Shop work flow

[76winger]

Originally Posted by hewunch

It's called exercise. My Doc thinks it is a good idea

I thought that's what the treadmill and bicycle was for!

[76winger]

Originally Posted by dogcatcher

I do every thing in multiples of 6. If I am making pens, I do 6 of a design at one time. If I am making weed pots I make either 6, 12, or 18 at a time. Game calls, the same, either 6, 12, 18 or 24. Platters, 6 at a time. The kind of wood may change, but that is all, I do not mix pen types, I start and finish all 6 before I go to another design or style.

This way I do all of the cutting at one place, all of my drilling at one time, then hit the lathe with all of the pieces ready to go. Just the motion of changing out the bushings or drill bits in the drill press is a waste of time making them at one at a time.

The other good thing about this approach is we're usually buying supplies in those quantities and thus get a little quantity discount!

[dogcatcher]

Originally Posted by 76winger

I thought that's what the treadmill and bicycle was for!

The treadmill and bicycle are for you to hang clothes on.

[nsfr1206]

It sounds like you are in the front. My shop is basically 28x44 with an upstairs that is mostly storage. Problem is, I have about a complete wood shop, a huge metal lathe, a small metal lathe, and a milling machine in there. Plus a bunch of stored wood. And other things. So it's kinda full. Would like to get rid of some tools....

[Displaced Canadian]

Saw an article about a shop that was a real looker. It was 40'X70' and had all the tools one could think of. When looking at the blueprint of the layout it was terrible. To build anything in that shop you would spend more time walking than working. Sometimes large shops are like large kitchens, they look pretty but nobody would want to work in them. My shop is a single car garage. I have 2 16"x32" tables, chopsaw, tablesaw, and router table are on wheels, and a 8' counter for the lathe and sharpening stuff. When I start to work on any project I arrange my tables, chopsaw and counter form a semi circle around me to minimize walking. I would say the the secret to organization is gorilla racks for stuff and portable benches for work flow. We all need to thank the caveman who invented the wheel.

[raar25]

Sorry I am cursed to fit into a small basement so there isn't far to walk no mater what I am doing. But I agree with everyone, it will save time if you work in batches to reduce set up and walk distance. I do my jobs moving from station to station with areas dedicated to a specific purpose,

1. prep on main work bench in center of shop
2. cutting blanks band saw
3. drilling
4. back to the prep area for gluing and trimming/squaring
5. turning and finishing on the lathe with buffer immediately next to the lathe
6. assembly station
7. photo station by the stairs heading out of the basement

I have also started keeping all of my consumables at point of use so for instance I have CA bottles on the work bench and the shelf above the lathe and at the assy station. So no walking across the basement to get the glue or finish material or paper towels which are never where you want them to be when you only have one source. Of course drills and mills are all organized and labeled at their point of use as well.

[butchf18a]

All oneneed do is organize around their available space and needs. What works for me in a 28'x48 space is unlikely to work for someone else. If a developed methodology is Impractical, change it. If it is broke, fix it.