I spend a good deal of time organizing things and processes to facilitate efficiency. This may come in the form of organizing tools in a drawer where I can find them, building or modifying a tool, or designing and speed testing a process. Sometimes, the amount of time that I invest in creating this organization … Continue reading On Being Efficient
Reminder: Introductory pricing on live-edge cribbage boards expires Saturday night. I feel that my time is limited and valuable. I am usually trying to get the most impactful tasks done as quickly as possible and ignoring the less pertinent ones. But, sometimes, it is a good idea to take a break from directly trying to … Continue reading Sometimes You Just Need to Stop Working and Get Organized
I always seem to spend more time working on projects than cleaning and tidying in the shop, and the result is usually chaos - stuff everywhere. The best times I have found to clean up and organize are late at night when I can’t do much else, or while waiting for glue or finish to … Continue reading Being Productive While Finish Dries
Last week, Tom Iovino featured my site on his blog, Tom's Workbench. This was part of his write-up about my work. "Chris has a very skilled eye for design and incorporating bold, natural shapes in his woodworking projects." - Tom Iovino He also included this picture of me in my workshop. Ben Strano (@sonicfedora) spotted my … Continue reading My Fastener Storage System
I recently sold my thickness sander because I rarely used it and it was taking up valuable space (it was bought for one specific project a few years ago). I haven't taken pictures of my machine shop since 2009 when it looked much different so I figured that now would be a good time. These first … Continue reading January 2013 Machine Shop Tour
I volunteered to reorganize the seminar room at Lee Valley Tools Coquitlam, where I work part-time. Part of the reorganization/rethinking involved building a cabinet with drawers to house all the sharpening paraphernalia. It also needed a flat top at a suitable height to use the Veritas MK II Power Sharpener, Tormek T-7, 1" belt grinder, … Continue reading Shop-Grade Cabinets
This is the fourth article in a series about reorganizing my benchroom (my shop is divided into two sides; my machinery resides in the other half). You can read the first article HERE, the second article HERE and the third article HERE. My benchroom is now fully operational once again. Of course, the work is never completely done, but … Continue reading Benchroom Tour and Comments
I know that my posting here has been sporadic at best. From now on, I will strive to make one entry per week. Check back every Monday morning and you should find at least one new post. My various marking and measuring tools used to be live all over the shop. I'd find them wherever … Continue reading Marking and Measuring Tool Cabinet
I spend at least 75% of my time in the workshop in my bench room, the rest of my time either in the adjacent machine shop or outside in the yard either turning or power carving. Of the time spend in my bench room, probably 90% of that time is spent in one area about … Continue reading Bench Room Reorganization
Inspired by the handcrafted tool chest on the back of Fine Woodworking's latest issue of tools and shops with french-fitted compartments for frequently used hand tools, I have challenged myself to build one for myself. Before any tool is lifted or wood is selected, I needed to design the chest. And the best way to … Continue reading Heirloom Tool Chest – The Planning Stage
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 