Da Workshop #2: And So It Begins

TomCat,
Wifey bought me one of those a year ago and it’s great. I use it during are warmer months to keep the sun off of me and my tools. Sets up and tears down in minutes (once I figured it out). Good luck with yours.

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

Ok TC . . . where did you put all the snow?

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Believe it or not Zuki, some people don’t get snow. I’m guessing our buddy TomCat is one of those rare individuals.

TomCat, it’s a good start, first a roof, then walls.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

WoodRat: Yeah, but I managed to break part of it, so I’m not sure it’ll go up or down. Still, I suspect it’ll be just fine on a full-time basis :)

Zuki: No snow at all. in fact, it’s in the mid-70’s :D

Russel: Definitely! Walls are on the agenda at some point, but probably with a permenant shop solution, though I will probably get the bug screen add-on for this in the mean time ;)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

This is a nice first step, TC. And given your climate, you probably can leave it up most of the time. It looks like the fun is just beginning.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Tomcat, Great start to your shop. Got to say I am jealous od the size of the door compared to my basement workshop window :)
Sure we will see some fine stuff coming from your new shop, will be watching for the further additions.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Scott: You’re absolutely right. With our climate, I can probably work darn near year round with only occasional breaks from the cold. Wind is the biggest concern, and I’m working on securing this puppy well enough to handle any but the highest winds. In those cases, there’s not much I can do I’m afraid. Still, I’m happy enough with it for the time being :)

Chris: That is one big advantage :D. I have plenty of space too…just not when it rains ;)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Nice start.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Thanks CJ :)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

I still do a lot of work outdoors. Sanding is a favorite outsides.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

There certainly is a lot to like about working outside. I think that, whenever I build my permenant shop, I’ll have a covered deck on it as well…just so I can work outside when I want to :)

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Best thing about it is the free aircon and unlimited natural light, especialy come finishing time.

-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand

kiwi,

Absolutely! Unfortunately, in my area it probably won’t be enough AC in the hottest parts of the year, but I can always bring in a fan if needed :D

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Tomcat,
Take a look at the Nicholson bench I just built over at http://schoolofwood.com/blog/4 I think it would serve your needs. It shouldn’t take that long to build it. I am impressed with how well it works, Kudos to Nicholson!
Mike

-- mike, www.schoolofwood.com

Mike,

I appreciate the tip. I’ve been looking at the English Bench in Chris Schwarz’s Workbench book. It’s really just a Nicholson with a slightly different name. I haven’t ruled the Nicholson out at all, but no firm decision has been made.

My only concern is the ability to clamp to the top, which I find I’m doing more and more of on my current bookcase project.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

Tomcat,
This style of bench works best with handtools. If clamping to the top is important then you probably want to go with a slab top. The key thing with the Nicholson (English)type bench is to remember that originally it was a construction site workbench so it is made with cheaper materials. This is important when your bench is outside on the porch where it might get exposed to weather. The construction lumber is easier to flatten if your top gets out of whack. If I was in your position I would screw a bench together out of construction lumber and use it for a while. Then you can always take it apart and change it. The main thing is to not get hung up on the bench and get to working wood.
Mike

-- mike, www.schoolofwood.com

Don’t worry Mike, I’m not :)

I’ve been working on a bookcase lately, and I’ve got a few more projects up my sleeve as well, and not just a bench. What I’ve got working just now seems to do OK for some stuff (not so great for others), but it should help me figure out what I want in a bench.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!