My Three-Car Garage Workshop: A Complete Tour (And Why Everything's On Wheels)

Written By John Sexton

Welcome to my shop—a three-car tandem garage that's seen four different incarnations across four different houses in roughly 10 years. If you're thinking that sounds exhausting, you'd be right. But frequent moves have taught me one critical lesson: put everything on casters, keep it compact, and never get too attached to your layout.

My shop occupies mostly one side of the garage. The other side? That's where kids' bikes, outdoor toys, random equipment, and a home gym live. It's organized chaos, and honestly, it works.

Let me walk you through what I've got, what I love, what I'd change, and why that Jason mask on my wall is absolutely essential shop equipment.

Tools & Materials Overview

Major Stationary Tools:

  • SawStop 36" Professional table saw (1.75 HP) – Craigslist score, nearly new

  • Grizzly G0654 6" jointer – Compact floor model, wish I'd bought the 8"

  • Grizzly 555 LX 14" bandsaw – Solid for small shops, limited 6" resaw capacity

  • DeWalt 734 12.5" planer – Slightly smaller than the popular 735 model

  • Bosch Glide 12" miter saw – Huge upgrade from my old 10" DeWalt

  • Performax 1632 drum sander – Marketplace find, mostly for cutting boards

Mobile Equipment:

  • Jet 1.5 HP dust collector – Perfect size, single flex hose reaches everything

  • Rigid oscillating spindle/belt sander – Excellent value, highly recommended

  • Bench-top drill press – Lives on the floor until needed (not ideal, but functional)

  • Rockler router table – Needs serious upgrades for dust collection

  • Shop vac with Oneida Dust Deputy cyclone – Mobile cart setup for localized collection

Hand Tools & Organization:

  • Cordless drill charging station (custom built)

  • Two Woodpeckers tools – The only ones I own because they're stupid expensive

  • Various hand planes and spoke shaves – Stored with desiccant packs

  • Narex chisels (the good ones) plus beater chisels (for opening paint cans)

Storage Solutions:

  • Custom tool wall cabinet – Four sets of deep drawers on full-extension slides

  • Mark Spagnolo outfeed table – Game-changer with massive storage

  • Two Portamate lumber racks – Span across wall, hold a ton of material

  • Simple 2x4 and tube clamp racks – Cheap, easy, effective

The Tool Wall: Command Center (Sort Of)

Let's start at the front with my tool wall. Center stage is my custom drill charging station—cordless drills mounted up front, charging station on the side, and most of my drill bits, Forstner bits, and screws stored overhead.

Above that? My hand-painted Jason mask from the dollar store. Is it necessary? No. Does it make the shop 100% more awesome? Absolutely.

To the right are my straight edges, levels, framing square, and the only two Woodpeckers tools I own. Look, Woodpeckers makes excellent tools—they're accurate, they look amazing, and they cost approximately one kidney each. I have other things to spend money on, like actually equipping my shop. I'll upgrade to more Woodpeckers stuff when I'm ready to treat myself.

Below those sits my radio for shop tunes—which I don't get to listen to when filming because of copyright issues. If you've seen my mallet video, you know this one.

I've got small parts bins scattered around holding various screw sizes. They're okay, but I want to move everything to containers in my outfeed table. It'll be more convenient having them right at my assembly station instead of constantly walking back and forth.

And yes, those wooden owls? I built them one weekend just playing around. No idea what to do with them yet, so they just sit there judging my project choices.

IMAGE SUGGESTION 1: Custom drill charging station with hand-painted Jason mask mounted above—essential shop equipment (Reference: Tool Wall section)

What's In My Drawers (You Asked)

Below the tool wall is a cabinet I built with four sets of deep drawers on full-extension slides. You guys really don't want to see inside my drawers, do you?

Really?

Fine. Here's what's in there:

Top left drawer: Router bits, guide bushings, and router jigs. Terribly inconvenient since the router table is on the opposite side of the shop, but I'm hoping to remedy that soon.

Top right drawer: Trash bags, more trash, my Kreg pocket hole jig (just kidding, don't attack me), stapler, dial calipers, and a random router base.

Bottom drawer: Rigid palm router, Dremel tool, and grinder.

Second set—top: Sandpaper and sanding blocks, including those little hickeys that are great for corners.

Second drawer: Mostly empty. Couple of rags, tape, and a palm sander.

Bottom: Circular saw, router base, random orbit sander, larger random orbit sander, and a belt sander in the back.

Third set—top: Hand planes and spoke shaves with desiccant packs to fight humidity and rust. So far, so good.

Middle: Random junk drawer—bench dogs, glue roller, safety supplies, cable ties, gloves, finishing supplies, pyramids, and foam brushes.

Bottom: Cotton rags for staining, gloves, Merle clamps (excellent for boxes and picture frames), and batch project supplies. Plus my always-handy plastic straws.

Fourth set—top: Layout equipment, pens, pencils, magnets, calculator, marking knives, and my saw (for some reason).

Middle: Hammers, rasps, hacksaw, squares, and measuring tapes.

Bottom: Paper plans, circular cutting jig, and composition notebooks where I track material costs, time, and pricing for batch projects.

Pro tip: Keep composition notebooks for every batch project. Track materials, costs, and time. You'll never underprice your work again.

Storage & Safety: The Boring (But Important) Stuff

On the right side of the cabinet sits a fire extinguisher—always have one near chemicals. I've got another by the garage entrance. Above that is my small parts organizer with about six drawers actually containing something. It's mostly wasted space that needs to go.

Critical items on this wall: pencil sharpener and first aid kit. You should always have a fully stocked first aid kit in your shop. Small cuts happen. Unfortunately, major injuries can too. I keep two fully stocked kits out here.

That rock tumbler? Not mine. It's the kids'. It makes an ungodly amount of noise polishing gemstones, so it lives in my shop where it can annoy me instead of everyone in the house.

Next to that is my sandpaper organizer—mostly for random orbit sander discs. It needs restocking because I'm running dangerously low.

Paint/Stain/Chemical Cabinet:

  • Top shelf: Paint and mineral spirits

  • Second shelf: Wood glue and epoxies

  • Third shelf: More paints, stains, wax, WD-40

  • Bottom: Cleaners, weed killer, spare house paint

Clamp Storage: Two Systems That Actually Work

Clamp Rack #1

My first clamp rack is stupidly simple and cheap: two 2x4s with tubing running through the center, mounted to the wall. It holds almost all my clamps except for parallel clamps.

Clamp Rack #2

The parallel clamp rack holds my Jets, Besseys, and Jorgensens. Between these three brands, the Besseys win. The Jets have a "quick release" trigger that rarely works and usually gets stuck. The Besseys just feel better—better grip, better handle, smoother action than the Jorgensens.

Above the clamp racks hang a few jigs: my Gorilla Gripper for moving plywood sheets (if you don't have one, get one—it's invaluable), a router jig for exact-width dados, and a taper jig for the table saw.

And the star of the show: My Mitsubishi mini-split. Here in Southeast Texas, it's blazing hot about 9-10 months a year. This thing is indispensable for year-round shop time.

IMAGE SUGGESTION 2: Simple 2x4 and tubing clamp rack system holding various clamp types (Reference: Clamp Rack section)

The Workbench: Nine Years And Counting

I built this workbench very early on—probably 9-10 years ago. Simple construction: 4x4 posts for legs, 2x4 frame, plywood bottom, and double-laminated plywood top. There's a quick-release vise on one side for holding work.

This is a very sturdy, very heavy bench that's served me well. Until recently, it was also my outfeed table. I'd love a Roubo-style traditional workbench someday, but since I've got a decent work surface, I'm not rushing. At some point, maybe.

Under the bench: Styrofoam cutoffs from when I insulated my garage doors. These are invaluable for breaking down plywood sheets. I spread them on the floor, lay the plywood on top, and cut with my track saw. Way easier than wrestling sheets onto the table saw or sawhorses.

Also under there: a pancake compressor—only a couple gallons, but I don't use many air tools. Just a brad nailer and a blow-off wand for dust. It's plenty.

The Jointer Dilemma

My Grizzly G0654 6" jointer is fairly compact with a short bed. It's fine for a small shop, but I constantly run into capacity limitations. Anything wider than 5-6 inches becomes a problem.

What I'd change: I really wish I'd gone with at least an 8" jointer. That extra capacity would fit my work so much better. I'm keeping this for now, but watching for a good deal on an 8" model down the road.

The Outfeed Table: My Favorite Addition

This Mark Spagnolo design from The Wood Whisperer [AFF: Wood Whisperer plans] is one of my favorite shop additions. I've got a huge working surface with a laminate top that makes everything slide easily, plus a ton of storage.

Current contents:

  • Drawer 1: Table saw accessories, extra blades, hedgehog featherboard, spare inserts

  • Drawer 2: Incra miter gauge, clamping blocks, spare blade inserts

  • Drawer 3: Narex chisels (the good ones) plus beater chisels for paint cans and glue scraping

  • Drawers 4-6: Still empty (glorious future storage potential)

  • Top cabinet: Tenoning jig with soft-close hinges

  • Bottom cabinet: Empty, plus containers I plan to use

  • Roll of brown paper for protecting surfaces during glue-ups and finishing

If you get a chance to build one of these, do it. The storage and work surface are incredible.

The Table Saw: A Craigslist Victory

My SawStop 36" Professional (1.75 HP) was a Craigslist score. The seller was liquidating his shop after a non-woodworking-related incident. Perfect timing, nearly new condition, great price.

Under the wing: I've got jigs stored here—crosscut jig for dados, sacrificial fence for rabbets, and a miter spline jig for picture frames. It works, but I'm thinking about building a small cabinet to store all my table saw accessories (blades, inserts, dado stack) right at the saw instead of running to the outfeed table constantly.

On the wall: Sheet goods storage and an absolute monster of a crosscut sled that weighs at least 100 pounds. I haven't used it in maybe two years because it's way too heavy and unwieldy. I need to build something smaller and more manageable.

IMAGE SUGGESTION 3: Mark Spagnolo outfeed table design showing multiple drawers and spacious laminate top work surface (Reference: Outfeed Table section)

Lumber Storage: The Portamate Solution

I've got two Portamate lumber racks mounted to the wall, lined up so wood can span across all four arms for solid support. These things hold an absolute ton of material without sagging or bowing.

Current inventory (top to bottom):

  • Small sheet goods at the very top

  • Plywood and MDF

  • Cypress (outdoor projects)

  • Scrap post oak (rescued from the trash pile)

  • Quarter-sawn white oak

  • Cedar fence post (used for those owls)

  • Maple, spotted maple, and curly maple

  • Walnut and cherry

  • More curly maple and cutting board scraps

  • Dowels

  • More cherry and maple

If you're looking for a lumber rack, these Portamates are outstanding. Highly recommended.

The Router Table: Upgrade Pending

My Rockler router table with stand, top, and insert has served me well for years. Porter Cable router installed. It works.

But: The dust collection is horrible, and there's too much wasted open space. I'm planning significant upgrades—enclosing it, improving dust collection, adding better storage. You should see a video on that in the next few weeks.

Planer, Sander, And Dust Collection

The Rolling Cart

Everything's on casters so I can rearrange as needed. I pull this cart out to get enough clearance for the planer.

DeWalt 734 planer (12.5" capacity) – Slightly smaller than the popular 735 (13" capacity). Not enough difference to justify upgrading just for that half-inch. When I do upgrade, I'll jump to a 15" or 20" floor-standing model.

Rigid oscillating sander – Works as both oscillating belt and spindle sander. Great tool, great deal, comes in super handy for sanding small parts. If you don't have an oscillating sander, get one.

Dust Collection

Jet 1.5 HP dust collector – Perfect for this size shop. No ductwork to every machine—just one long flex hose that reaches everything. Since I'm a one-man operation, I'm never running more than one machine at a time anyway. Takes seconds to move the hose, and I'm ready to go.

Drum Sander: The Cutting Board Saver

My Performax 1632 drum sander was another Craigslist/Marketplace score from a small shop—paid about $500 (less than half retail). I only use this for cutting boards and cheese boards, where it dramatically cuts down on end-grain sanding time.

The problems: There's a crack in the frame that was welded (makes adjusting height difficult), and the belt tracking is a constant issue. Every couple of passes, I have to stop and readjust. I've tried everything to fix the tracking—replaced components, adjusted settings—nothing works.

The lesson: Sometimes great used equipment deals come with annoying quirks you have to live with. That's the trade-off for saving serious money.

IMAGE SUGGESTION 4: Jet 1.5 HP dust collector with single flex hose system—simple and effective for small shops (Reference: Dust Collection section)

Miter Saw Station: In Need Of Repair

My miter saw sits on a mobile station—plans from Brad over at Fix This Build That [AFF: Fix This Build That plans]. Solid design, but it's in disrepair. When movers relocated us, they ripped off one extension wing and wrenched the other out of alignment. The fence is off, and the wing is leaning against the wall.

The saw: Bosch Glide 12" miter saw—one of my newer pieces. Before this, I had a DeWalt 10" double bevel that wasn't a glide or rail saw, so capacity was terrible (6-7 inches max). The Bosch gives me way more capacity for wider boards. Huge improvement.

Dust collection: Shop vac connected to an automatic switch—turns on when the saw turns on. It's not perfect (miter saws are notorious for terrible dust collection), but it helps clean up some of the mess.

The Drill Press Situation

My bench-top drill press lives on the floor because I don't have a good permanent spot for it. Since I don't use it often, I just pick it up, put it on the bench when needed, then return it to the floor. Not ideal, but it works.

Future plans: I'd like something larger with more capacity, but this works for now.

Bandsaw: The Resaw Limitation

My Grizzly 555 LX 14" bandsaw is pretty good for a small shop. The biggest limitation isn't the 14" throat—it's the 6" resaw capacity. That's where I constantly hit problems.

Upgrades I've made: Replaced the standard fence with a larger resaw fence that has two orientations—on its side to get closer to the blade, or standing tall for accurate resawing.

Future plans: Upgrade to something with significantly more resaw capacity. This works for now, but it's on the list.

Air Quality & Mobile Dust Control

Jet Air Cleaner

Another Craigslist/Marketplace find hanging above my bandsaw. For those unfamiliar, these have a filter and fan that pull fine dust particles from the air after running machinery or doing heavy sanding. Run it for 20-30 minutes, and the air clears completely.

Shop Vac With Cyclone Separator

My setup: shop vac with Oneida Dust Deputy cyclone connected to a bucket on a mobile cart I built years ago. Does a great job for localized dust collection with sanders and small tools, plus general cleanup—vacuuming floors, cleaning equipment.

I can't remember where I got the plans originally, but similar versions are all over online if you search around.

The Bottom Line: A Functional Shop That Moves

I've shown you my tools, storage solutions, what I love, what I'd change, and how everything's currently laid out. This shop has moved four times in 10 years, and that mobility requirement has shaped every decision.

Key takeaways:

  • Put everything possible on casters

  • Keep tools compact when feasible

  • Buy used equipment strategically (but accept the quirks)

  • Prioritize storage—you never have enough

  • Don't buy the top or bottom sheets from plywood stacks (wait, wrong video)

If you've got ideas for better organization or more efficient layouts, drop them in the comments. I'm always looking to improve.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go reorganize those empty drawers in my outfeed table. Or maybe I'll just stare at them and feel productive.

Thanks for taking the tour.

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John Sexton
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