5: Make your work surfaces fit you
Design the height of work surfaces to YOUR physical dimensions (see “Creating a Personal Shop” at the end of this section). Remember that some people like higher than normal work surfaces so they won’t have to bend. Others may like lower surfaces so they can use their weight more efficiently for extra leverage and pressure.

6: Keep things visible
If you can’t se it, chances are, you can’t use it. Screws, nails
and small hardware should be easy to see, easy to get and well sorted for quick reference. Take a hint from the kitchen spice rack and keep these small items stored on shallow shelves (perhaps simple 1/4” or 3/8” plywood mounted between studs), or in a small, plastic Lazy Susan or similar device. Another option is to store them in small plastic bottles (with their lids attached to a revolving 2” x 2” horizontal wood post)…or in metal cans or plastic, lift-out bins.

Thin, narrow lumber can be stored overhead in small assortments that let you see and pull out what you need. Plywood and similar sheet goods should rest on edge between two stable objects such as a wall and a hefty workbench. That way, you can sort through your selection as you’d page through a book without having to struggle with holding the cumbersome pieces up one at a time.


Three smaller scrap boxes for pieces of leftover lumber (one for softwoods – one for hardwoods – and another for “exotics”) are better than a single large box, since they will help you find what you need a lot faster.

Get as much daylight as possible into your shop. Keep the walls white and artificial lighting shadow-free, if possible.

How much light do you need ? Place a coffee cup on each worktable in your shop; if it casts no significant shadow, you have sufficient lighting. If not, make adjustments to eliminate shadows completely.

7: Store things accessibly
Keep heavy items stored on low shelves. In the case of your
Shopsmith Special Purpose Tools (Planer, Jointer, etc.), store them near the height at which they attach to your MARK V. This way, you can move the MARK V near your Special Purpose Tool and lift it into position for mounting to your MARK V with minimal lifting and effort.
Lighter items can go on wall-mounted pegboard or shelves. Keep your most-used items closest at-hand; saw blades and attachments near the Table Saw; Router bits near your Router Table or Pin Router; Sanding Belts near your Belt Sander; etc.
Use Metal Storage Cabinets
under your MARK V for smaller, more
frequently used Accessories. Don’t
put things so high that you’ll need a
ladder to reach them.
Use pull-out shelves rather than fixed
shelves, and Lazy Susans rather than
deep, dark cabinets with blind corners.