Bob2 has described his current shop digs as “A collection of tools at or near electrical outlets.” The space is in his business warehouse until he is able to pour concrete for a dedicated home shop. I feel instantly at home in this environment as there is a lot packed into a small space, and it’s none too organized. No sense burning brain cells on prettifying and organizing when the thrust to learn and create is where the true fire exists.
As long as you know what pile to look in, well, it’s really the same as having labeled drawers and hanging folders in filling cabinets. My Missus doesn’t buy this line of thought and Bob was reticent to allow Deb and I to showcase his shop for fear of becoming the second lumberjock to fail the inspection (I am the only current failure. Yet again fulfilling my destiny as poster-child for behaviors one should prudently avoid). However I really needed a volunteer for this week’s tour and I arm-twisted Bob into stepping up to fill the void. In deference to his brave and noble self-sacrifice, I managed to work with Debbie to provide Bob a pass on any clutter-based demerits.
Enclosed in the safety of this protective pass, Bob was happy enough and gentlemanly enough to allow our visit for the glory of Lumberjocks and the Maple Leaf standard that flies above his facility. Here is a shot of his dandy lathe station. He gets extra safety credit for having the rainbow colored “Chuck Cuff” on his lathe. It wraps around the chuck to help avoid losing chunks of flesh to the jaws which become virtually invisible when rotating at high speed.
Good show, Bob!
So far we have visited two Canadian turners, and although that number hardly fulfills a necessary sample to support any scientific conclusions, I am a bit surprised that neither of them have a big ole Oneway machine. Any Canuck with a big white wonder that wants to sponsor a visit would be appreciated. Heck, any barely breathing Lumberjock anywhere in the world with any woodworking equipment would be welcome to sponsor a visit.
Next, Debbie prepares to measure the boom length on the excellent blade cover and dust extraction unit on Bob’s table saw. More safety points.
Next its a view of Bob’s bench and assembly table. I was impressed with the double drill holsters. Two-Gun Bob, the drill-driving machine! Worthy of Deb’s contemplation.
Now Bob’s current specialty is the design and manufacture of jigs. A current project Bob posted is a slab gauge/resaw jig for the bandsaw. There was this tasty slab of spalted maple that I couldn’t pass showing. I know Dorje and CharlieM1958 share my love of spalted lumber. I sense the possibility of a Planer/Panama Jack style cross-border lumber raid brewing.
Everyone should take precautions when working spalted wood though. An effective dust-mask is a must due to the possible inhalation of spores that may become aerosolized when cutting spalt. Very bad and potentially deadly inhalation hazard.
Check out the nifty little green Micro Splitter on his zero clearance throat plate. Yup, even more safety points.
Well, I have rambled on again through another Shop tour, and reached the end of the alloted space. I just want to say Thank you, Bob2. You are, sir, a gentleman and a scholar. And a credit to Canadians and woodworkers everywhere. You and your shop are winners.
Your well-earned certificate awaits.
Tapadh leibh
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
20 comments so far
WayneC
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13157 posts in 3760 days
#1 posted 10-18-2007 06:09 AM
Great shop Bob. Congratulations on the pass.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
scottb
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3648 posts in 3990 days
#2 posted 10-18-2007 06:11 AM
Ooh, a clutter exclusion certificate… maybe I can volunteer my shop now. Nope… looking at these photos, there’s no clutter here. ANy cleaner and we could take photos for Fine Woodworking!... I guess I won’t be hanging up my LJ shingle just yet, maybe after Halloween when the Spiders (capital “S”) hibernate. Can someone distract Debbie while I drag out the broom, shop vacs, firehose….
Looking forward to seeing the new digs Bob – Perhaps a blog series of the new shop in progress?
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
David
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1970 posts in 3801 days
#3 posted 10-18-2007 06:14 AM
Great job Bob!
I have to make sure Ms Debbie & Douglas don’t see my shop with all the clutter from our house re-siding – I would likely get a clutter exclusion certificate as well!
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
Douglas Bordner
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4017 posts in 3726 days
#4 posted 10-18-2007 06:14 AM
Scott & David, fear not. You were part of the original group for the Shop Tour field tests and are immune to a failing grade. Not even Kryptonite can harm you. Send me a PM with some still photo links you want to share and it’s a go…
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Karson
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35062 posts in 4063 days
#5 posted 10-18-2007 06:14 AM
Congratulations on the pass Bob#2. And thanks for the tour Douglas and Debbie.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware soon moving to Virginia karsonwm@gmail.com †
Bob #2
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3809 posts in 3684 days
#6 posted 10-18-2007 06:23 AM
Whew!
That’s was a close one!
Lucky I cleaned her up before MsDebbie arrived! <vbg>
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
scottb
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3648 posts in 3990 days
#7 posted 10-18-2007 06:26 AM
Phew. Cool… I’ll throw around some more sawdust (like that would even make a difference) and take a few pics ;)
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
Douglas Bordner
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4017 posts in 3726 days
#8 posted 10-18-2007 06:28 AM
ROTFL. Throw out some lovely plane curls. It’s the In thing to do these days!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Dorje
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1763 posts in 3659 days
#9 posted 10-18-2007 07:47 AM
Great inspection all around and I’m glad you threw that spalted board in the mix – just adds to the fun and excitement! Now – Bob may not have the Oneway, but should get another couple points for sticking with the Canadian table saw manufacturer.
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
MsDebbieP
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18615 posts in 3823 days
#10 posted 10-18-2007 10:53 AM
the clutter factor (my position as inspector makes me “care” – otherwise, the only thing that puts me in a panic is dangling extension cords!)
Thanks for inviting us Bob. I was nice to head west again. Congrats on the Pass.
Scott: I’m looking forward to visiting during the Hallowe-en season. And as for cobwebs? I’d feel right at home. Our basement shop is FULL of cobwebs. We have a colony of Daddy Longlegs down there, I think!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePribeleENJOConsultant)
Moron
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5032 posts in 3556 days
#11 posted 10-18-2007 12:55 PM
Congrats Bob…..........never seen your shop and love it. Your shops “busy” like mine.
Gotta love that spalted maple
Best Regards
-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso
Thos. Angle
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4445 posts in 3625 days
#12 posted 10-18-2007 12:56 PM
I want one for those “Clutter Exclusive” passes. Carleen says that if I don’t clean the shop she is going to put it in the “Soil Bank”. Great shop, Bob. Glad we got to see it. As usualy, Douglas and Debbie. I got plenty of those pretty little curls of wood and some of leather as well.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
Thos. Angle
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4445 posts in 3625 days
#13 posted 10-18-2007 12:56 PM
I want one for those “Clutter Exclusive” passes. Carleen says that if I don’t clean the shop she is going to put it in the “Soil Bank”. Great shop, Bob. Glad we got to see it. As usualy, Douglas and Debbie. I got plenty of those pretty little curls of wood and some of leather as well.
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
CharlieM1958
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16265 posts in 3881 days
#14 posted 10-18-2007 02:39 PM
That shop isn’t cluttered…it’s just well-stocked!
By the way, I hear that Ms. Debbie will pass anyone who shows her some sexy legs (er…table legs, that is..I think).
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
mot
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4911 posts in 3699 days
#15 posted 10-18-2007 03:43 PM
Nice one, Bob!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
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