Shop space storage

[formariz 11,988]

People who visit are always surprised on how much work and how much stuff I am able to do and keep in my small space. So here is a small description on how I achieve that.

 

It has been a process of improvisation and adaptation for many years. It is my favorite place to be at and it is not only a shop but more importantly my refuge and the vehicle that allows me to express much of who and what I am.
It is a constantly evolving and changing environment sometimes on a daily basis. One of the most critical and difficult to find and maintain asset is organized, convenient storage space whether for tools or supplies. Things need to be organized, separated and easily accessible on a seconds notice if efficiency is to be obtained and frustration is to be avoided. This is particularly important if one’s shop space is limited such as in my case with only 400 square feet. 
 

Supplies such as fasteners and hardware are particularly difficult to organize specially such as in my case there are literally hundreds of different types that I use on a frequent basis. Organization lets one also know immediately what is in stock rather than have items lost in obscurity tucked away hidden in boxes or piled up in cabinets. being able to immediately gaze at what is in stock gives you ideas on alternative or better items to use .In my case drawers are very important and there are never enough of them.There are 176 of them in the shop many of which are doubled  by usage of sliding removable trays. Hundreds of small hardware and fastener items need tiny compartments . An old printers cabinet supplies much of that kind of space. To achieve all of this one has to be creative and utilize spaces uncommon or unusual for that task. Drawers most times are too deep for 90% of items stored in them so I make removable sliding trays to maximize space in them. Trays also are convenient to take tools into work area and keeping them organized on the bench.For delicate sharp cutting edges such as carving tools or files tools need to be kept separated. Cabinet doors are also given a second function being used as another cabinet for additional storage or lined with cork to hold frequently used drawings, sketches , or notes. No surface or space here is immune to being turned into an useful area from using magnets on a support column to using ceiling space.  
 

Ceiling area is convenient to store bulky , clumsy items such as hand screws keeping them out of way but yet easily reachable.There are also countless hidden spaces, such as blind corners or voids in woodwork through out house that are used as secret spaces for valuables or important items, knowledge of which and accessibility method is only known to us and my two sons.

 

Additional plane storage by hinging additional cabinet to existing one.

 

 

Custom cabinet/door to store handsaws

 

Sliding cabinet for files and braces over screw storage.

 

Hinged battery center over sprinkler panel.

 

Cork lined doors to hold drawings, etc.

 

Printers cabinet for small items. 
 

 

 

Sliding removable trays to utilize unused drawer space.

 

 

 

 Drawers containing easily seen items.

 Cabinet at unused ceiling space for long odd planes.

 Pull out lapping/ sharpening glass trays under other pullout trays.

 

 

 

Additional ceiling space used for clamp storage keeping them really at hand. 

Ceiling space also dedicated to tool storage. 
 

Support column used for additional tool storage using also magnets for it.

Unused crevice for odd plane storage and Whitney punch. Punch is used while in this storage position without removing. Cabinet side keeps frequently used saws and squares right next to bench.

 

Bench shallow drawers to keep tools safe, visible, and organized. Can be removed and placed next to work.

 

Back of bench used as additional clamp storage.

Removable sliding trays over bench’s own trough below top provide easy access to small items.

 Cabinets storage for less frequently used items.

 

 

Space dedicated to shop stereo. 

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,355]

WOW

[Yossarian 208]

That is seriously impressive, and inspiring in a "yeah that'll never happen here" kind of way. But I'm left with a few questions.  Who is the guy in the picture in what looks like a Naval uniform, what's in the fish tank and I really want to know more about that carved piece that looks like it has some sort of yoke attached to it.

[formariz 11,988]

Thank you. The photo is the father of a great friend of mine. A bit of a story behind that photo. It was taken in Italy during WWII. He was a master shipwrights and an incredible craftsman. I never met him but from my friend ,his son ,I inherited most of his tools since no one in his family had any interest in them. When I say “ most of his tools” unless one knows it is difficult to imagine the amount of stuff I have from him.   His own photo is framed with one of his clamps. This is not just like buying stuff from a garage sale or anything similar. I have a large and important part of his life here. Through his stuff that man’s spirit is all over this place. I felt only fitting that he would be watching over his stuff so I requested his photo which incredibly it is the only one the son had. He gave me the original . 

 

The fish tank is a “quarantine “ tank used to keep New fish força month before introducing them to main tank . Right now it has baby Cardinal Tetras and baby Rummy Nose Tetras. 
 

 

 The other piece is an oxen yoke. Oxen yokes are a big thing here. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by formariz

[8ntruck 7,104]

Impressive.  Your collection of tools needs/deserves storage and organization like that.

[Yossarian 208]

I won't derail the thread any further after this post. The original intent was shop storage, and that is impressive to say the least and deserves it's fair share of attention for its practicality and ingenuity.    It's pretty clear that the shipwright in the photo has a great deal of importance in your work and your life. I'd love to know more about him. The work it takes to keep live plants alive is not lost on me. I don't have a tank now, but I have in the past. Live plants are a lot of work, to maintain them for a quarantine tank says a lot about your dedication to the living things that you choose to steward.  As far as the oxen yoke, I'm going to assume, based on the additional pictures, that you carved that. In which case, I don't have words, just awe.

[ebinmaine 68,461]

Just an incredible shop space Caz.  

[Snoopy11 5,714]

To this entire thread:

 

 We are not worthy 

 

 

Don

[Brockport Bill 1,718]

you could get heck of a client consulting fee for that ability to organize storage

[formariz 11,988]

1 hour ago, Yossarian said:

won't derail the thread any further after this post

Lol. No need to feel self conscious about that. You are in good company. Many interesting and good things have come from all the derailing of posts around here.

1 hour ago, Yossarian said:

It's pretty clear that the shipwright in the photo has a great deal of importance in your work and your life. I'd love to know more about him

His name was Edwin DeVoe. He lived and worked in Long Island  NY all of his life. Not only he was a master shipwrights , he was also an accomplished clock maker, metal worker and a master draftsman. There are incredible wooden ship drawings made by him that are absolutely hypnotizing to look at. He was a prolific hand plane maker and a lover and admirer of tools. Not only I inherited most of hand tools many made by him but also machinery such as his Delta bandsaw, Atlas lathe to name a few. Also his lifetime accumulation of bronze , copper, and brass fasteners and metal stock. 
 I have learned a lot from the tools he made many still in incomplete stages. Sadly and unfortunate , with the exception of his son my friend I undoubtedly know more about him and his life work than the rest of family.  
 I don’t know why I deserve all of this and have asked it many times. I have been told that he would be happy to see his things kept together , taken care of and used. I can understand and believe that. It has been an honor to be the steward of his things and they are cherished as much as are my family’s. 

[Snoopy11 5,714]

2 hours ago, Yossarian said:

I won't derail the thread any further after this post.

You see @ebinmaine, @Jeff-C175 and I in a thread... rest assured... it's derailed... without a doubt... 

 

 

Don

[Daddy Don 907]

I also collect tools of all ages. Looking at the way you have displayed these gives me some ideals on making my space a make over. I hope that anyone that  sees this cannot even think of the hours that you have put into this. 

It is a great collection and I hope that it is keep all in one peace  as a collection. Lots of time and sweat that you put in it is amazing.

That for lettng us have a look at what you have done. 

Edited December 19, 2021 by Daddy Don

[echris 1,425]

6 hours ago, formariz said:

Thank you. The photo is the father of a great friend of mine. A bit of a story behind that photo. It was taken in Italy during WWII. He was a master shipwrights and an incredible craftsman. I never met him but from my friend ,his son ,I inherited most of his tools since no one in his family had any interest in them. When I say “ most of his tools” unless one knows it is difficult to imagine the amount of stuff I have from him.   His own photo is framed with one of his clamps. This is not just like buying stuff from a garage sale or anything similar. I have a large and important part of his life here. Through his stuff that man’s spirit is all over this place. I felt only fitting that he would be watching over his stuff so I requested his photo which incredibly it is the only one the son had. He gave me the original . 

 

What a fantastic story. Thanks!

 

 

[Pullstart 63,104]

Such a beautiful work of art, is your work shop!  I’m thankful for your guidance and input in my small projects, you’re a wise man Cas and I’m thankful to know a bit of who you are.  Some day, one corner of my shop might have 1% of your organizing skills and that’ll be an accomplishment in my book!

[formariz 11,988]

13 hours ago, Pullstart said:

Such a beautiful work of art, is your work shop!  I’m thankful for your guidance and input in my small projects, you’re a wise man Cas and I’m thankful to know a bit of who you are.  Some day, one corner of my shop might have 1% of your organizing skills and that’ll be an accomplishment in my book!

Thank you Kevin. I appreciate your kind words. I can't claim credit for it though. I have been fortunate to have had great people teach and influence me through out my life. My function and intent is to pass it it all on as much as I can while adding what I can to it from my experiences,otherwise it means nothing.

Edited December 19, 2021 by formariz