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Since we’ve always had such great success with our “Everybody Participates” type of meetings (Show & Tell, My Favorite Things/Tool, One Board Foot Contest, Workbenches, etc.), we would like to try that same format for this meeting entitled Workshop Organization. We’ll poll the membership at the February meeting to get a sense of how many members will participate, so please take a look at this before then to determine if you have anything to share.
As woodworkers, we’re all a bit of a voyeur at heart when it comes to the shops of our friends, sometimes because we covet the tools/equipment/space that others have, but mostly because it’s always incredibly interesting to see how others organize their shops and store their tools and supplies, always on the lookout for a better way to make the most of what, for many of us, is a too-small space. We would like as many members as possible to bring in (or photograph/video) examples of the way that they organize their tools, equipment, or shop; let’s say a limit of no more than three items per member (if you have more, you can show them after the meeting to those that wish to stay late).
There are no right or wrong answers here; here are some ideas that might get you thinking about something that you can share with the group:
- Pegboard, because it’s versatile and flexible. Maybe you’ve discovered great accessories for it or have made your own.
- Other wall-based systems (plywood, French cleats, etc.).
- Hanging or floor-standing tool cabinets.
- How do you manage power tool storage and cord management?
- How do you store machines in a compact area, yet have them be easily accessible?
- Tightly-grouped machines with infeed/outfeed passing over/under adjacent machines.
- What do you use for drawers (shop built, repurposed office furniture, etc.)? How do you organize them? Label them?
- Clamp storage and accessibility.
- How do you tame and store the various types/shapes/grits of sandpaper?
- What’s underfoot in your shop? Does it keep your back from hurting after a long session in the shop?
- Lighting — overhead, on the wall, low-angle, etc.
- Wood, cutoffs, and sheet goods storage.
- How do you deal with electricity and compressed air?
- Specialty tool holders (chisels, gouges, measuring/marking, planes, etc.)
- Tool “centers” for specific tasks (sharpening, drilling, etc.).
You get the idea…share with us how you deal with knowing where to look for and how to access your tools. For most (all?) of us, how we organize our shops is a never-ending project — perhaps an idea that you share will be the “Aha” moment for another member’s dilemma.
If you prefer to use photos/video of your items because they are too large/attached to bring in, please see Section C1 of our Meeting Technology Guide [https://www.wpwoodworkers.org/links/meeting-technology-guide/] and we’ll project them on the TV monitor when it’s your turn to present.
Looking forward to seeing lots of great ideas…