Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi,

I've been looking to rent a garage or a small warehouse to build. However in midst of searching on line(craigslist), I saw some larger well established cabinet shop or woodshop looking for people to rent bench space. All tools are already in the shop and are communal so that might be a plus to someone without much power tools...but I thought I'd ask here for opinions.

Anyone with any experience renting bench space care to share their experience and thoughts? Is this no-no? or great idea?

Thanks, David

There are things called Woodworking co ops. These are quite popular. Sounds like this is what they are advertising. Usually these have much better equipment then what most of us can dream of owning because of our limited space. I think i recall Rick turner saying that he was involved in something like this early on in his career. I might be confussing him with someone else if it wasn't him..Mike

Communal shops can be real nice or a PITA; I've worked in both. If the shop is well run and maintained, and the folks using it are mostly serious woodworkers then it can be a great place. Not only do you get tools to use that you probably couldn't afford on your own but also people to talk to who like doing the same kinds of things that you do. I would check it out, especially if your other choice is having to rent a space to set up shop.

Check out the shop and see if the equipment is in reasonably good repair, blades sharp, and hand tools put up. Is there bench space or a locker available for each member. Look around and see if there are projects out that can't be taken home or put in a locker. If the level of workmanship is high then that would be a good sign. Be prepared to bring your own chisels, planes, drill bits and other small hand tools. The tools in most communal shops, especially hand tools, are not usually as sharp as you will want.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have a friend (a very good luthier) who does both simultaneously. He rents space from a guy in a much larger woodworking facility, and consequently has access to lots of tools he wouldn't have purchased on his own (wide-belt sander, huge bandsaw, etc.). He also shares his own shop space with someone else in order to minimize his own rents. The arrangement works like a dream.

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