I was watching Wood Works today, and noted the lack of evidence of any
other incomplete projects in David Mark's shop. Norm's shop seems to be
the same way (but I don't claim to be an expert on that.)

Personally, I work on multiple projects at a time. While the glue dries on
one project, I'm working on something else. I wonder, can the guys who do
one project at a time get away with a smaller shop space? After they're
done with their cuts and joinery, they can assemble the project and proceed
to finishing, using the same work spaces for each phase. On the other
hand, someone who works on multiple projects at a time would need space for
each phase. After all, it's probably not a good idea to make more sawdust
while the black paint is drying on the cherry.

Maybe instead of wishing for a larger shop, we should just do one project
at a time to stretch the space we have.

Puckdropper
--
If you're quiet, your teeth never touch your ankles.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

"Puckdropper" puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote in message

Maybe instead of wishing for a larger shop, we should just do one project
at a time to stretch the space we have.


Depends on the project. I usually have a "main" project and can do a few
other little things on the side. That is relief if I hit a mental stumbling
block. I prefer working on smaller stuff so space is not as much of a
constraint. I'm not as interested in doing a 12' entertainment center as
much as a box or shelf or other benchtop sized items.

"Puckdropper" wrote:

I wonder, can the guys who do
one project at a time get away with a smaller shop space?

SFWIW:

Living and working in SoCal allows me to basically work outside most
of the year.

My work table is 4x8 and doubles as a fiberglass measuring and cutting
table.

When not in service, it is covered with a tarp.

Have several saw horses scattered in pairs around the yard. On these
saw horses rest some 2x4s.

These serve to store all manner of glue ups, stock that has been cut
to size, cutting sheet goods to size; whatever, while I'm working on
them.

Before I go home, these all get covered with plastic, otherwise over
night dew would be a problem.

When done, break the setup down, stack in corner till next time.

If I had to, could operate out of an 8x20 trailer as long as I could
spread things around to dry during the day and overnight.

Would be a squeeze, but could do it.

BTW, T/S stays under boat, covered by a tarp.

Roll it out to ue as needed.

Maybe this will give you some ideas.

Lew

Puckdropper wrote:
I was watching Wood Works today, and noted the lack of evidence of any
other incomplete projects in David Mark's shop. Norm's shop seems to be
the same way (but I don't claim to be an expert on that.

It's TEE VEE... G


Personally, I work on multiple projects at a time.

Same here!

While the glue dries on
one project, I'm working on something else. I wonder, can the guys who do
one project at a time get away with a smaller shop space?

Very possibly...

I use shrink wrap to bundle my parts together, then I write on the wrap
with a Sharpie, so projects stay together. Except in the case of final
assembly of casework, the in-process parts collections are easy to store.

The spec that sets part of my space requirements are the minimum spaces
required to maneuver parts on and around tools. A box maker can always
use far less space than a woodworker who loves dining tables or chests
of drawers. In this case, my space is dictated more by typical project
than how many.

In my eyes, where multiple projects require extra space involves
equipment availability. This is why my table saw, jointer, planer, and
bench aren't "put away" (well, the planer has wheels...) and aren't used
for storage, etc... Multiple projects are what made me move my router
table from the saw table to a dedicated unit. It's also why I always
keep my handwork bench clean. I can grab a stack of machined parts and
start fitting or finishing them.

Folks who work efficiently in tight spaces are often good at planning
all operations with a specific tool for completion in one session. That
tool can then be efficiently stored, or the combo machine can be
changed, while the same space is used for another operation.

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Puckdropper" wrote:

I wonder, can the guys who do
one project at a time get away with a smaller shop space?

SFWIW:

Living and working in SoCal allows me to basically work outside most
of the year.


There's a drive-by... G

On Sep 14, 12:41*am, Puckdropper puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote:

Maybe instead of wishing for a larger shop, we should just do one project
at a time to stretch the space we have.

One thing I've found that really helps is to create list of projects -
both ongoing and those that would be nice to make someday. For me
this includes jigs, fixtures and other shop improvement projects as
well as "real" work. For those pieces that I've started to make or am
fixin' to start I jot down the next few physical actions I need to
take to move them along. Even if it's a very simple task, I write it
down. That way I get the sense of accomplishment that comes with
crossing something off the list. It really helps when I get bogged
down. Sometimes I get home from work and just don't have it in me to
go "make cabinet doors", but I can pull it together enough to "rough
out stile and rail material" or "set up for coping cuts on router
table" or some other discrete task. And I find that once I get that
one task under my belt I'm motivated to do more. It's just a way to
trick myself into being productive. (This is something I started
after reading "Getting Things Done" by David Allen. It's really
helped me.)

JP

On Sep 14, 12:41 am, Puckdropper puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote:
I was watching Wood Works today, and noted the lack of evidence of any
other incomplete projects in David Mark's shop. Norm's shop seems to be
the same way (but I don't claim to be an expert on that.)

Personally, I work on multiple projects at a time. While the glue dries on
one project, I'm working on something else. I wonder, can the guys who do
one project at a time get away with a smaller shop space? After they're
done with their cuts and joinery, they can assemble the project and proceed
to finishing, using the same work spaces for each phase. On the other
hand, someone who works on multiple projects at a time would need space for
each phase. After all, it's probably not a good idea to make more sawdust
while the black paint is drying on the cherry.

Maybe instead of wishing for a larger shop, we should just do one project
at a time to stretch the space we have.

Other than finishing I think it has a lot more to do with how
organized you are and how your mind works. I am lucky enough to have
an area about the size of the shop right next to it where I have
additional cabinets and lots of horizontal surfaces, and a whole
shelving unit for nothing but holding parts. But if I didn't have
that there is all kinds of wasted space in the shop under tools where
I could be stashing stuff more efficiently, I just take the path of
least resistance.

If you like to work on many things at once forcing yourself into doing
one at a time isn't going to be fun. You'll just putz around more and
everything will take twice as long to do. As much as I like to
complain about how much stuff I have going at once, I like it that
way. I'm bored if there aren't at least three projects going on at
once. I start getting a bit frazzled around five though.