Grandkids And The Studio Furniture Movement
The space-time continuum changes when you add the grandkids factor to the intended work progress equation, but that is OK. Rita and I had a couple of the grandsons for the weekend and they spent some time in the shop with me.
I went out to the shop Saturday morning with the 2 boys in tow (ages 3 and 4) and thought that I would finish my organizational efforts in just a few hours – silly me. It took me all morning just to install the ceiling mounted hanger and sort the extension cords.
This turned out to be a great place to store the cords. I did not hang it from the truss because it was not in the right location. I put cross bracing in the attic and hung it exactly where needed.
After installing the hanger and storing the extension cords I decided it was futile to juggle shop work and my duties as a grandpa. So I devoted the rest of my afternoon to the kids and helping them explore their woodworking skills.
I have an idea they may set up tent in the studio furniture camp based on these abstract pieces that they constructed. You could just see the gears turning in their head as they contemplated the construction of their projects. Notice the hard hat that one of them wore for safety.
Clamp Storage
Sunday was quite productive. Rita did some things with the kids and so that freed me up to get the reorganization done.
Figuring out a system to hang various styles of clamps can be a tough one. The various styles and brands of clamps all require a different method for storage. I knew that I wanted to protect my new wall so I started by screwing five 2×6 studs horizontally to the wall.
This turned out to be a good decision. The clamp collection may change over time and the method of hanging them may change but it can all be done on this foundation of 2×6’s.
The 2×6’s are attached with heavy screws to bear the weight of the clamps which is quite substantial. The dimensional lumber not only provides a structural base for clamp storage, but also provides much needed stand-off from the wall.
I really like the clamps that Rockler sells. They sell a pipe clamp kit and and aluminum clamp that have feet which stand the clamp off of the table. This provides clearance for the handle to turn and also provides for a convenient method of hanging the clamps.
I also used 2×6 material as a baseboard trim. This will provide the wall with solid protection from the mobile bases. I screwed the material to the wall for easy replacement in the future. The 2×6 seems to be the perfect height to provide optimum protection from the mobile equipment.
A Bit of Help
I did not do all of the work by myself. When Rita returned with the grandkids, the oldest one came out to the shop to lend a hand with the organization effort.
A Final Look
I did not get the TV mounted on the wall and there is a list of 50 other things that I could do to create better organization and storage but I need to get back to work. This project did not cost very much because I had quite a bit of the material on hand but it cost me a week’s worth of my time. This effort should pay back big dividends in greater efficiency and smoother workflow.
The clamps were originally piled in the corner and a set of doors that were never used now is a solid wall providing much needed storage.
Everybody’s shop setup and needs are different, but I hope that sharing this organization effort helps give you some ideas for your shop.
Get out in the shop and DO something.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
25 comments so far
lew
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4483 posts in 649 days
posted 42 days ago
Now, you know, you will never be able to quickly find what you are looking for because it is not where it used to be!
Todd A. Clippinger
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5638 posts in 993 days
posted 42 days ago
That certainly was true while I was making the changes over the last week. I hope to bond with the changes today.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Cory
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197 posts in 313 days
posted 42 days ago
Grand kids? Seriously? You look about 30 years old!
I really like the system you came up with on the clamps. Do you plan on hanging any of your F-style clamps or quick grips up there, too?
-- Premium firewood created daily.
Bothus
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225 posts in 70 days
posted 42 days ago
Good job Todd. Nice shop.
I love the work the grandkids did. The little woman and I decided want to get some grandkids one day.
Where did you find them?
Bothus
-- Professional kitchen designer, amature woodworker.
Greg Wurst
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716 posts in 726 days
posted 42 days ago
The nice thing about grandkids is you can visit with them and then give them back (as my mother would say). Having a 3yr old boy in the house on a regular basis really cuts into the shop time. :)
I’ve seen modern art that didn’t look as good as those scrap wood projects. They may have budding careers as artists ahead of them!
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.
Todd A. Clippinger
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5638 posts in 993 days
posted 42 days ago
Cory – I do not have any F-style clamps at this time. I am going to leave the clamps on the mobile base as-is because I use them the most and I can wheel them next to the assembly table when needed.
Bothus – There is a good selection of grandchildren at the Grandkids-R-Us superstore.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
GaryD
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50 posts in 263 days
posted 42 days ago
Todd, like the clamp rack, mine are in a garbage can but have found this does not work well, hey good help is hard to fine, but at least it is cheap help. And fun too. Looks like you had the race on for noise while you were working. Got my first grandchild on the way buyt wont be here until April. I also have some of the abstract work from my 9 year old nephew that comes over often to “make stuff” as he puts it.
-- Gary, Little River,SC I've Learned that the Lord didn't do it all in one day and neither can I
MedicKen
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460 posts in 356 days
posted 42 days ago
Nice job on the clamp rack. It gave me some ideas for my own space. The shaper seems to have become a pretty expensive TV stand, any plans to change that?
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5638 posts in 993 days
posted 42 days ago
Medic Ken-That was on the to-do list but did not get done. I am sure that it will happen soon.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
lumberdustjohn
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82 posts in 60 days
posted 42 days ago
Nice clean shop.
Someday I will clean mine.
-- John Stoler Apple Creek Ohio
Loucarb
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944 posts in 339 days
posted 42 days ago
Great clamp rack & fantastic shop. Nothing like sharing time with the grand kids, but I’m with Cory you don’t look old enough to have grand kids.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7034 posts in 1193 days
posted 42 days ago
Great job Todd.
It looks like you’re all caught up with your organizing now.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Kindlingmaker
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1470 posts in 420 days
posted 42 days ago
Thanks Todd, your reorg has given me some ideas. Great job and photos!
-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings
a1Jim
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16695 posts in 470 days
posted 42 days ago
Great Job Todd. If you plan any trips to southern Oregon I’m sure you would love to do mine too. LOL
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
reggiek
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705 posts in 163 days
posted 42 days ago
Great job…truly inspiring….the shop is an ever evolving process….(mine is mostly de-volving these days)....I always begrudge the time I take to make things for organizing…Luckily…my real job has enough folks to take care of that….I just point to a machine and tell them where to station it…and what to do with the wires…etc….I wish I had that at home….
Grandkids….ahhh the fruits of ageing…..keep em engaged though…my fondest memories is helping my oldpa in his shop making furniture….his love of wood and working with it turned out to be very contagious…lets hope it is the same for this new generation.
At least one great thing….its a nice way to spend the time when the snow is falling…
-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!
Todd A. Clippinger
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5638 posts in 993 days
posted 42 days ago
It was bitter cold out this weekend. Wind, low temps, and some snow. Yes, a heated shop is a wonderful thing.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
blockhead
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292 posts in 202 days
posted 42 days ago
Great job on the shop Todd. The payback will be high with a more efficient shop. I love the clamp racks as well, very versatile. Tell the grand kids great job on their projects as well!
-- Brad, Oregon- Wood, it's what's for dinner.
pommy
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954 posts in 585 days
posted 42 days ago
When can i move in todd
-- cut it saw it scrap it
Beginningwoodworker
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4132 posts in 566 days
posted 42 days ago
Thats a great space, Todd.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
ND2ELK
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6165 posts in 667 days
posted 42 days ago
Hi Todd
Your clamp rack looks great! I always enjoy see an organized shop like yours. GRANDKIDS! You look too young to have grandkids.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
cabinetmaster
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8497 posts in 451 days
posted 41 days ago
Todd, You definitely look too young to have grandkids. I have 10 of them and 1 great grandson….......... enjoy every minute I can have with them.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Napaman
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3482 posts in 970 days
posted 41 days ago
wow old man this has certainly turned out great!!! the whole project has been fun to watch…inspiring…
BTW—-we are battoning down the hatches here in Nor Cal for 8 inches of rain in the next 48 hours (that is 25% of our typical annual rain total)——so get ready Montana!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Roz
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461 posts in 680 days
posted 39 days ago
Grand Kids, Sooooooo, that means you had kids at about age 11. Nice vice rack, I’ve got to get mine somewhere quick.
-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."
Todd A. Clippinger
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5638 posts in 993 days
posted 39 days ago
OK, I can tell everyone is wondering my age – I am 43 and I will be 44 in November.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
reggiek
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705 posts in 163 days
posted 39 days ago
Dang…you’re just a pup…..LOL….wow….but it is wonderful that you are not so old that you cannot enjoy your grandchildren’s company….my oldpa was in his 60’s when I was around 8….so it only left a short time to enjoy his input and guidance….I did learn to always enjoy the time you get…it will never be enough.
November though…..great month for birthdays…Mine is in there too…but you have to add a decade or so…
Wish you could send some of that snow our way though…we finally got a little rain here…but its not enough (the local lake is down so far you can wade out and grab the fish)...I already got a nice small stove in the shop burning the small scraps….it was the best addition of all for sure…..and a great place to quickly get rid of those costly mistakes…lol….j/k
-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!