What frustrates you most in your "shop"?

[wildrose]

I'm facing the annoying prospect of using a dull knife to cut slits in straps for mystery braid bracelets. I do NOT have a set up to sharpen the stupid thing, and I don't know anyone locally to get it done. So it takes about 3-4 passes each time to get a slit cut all the way through the 4/5 oz leather I'm using. Drives me nuts. Plus, anyone notice that blades are rarely even sold sharp anymore? What's up with that!!!!???

Well, that got me thinking: what is the most annoying thing you have to deal with in your workspace? Lack of lighting? No ventilation? Don't have the tools you want? Not enough space? Let's hear it!

[Tkleather1]

I'm facing the annoying prospect of using a dull knife to cut slits in straps for mystery braid bracelets. I do NOT have a set up to sharpen the stupid thing, and I don't know anyone locally to get it done. So it takes about 3-4 passes each time to get a slit cut all the way through the 4/5 oz leather I'm using. Drives me nuts. Plus, anyone notice that blades are rarely even sold sharp anymore? What's up with that!!!!???

Well, that got me thinking: what is the most annoying thing you have to deal with in your workspace? Lack of lighting? No ventilation? Don't have the tools you want? Not enough space? Let's hear it!

I would like to vote for all of the above except the lighting I do have good lighting.

Tim Worley

TK-Leather

[CitizenKate]

Space. I would LOVE more space. Then again... my studio has already taken up about 70% of a two-car garage and one upstairs room. How much more I'll need is anybody's guess. How about around 2,000 sq. ft.?

Kate

[joet]

I'm facing the annoying prospect of using a dull knife to cut slits in straps for mystery braid bracelets. I do NOT have a set up to sharpen the stupid thing, and I don't know anyone locally to get it done. So it takes about 3-4 passes each time to get a slit cut all the way through the 4/5 oz leather I'm using. Drives me nuts. Plus, anyone notice that blades are rarely even sold sharp anymore? What's up with that!!!!???

Well, that got me thinking: what is the most annoying thing you have to deal with in your workspace? Lack of lighting? No ventilation? Don't have the tools you want? Not enough space? Let's hear it!

I can't find it. It's burried somewhere in the basement. I keep thinking about clearing it off and stop using the kitchen counter, but it's just easier to use the counter. Maybe it will be a New Year's promise.

[Spence]

In order of the highest frustration level:

1. The mess.

2. Too many projects going at the same time.

3. Because of #2, not enough space. I don't think there would ever be enough.

4. Tool storage, or lack thereof.

Then there's the dogs. Sneaking or barging in to play.

All of this and I'm, somehow, happy with my lot in life finally.

[bruce johnson]

After a few different layouts, it is still a work in progress but overall - pretty happy. Just enough space to heat and air condition easily. The lighting is good. Tons of electric outlets. The move around space is good. With this layout and storage it is a lot neater than it used to be. Tools are organized and put back. Good amount of storage for scraps and sides. Stall mats on the floor - easier on me and and dropped tools.

Minor frustration factors-

1. I recently moved the tooling bench out of the cubby hole and into the center. Now to build a bench so the rock is inlaid. Design so it will be stable, no bounce, I can get my legs in under it and not be too high? How big? New rock or square up mine?

2. I need to close in the ceiling.

3. I know my music and poetry CDs better than the folks doing it. I ought to get a CD player with "shuffle".

[dirtclod]

For me the most frustrateing thing is the mess. Knowing i have something and not being able to find it. Not having the rest of my cabinets done for storage. I have plenty of room i built a new shop about 5 years ago just need for things to be organized. Need more outlets even though i put them every 3 foot their's still never enough. Or i guess i could spread things out some but that would be to easy..LOL.

Wildrose why don't you get a stone and try your hand at sharpening your knife. From what you said it would be hard to hurt it. Plus their not hard to sharpen. It might take a few minutes if it's really dull but it's a good thing to know how to do.

[MADMAX22]

My current work shop is my kitchen in my apartment so yeah that kind of sucks. Thats ok hopefully be moving in a couple of months and then get someplace with a garage or something.

[Stevesleather]

Changing over my little work space from tooling to staining/stitching. Then, trying to find the stitching stuff buried somewhere under a piece of pattern. I'd like to be able to say everything has its place and I had enough room to do everything in progression without having to change the work area.

[iwannabeacowboy]

My gripe is not enough room. We live in a 2 bedroom apt, I rented a storage room to empty out the 2nd bedroom. Then built 3 work benches. I can't multi task because I'm constantly shifting stuff around to have room to work. It's amazing how fast I filled up the room between tools/hides/dye/stain/finishes/hardware. When I'm working and start bumping into stuff I step out of the room, take a few deep breaths and go back to work. Right now I'm recovering from shoulder arthroscopy(August 19th) and getting ready to have it redone because I can't use my left arm very much(pain). So I sit in the shop and think about how to make more room by shifting everything around.

Charlie