The American Craftsman WorkShop #11: Shop Reorganization - Day 2

I think code require NM cable to be stapled within 12 inches of a junction/electrical box if not in conduit. I saw a long stretch of cable there above the box! ;)

JK, your shop is definitely cleaner now. They don’t stay that way long for some reason. :)

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

Greg – As you can see I have all of the wires both NM and MC fastened close to the box. But that one does appear to exceed the 12” before it dives into the rest where it is fastened.

Dang – You got me on that one.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Your shop is a heck of alot cleaner than mine right now. Now I need to get busy and clean it.

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

Looking good Todd. Can’t wait to see it finished.

-- Brad, Oregon- Wood, it's what's for dinner.

I my Area it’s within 6” .Your shop looks great Todd , I wish I had dry walled my shop.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

You should be embarrassed, Todd. I’m sure you had some Bubinga laying around that you could have used for the trim. Your shop deserves better than Ash!!!!

-- Premium firewood created daily.

Todd,

On the lines of keeping the dust down, I quit sanding drywall years ago, when I found that a damp sponge does wonders and helps feather the edges. I use the 4” x 6” tile grout sponges from HD, you just rinse out the sponge and your good to go. No noise from the shop vac, no dust, and to me seems to go a lot faster than sandpaper.

Since its Fire Prevention Week, I see your fire extinguisher, have you taken it down and shook it up lately to keep the powder loose? Is the gauge still in the green? How about the smoke detector, changed the battery? Sorry just got back from the elementary school, giving presentations to the kids, sorta rolled over to your posting.

I’ll have to post some new photos of my shop, you’ve inspired me to get cleaning too, and this weekend is the city’s yearly free haul off, so I’ve got the truck backed up and ready to fill it up.

Keep up the good work Todd.

-- James

+1 on the damp sponge drywall technique. Assuming you don’t glob-on the joint compound it works great.

-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.

It really sucks when you in the middle of a project and you really want to get something done but theres a lot of crap in your way

-- kosta brownsville brooklyn my home

I also use that dust control drywall compound. Indeed, there is a difference.

How do you protect those speakers, or do you consider them “dispendable”?

What a nice big and well organized space.

looking great!!! What did i do today??? Well I actually got outside in my shop for 1/2 after work…felt good for a mid-week…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Good idea with the chases Todd:-)) Most architects design buildings to screw the trades and the maintenance guys:-(( Your panel looks good to me, I’m not an inspector so 18” is good enuf fer me! I’ll bet your panel is one of the few with the labeling correct. I was on a service call one day years ago. I told the guy I’d relabel his circuits properly. He asked why weren’t they labeled right by the installer. I told him the code says you have to label them, it doesn’t say anything about correctly!!

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Topamax – Not only are the breakers labeled correctly, but when I am in the attic chasing wires that is easy because they are all labeled too.

I set a new electric panel on the house a few years ago, when the inspector looked at it he asked who the electrician was and I told him that I did it. He was thoroughly impressed with the work.

Keep in mind, I will run electric on my own house but I call Sparky for my jobs. The insurance company would drop me pretty quick if I was caught running wire and plumbing.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Lots of inspectors know an electrician didn’t do it if it looks too good :-))

What used to scare me was the general contractors adding things when I had a permit on the job!! :-(( They didn’t think it was a big deal, but I’m the responsible guy when there is a fire or even worse, a fatality. I always put a stop to it when the cat got out of the bag.

The State of WA is trying to stop underground electrical work. they have hired special investigators to catch people doing it. I know at least one inspector who quit because he didn’t want to be a cop on Saturdays. Glad I’m not in the enforcement end of the business.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Mix the mismatched paint together and just paint that whole wall.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Blake – I already took in a 4”x4” paint chip from the wall and had it matched perfectly.

I had thought of that but there is less work this way.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

topamax, when you say “underground” do you mean “moonlighting/non-license” work or do you really mean “underground” as in buried in the dirt?

All forms of people working without licenses, paying their unemployment, workers comp insurance, ect. I don’t recall the estimate of the underground economy, but it is stbstantial.

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.