hmmn.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/johnm/_forumfiles/railroad-shop-clutter.jpg)
Heck, I can’t even find my bench to take a picture 
Maybe that’s why I’ve been working in the house on the mill!
My 3-0 x 6-8 hollow core door bench in the garage hasn’t been seen in two years. I clear the tools off (table saw, planer, joiner, etc.) to use them, then move into the dining room on to the 42 x 84 x 5/8 plate glass dining room table. A Fiskars mat (24 x 36) protects the table. Much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the garage anyway.
Bob C.
Bob Cope said:
My 3-0 x 6-8 hollow core door bench in the garage hasn't been seen in two years. I clear the tools off (table saw, planer, joiner, etc.) to use them, then move into the dining room on to the 42 x 84 x 5/8 plate glass dining room table. A Fiskars mat (24 x 36) protects the table. Much cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the garage anyway.Bob C.
I do much the same and try to call it “Quality Time with the Wife”. She still questions my motives.
If I worked on the dining room table she’d probably hit me over the head with my toolbox!
Ric Golding said:Women are funny that way :(
I do much the same and try to call it "Quality Time with the Wife". She still questions my motives.
One of my favorite tools is a sander. Has a 1" belt that snakes around, has a adjustable table it goes through. Has a disc sander on the side. I use it all the time. Might look for one, if you don’t have one. My workshop in the house is a disaster(basement is mine), wood shop in the barn is not much better. Workbench in the garage is not quite as bad. I do clean them up, but once into a project the bench top quickly disappears, as do most of the tools!
Chris Vernell said:Quiet Rooster ;)Ric Golding said:Women are funny that way :(
I do much the same and try to call it "Quality Time with the Wife". She still questions my motives.
So i asked for some advice on setting up your workshop and I got some good ideas. I figured I would post what I did…
Its still a work in progress, but gives me a lot of room to do various projects. Already I have a Grist Mill started and a Piko Bank building going. I will be adding a few others things such as shelves and tool drawers under the back workbench. But I like the amount of space I have now. Plus I dont have to tear down after and pull out everytime I want to work on a project.
Nice space, Jake.
My work space is an old dining room table…in a 10x10 room that is also used for storage 
Ralph
It is deep within the inner sanctums of the workshop that the creative juices flow and the magic is done. Marc Horovitz, Garden Railways Magazine, October 2003 A couple of years ago, we downsized and moved into a bungalow in an adjacent subdivision. In the back of the basement of the new home was an office that I set up as my train workshop and computer room. This past month, the shop and the surrounding storage areas were renovated. The workshop area houses a large work table and drill press.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/workshop.jpg)
The drill press is mounted on a government surplus credenza with the modular book shelves removed from the center so I can sit and work in comfort. It has a steel frame, sturdy top and hardwood drawers on roller glides. The drawers are handy for holding drill bits and other accessories. I added a 3/4 inch MDF work surface, and a goose-necked work light.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/drillpress.jpg)
My work table is a 2.5 x 5 foot, government surplus table with a 3/4 inch MDF work surface added. The comfortable chair swivels and rolls on casters so I can use either the table or drill press without moving. Two smaller chairs under the back of the table can be used by guests.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/worktable.jpg)
Although the room is lighted with pot lights, the telescoping light and magnifier mounted to the back of the table really help when working on small parts. A power bar, smoke absorber, and soldering station are the only other essential items that remain on the back of the work table. Under the table are two storage cabinets on casters that hold my frequently used tools. The drawers have been lined with surplus Bachmann On30 boxes and foam sheets. The cabinets can be rolled to the open end of the table to allow two people in the work area.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/tools.jpg)
In the storage closet there are larger cabinets and parts bins that hold project materials and less frequently used tools.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/supplis.jpg)
Opposite the work area is my computer desk and run off. I no longer have to climb two flights of stairs to access reference material or web site information as I did in our previous home.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/computer.jpg)
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/printers.jpg)
My diesels and other railway equipment are stored on bays of vinyl shelving in an area between the work shop and crew’s lounge. This area also holds the ever popular beverage fridge.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/trains.jpg)
The new crew’s lounge is carpeted and more comfortable than the previous. Now visiting club members can enjoy their coffee break in cushy seating, watch train DVDs on a large screen TV, or just enjoy the gas fireplace. There is also a washroom off an adjacent bedroom.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Workshop/lounge.jpg)
The new work shop and crew’s lounge are certainly a pleasant place to spend the hours a day. All my power tools are in the garage. When I want to use them, the car is parked in the street and I have a 20 x 20 foot workspace to fill with sawdust. When I am done, I sweep up the worst of the sawdust, and then use the leaf blower to send the rest back to nature where it belongs, leaving my machines and garage clean.
In most workshops, it seems, that if the shop is as orderly and pristeen as Paul’s; it is an indication of how little it gets used !!!..BUT, in our Paul Norton’s case, it is the opposite.
Paul may be an “Orderly, Clean Freak”, but when he gets motivated, and free of the household job jar; he really produces on many great projects.
My only problem, is that I’m a natural “Grub”…his crew lounge is rather intimidating, for me, in my work boots, greasy hands, work duds covered with earlier paint and glue, and my lack of social skills…!!
When I have the opportunity to visit Paul, I usually stay outside, so that I don’t soil the nice clean place…but never fear; Paul does bring me treats, and his hot, fresh baked muffins warm me up…he even bakes great muffins.
In contrast; my slovenly, dusty, grease stained place, does occasionly see spurts of activity, and does not require the removal of hob nailed work boots, or even the worry of dust on my balding head. We even drink bheer, whine, and pop out of the can or bottle, while sanding an obscure bit of wood or metal right next to the dusty collection of old railroad lanterns, and other junk…!!!
Paul…I do wish I could display an example of a workshop as organized as yours. It is well planned, and organized…and you do great work in there. So many of our group, benefit from the projects you do in your shop, and are thankfull for your generous offers of help, and advice. Your shop is a good example, of not only order, but also a centre of much production, and friendly socializing…
One day soon, I hope to get over there again, after your latest reorganization. I hope the muffins are ready....I will wear clean clothes, dust my head, and bring clean slippers.....!!!Fred Mills said:Just in case you can't find any of that stuff, you're always welcome in my shop. You may leave 'grubbier" then when you entered however.....;)
One day soon, I hope to get over there again, after your latest reorganization. I hope the muffins are ready....I will wear clean clothes, dust my head, and bring clean slippers.....!!!
In the past Fred has offered to let me use the IPP&W Shops.
(http://jbrr.com/Pics/Structures/MillsFuel/IMG_8453.JPG)
Once inside however, you can understand why a neat freak like me would politely refuse. 
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/PhotosStructures/Shops.1.jpg)
This past summer I volunteered to replace all the old barrel bolt switch throws with the simpler, less expensive, and more reliable angle bracket throws.
(http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Switches/Throw-E.jpg)
In order not spend a day a week in the shops looking for the materials required than to do the job, I bought them. The materials and tools are kept in a separate box high up out of reach of the vertically challenged. Any extraneous tools or materials that migrate into that container are deported. Even Fred has abandoned the shops and set up a small neat workspace in the winter crews’ lounge in the house. Perhaps I am being a bad influence on him. Or perhaps a warm room and a hot coffee pot are more appealing that shuffling through the snow in his sandals to stoke the wood stove in the shops. The boss is happy too, as my clothes don’t smell like a forest fire when I come home.
Paul your workspace is definately clean. I could say im cut of a similar cloth. I like my work area orderly.
My pictures do show some mess, but I’m still in the “creative” phase and so I have errant wood pieces sitting around and such. I am lucky in that my workshop is in my barn. Keep in mind I use the term “barn” lightly. The building was a barn and stable but I have converted it to what you see in the pictures. Hardly a barn look as I’m used to. But this does give me the ability to have folks over and they dont have to worry about messing up the workshop… 
Where I work a clean orderly workmanlike desk is a sure sign that you have too little work to keep you busy.
(http://www.thenuttycio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/desk.jpg)
Vic, I have a T-shirt that indicates a different take - yes, I actually wear it, too.
(http:///F-PIX/TheFirstTime_s.jpg)
Eyes are rolling and grins appear.
I like it, where can I find one?
If it ain’t messy, how you gonna’ find whatcher lookin’ fer?