How do I downsize my workshop?

[Beau]

Not so much the building but the tools. I have a well equipped workshop that is basically sitting idle. The main piece of kit is a universal Felder. Now I would like to have the option to make a few bits and bobs in the future but having thousands of pounds worth of kit that spends most of it's life as a table is madness so think the Felder has to go. I see plenty of you making lovely pieces with modestly equipped workshops/garages so what can I strip back too and still be able to make most things?

Thanks

 

[AJB Temple]

You can strip back to hand tools and still make most things. The question for me is what is the sales value of the Felder and what is the opportunity value of that money. I would need some convincing to get rid of my main machine, and a quality one at that, unless I was making a really radical lifestyle change.

 

[RobinBHM]

Thats a hard decision, especially a Felder universal that by definition covers most of the bases as far as machining goes.

Will you be likely to return to woodwork as a hobby in the future?

 

[deema]

I think that that would be the one machine I would keep. I'm assuming it's a saw and planer and possibly a spindle moulder. In which case these are the back bone for most things made, certainly the most highly used machines in my workshop.

 

[Beau]

Thats a hard decision, especially a Felder universal that by definition covers most of the bases as far as machining goes.

Will you be likely to return to woodwork as a hobby in the future?

I would like to think so but cant even face going in there at the moment. Having 5-6k tied up in something that's made one piece of furniture in a year is nonsense and could be better spent elsewhere IMO. Woodwork was my trade not a hobby so feel I have to approach this from a business prospective but have big reservations as I have worked as a cabinet maker my entire working life until just a short while ago.

 

[AJB Temple]

Have you considered renting out the workshop including machinery?

 

[Beau]

Have you considered renting out the workshop including machinery?

Yes but it's so far from being HSE compliant think it would cost a small fortune to make it safe.

 

[sunnybob]

For that amount of money, you could buy a large bandsaw, a very good router table, and still have enough for a top quality table saw and fence system.
Then you could make smaller stuff that takes your fancy, rather than commercial sized projects which you are obviously sick of.

Such as bandsaw boxes, decorative bread boards, knife blocks, lazy susans, wooden puzzles and games, all sorts of usefull things to give as gifts or even sell at craft fairs.

 

[Beau]

For that amount of money, you could buy a large bandsaw, a very good router table, and still have enough for a top quality table saw and fence system.
Then you could make smaller stuff that takes your fancy, rather than commercial sized projects which you are obviously sick of.

Such as bandsaw boxes, decorative bread boards, knife blocks, lazy susans, wooden puzzles and games, all sorts of usefull things to give as gifts or even sell at craft fairs.

Thanks Bob

Actually got a big bandsaw and that is one bit of kit that won't be going anywhere Also have a good router table.

I was toying with a big chop saw, track saw maybe a domino instead of a chisel mortiser as it would be nice to have a more space available in the workshop for other more useful things. Never used the spindle a great deal so would not greatly miss that but the PT would probably be the biggest pain to lose.

 

[RobinBHM]

Well maybe selling the Felder may be a positive step. If you cant face going into the shop at the moment, making any change would in my way of thinking be good. After all theres always plenty if wood machinery available so if your enthusiasm returns you can buy some new gear.

Do make the effort to clean up the machine, polish the shiny bits and clean around the area so photos show it its best.

If you havent used the spindle part you wont miss that. The saw element could be changed for a chopsaw and tracksaw. You would therefore jusy be missing the planer thicknesser element. So if your interest returns then buy a small machine, I started out with a Elektra Beckum machinr which was very good and more than capable of machining up stock well with a bit of care.

 

[Mike Jordan]

Just imagine having to pay others to do what you are fully capable of and you may be happy to keep the capability of the machine. It doesn't eat or drink and won't lose any value if you wait another year and see how you feel about it. I sold the van used to transport timber and finished items but kept the machinery, just as well since I found it very difficult to sit idle rather than make enjoyable items. First job turned out to be a trailer to replace the van.

 

[Lons]

Just imagine having to pay others to do what you are fully capable of and you may be happy to keep the capability of the machine. It doesn't eat or drink and won't lose any value if you wait another year and see how you feel about it. I sold the van used to transport timber and finished items but kept the machinery, just as well since I found it very difficult to sit idle rather than make enjoyable items. First job turned out to be a trailer to replace the van.

Took the words out of my mouth Mike.

Depends on the reasons for change. Unless you need to turn the machine into cash for other reasons then if it were me, it wouldn't be going anywhere. You're highly unlikely to lose any money waiting for a while

I've recently sold a Robland planer / thicknesser to a dealer as I wanted to move it quickly, had it 10 years and got back more than I originally paid for it though obviously there's inflation to take into account. Problem is that already there are times I wish I hadn't sold it.

Bob

 

[custard]

I've got a Felder Combi, it wouldn't trouble me much to sell it if I went in a different direction.

For many years living in London I worked from a single garage sized shed with a lunch box planer, a bandsaw, and a router. It was more than sufficient to make plenty of furniture that I'm still very happy with today. In some respects I made better and more adventurous furniture in those days, when furniture making was a hobby, than I do today when it's a job. What counts is skill and timber, not tools and machinery. So if you're not using it then sell it and move on, you might even find your interest in making gets rekindled when you don't have the guilt of looking at an expensive but unproductive lump every time you go into your workshop.

Good luck!.

 

[Lons]

the guilt of looking at an expensive but unproductive lump every time you go into your workshop.!.

I see that every time I go in my workshop Custard - theres a mirror facing the door (hammer)

Bob

 

[Ttrees]

Keep all the machines and make them all mobile ?

 

[Beau]

Keep all the machines and make them all mobile ?

The Felder is on a hover pad and is movable but it's such a lump it does not exactly tuck away into the corner

Been mulling this all over and not sure I will gain that much financially if I look to cover all bases but don't really know what a second hand Felder is worth.

MFT table
Tracksaw
Large capacity mitre saw like the Bosch
Small PT that can be tucked away

Can see it all adding up :?

 

[woodbrains]

Keep all the machines and make them all mobile ?

The Felder is on a hover pad and is movable but it's such a lump it does not exactly tuck away into the corner

Been mulling this all over and not sure I will gain that much financially if I look to cover all bases but don't really know what a second hand Felder is worth.

MFT table
Tracksaw
Large capacity mitre saw like the Bosch
Small PT that can be tucked away

Can see it all adding up :?

Hello,

And none would be as good as the Felder. I say keep it, stop stressing over it and make something! That will make you feel better about owning it. After all, some people who have not had a career in woodwork, retire and buy a Felder for a hobby workshop.

I have always regretted selling a machine that I had not replaced with a better one.

Mike.

 

[Beau]

Keep all the machines and make them all mobile ?

The Felder is on a hover pad and is movable but it's such a lump it does not exactly tuck away into the corner

Been mulling this all over and not sure I will gain that much financially if I look to cover all bases but don't really know what a second hand Felder is worth.

MFT table
Tracksaw
Large capacity mitre saw like the Bosch
Small PT that can be tucked away

Can see it all adding up :?

I say keep it, stop stressing over it and make something! That will make you feel better about owning it.

Mike.

This is the thing I don't want make anything at present. I Like talking about woodwork and sharing experience but I shudder at the thought of having to go out and spend 10s probably hundreds of hours to make some proper work. Happy knocking out something quick and rough like the Log shed I posted recently but precise work that you have to slave over no longer appeals. Wish I could change how I feel about it as I can do it and have the tools and the skills but not the love or passion required that is so evident in others on here.

Think the basic problem is I am never pleased with my work and never have been.

 

[Stanleymonkey]

Can I ask where your workshop is? I mean at your house or on a trading estate somewhere? I'm not planning on breaking in!

Just trying to understand a bit better. Are you having to drive across town and unlock somewhere for your workshop time or is it at the end of your garden?

 

[Stanleymonkey]

Can I ask where your workshop is? I mean at your house or on a trading estate somewhere? I'm not planning on breaking in!

Just trying to understand a bit better. Are you having to drive across town and unlock somewhere for your workshop time or is it at the end of your garden?