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Thread: Who works in a messy workshop?

  1. #1

    Default Who works in a messy workshop?

    There's another post up on TLB about one of my current "hobby horses" ...mess.

    http://www.theluthierblog.com/articl...less-get-done/

    It's a funny old topic because some of us are very attached to the mess we make working. In an earlier post Roger Bucknall from Fylde guitars came out with a great one:

    "Never trust a skinny cook, never trust a tidy artist!"

    That was in a post a few weeks back when I asked a few top makers to take a picture of what was on their bench - Roger refused, his was such a disgrace!

    http://www.theluthierblog.com/articl...s-whats-bench/

    So what about you? Do you tidy up only when you have to, or are you more disciplined? I'm getting better for sure, but it's hard work keeping on top of things.

    What's your best tip?

    Nigel
    http://www.theluthierblog.com
    http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/luthier-book/

  2. #2

    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Don't touch anything, I know where everything is, and given enough time I'll usually find it ! I don't trust those 'so clean you could eat off it' shops. Just aint right.

  3. #3
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    I'm talking about making wooden pennywhistles, but my shop is pretty messy. I do try to keep my lathe clean, but apart from that it's controlled disaster. I have good intentions of cleaning is some day, when I'm not more enjoyably employed making things.
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    I learned from my father, if you can find a tool you are not using it. My father carefully built a tool rack with brackets for every hand tool and the tool silhouette stenciled in red on the plywood back of the tool rack Those silhouettes were so pretty and their beauty was seldom marred by an actual tool hanging on it. The tools were where they actually belonged, in a pile roughly two feet deep on the work bench, or in his bedroom, or the kitchen, or the garage.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    As a wise man once said, "Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean."

    My projects, from musical instruments to working on bee hives, look like ground zero, with debris scattered in a symmetrical 360 degree circle.

    I try to be good about cleanup, but sometimes that goes south, which is not necessarily my fault.

  6. #6
    Resonate globally Pete Jenner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    My cleaning staff went for a toilet break about six months ago and I haven't seen them since.
    The more I learn, the less I know.

    Peter Jenner
    Blackheathen

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  7. #7
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Messy, but I know exactly where everything is (usually). It might be messy, but it is productive. The missus is banned from touching anything. Last time she cleaned up I spent several unproductive weeks wasting time looking for things. Drove me insane. Took months to completely recover to restore the organised mess.

    Some of the research has shown that the most productive people usually have messy desks. Clean desk people on average tend to be less productive. Sort of flies in the face of the policy of clean desks that many work places have. I must have been very productive when I was a public servant!
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

  8. #8
    Registered User Doug Edwards's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Guilty. Usually if I can find something I'll start cleaning up until I find it. Does not take very long to make much of a difference.

  9. #9
    Wood and Wire Perry Babasin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    My workshop is a fractal phenomenon...
    ===================================
    ... I'm a California Man!

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  11. #10
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Better creative mess than idle neatness!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  12. #11
    Resonate globally Pete Jenner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Quote Originally Posted by Perry Babasin View Post
    My workshop is a fractal phenomenon...
    Chaos rocks!
    The more I learn, the less I know.

    Peter Jenner
    Blackheathen

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  14. #12
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    And this was a clean day....
    Austin Clark
    http://www.clarkmandolins.com

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  15. #13
    Unfamous String Buster Beanzy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Eoin



    "Forget that anyone is listening to you and always listen to yourself" - Fryderyk Chopin

  16. #14
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Austin, your shop is entirely too picturesque. I wish mine was.

  17. #15
    Registered User David Houchens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    I try to do my cleaning in the morning while I get my head in gear. Its usually fairly messy with 4 or 5 repairs in progress while working on new builds as well.

  18. #16

    Default Re: Who works in a messy workshop?

    Mine can get pretty messy. I usually clean it when I need some bench space or can't find tools or get tired of crunching around on wood chips. It only takes about 1/2 hr. to clean it up including sweeping it up, putting all the tools in the proper place, shaking the rug and dumping 2 waste buckets.

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