Author Topic: What does your shop / workspace look like? (Read 6644 times)

RetroJames · « **on:** July 12, 2004, 11:23:11 am »

I am in pain as you can see below. It got me thinking what environment others work in while stroking this hobby.

RetroJames · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2004, 11:25:39 am »

Space - The Final Frontier

RetroJames · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2004, 11:26:30 am »

SirPeale · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2004, 11:35:05 am »

I live in a two bedroom apartment.

However; my mom has generously let me use her garage as my workshop just recently. The bad part is she lives 45 minutes away.

etumor · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2004, 11:51:32 am »

I used to live in a studio apartment, and I built my cabinets in my one room (living room/bedroom). Now I live in a 3 bedroom house, and for my current project, I actually have a garage to use. It is a shared garage with four other units, so the first thing I did was put up a large plastic partition that keeps sawdust out of the other units.

For a work bench, I am using two old shelves that I was no longer using for anything else. I use them like sawhorses.

The picture below is the best one I have handy for showing off my workspace:

-Jeff "etumor"

SirPeale · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2004, 12:15:03 pm »

If I lived alone I would have more than enough space to do anything I wanted here. But I have a wife and two kids. One who really hates sawdust in her house, and the others who really like their room.

RetroJames · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2004, 12:35:24 pm »

Last night my wife started talking about how she wants to have a yard sale next weekend and the following weekend she wants to empty the room pictured above, then "redo" it. Organize it, etc.

Ok, we live in a 2br, 2ba house, approx 1800 sqft. The room pictured above is a "bonus" room in the rear of the house. It is at best, 200-250 sq ft. We (I) have renovated 2/3 of the house (living room, nursery, hallway, master bath, master closet) as well as completely renovated the basement apartment. Left to do, in this order, dining room, hall bath, kitchen, bonus room.

Why in the !!!! does she feel the need to disrupt the one room I use to work in? Believe it or not I also study there, do bills, etc. I swear these games are like a competing mistress for some women. They see the games getting attention and getting quarters, then the territorial instincts kick in it's war. Yeesh!

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2004, 12:37:23 pm »

Try slipping your wife a few quarters next time you want to play with her and see if that satisfies the jealousy.

Maybe she wants those tokens.

SirPeale · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2004, 12:54:38 pm »

Put your foot down; explain that she has the rest of the house, and that's your 'man room.'

RetroJames · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2004, 12:57:03 pm »

Quote from: Peale on July 12, 2004, 12:54:38 pm

Put your foot down; explain that she has the rest of the house, and that's your 'man room.'

I swear I am about to put up a guard tower!

ChadTower · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2004, 01:14:42 pm »

My name is Tower, and yes I have played guard and have worked security in the past. If the games are on freeplay, I may accept this assignment.

RetroJames · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2004, 01:29:59 pm »

If it moves....

FractalWalk · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2004, 01:30:30 pm »

At the beginning of the project, it was extremely cluttered, but I became so frustrated with the mess (not finding tools etc.) that I got organized.

I made two 6' benches at waist height out of 1x4's and put them next to each other in an L-shape in the corner of the basement. One bench has a shelf underneath for storage of toolboxes, scrap lumber etc. The other is empty underneath to store garbage can, shop-vac and stool. I attached a vice on one end of the bench.

I hung pegboard from the top of the benches to the ceiling and placed all my hand tools on it. I ran extensions cords from outlets along the ceiling to power strips fixed to the wall above the benches. Next to the power strips, I attached 2 charging stations for cordless tool batteries.

I attached clip lights and Ball jars containing sorted fasteners to the ceiling joists. I placed box fans in windows at either end of the room to help blow dust out.

It was cheap and I love it.

RayB · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2004, 01:50:24 pm »

OH GOD. This thread inspired me to show you my workspace. Cuz it's a JOKE! hahah

I have over 900 square feet of basement, yet no room to work!

RayB · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2004, 01:56:43 pm »

PS: I wanted to ask 1Hooked... is this a TEMPEST cabinet you are using a shelving unit??!?

RetroJames · « **Reply #15 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:09:37 pm »

Quote from: RayB on July 12, 2004, 01:56:43 pm

PS: I wanted to ask 1Hooked... is this a TEMPEST cabinet you are using a shelving unit??!?

Nope...That is my on again/off again project. The first free cabinet I got. It will be a fighter MAME when I get around to it. (27" Monitor! The monitor is in that big box between the off road and the omega race) The monitor was about the only thing left...)

The pic below is from google, mine never looked like that (since I have had it)

independentthread · « **Reply #16 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:11:11 pm »

From my history with women (refuse to have one move in with me till I find the right one because I am incompatible with most of them), one thing that I've noticed is that they don't like to have things in the house that they can't use or be a part of. My roommate's girlfriend thought I hated her just because my roommate wouldn't allow her in my bedroom. One of my ex-girlfriends hated my old roommate because he was never around for her to go into his room. My aunt and uncle redid a room in their house because of the fact that he used it as a study/workspace (like you) and she wasn't allowed to go in there because she liked to keep things clean (meaning move them around) and he would keep electronic components in pieces while he was working on them. They ended up making it a normal room, and he built a bigger garage and told her she wasn't allowed in there except to park the car. I used to know a guy who's mom and dad split up because she went trying to "clean" his garage and ended up pulling a toolbox off on her head and got a concussion. She was actually trying to find proof of an affair, and instead told everyone that he tried to kill her (I know, it's a white trash story) all because he liked to work in the garage and he didn't like her being out there while he was working. They even did an episode of Home Improvement where Jill HAD to have her pottery wheel out in the garage while Tim was trying to work on cars, and there wasn't enough room for both.
I'm not saying that ALL woman are this way, but a LOT of women like to have overall control over all that they deal with on a day to day basis. Personally, I liked the way my uncle dealt with it. Give her the room, double the garage size. As for my workspace, I use my uncle's garage.

pointdablame · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:18:20 pm »

This is the room that my father and I spend a lot of our time in. It's pretty much for us alone except for the 4th unseen corner which has the washer/dryer/sink for my mother. We also have an absurdly large shed (from the previous owner of the house) and a large deck I just finished building which we also use. A lot of the tools aren't in the pics because they are all under the train layout.

Keep the pics coming! It's always fun to see how other people work.

pointdablame · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:19:54 pm »

shelves and more shelves in the back. Pretty much a big mess

pointdablame · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:22:27 pm »

and as if this hobby isn't bad enough, this is what takes up the ENTIRE rest of the room.... N scale trains. The layout is 16' x 14' and obviously not finished... but it's a blast to work on. It's also why my father and I are near blind.... painting people that are 1/160 scale gets to you after the years

etumor · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:26:09 pm »

Following my divorce, I did the craziest thing in the world -- moved in with another woman -- my best friend. Since we got the house, I have systematically pushed all of her stuff out of the living room/dining room in favor of my toys, something that she gives me endless crap about. I warned her before we moved in together that this was going to happen. Last summer I replaced her 27" TV with a 51" HDTV -- which meant we had to get rid of her entertainment center. And of course, if I was going to have the big fancy TV, I had to have the good surround sound stereo system to go with it, so her old crappy stereo went bye-bye. In order to accomodate all of my electronics (DVD, VCR, Stereo, Xbox, Gamecube) I needed new shelves, so her old crappy shelves found their way to the garage as well. The couch was always mine, and I recently added reclining chair to the room (not a large recliner, it's a slim swivel chair that reclines -- really cool).

My MAME cab eats up a fair portion of the dining room, and in a couple of weeks I'm going to be adding a Dragon's Lair to the room.

I'm driving her nuts.

-Jeff "etumor"

whammoed · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:41:06 pm »

I usually work on my side of the two car garage. When I need extra room I just pull the other car out. On my last project I moved inside to put in the electronics and control panels and such. I used the nursery since baby #2 hasn't arrived yet. I live in Florida and it is brutal in the summer. I worked on the previous cabinet in the winter which means temps usually 55-70 F. Much nicer!

SirPeale · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2004, 02:50:28 pm »

RayB: looks like you're in serious need of dejunking. I can see like ten things that should just go away. First thing: that couch.

rdagger · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2004, 03:02:43 pm »

These are the plans for the work area.

RayB · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2004, 03:03:38 pm »

Quote from: Peale on July 12, 2004, 02:50:28 pm

RayB: looks like you're in serious need of dejunking. I can see like ten things that should just go away. First thing: that couch.

I agree wholeheartedly. But it's not that easy. My girlfriend's mother passed away recently, so a good portion of this junk belonged to her. YOU can tell my girlfriend you want to throw out her mom's couch, cuz I sure won't!

SirPeale · « **Reply #25 on:** July 12, 2004, 03:22:02 pm »

Ah, I wasn't aware of the situation. However; if it's still there after a year (more than enough time) start pressing the issue.

pgifford · « **Reply #26 on:** July 12, 2004, 05:19:13 pm »

Quote from: RayB on July 12, 2004, 03:03:38 pm

Quote from: Peale on July 12, 2004, 02:50:28 pm
RayB: looks like you're in serious need of dejunking. I can see like ten things that should just go away. First thing: that couch.

I agree wholeheartedly. But it's not that easy. My girlfriend's mother passed away recently, so a good portion of this junk belonged to her. YOU can tell my girlfriend you want to throw out her mom's couch, cuz I sure won't!

Well, unless her mom is still in the couch it's not doing anyone any good. Aren't there any smaller mementos of her mother? Perhaps a ring? One thing to watch for is mice...they'll get in there and build a nice nest if it sits there too long. Tell her that by donating the couch to charity she'll be honoring her mother's memory and getting a nice tax deduction...

SirPeale · « **Reply #27 on:** July 12, 2004, 05:42:38 pm »

Quote from: pgifford on July 12, 2004, 05:19:13 pm

Well, unless her mom is still in the couch it's not doing anyone any good. Aren't there any smaller mementos of her mother? Perhaps a ring? One thing to watch for is mice...they'll get in there and build a nice nest if it sits there too long. Tell her that by donating the couch to charity she'll be honoring her mother's memory and getting a nice tax deduction...

This is true, but if this loss is recent then dealing with stuff like that can hurt more than help. He should give it a couple months, then start in.

rchadd · « **Reply #28 on:** July 12, 2004, 08:39:06 pm »

Quote from: Peale on July 12, 2004, 11:35:05 am

I live in a two bedroom apartment.

However; my mom has generously let me use her garage as my workshop just recently. The bad part is she lives 45 minutes away.

i also live in a flat. I am currently in the process of building a cocktail cab on the odd weekend that i visit my folks. the only thing is that they live 4 hours away! so progress has not been very good so far. of course when its finally completed i got fun getting it back home. lucky my dad's got an estate car

will be posting pics of build soon.

Generic Eric · « **Reply #29 on:** July 12, 2004, 11:09:13 pm »

This is a pretty could thread/question.

My work space is the 2 car garage. I have to have enough in order to let the wife park, but otherwise its fair game.
I have 2 arcade cabs and a foosball that I will restore. About the foosball, I wish I would have taken pics before I started but oh well. Now I am sure I will invest time into squaring that away first, before I start my projects...

Maybe I will post pics in this thread when I am done....

Generic Eric · « **Reply #30 on:** July 12, 2004, 11:50:30 pm »

a cool web page i found...

http://www.build-stuff.com/

danny_galaga · « **Reply #31 on:** July 13, 2004, 01:39:00 am »

you guys with your namby pamby pretty workshops make me sick!

danny_galaga · « **Reply #32 on:** July 13, 2004, 01:42:55 am »

rayb, you da man!

RetroJames · « **Reply #33 on:** July 13, 2004, 04:35:51 pm »

danny_galaga - where are you located? For some reason something seems "off" a bit in your shop? uk, aussie, where are you?

old school gamer · « **Reply #34 on:** July 13, 2004, 05:11:58 pm »

Here is my workshop.... Well alright its not technically a "workshop" its a keg machine,but how can you get any work done without beer??? EDIT: Its not just any keg machine,its my own personal keg machine.....MINE!!!!! ALL MINE!!!!! Beer is good food!

DrewKaree · « **Reply #35 on:** July 13, 2004, 11:38:58 pm »

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on July 13, 2004, 04:35:51 pm

danny_galaga - where are you located? For some reason something seems "off" a bit in your shop? uk, aussie, where are you?

He's an Aussie...or a Kiwi, one of the two (they're the same thing, right danny?

God I bet you could just KILL ME right now, hey

) Ya know what it is, 1hooked? I didn't see it at first, but he put the friggen steering wheel on the wrong side of that car, that's what tipped you off!

btw, I'm still laughing at Peale's "Is she still in the couch" line...that's hysterical!

danny_galaga · « **Reply #36 on:** July 14, 2004, 12:41:05 am »

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on July 13, 2004, 04:35:51 pm

danny_galaga - where are you located? For some reason something seems "off" a bit in your shop? uk, aussie, where are you?

you've got my curiousity, what seems to be 'off'?

danny_galaga · « **Reply #37 on:** July 14, 2004, 12:44:49 am »

Quote from: DrewKaree on July 13, 2004, 11:38:58 pm

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on July 13, 2004, 04:35:51 pm
danny_galaga - where are you located? For some reason something seems "off" a bit in your shop? uk, aussie, where are you?
He's an Aussie...or a Kiwi, one of the two (they're the same thing, right danny? God I bet you could just KILL ME right now, hey ) Ya know what it is, 1hooked? I didn't see it at first, but he put the friggen steering wheel on the wrong side of that car, that's what tipped you off!

hehe. its no insult to me. the other way around could be though. calling a kiwi an aussie is a bit like calling a canadian an american...

AlanS17 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 14, 2004, 12:50:37 am »

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on July 12, 2004, 02:09:37 pm

Quote from: RayB on July 12, 2004, 01:56:43 pm
PS: I wanted to ask 1Hooked... is this a TEMPEST cabinet you are using a shelving unit??!?

Nope...That is my on again/off again project. The first free cabinet I got. It will be a fighter MAME when I get around to it. (27" Monitor! The monitor is in that big box between the off road and the omega race) The monitor was about the only thing left...)

The pic below is from google, mine never looked like that (since I have had it)

Hey that looks familiar... Oh Yeah! That's what fills up a good portion of MY workspace! ;-) Those Off-Roads are friggin huge... and heavy!

I've got a 2-car garage dedicated almost solely to classic arcade restoration right now. Aside from some shelf space on the wall, the mower, and the garbage cans, I've got 12 machines in that 2-car garage. I need to get a picture or something.

ChadTower · « **Reply #39 on:** July 14, 2004, 11:34:02 am »

Why does the keg fridge have bullet holes in it?


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