I have decided today to have a thorough clean up and de cluttering of my home workshop.
Before Christmas I was working all the time and did not get the chance to keep on top of tidying up.
Couple that with the fact I really try and use every last piece of timber, rather than throw it away or burn it, and you have a recipe for an over crowded work space.
As soon as a small pile of 'useful offcuts' is made, dust build up soon follows .
Dust extraction only does so much.
So I am being brutal. The pile of fire wood outside the workshop is growing larger and larger.
Whenever I do make a new piece I always keep useful off cuts .
This is firstly for repairing any mishaps ( the best timber for repairs is an off cut of the original timber) If they occur.
I rarely need to do this but it was ingrained into me during my apprenticeship.
Secondly because it is such a shame to throw a way some really great examples of wood.
They could be used for so many smaller projects.
I have in the past made smaller jobs completely from my off cut pile.
But after a lot of thought I have come to the conclusion that a clean spacious and healthy workshop is the way to start 2018.
I will post some after pictures when the dust settles! ( BOOM )
If you have any questions about woodwork, furniture or being self employed as a craftsperson let me know.
I know my wood and I have spent years teaching myself furniture making , furniture history as well as living it as a self employed cabinet maker .
I am also in the process of writing a
'How to series: Setting up a Woodworking Business'
Which you can read here;
Part 1: Workshop
Part 2: Tools and machinery
Part 3: Finding a good timber yard
Part 4: Deciding what type of woodwork you are going to do.
Still I am learning every day and the journey is the point.
