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
home | projects | blog
11578 posts in 2465 days
#1 posted 2241 days ago
Great shop Bob. Congratulations on the pass.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
scottb
home | projects | blog
3648 posts in 2694 days
#2 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
1970 posts in 2506 days
#3 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
3934 posts in 2431 days
#4 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
34591 posts in 2768 days
#5 posted 2241 days ago
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 karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Bob #2
home | projects | blog
3808 posts in 2389 days
#6 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
3648 posts in 2694 days
#7 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
3934 posts in 2431 days
#8 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
1761 posts in 2364 days
#9 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
18509 posts in 2528 days
#10 posted 2241 days ago
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 (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Moron
home | projects | blog
4666 posts in 2261 days
#11 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
4417 posts in 2330 days
#12 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
4417 posts in 2330 days
#13 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
15357 posts in 2586 days
#14 posted 2241 days ago
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
home | projects | blog
4911 posts in 2404 days
#15 posted 2241 days ago
Nice one, Bob!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 20 comments
Have your say...