Anyone else trash their shop?

It’s you. You are the only one. ;=)

The rest of us clean as we go through the various phases of our jobs so that at the end the only thing to clean up and put away are those from the very last phase. Just like a great chef in his/her own kitchen.

-- If you're going to stir the pot, think BIG spoon or SMALL boat paddle. David Grimes, Georgia

LOL with David. I also sharpen every tool after I use it;)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

I’m a slob….. I clean AFTER I’m thru with the project and it takes forever. I’m the old dog and that cleaning stuff is the new trick

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas only 4 miles from the mill

Yeah, I have to spend about 3 hours cleaning after I finish a project, though I try to spend 10-15 min sweeping and organizing each time I use the shop, it’s just not nearly enough.

When I am “in” to a project I do not stop and clean or organize. When the project is done, my shop is a mess. Then I have to spend quite a bit of time cleaning and organizing again.

I’ve also worked with a friend in his shop and he cleans up everything at the end of every day.

My theory – - Why clean up that sawdust on the floor today if I am just going to add more tomorrow? I can clean up 2 day’s worth of sawdust almost as fast as I clean up one day’s. The problem is that I use this logic for too many days in a row.

When I am into turning, the pile of chips and shavings under my lathe can get pretty deep (12”).

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

I agree with Rich. Why sweep today if I’m making more sawdust tomorrow?

The only time I ever clean up in the middle of a project (and this is only some of the time) is when I know, for example, I have finished milling all the pieces and I have a really large amount of sawdust. In that case, I might clean it up.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I’m with these two ^ .....charlie n rich make it sound about right…I clean in between projects so I have a fresh start to each project but when it comes to cleaning during a project I don’t touch a spec of sawdust. The only time I do clean during a project is if I am finishing and there is way too much sawdust around to do so….Then I’ll just tidy up until the project is over.

-- M.K.

I wish we could keep our shop clean but we have to make a living out there. After a thorough cleaning inside a week its dirty again.

-- mike & judy western md. www. pvwoodcrafts.com [email protected]

I put things away when they are in my way, and I sweep the sawdust off the floor when its too much and making me sink in ;)

it would be nice to have a clean/organized work space though…. one can always have dreams.

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

My method is to work the project until it is either done, or the shop is so messy I can’t stand it, then clean, and proceed with the work. I find it is MUCH easier to keep going, if the shop is completely clean and organized PRIOR to starting a project though. Nothing worse than dry fitting parts to realize that piece isn’t a part to THIS project, but rather cut off from your last project…

An apprentice would be nice to have.

-- Please like and subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/daves-workshop

Naa.

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/12556

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

When my shop’s dirty, it gnaws on me during the day. I have clutter anxiety in my home and get anxious when stuff is lying around. Not the best personality defect for a woodworker, but it is what it is.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

i depends on how bad it is. i understand the premise behind not cleaning until your done but at the same time i cant stand coming into my shop the next morning and having to start searching for where i left off.

I have to clean up daily so that I can find my tools the following day or so….I do not get in to the shop everyday…so it is better that the tools are where I expect them to be…it also cuts down on me damaging them by knocking off of workbench…tripping over wire…etc.

I also sharpen and clean the edges before I put tools away…it was how I was taught….I like to start out with a clean slate each day…it insures that I have a good sharp edge everytime I use a cutting tool. The floor is where I might leave some dust at…if I expect to be in the shop the next day….use to do that to cut back on replacing shop vac filter…now with the separator I have…saves a ton on filters…and can vacuum at will so I will probably start cleaning up the floor daily (it doesn’t take very long).

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

Hhhmmmm. Guess I’m in the continuous cleaning crowd. I have dust collection on all my machines, and even then I will clean up shavings or dust after one operation before I begin another. The shop vacuum is close at hand, so it comes out frequently. So, the shop pretty much stays clean. Yup, and I tend to put my tools away as well. A) it’s easier, and B) I don’t like working in a mess, and C) I hate looking for a tool under a pile of junk. Works for me.
Roger

-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)