The American Craftsman WorkShop #14: Reorganizing the Shop - Finishing Up

Almost Done

I only have a few things left on the list for this round of shop organization.

I need to get the clamps hanging on the wall. At the moment they are just laying on the floor. Before this started they were standing, piled in a corner. It was difficult to access them or pull them out individually, but I cannot neglect them for one more day on the floor. This has been their temporary home while I finished the wall.

I also need to hang the extension cords. I have a lot of these because of my remodeling work. I am running out of room on the shelves and the wall so I bought a ceiling mounted hanger and will place it above the ladder storage area.

I should also get the TV mounted on the wall. You will notice that it sits on the shaper. When I use the shaper it gets moved to the bench and so it goes back and forth as necessary.

Some Much More To Do

There are a lot of other things that I will need to do but I cannot afford the time. This has taken longer than I thought and I have projects to get done. I still have been taking calls, doing bids, and working on the shop all at the same time, this is the life of self-employment.

I do not do well with trying to work my business during the day and then work on the shop or house at night and on weekends. I have to fit these projects in my schedule and give them full attention as I would any other job.

Out of Touch

One thing that did surprise me is how long it takes to organize and go through things in storage or stuff that has gathered in the corner over time.

Remodeling is always a good time to go through and cull out the unused and unwanted items. On a remodeling project it is the client’s job to organize their items, move out for me, and move back in. It is just my job to do the construction from design to finish. I seemed to have lost track of how much time it takes to do the client’s job.

Current Status

Here is a shot of the end wall where I tore out the door. I will be hanging the clamps below the window.

The materials stacked in this corner have been organized. The sheetgoods are stacked in the corner and the stock material belongs to pending projects.

Once the projects are done then I will shelve or burn anything left over. One way or another, nothing goes to waste.

I will need to take another couple of days and pull everything off the unfinished wall, finish the electrical, and sheet it. I know that I will need to use plywood on this wall, placing sheetrock on this wall would be disastrous because it takes a beating.

There are other things on the shop improvement list but they will have to wait. When I work on the shop I have to work on the house. It is hard to justify to the wife why I am putting more time and money in the shop compared to the house.

Remember this: When Momma’s happy – Everybody’s Happy. If your wife sees what you can do to the house when you have a proper shop set-up, you will have her blessing to work on the shop.

Well, time to get back in the shop.

What Have You Done For Your Wife Lately?

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