Descending Ashtray

Wow, I can’t believe I let it get that bad. “How bad WAS it, Dave?” So bad, I hadn’t worked out there in a few weeks, that’s how bad. 5 hard days of cleaning, and two full trash cans later … it’s done. And I’ve been out there tinkering two nights in a row. Tomorrow begins production on the Labyrinth project. It’s really a pleasure to work in a happy shop. Hopefully I can keep it that way! I realized I’ve never done a proper shop tour, so here’s a quick one.

Front and center is the Jet table saw I got used from Leif before he moved. It’s pretty heavy, and not going anywhere anytime soon. Above that is the Jet air filter, which really works great. I got this before I got the dust collector (Craigslist purchase, not pictured), and this did a pretty good job filtering the air that passed through the shop vac. Now that I’ve got the dust collector with the 1 micron bag, it doesn’t have to work as hard.

The white table next to the table saw holds a Bosch 1617 router. Next to that is my Delta 22-580 planer. Both have been great tools, although for some reason, the dust hood for the planer is not included in the box. It is a very neccessary accessory unless you like sweeping. The walls hold all manner of hand tools, from spokeshaves and chisels to pipe cutters and other metalworking tools. On the back wall is my drill press (my first power tool) and some utility storage that holds finishes, my toolboxes and misc. projects, templates, etc.

To the left of the drill press is the area I call “the gallery.” Here, I keep sculptures and artwork in progress, and odd rusty bits (washers, springs, bottlecaps, bolts, house numbers, glass fuses …) for use in my flowers and other art projects. The “ART” sign above was “borrowed” from Waveland Golf Course in Des Moines by one of my friends from high school. The “C” and “S” in “CARTS” were scratched off and the sign has always pointed the way to my workshop studio.

Every workshop needs a dart board, and mine does more than most, being unofficial headquarters for the Fart Duckers. I have a strict rule against alcohol and power tools, so these kegs are a bit of an aberration. Long story short, they are leftovers from my friend Bruce’s wedding. There’s another keg in the beer fridge, which gets used at backyard parties, mostly. To the left of the kegs is my newest toy, the big 18″ Jet bandsaw. It’s really overkill for my current skills, but the old one I had wasn’t cutting it (and by “it,” I mean almost anything) anymore. In the foreground is one of many Craigslist Tool purchases, an old 6″ Powr-Kraft jointer, which still works beautifully (and includes a 1HP motor someone before me added!) almost 60 years after its production.

I think that’s enough Tool Talk for now. Suffice it to say, the shop is making me very happy right now, and it’s been a joy working amidst so little clutter. Here are a couple of cutting boards I whipped out in my jubilation! I’ll mail one to the first reader other than Drew or Gabe to comment (be sure to include your e-mail address). Unknown species-es, probably 7×10 inches, with a foodsafe oil finish.