Right-size Workshop

WoodNet Forums member stevenstorey has just posted photos of his new workshop.

I started it August 29th and completed Oct 30. The walls are 7'4" at the wall going to 8'2" in the center... The model I got came from Tuff Shed. It is 12 x 16'8" ( 200 SF ) the max that the city would allow. It does have a concrete foundation.

Photos and discussion here. One interesting part of the discussion is the guys like the smaller size. We see lots of super-large shops featured in magazines. This one looks like it would be comfortable to actually work in.

Is This a Mess or What?

Over in the WoodNet Hand Tools forum, member Crooked_Trail posted this photo of his workbench covered with shavings, as he was having fun with some of his molding planes. He also apologized for such a messy shop.

I don't know, it doesn't look that messy to me. Other guys in the forum didn't think so either, but they sure liked his workbench.

More comments in the forum.

Magnetic Tool Racks

Normally, I'm a big fan of anything that contributes to the organization of tools in my shop. I'm always setting things down (or even worse, putting things away) and then I can't find them. So I should be a big fan of magnetic tool racks. But I'm not. They're not attractive, and I worry they might scratch or ding steel tools.

Here's a great exception: BenchCrafted's MAG-BLOK magnetic holder. Whole earth magnets are embedded in strips of beautiful domestic and tropical hardwoods. This is something I would put in my shop and in my kitchen. Except for the exotic hardwoods, the holders are reasonable priced too. Lots of photos.