What are your shop rules?

[bkhop]

..................

[Ed in Tampa]

I'm putting some ideas together in my head for my next "quick" project - a sign that I'll hang somewhere in my shop. I'll likely woodburn the sign to give it a little more "permanency."

My sign will have a greeting as well as some general shop rules (somewhat for my kids, mostly for my neighbors/other visitors.) My question for you is… what are your "shop rules"? - even if you don't necessarily have them written down somewhere.

Here's some I'm thinking of at this point…
- my tools stay in my shop
- if you want me to build something for you, add your name at the bottom of the current list (I keep a chalkboard list in the shop.)
- when power tools are running, you must wear safety glasses/ear muffs (I keep a drawer filled with extra glasses/earplugs, etc.**)
- when someone is using a power tool, never interrupt them

** each one of my children has his/her own pair of safety glasses and earmuffs, and I do insist that they wear them, so for my kids, this is nothing "new"


okay… what am I missing? I'm drawing a blank and I know there are other safety rules. Are there any other rules that you observe in your shops?

thanks in advance!

BKBishop
Your evidently not old enough or cranky enough.
Once you get to grouchy old man status people stop bothering you and if they do they approach you very cautiously.

Many times the neighbor kids come to see what all the noise is. I will often look up and see them lined up at the edge of the garage door waiting my permission to enter. Knowing not to approach the grouchy old man without his expressed permission.

Of course this works for children but adult neighbors are different they need to see demonstrations of your wrath as grouchy old man. So each year my buddy and I visit each others shop and do a staged "If you ever bring back one of my tools in this shape again make sure your insurance is paid" followed by a near miss of a tosed hammer. If done properly with the right volume and right time (mid day Saturday) the neighbors take note and I don't have problems with them trying to borrow anything.

Seriously I try not to lend anything out, instead I offer to come over and do the project and since most has seen my work they quickly refuse

I try to make it a rule that I don't want anyone around when I'm using a machine and I have found that everyone will accept that when the inherent dangers of a machine is explained to them. Therefore my neighbor/family usually wait until all sounds stop in the shop before they interrupt.
Ed

[ryanbp01]

1. Protect the eyes and ears
2. If you have children that ask to borrow tools, train them to put them back where they got them
3. Protect the eyes and ears
4. Don't clean up my shop for me.
5. Protect the eyes and ears
6. If you hear power tools running, don't assume I know you're there. Make your presence known.
7. Protect the eyes and ears.
8. Don't sneak up on me when I'm working and power tools are running. I will remember and pay you back tenfold!
9. Protect the eyes and ears
10. Roll up your sleeves
11. Protect the eyes and ears
12. Beware: If you stand around and watch I will put you to work, especially if you want to give "constructive comments"
13. Protect the eyes and ears
14. If I am wearing a face shield, you probalbly ought to as well
15 Protect the eyes and ears

BPR

[reible]

BKBishop
Your evidently not old enough or cranky enough.
Once you get to grouchy old man status people stop bothering you and if they do they approach you very cautiously.

Many times the neighbor kids come to see what all the noise is. I will often look up and see them lined up at the edge of the garage door waiting my permission to enter. Knowing not to approach the grouchy old man without his expressed permission.

Of course this works for children but adult neighbors are different they need to see demonstrations of your wrath as grouchy old man. So each year my buddy and I visit each others shop and do a staged "If you ever bring back one of my tools in this shape again make sure your insurance is paid" followed by a near miss of a tosed hammer. If done properly with the right volume and right time (mid day Saturday) the neighbors take note and I don't have problems with them trying to borrow anything.

Seriously I try not to lend anything out, instead I offer to come over and do the project and since most has seen my work they quickly refuse

I try to make it a rule that I don't want anyone around when I'm using a machine and I have found that everyone will accept that when the inherent dangers of a machine is explained to them. Therefore my neighbor/family usually wait until all sounds stop in the shop before they interrupt.
Ed

A man after my own heart... Maybe adding a "KEEP OUT" with skull and cross bones sign is in order.

I personally admire a person who has space to hang a sign.

I use words to explain what is excepted when needed and never try to work if someone is over for a visit. Sometimes when the kids of the neighborhood stop by I have time for them and I try to teach them a few things but other times I just have to explain I've got to get this done and we can visit another time... they seem to respect that. Just like the rules of not coming in my garage shop unless I say so... sometimes I have to remind them.

But the more I think of it that "KEEP OUT" sign is growing on me...

[Nick]

#1AAA Rule:

"Brush the sawdust off before you go in the house -- and brush off the dogs, too."

Entire wars, it seems, have been started by a failure to adhere to this rule.

With all good wishes,

[dusty]

AMEN to sawdust control.

I caught hell just this very morning. It was followed by an "OR ELSE" so I know she was serious.

[Ed in Tampa]

#1AAA Rule:

"Brush the sawdust off before you go in the house -- and brush off the dogs, too."

Entire wars, it seems, have been started by a failure to adhere to this rule.

With all good wishes,

BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!!!!!!

[dusty]

AMEN to sawdust control.

I caught hell just this very morning. It was followed by an "OR ELSE" so I know she was serious.

[bkhop]

.............

[ldh]

I have twin grandsons and from the time they were about five (now seventeen) I had a couple of hard fast rules in my shop.

1. count fingers going into the shop.....must be 10
2. count fingers leaving shop......must be 10
3. If you don't have something to do in the shop keep your hands in your pockets.

The three little rules seemed to make the others stick as both have the required 10 digits.
ldh