Welcome to my shop!
Feel free to look around and if you hover your mouse over a tool you can click on the highlighted tools to find out what makes my shop run! I have included links to many of the tools I use and videos related to them. I hope you enjoy this virtual tour and feel free to send me a email with any questions or comments you might have. Thanks for stopping by!
This 14' bandsaw makes short work of unsuspecting lumber
I use a 26 gallon air compressor for all my air tools and general compressed air needs (cleaning shop).
At my miter saw station I have the Craftsman 10" Compact Sliding Compound Miter Saw. One of the main reasons I chose this saw other than the value is that it doesn't require a lot of room behind the saw like most sliding miter saws.
I use the GarageworX CNC 4x4 (www.garageworxcnc.com) with a Dewalt DW611 1.25HP Router as the spindle and have added the 2.8w Laser available at JTech Photonics (www.jtechphotonics.com). Of the several CNC Router Tables I have worked with this is by far the best quality and value. Who wouldn't want some safety orange in their shop.
At the center of my shop is the work horse, my Grizzly G0690 10" Table Saw. This 3HP cabinet saw delivers all the power and accuracy that is needed for the wide range of woodworking done here in my shop.
The Performax 16-32 Plus is a huge help in the shop for cleaning up panels after glue ups and many other jobs that helps make the shop more efficient. To collect the fine dust from the drum sander I use a dedicated 1HP wall hanging dust collector. The G0710 has been upgraded with the T10877 Canister filter.
This beast makes short work of taking lumber down to its final thickness with ease. With its 3HP motor and 72 individual carbide cutters it produces a clean cut with even the gnarliest of grain. The Grizzly G0453ZW was a welcome addition to my shop after I burned through my lunchbox planer. The only thing better than a 15" thickness planer is a 20" one!
I use the Grizzly Go654 6" Jointer which I have since upgraded with the H7653 Indexable Insert Spiral Cutterhead.
I use the Super Dust Deputy by Oneida for my chip separator and have attached it to a 55 gallon drum.
I have the Ridgid Oscillating sander that has both a belt for edge sanding and an assortment of spindles to sand curves.
For any welding that needs to be done in my shop I have the Millermatic 252 MIG Welder and am set up to do both shielded gas and flux core wire welding. Since I am limited in space I use the ArcStation Workbench which I can wheel out into the driveway and safely weld.
This is my version of the New Yankee Workshop router table but made for a tall man. The top, fence, and lift were purchased from Rockler and I use a Porter Cable 690 Router. There is drawers for both 1/2" and 1/4" shank bits and dust collection both at the fence and in the cabinet.
This vintage Craftsmen Floor Standing Drill Press was a craigslist find that after some minor rust removal and cleanup is a great tool.
For the main dust collection in my shop I use the 2HP Dust Collector sold by Harbor Freight. I have upgraded the filter to the cartridge style filter sold by Wynn Environmental.
Here is where I display my proud collection of stickers from my fellow woodworkers, makers, and YouTube content creators. Send me an email if you'd like one of your own Merzke Custom Woodworking stickers or would like to swap stickers with me.
Video Tour
Current Tool Inventory
Grizzly G0690 Cabinet Table Saw with Riving Knife, 10-Inch
Central Machinery 2 HP Industrial 5 Micron Dust Collector
ONEIDA AIR SYSTEMS Super Dust Deputy Molded Cyclone Only
Grizzly G0654 6-Inch Jointer (with Grizzly H7653 Indexable Spiral Cutter Head, 6-Inch)
Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw, 14-Inch (with Grizzly T25555 Riser Block Kit)
Grizzly G0453ZW – 15″ Planer with Spiral Cutterhead
Craftsman 10” Compact Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Performax 16-32 Drum Sander
Craftsman Floor Standing Drill Press
Garageworx 4×4 CNC (with Dewalt 611 Router and JTech Photonics 2.8W Laser)
Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw with Guide Rail
Makita 194367-7 Guide Rail, 118-Inch
Nice workshop set up I enjoyed the video and picked up on a few things I might try in my shop thanks for the video and thank you for serving our country.
Thanks Richard! I’m glad I was able to share a few helpful things with you.
Where are you located? I have a project that I would like to discuss with you.
You can email me at mike@merzkecustomwoodworking.com
Mike, nice shop. I enjoyed the tour – it provided some inspiration for my asperation. Too bad about the beer bridge but you have a rock’n setup. The custom cabinets are awesome and the dust collection system you have is a good model. Thanks