Workshop in Need of Work

I don’t want to admit it but I am still working on my pantry countertop…and that’s all I’ll say about it at the moment because this post is about the other project I’m working on during the waiting phases of my countertop work.  I’m taking the opportunity to straighten up my workshop.  I have been working in absolute chaos (for me) and it has been driving me mad for months.  So — this countertop debacle is providing the perfect opportunity for me to spend time working ON my workshop (instead of just working IN it.  See what I did there?)

Why is’t not working for me…

Last year I built this giant outfeed/assembly table with the intention of creating some different, very functional and amazing, “stations” in it.  However, I wanted to use it for a while to determine which side I used for different functions such as: sanding, painting, assembling, cutting…  I anticipated using all sides of this giant table but over the course of this last year, I found that I stood on the exact same side no matter what task I was performing.  The other side of the table then became storage for benchtop tools I purchased and never bothered building mobil bases for because they were usable where they were (kinda).

So the outfeed/assembly table is TOO big.

And it is NOT a place for tool storage.  Building mobile bases for my drill press, jointer and planer is on the list!

Also, it’s time to upgrade from the pegboard I installed on the walls.  I’ve seen many people get rid of pegboard for the exact reason I’m now removing it but at the time I installed it, I made the decision to go ahead and use it temporarily because it was a quick storage solution.

The problem with it is the hangers and accessories that you can get for it fall out easily when you remove a tool from said hanger or accessory.  There are types that screw into the pegboard, but that really defeats the purpose of having pegboard…permanently attaching a hanger in one location…

Plus, I haven’t been able to find a way to optimize the space available with the storage that I need and the whole wall looks like a hot mess.

So the pegboard is coming down…

Then there’s my dust collection system.  It’s worked great for my table saw but quite inconvenient for everything else because I have to unhook my table saw hose to hook up anything else…

which was obviously not the intention when I installed it!  I anticipated where I would be placing other tools and created “duct” lines that could get to those tools but, as you can see, I never did anything with it.  Mostly on account of my purchasing benchtop tools instead of stationary floor models and because it was so easy to place those benchtop tools on my worktable…

My dust collector works great with the jury rigged modifications I made to it but it is LOUD!  So I’m moving it into an isolated closet …that I must build.

I’ve got to build better clamp storage because this is impossible to get to when my drum sander and band saw are parked here.  Plus it’s not very convenient to go back and forth 20 times to get all the clamps I need for glue-up two at a time – cause that’s all I can carry at one time.

So a mobile clamp rack is in order.

But before I tackle any of these projects, I’m optimizing the storage I already have in place.  I built this wall of cabinets when I first moved in, at the same time I was building my master closet.  I got tired of having to unpack boxes every time I needed a tool and then just lining the floor with everything I unpacked because there was nowhere to put anything.

But these 24″ deep shelves are not very functional as-is.  Finding something in these shelves is basically like unpacking a moving box.  So I’ve got to optimize these shelves.

AND the drawers!  Finding anything in a deep drawer is the same as finding it on a deep shelf.  Everywhere I look is just a hot mess of random, loose parts and pieces.

Also, I built all of the shelves the exact same height because I was building in a hurry and it was a quick solution for my storage problem at the time.  Problem is, the shelves were not tall enough to store any large tool cases so those have been on the floor or stacked horizontally on shelves.  Both of these options are not optimal so I’m doing a little retro fitting of the top shelves.  It’s quite messy but worth it!

I’m also getting rid of things I don’t use, and don’t plan on ever using again because I have upgraded.  It’s a natural process.  As you perfect your craft, you look for tools that make your work easier, faster and better.

(And even though I’ve heard that you should NEVER get rid of ANYTHING, I don’t like to keep things I don’t need or use.  They have a new home with someone who is at a different stage of perfecting her craft.)  And who has room to never get rid of anything?  Seriously?

I’ve already cleaned up a LOT!  It’s nice to see my countertop again!

I’m getting SO organized and I LOVE it!  I’ve already shared my router storage and bit storage tray with you and I have a lot more to share.   I’m spending a lot of time thinking about where I want to store everything and how I want to retrieve it from its storage spot; what is the most convenient way to grab each particular item.  It’s time consuming but is paying off.

One more area that is getting revamped is my lumber storage.  Scrap wood is one item that I tend not to ever throw away. I built some modular storage areas last year and they have been working great for sorting and storing scrap wood but when you keep EVERYTHING, it takes over eventually.  I’m using as much scrap wood as I can for my entire workshop redo.  It’s amazing how much I still have after using so much already!

And speaking of sCrap wood, I’m hosting a “sCrap Wood Project Challenge” on November 20 and anyone who want to participate is welcome to join.  If you blog, there will be a way to link up.  If you don’t blog, share your project on instagram, Facebook or Twitter and use #scrapwoodchallenge and tag me @SawdustGirl so I can see what you made and maybe feature you!

• No new lumber can be purchased, it must come from your scrap wood pile or some free wood you found on the side of the road.  LOL
• You may use new fasteners, glue, paint, stain or whatever finish you want.
• This is a building challenge, so no refinishing projects.  Sorry.

This is a “Just for Fun” challenge to use up some of those scraps.  There is no judging and no prize other than your own satisfaction for a job well done!  (And hopefully a smaller scrap pile)  😀