Take a look behind the scenes at TMO Laser Woodworks & Engraving in Winchendon, Massachusetts. These photos follow our workshop builds, custom workbenches, and the progression from my first bench-mounted laser to our latest Hydra laser.

Every part of the workshop construction and custom fittings shown here was done by me, from the framing and workbenches to the storage and custom paint-booth cabinet. Building the spaces where I work is part of the story, too.

Building the Laser Workshop

Vertical view of the workshop framing alongside the stairs
Another view of the framing as I built out the space.
New workshop walls taking shape beside the staircase
The new laser workshop taking shape, with the walls going up.
Workshop walls and speckled floor during construction
Walls in place and the new floor taking shape.
Workbenches and tools in the laser workshop during the build
Workbenches moving into place as the workspace comes together.

From Our First Laser to the Hydra

I started working with lasers in 2022, building the enclosure for my first setup myself. The blue laser was our second machine, followed by the red laser as our third. Both have since been sold as our equipment evolved. Our latest laser is the Hydra.

Early bench-mounted laser setup with handmade wooden enclosures
Our early bench-mounted laser setup, with enclosures I built myself.
A newly delivered laser shipping crate in the workshop
Delivery day: a new laser arrives, still in its shipping crate.
Blue laser on its shipping pallet, still wrapped for delivery
Unpacking the blue laser, our second machine. This laser has since been sold.
Blue laser installed beside the workshop bench with its extraction hose
The blue laser in place during an earlier stage of the workshop.
Earlier laser workstation with the red laser and part of the blue laser visible
The red laser, our third machine, alongside the blue laser in the earlier setup. Both have since been sold.
Hydra laser on a wooden pallet in the workshop
The latest chapter: our Hydra laser.

Building Our Woodworking Space

Our woodworking space has grown alongside our laser work, with benches and storage I built around the way I work.

Wooden workbench base being assembled on casters
A new workbench starts with its frame and base.
Workbench frames with measuring tools during assembly
Building out the work surfaces and supports.
Workbench top with blue tracks and router insert plate
The workbench top taking shape, with tracks and a router insert.
Custom workbench with tool storage and clamps alongside
Adding storage to keep tools close to the work.
Workshop wall storage with clamps, guides, and a workbench
Organizing the walls and workstations as the shop develops.

Materials, Paints, and Custom Storage

Materials and finishes need a place of their own. These photos show our stocked materials rack, paint storage, and the custom paint-booth cabinet I built for the workshop.

Workshop materials rack stocked with wood sheets, boards, and smaller blanks
Wood sheets, boards, and blanks organized in our materials storage.
Paint cans and bottles arranged in custom workshop storage
Our paint stock organized and ready for upcoming projects.
Completed custom paint-booth cabinet with the doors open and an air filter installed at the back
The completed custom paint-booth cabinet I built, with the air filter installed at the back.
Plywood storage cabinets with shelves and bottle holders under a work surface
Custom storage cabinets before finishing.
Finished workshop storage bench with shelves, stain storage, and pegboard
The storage bench with its finished surfaces and wall storage in place.

A Wider Look Inside

Wide view of the woodworking shop with saws, benches, tools, and lumber
A wider look inside our woodworking space.
Wide view down the laser workshop with machines, workbenches, and signs
A look through the laser workshop, with projects and materials close at hand.

Thank you for taking a look behind the scenes. These spaces, like the work that comes out of them, have been built one project at a time.