What is the primary function of your woodshop?

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:51 pm

My workshop is half of the third bay of the garage. With a large shelf taking up the side of the garage and winter coming, which means outside items come in and motivation to work in 45 degree and colder conditions I'm getting shut down for the season. Oh, and I forgot to mention all the bikes, ladders, strollers and toys hanging from the ceiling. Usually, I move out the cars and take over the two other bays where the cars go for woodworking. With young kids and cold weather I have to get both cars (barely) in the garage at this time of year.

Perhaps once my basement stops being a storage area until my parents move back to town or my wife will agree to putting in an attic ladder in the garage, I'll be able to do more work during the winter. Would like to setup the Shopsmith for winter work in the basement. I will have to block sawdust for invading my furnace which is in the same area.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 3:32 pm

My "shop" is primarily a money pit in which I store my tools and, occasionally, do some sawdust and firewood making. My real hobby is being a tool junkie and honeydoer.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:32 pm

My shop has all purposes. Recently I made a light bar for a 2011 Jeep. Before that car parts. Before that ran the South Bend lathe every day to teach myself and build a milling machine. Before that Refinishing hand planes and taught classes. All in the same shop. It's amazing how many guys can fit in there with all the crazy shit I have. I then spend all my extra time cleaning it. Ridiculous.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:59 pm

My heated and cooled 25' X 19.6' work shop was added to the back of the garage two years ago and is fondly called "Grandpa's Man Cave!" Yes it is a money pit where a small fortune in tools exists. Yes I make many projects that are designed to make the shop more functional. Tis also true that a few projects per year come from the shop that raise my stock value with family members and friends. This month I am attempting to finish up several Christmas gifts. Then it breaks my heart to announce the shop will be closed and off limits to me for at least a couple of months. After many years of rotator cuff injuries and surgeries which never quite seem to work, in January I will have what is called a reverse shoulder replacement. The plan being to preserve what limited use I have of the arm and eliminate the pain. Then I pray to be able to once again enjoy the use of my own personal man cave. Jim

mrhart · Post by **mrhart** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:03 pm

fjimp wrote:My heated and cooled 25' X 19.6' work shop was added to the back of the garage two years ago and is fondly called "Grandpa's Man Cave!" Yes it is a money pit where a small fortune in tools exists. Yes I make many projects that are designed to make the shop more functional. Tis also true that a few projects per year come from the shop that raise my stock value with family members and friends. This month I am attempting to finish up several Christmas gifts. Then it breaks my heart to announce the shop will be closed and off limits to me for at least a couple of months. After many years of rotator cuff injuries and surgeries which never quite seem to work, in January I will have what is called a reverse shoulder replacement. The plan being to preserve what limited use I have of the arm and eliminate the pain. Then I pray to be able to once again enjoy the use of my own personal man cave. Jim

I'm no expert, but wouldn't that put your arm on bakcwards?
I wish you the best on that surgery and please throw up some pics of your Chistmas gifts when they're complete.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:25 pm

Jim, we have had this discussion before and I know you know and understand the survival and recovery rules as well as I do. That period of constraint is needed so that you can heal properly. I learned the hard way that cheating on that is cheating yourself. Be patient man, it is in your best interest.

We will be thinking of you often and praying for your recovery on a regular basis.

Put a comfortable chair and a reading light out there. You might never want to use it but having it there can have a positive effect. Of course, you will have to get permission to go out there to sit and it might be very difficult to convince your nurse that you are allowed to be there but it is worth a try.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:52 pm

dusty wrote:Jim, we have had this discussion before and I know you know and understand the survival and recovery rules as well as I do. That period of constraint is needed so that you can heal properly. I learned the hard way that cheating on that is cheating yourself. Be patient man, it is in your best interest.

We will be thinking of you often and praying for your recovery on a regular basis.

Put a comfortable chair and a reading light out there. You might never want to use it but having it there can have a positive effect. Of course, you will have to get permission to go out there to sit and it might be very difficult to convince your nurse that you are allowed to be there but it is worth a try.

Dusty,

I agree and as you, have learned to follow the physician orders. As to a chair in the shop. Yeah well I can dream, Frankly my love will never ever allow that. She knows me far too well. I found it interesting that the hospital called right after my sending this message to inform that January 16 is the magic day. As to my arm working backwards what would you expect. Every thing I do seems to be backwards. As I understand it, they somehow reverse the positioning of the joint. In my case the top of the joint has worn away. Thus my arm floats up out of the socket. Yeah I know that's too much information. Jim

burkhome · Post by **burkhome** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 7:24 am

I have to have somewhere to store all that "sawdust".

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 8:57 pm

My shop is a 16 by 20 ft building, I had built when moving into this place. Had a two specs - A double French door windowless entry and only one small window of the type used above tub/shower locations. It is located on North side and the window on the South side to pick up southerly winds when desired. Most of the wall space is for storage - even the back of the doors.

My shop represents my lifestyle. It's my place to go every day we are at home. It is outfitted with a radio and a television (on cable) and a telephone. I while away many enjoyable hours in my beloved get away.

My shop is used mostly for making projects for others. They include, firstly, my sweet wife who approved all machinery purchases. I love making furniture projects and am looking forward to the need for grand-baby furniture.

For the past year or so, most of the time has been used to make small cars and trucks for a nearby charity. They will take all I can make. Presently making a dressing screen wifey wants to hide the fabric and stuff oozing from her sowing/embroidery room. Also a new computer center is in the honeydo list for her sewing room.

Other uses for the shop are; storage - temporary, I always hope, watching football games, fix it jobs and just plain enjoyment!

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joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:29 pm

My shops primary function is a place to go to get out of the house and do what I want to do. It is heated and cooled so I can stay out there any time of year. I can make sawdust, listen to radio or play on the computer.