Tag Archives: workshop

Can Your Trailer Alarm Do This? Our Plan for Keeping the Workshop Secure

How to install an alarm system on an enclosed utility trailer with siren, brake lock, and text message notifications. We have the option of arming with either a keypad in the trailer or key fab outside.

Thank you Trailer-Alarms.com for putting this system together for us!

Link to our system:
https://www.trailer-alarms.com/Alarms_c_1.html

The install took about 8 hours, but we have more openings than the average trailer. Something I didn’t mention is that you can change the timing of the exit/entry and the sensitivity of the accelerometer.

ULTIMATE Mobile Workshop – PART 2 – V-Nose Workbench / Power Tool Cabinet

How to build a simple wall mounted workbench and cabinets for power tools. The V-nose of the Ultimate Mobile Workshop is going to serve as my main workbench. I used 2x4s and plywood to make a simple counter top and covered the wall in 1/2″ plywood to organize my hand tool holders.

The power tool cabinet above each of the two-way drawers uses grooves in plywood to allow you to fit any size tool you want. Simply move the dividers around to change the slot size from 4 inches up to 24 inches.

HUGE THANKS to Lark United Manufacturing:
www.larkunited.com

Trailer Pre-construction Tour:
https://goo.gl/7mKcNp

Uh, Yea…It’s Pretty BIG | Pre-Tour of Our New Trailer!!

The Ultimate Mobile Workshop trailer has been delivered! It turned out so much better than we could have hoped. Now we get to the fun part of building out the whole interior with benches, cabinets, and storage.

The biggest thank you to Lark United Manufacturing!
https://www.larkunited.com/

 

Prototyping a Modular Tool Storage Idea

I needed a way to store benchtop power tools in the mobile woodshop without taking up any bench space. I thought it would be cool to use the e-track welded to the walls in the trailer to create a modular power tool storage system.

It’s really only necessary because we need to have space to pull the car in the trailer. During travel they need to be locked in place otherwise a french cleat system would have worked.

What do you think? Is there a simpler way to accomplish this?

Thank you to LARK UNITED trailers for building our trailer!
https://www.larkunited.com/

Mike Makes a 4 Section Lumber Rack

My shop is a mess. The biggest problem is all the lumber scattered throughout the workshop. I’ve got full sheets of plywood next to small piles of hardwood. Today I did something about it and built a custom lumber rack! It has vertical storage for plywood, trim, and bins for other scraps.

I built this without a plan and as a result some of my joinery wasn’t the strongest, but once everything was tied together it was very sturdy.

Mike Makes a Cable Ramp for Power Cords

I now have a table saw, router table, and X-Carve all in the middle of my shop. Up until now, I’ve just run extension cords whenever I needed power. Today I changed that!

I copied the commercially available cable ramp/cord management design, but I made it out of wood. I could have done everything on the table saw, but I wanted to experiment with the X-Carve so I made them modular.

Now I can add or subtract as many pieces as I want to change the length. It turned out great!

X-Carve Info: https://www.inventables.com

Mike Makes an X-Carve Lift/Work Bench/Out Feed Table (Drill Powered Thingy)

Today I finished making my adjustable height work bench with drill powered X-Carve CNC machine lift. I made the lift out of 2 trailer jacks flipped upside down connected by a 1/2″ rod.

Lift Mechanism Video – https://goo.gl/V2577x

I made the top shelf removable so when I need to use the CNC machine, I simply “lift” the middle shelf up to bench level. You could use the same design to build an adjustable height desk by removing the 4 outside legs. I still need to add a hand crank and adjustable feet.

drill powered lift table

Mike Makes an Adjustable Height Workbench (Lifting Mechanism)

I’m building an adjustable height workbench but I needed a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the middle shelf. I decided to use 2 trailer jacks (Curt 28204) and 1/2″ rod to connect them. This same design could be used to make an adjustable height desk.

No one part of this project was difficult, but everything took a little longer than expected. The end result seems very sturdy and is a good foundation to build a workbench/out feed table from.

Mike Makes a Safety Gear Cabinet

I bought a bunch of woodworking safety gear on Amazon a few weeks ago. I’ve been working with it and my only problem is everything gets too dusty in the shop.

I decided to build a safety gear cabinet with a plexiglass door so it stays dust free and always on my mind. I also do a review of a few items including: 3M safety glasses, Uvex s1600x bandit glasses, 3M Peltor H10A and the 3M TEKK worktunes hearing protection.

Mike Makes a Table Saw Crosscut Sled

How to make a small table saw sled with built in t-track, toggle clamps, and stop block. A simple crosscut sled can be used to make accurate 90 degree cuts on the table saw and allow you cut small pieces safely.

I made the runners from UHMW plastic (low friction) since they are less likely to warp or twist. The track is 1/4″ mini t-track from shop fox, and the flip stop is from peachtree woodworking. My favorite features are the Bessey auto-adjust horizontal toggle clamps. They were a bit pricey, but they are well built and easy to use. I modified them to slide onto the track with more UHMW plastic and brass threaded inserts for 1/4″ bolts.

My finished sled was precise to .02″ inches over 4ft (using the 5 cut table saw sled test for accuracy). If I want, I can easily shim the back fence and probably cut that in half. The size ended up being 24″ wide and 15″ tall/deep.

table_saw_sled_cross_cut

table_saw_sled_1

table_saw_sled_5

table saw sled track