Steve's Shop Photo

The Photo Album is a place for "Shop Shots" as well as pictures and descriptions of projects that we are working on. Show off your Shops, Machines, and your Projects!

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Steve_in_Mich
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Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 4:14 pm
Location: Mid Michigan

*** Benches in Metal Shop ****

Post by Steve_in_Mich »

I thought that lots of benches would give plenty of room to work on projects as well as the storage below them. I'm having second thoughts about it as I find it near impossible to keep bench tops clear for long. Yes there are some projects in process and some completed with no new home (storage space) yet defined but there is a lot of just plain clutter laying on them too. I've been slow to get a handle on throwing things away, it's that ' I might need it someday' mentality that has me going in circles at times usually resulting in setting the item on the bench figuring I'll decide later what to do with it. Others have kindly offered (well I think they mean it to be a kind offer) to clear off the benches for me but they don't understand how much I built/make with the old accumulation of gems, so I decline their assistance. Anyway I have decided to include some photos of bench space (with STUFF) and maybe someday I will be able to update the pictures with ones of the counter tops completed and formica in place. I purchased the formica for them (all but the Maple top bench) years ago and hope it will lay flat when I do finnally get to installing it. Well here goes.

Thru the wall from the compressor space (under the stairs) is this 11' bench with solid maple top with good figure in it, when it shows, i.e., not covered with STUFF. Across from it is power hand tool storage, metal parts bens plus more fastener and fittings storage which is at the end of a ~ 15' island bench.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... Bench3.jpg

The island bench covered with stuff.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... rBench.jpg

The heavly loaded SteelCase super glide drawer cabinets at the far end of the island bench where it continues to the right (out of picture) for hand power tools and parts bins.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... astend.jpg

Standing at the other end of the island bench and looking back toward the door to the tractor room you see another bench space 21' long on the South wall with some overhead cabinets. The white plastic bag is covering the window in this shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... binets.jpg

As you can see I like to store items on top of the cupboards too so when I discovered a blank space above the entry door and electrical panels I added shelves there also.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... panel5.jpg

One more bench area where I spend time on a stool and sketch pad on the pulled out drawer with board - to plan my next move.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... tBench.jpg

I'm adding this photo to show the general cluttered and crowded condition of the big room at large, the reason it is likely to be awhile before I get it organized. When I do have it in better order I will post an update here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/c ... fSmall.jpg

Hope you enjoy - now I'm off to beat a bunch of STUFF into submission. I think you can see that clearing off bench tops can be quite a task.
Just because you don’t believe it - doesn’t mean it’s not so.
Ralph_Monroe_Mi
Posts: 202
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 9:33 am
Location: Southeast Michigan

Post by Ralph_Monroe_Mi »

I thought that lots of benches would give plenty of room to work on projects as well as the storage below them. I'm having second thoughts about it as I find it near impossible to keep bench tops clear for long. Yes there are some projects in process and some completed with no new home (storage space) yet defined but there is a lot of just plain clutter laying on them too.
Steve I had the same problem. Last redo I tore out 26 ft of wall bench and cabinet. In its place I built two roll around work tables. I've been using them for a couple of years and its great. When I need center room I can stick them up against the wall. When I'm using them they have the tools and parts I need for the job on them. Its worked out better than I expected.
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1978enco
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Post by 1978enco »

Why can't I be rich :cry: :cry: :cry: Then I could have a nice shop too

:D
Marty_Escarcega
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Post by Marty_Escarcega »

Shame, shame, post pictures when its all cleaned up....
:o
"Jack of all Trades, Master of None"
Jose Rivera
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Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:21 pm
Location: Vallejo California

Clean

Post by Jose Rivera »

Yeah, if you need to clean that up you may need to visit a shrink! :shock:

How about some pictures of what you do? 8)

I am green with envy of the space you have. I have to accommodate with a two car garage, I guess I should be grateful, I know there are people with far less space than I have.

Very nice shop dude!
There are no problems, only solutions.
--------------
Retired journeyman machinist and 3D CAD mechanical designer - hobbyist - grandpa
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Mid Day Machining
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Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:58 am
Location: San Clemente, CA

Re: Steve's Shop Photo

Post by Mid Day Machining »

Now, that bench actually looks like someone works there.
You can buy good parts, or you can buy cheap parts, but you can't buy good cheap parts.
Jerry_H
Posts: 241
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:39 pm
Location: Central FL

Re: Steve's Shop Photo

Post by Jerry_H »

ANY flat surface tends to collect stuff, I don't care whether it's a bench top or 3 planks on 2 saw horses!

You have a great space there, I hope you get it to a point where you can use it soon.

Jerry
www.chaski.com
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Steve_in_Mich
Posts: 1119
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 4:14 pm
Location: Mid Michigan

Re: Steve's Shop Photo

Post by Steve_in_Mich »

Thanks for the kind words fellows both here and in the other thread on shops. http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... 3&start=45
Lots of real nice shops on display here at THM.

I spend time in my shop most every day. It's 3:15 AM and I just now came in from working on an electronic cash register for my wife's grooming shop. Minus 6 with the windchill (4 actual) now but cosy warm in my workshop at 65 degrees. I heat 24/7 when it drops below 65 outside, have been doing so since 1999 and am very pleased with the effectiveness of my insulation - easy on the pocketbook too.

If I were to photograph the Mill room today it would look almost the same as in the photos already posted. BUT, the messy area (downstairs metal fab) is even worse now than ever before and you will have to take my word for that.
Just because you don’t believe it - doesn’t mean it’s not so.
harry123
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Re: Steve's Shop Photo

Post by harry123 »

looks so nice....loving... :)
nice day,nice dream
Tamper84
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Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 3:28 pm
Location: Clarington Ohio

Re: Steve's Shop Photo

Post by Tamper84 »

Very nice!!! Im jealous!!! lol. Just out of couriousty, whats the ceiling height on the first story?

Thanks,
Chris
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Steve_in_Mich
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Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 4:14 pm
Location: Mid Michigan

Re: Steve's Shop Photo

Post by Steve_in_Mich »

Thank you. Off the cuff I would have answered 8'-6" floor to ceiling but the more I thought about it I decided to go out and actually measure it. Turns out it's 8'-3" plus a bit.
Just because you don’t believe it - doesn’t mean it’s not so.
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