My Shop on 'Deep Clean' Cycle

Looks good, but if you are anything like me it will be messy again as soon as you start another project.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Probably true, Gary. But with each new re-organization I am finding it easier to clean after projects.

-- Dust collectors suck.

Well, good luck to you.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Blake, you make me sick. (I am the “before” that sets the bar.) (no offense pal)

-- Maplewood, MN

When I retired from my job, one of my main objectives was to organize, & cleanup my shop.

It’s going on 18 years now, & its as messy as ever.

I keep on making things though. That’s a lot more fun.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

If Karson sees this, you may be taken off of his buddies list. This is one of those things that has to happen, but it’s like shoveling sand against the tide.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

If yer done Blake I have tickets for you to come up here and start mine. <g>
Better you than me, I can’t part with anything.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Well done Blake, a big improvement in the corner. I do not remember the workshop being so untidy when we visited in January. It is looking good with most of the big machines on wheels it gives you so much more flexibility.

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

Awesome job Blake, I think this is the inspiration I am needing to get off my duff and get started.

-- Grant...."GO BUCKEYES"

I’m in the middle of my own shop clean up/face lift. I can’t wait to post the pictures. I’m hoping to be back in business by Thursday. Right know I just have to organize and clean a little more. I’m also waiting for a new saw, once that is in I’ll post. And this tiime I have the before pics.

Right on Blake, and you are right about being able to clean easier each time you re-organize. You will find working in your shop a little nicer too now that you have more room. But Gary makes a good point as well. My experience is that I will mess it up quicker because my mind tells me I have more room now – then I get lazy and just start laying crap everywhere. I make myself vacuum at least once per day and one day each week I spend an hour tidying things up. It’s a good habit to get into now before it becomes unbearable again!!!

-- --Chuck

Very good Blake. It does feel good to reorganize and get everything stored away. But I am sure when you work it is not simply a matter of pulling out the table saw or band saw and finishing the project. At some point I tend to get almost every tool I own involved in the project and, because I may need it soon, it tends to get left on the assembly table. Then to assemble the piece I have to shove the tools aside to make room. But then we get to repeat the process of cleaning again and the cycle renews itself.

You are looking good now. I may even have to go out and put everything away that is on my assembly table after seeing this post (if I can get caught up with the posts).

Thanks for the inspiration.

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

Blake,

You have made a huge improvement, great job.
Hopefully I will get mine done so I can post it. Seems like a long journey to a clean shop that as soon as I finish I look forward to getting sawdust all over.

-- Kevin, Wichita, Kansas

Hey what can we say about our dirty shops? The difference between a clean shop and a dirty shop is only about 15 minutes! Good job Blake…....Now to get it dirty….lol

-- A duck that brags on his own pond, soon swims alone.

All is calm on the Western front…looks nice!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

I think the pizza rack is one of my favorite pieces in your shop, simple yet very effieient. Speaking of tools on wheels….. I’m going to start another blog question about peoples opinions/ideas on wheels/mobile bases for their tools. I’m not sure if it’s better to buy a generic mobile base or just build a base yourself. Anyways, maybe you could share some of your experience in this area. Thanks

-- Michael, Fort Worth, TX. "I wood if I could!"

...and another one turns to the dark side.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

very impressive :)

Now I have to say that I scanned the pix until I got to that last one and then my eyes searched every corner of “the pile” to see what I could use! haha
oh my .. once a pack rat.. always a pack rat

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Good job! Thanks for posting

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I like how you have the jointer backed up to the tablesaw. I have a little aisle space between mine, but seeing your setup made me wonder why, since I almost always use them in tandem. I may have to borrow that notion, thanks!

-- Robb

Congratulations Blake; that’s really neat. I just wish I could do it myself. It must be my post-WW2 upbringing. I actually find it very painful reading about other people chucking stuff out. As for considering doing it myself, well I’d better go and lie down! <grin>

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.