I’m glad that I had a sharpening session directly on my temporary workbench, before I finished (or even started, ahem) my “real” bench. After a while, the water and slurry started to fly, and the amount that sloshed over my simple little sharpening stone base would have given me a fit over my nice workbench surface. Time for a dedicated sharpening station.
But with a 6×8 shop, I’m hesitant to “dedicate” space for anything outside of my bench. Fortunately, the shop has a big huge windowed area that is covered by a big huge grate (this used to be the external wall when the house was first built). I’ve learned to put that grate to good use, and will likely use a lot more of it as I go along. Here you can see what I’ve got set up there so far: a C-clamp rack, a torpedo level mount and two shelves made from scrap. I screwed little blocks onto the back of the shelf brackets, and that’s what’s holding them on. I can just lift up and pull them right off or move them higher or lower.
And here is a closer look at my new sharpening station. Soon, I’ll mount some short dowels underneath the base that will slide into matching holes on the shelf. That way I can use the shelf for other things until it’s sharpening time again. But the shelf is plenty sturdy during sharpening – no movement whatsoever!
[This entry was taken from my personal website, Adventures in Woodworking.]
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
9 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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12248 posts in 688 days
posted 288 days ago
that’s wonderful.
Oh that gate——————- wow, what a treasure!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
GaryK
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8541 posts in 516 days
posted 288 days ago
Good use of materials at hand!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Tomcat1066
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573 posts in 324 days
posted 288 days ago
Looking at that grate, I suddenly have a craving for Lucky Charms ;)
Seriously, cool sharpening station.
-- "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!
Eric
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703 posts in 312 days
posted 288 days ago
I didn’t mention that how great it is (or “how grate it is”) that I can position the fan so that it blows right into my face. Cuz it’s kinda hot over here year round, and I have no A/C.
Tomcat: LOL! I never thought of that, but now I won’t NOT think of it every time I go in there.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
Tomcat1066
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573 posts in 324 days
posted 288 days ago
Can you get Lucky Charms there? Or do I need to send you a box? ;)
-- "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!
Eric
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703 posts in 312 days
posted 288 days ago
You can get them in select grocery stores in the area that cater to expats. But dude, if you’re sending something, don’t waste space on cereal – fill it with handplanes and saws!
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
Tomcat1066
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573 posts in 324 days
posted 288 days ago
Sorry, I’m greedy with those :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!
Scott Bryan
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9724 posts in 350 days
posted 288 days ago
Very innovative use of space, Eric. Your workshop is beginning to take shape.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Partridge
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159 posts in 484 days
posted 288 days ago
that is a good idea. space saving
-- Do it right the first time. Becuase fixing it is a wast of time.