Shop Solutions
Every workshop has problems waiting to be solved.
Some require a new tool. Others simply require looking at the problem a little differently.
These projects are solutions I've built, modified, or improved to make work in my own shop more efficient. If one of them saves you time, solves a problem, or inspires your next build, then it's done its job.
Some builds include affiliate links to the tools and materials used in the project. If you choose to purchase through them, it helps support future projects here at Reaper Mfg.
Built in the Workshop:
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Shop Press
Professional capability doesn't have to come with a professional price tag.
A good shop press earns its keep quickly. I started with Harbor Freight's budget 20-ton press and made a few upgrades that turned it into a much more useful tool around the shop.
Why I built it: Good tools start with a solid foundation.
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Treadmill Rock Tumbler
Commercial equipment isn't the only path to a great finish.
Instead of buying a commercial tumbler, I repurposed an old treadmill into a homemade rock tumbler that delivers the finish I was after. It's a reminder that some of the best shop tools begin with a second life.
Why I built it: The workshop teaches you to see potential where others see scrap.
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Budget Knife Vise
Holding a knife securely shouldn't be the hardest part of hand sanding.
This simple shop-built vise keeps the work where it belongs, using common materials instead of expensive specialty fixtures.
Why I built it: The best fixture is the one that lets you focus on the work.