Real Woodworking. Real Garages. Real Mistakes.
Welcome to ShopTours
If your workbench shares a wall with the lawnmower, your “dust collection system” is a broom, and you’re constantly shifting boxes just to rip a piece of plywood—you are in the right place.
ShopTours is a no-nonsense, showroom-free zone dedicated to the everyday hobbyist trying to make cool stuff out of wood without losing a finger (or their sanity) in the process.
Built for woodworking enthusiasts of all levels.
A few years back I cleared out half my garage, bought a table saw, and told myself “how hard can this be?” Turns out — pretty hard. But also incredibly rewarding.
ShopTours started as a place to document the journey: the tools I tested, the sawdust I swept up, the mistakes I made, and the small wins that kept me coming back weekend after weekend.
“I don’t write for professional woodworkers. I write for the person who still has the family car parked next to the workbench.”
If you’re setting up your first shop, figuring out which tools to buy, or just trying not to lose a finger — you’re exactly who I’m writing for. Everything here is written from personal experience, not a showroom floor.
Keith Johnson
Home woodworker & writer
New to woodworking?
Whether you are just unboxing your first circular saw or trying to figure out how to squeeze a router table into a 10×10 space, here is how I can help you
How to Start Your Wood Furniture Design Journey?
By Keith | February 9, 2021 | Reading Time: 4 minutes
Wood furniture design is an ideal job to do either as your main source of income or as a part-time activity... .it is fulfilling to design and make something with your hands.. .
Life in a Two-Car Garage
Fingers Retained
The true metric of a successful weekend. Safety isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s a priority.
Total Scrap Pieces
Because I refuse to throw away a 4-inch chunk of walnut. You never know.
Independent
No corporate sponsors telling me what to say. If a tool sucks, you’ll know.
