I pushed that orange cart down the main race way of the local Home Depot heading toward the tool coral. There’s nothing I really need there, it’s just part of the routine I supposed. I bumped into Don who works at the appliance section.
“What are you building now? “ He asked as he peered into the cart.
A hedge clipper and a garden hose repair kit was all that’s in.
“Stupid garden, really cuts into valuable woodshop time.” I replied.
He laughed. I continued pushing the cart as if I was doing time.
My wood shop is evolving slower than I wanted since I discovered the weekend task of yard work along with this new place. But there will be progress as I slowly moved my frequently used hand tools to the wall. I figured I should be able to measure, layout, mark, cut, chop and shave without having to do more than 3 steps. It’s part of my philosophy for my new workshop. I should be able to make simple box within an hour at any time. After all , most of what I do is joining small boxes to make big boxes.
Since I store most of my chisels in the tool chest out of harms’ way, I needed a chisel holder in front of the bench that would hold different chisels for the different project of the moment. This took a while to figure out as I had a general idea what it need to look like, then I had to substitute the maple push broom head, leather and steal with things I do have laying around, a bunch of card board boxes and left over base boards.
I also started working on storage solutions under the bench. I called it the sidekick as it is mobile and serves as extra storage, and a tool caddy when I am working in the shop or installing baseboard in the house. The back of the cart has storage for my CO2 regulator and my nail guns. Learning from the construction industry, brads and wood glue is the best joint ever*.
- Disclaimer – By best joint ever, I mean for trim carpentry and cabinet installation in comparison to cost and time efficiency, and NOT for heirloom quality furniture, where wood joinery is the standard.
-- Thuan
14 comments so far
fredf
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98 posts in 101 days
posted 86 days ago
How much do you get out of that little tank?
Ive always heard that co2 damages tools forms acid with water. any problems or how to avoid problems??
looks like a good start on your bench, good luck on the outdoor projects too
-- Fred, Springfield, Ma
GaryK
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8183 posts in 379 days
posted 86 days ago
Yea, the pleasures of yard work! I hate it. Eats up too much time.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Betsy
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1497 posts in 287 days
posted 86 days ago
I personnally would like to concrete over my grass, paint it green and call it a day. I detest yard work. Takes to much time away from the fun stuff.
-- Betsy - There is no strength where there is no struggle
Scott Bryan
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7813 posts in 213 days
posted 86 days ago
Hi Thuan,
Your shop is coming along nicely and you are organizing it well. I had forgotten that you posted a review on the CO2 regulator. I have been meaning to get one of these. It just makes so much more sense as opposed to dragging a hose around, especially working from a ladder.
Yard work does take it toll with respect to available shop time but it is one of those necessary tasks that we have to do along with landscape management, if you have a yard. But since mowing is an activity with which you can put your mind on auto-pilot just use it as to mentally plan your next project.
Thanks for the post. Happy mowing. :)
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
bfd
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155 posts in 198 days
posted 85 days ago
Hi Thuan,
Your shop is progressing very nicely. You have a great set up there. It always takes longer then you think doesn’t it? I cannot say enough about your resourcefulness it is impressive! You have some great hand tools there. I am getting ready to build a bench and you have motivated me to A.) look at what I have and can utilize vs. buying new. B.) you have also motivated me to take a serious look at how I store my hand tools. I think having them above the bench in arms reach really makes sense. I currently have everything neatly stored in rolling craftsman tool chests. I can’t wait to see more progress and the projects that you create in your new shop.
-- bfd, Folsom, CA
MichaelW
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27 posts in 139 days
posted 85 days ago
Thuan,
Enjoy reading your post and following your progress. Thanks for sharing your organizational ideas and pictures. Looks great, hope I can return the favor once I get mine together.
-- Michael, Seattle, WA
tenontim
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620 posts in 135 days
posted 85 days ago
Nicely done, Thuan. Your shop is looking good. Keep us posted.
-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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302 posts in 189 days
posted 85 days ago
Thuan
Excellent progress, I really like your collection of japanese saws….the mobile cart concept and how you plan to utilize them is a great idea.
Question is one of your racks made out of bamboo? It looks really neat
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
RobS
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1000 posts in 697 days
posted 85 days ago
Tsk, tsk… Don’t know if it’s just the picture angle but the safety glasses appear to be one of the farthest away tools….would like to see those more in the forefront… or perhaps that is the spare pair..? ha..
Keep on going, it is looking good and you have some great ideas.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
Thuan
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152 posts in 209 days
posted 84 days ago
Fredf, I did a review on the CO2 regulator on this site, here is a link on it.
http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/161
Recently, I found a paint ball gun store that fills the 20 0z tank for $5. This makes it very affordable. I haven’t heard of any tool damage. As the paintball guys use the same technology. There are Lumberjock members who use scuba tanks filled with co2 to power their guns. Maybe the extra cold exhaust make the rubber gasket brittle?
Bill,
Yes, as BFD puts it, I repurpose an old Bamboo Ladder as a clamp rack
Rob,
Guilty – :(
-- Thuan
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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302 posts in 189 days
posted 84 days ago
Thuan the bamboo ladder is a GREAT idea for clamps! I think if you add a stabile base with casters it could even a little more useful by being mobile – I need to search ebay now for a bamboo ladder.
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
Dorje
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1695 posts in 388 days
posted 84 days ago
Thuan – your shop and tool storage is really taking shape – looking good!
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
motthunter
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956 posts in 190 days
posted 83 days ago
really a great shop..
-- making sawdust....
Blake
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1811 posts in 265 days
posted 82 days ago
Thuan,
From your very first post I knew that you would be an interesting woodworker to follow, and I get such a kick out of your posts. You have an incredibly unique sense of style and such a simple/efficient way of thinking and doing things in this day and age of need-every-gadget woodworking.
I love your shop, and it is evolving nicely. It is neat to see your progress, and I’m glad you post it. I feel like I have finally come to the end of my “building my shop” period after about three years, although a woodshop is always evolving. It does take a while to get everything just where you like it, and a considerable amount of trial and error.
It’s an exciting process as each improvement gets you that much closer to the perfect space. Tiny conveniences mean everything, and achieving that “just right” shop is achieving the freedom to build whatever you want or need.
Happy woodworking.
-- Dust collectors suck.