A well-equipped woodworking shop doesn’t have to be large or filled with permanent workstations. Sometimes the best shop projects are the ones that make better use of the space you already have.
Build two practical projects designed to make your workshop more organized and versatile. The first is a compact clamp-on router table that transforms almost any work surface into a routing station. Then second, Logan is a vintage-inspired saw till that keeps a collection of hand saws organized, protected, and on display.
Both are approachable projects that provide a lot of usefulness without taking up much shop space.
Build a Space-Saving Clamp-On Router Table
A router table can be one of the most useful power tool setups in a woodworking shop. The problem is that a traditional router table also demands valuable floor space — something that's at a premium in a small shop or garage workshop.
This clamp-on router table offers a simple alternative. Rather than building a dedicated cabinet or stand, the router table is designed to clamp securely to a workbench or other sturdy, flat surface. When you're ready to use it, clamp it in place and get to work. When you're finished, remove it and store it out of the way.
The table is built around a sturdy 3/4" plywood top that provides a solid, flex-free work surface. A simple bracing and clamping system keeps the table secure during use, while the compact design makes it easy to move around the shop or even take to a jobsite.
Despite its small footprint, the table gives you a capable routing station for cutting joinery, shaping edges, routing grooves, and tackling many of the operations you'd perform on a full-size router table.
For woodworkers working in a small shop, it's a great example of how a little clever design can help you get more capability without giving up permanent floor space.
A Vintage-Inspired Saw Till
Next, Logan turns his attention to hand-tool storage with a wall-mounted saw till designed to organize and display some of his favorite saws.
Traditional tool chests, cabinets, and saw tills weren't just about keeping tools organized. They also protected valuable hand tools while keeping them close at hand. This project takes inspiration from those classic shop fixtures while adapting the idea to a modern woodworking shop.
The saw till provides dedicated storage for a variety of hand saws, including coping saws, fret saws, and bow saws. Instead of simply hanging everything from the wall, the case turns the collection into an attractive shop display.
There's also room for all the smaller tools and accessories that go along with maintaining and using hand saws. Drawers provide convenient storage for saw files, saw sets, and other small items that can otherwise easily get lost around the shop.
A ledger board with pegs adds another layer of flexible storage, keeping frequently used tools visible and within easy reach.
The result is a storage project that's every bit as much about showing off a favorite collection of tools as it is about keeping the shop organized.
Two Projects for a More Useful Woodshop
While these two projects solve very different problems, they share the same goal: making better use of the woodworking space you already have.
The clamp-on router table gives you the capabilities of a router table without dedicating valuable floor space to another workstation. The saw till takes advantage of unused wall space while organizing and displaying a collection of hand tools.
Both projects use straightforward construction and common materials, making them great weekend builds for woodworkers looking to improve their shops.
Watch the video to see how we build both projects and pick up tips and techniques you can use when building your own.
Then download the step-by-step woodworking plans and add one — or both — of these practical projects to your shop.
