane, of course. Today I took delivery of my new tools from Gregory Machinery. They arrived as two pallets and one parcel. At the depot the company used a fork lift to load the items onto a trailer, and at my shop I used a portable engine crane I picked up at Gasweld.

More to come.

Pallets on a Trailer

With the pallets loaded on a domestic trailer it was a quick trip from the depot to the workshop. It was then a matter of some careful but not too difficult driving to reverse the trailer ready to unload.

Closer...

Closer...

Closer...

Stop!

Potter's Pal

I'm usually strict advocate against gimmicks, but just occasionally I find one I like. This is a Potter's Pal I acquired from a company called Heaven in Earth. It would make a great project for a beginner woodturner as it is relatively simple, uses little wood, is functional but yet requires a number of  techniques. 

Simple to use. Fold / divide a piece of newspaper. Roll it using the column. Fold the base in and the mould it with the base piece. Once the seeds have sprouted into little seedlings transplant to the garden and allow the newspaper to finish breaking down in situ. I'm sure there'll be a little experimenting on durability and paper thickness.

But you don't need a gimmick to make paper pots check out this clip from Gardening Australia to see how. 

GregMach Order

I received a quick email from Alan Gregory of Gregory Machinery stating my order has been processed and shipped. There were a few delays awaiting parts to arrive to them and for me to finalise what I wanted. The order should arrive in town on 2-3 pallets on Monday. The next challenge will be transporting the good via trailer to the shed and then off loading them via engine crane. Good times.

Washing the Walls

After making significant headway in the garden, it's back to the shed. A few weeks ago I ripped out all the old and odd cupboards and make shift shelving that lined the walls. After three trips to the local 'waste management facility' it was time to clean the walls.

First all the tools that couldn't be easily moved out were shuffled into one corner and covered them with a tarp. I then systemically worked from apex to floor giving everything two good hose downs. Years of dust and spiderwebs cleared out and brushed out the door. 

My Makita HW112 High Pressure Washer was out of action for a few weeks with a crack in the handle. Replaced under warranty and back to work.

The next step will be clearing out the second section and repeating the process. Then I can work out the layout and start installing machines and shelving in more permeant locations. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get the lighting and electricals planned out and receive my new tools from Gregory Machinery.