Coping With A Small Workshop

[impulse]

Hi Skipndance

How lucky are you inheriting your mum's tools and supplies! Condolences on her passing, particularly before she had time to pass on her knowledge.

Just a query on your plans - why are you using carpet on your work bench?

Cheers,

Lois

[Skipndance]

Hi Lois,

I went to Maryland in November 2014 for an English saddlery class. The first week was re-flocking English saddles and replacing billets and the second week was Level 1 Bridle Making which is really learning your tools and some basic hand stitching and strap work. The class is taught by two Master Saddlers (one is primarily a saddle maker and the other a saddle fitter) and a "bridler" from England. In the classroom (in the basement of an old farmhouse) they had 4 stations set up. The work surfaces are covered with carpet so the leather doesn't get scratched when you are working on the English saddles. You have the saddles sitting on the surface and moving them around, turning them over, removing stitches, working on the panels, sewing/lacing them back up. When we moved on to the next section where we were cutting leather, striking the pricking irons, etc, they would bring out a 1" thick board and set it on top of the carpet so we had a hard surface to work on.

Rather than have the bench permanently covered in carpet and have another board to set on top and remove, I got the idea to use these toggles, so I can take the carpet off as needed. When I'm working on English saddles or other repairs, not cutting, tooling, edging or dyeing, I'll use the carpet cover. If I'm doing anything best done on a hard surface, I'll take the carpet off and use the hard surface. I might get some cheap craft paper to cover the board when I'm dyeing things to keep the surface clean as possible. That is a suggestion I read somewhere here, I think. I got a carpet remnant from someone on Craigslist for $10 which is 29" x 10 feet (I think) originally to recover my mom's old saddle stand which is stained from 25 years of use and I realized it would be enough to do both the saddle stand and the workbench.

Bit by bit, I'll make it a nice little workspace. Then I have to learn how to do the work...

Anita

[Earl Ash]

I have about 6' x 6' space in the corner of my basement, an old reinforced computer desk, and a sewing machine. I do have a table

that cannot be seen for cutting when needed. You work with what you have!

[garrettwp]

I know this is an older thread, but I wanted to post my workspace for leather work and working with electronics. This is a bedroom closet that is located in my home office. I am always working to try and maximize the space. I just added two mobile workbench carts for tool storage and extra work surface. I also added a more beefy workbench that fit perfectly inside the closet.

- Garrett

[cdthayer]

I wonder how many other closet leathercrafters there are out there that we never hear about?

CD in Oklahoma

[Orangeleather]

On 21/02/2016 at 1:18 PM, cdthayer said:

I wonder how many other closet leathercrafters there are out there that we never hear about?

CD in Oklahoma

To all, excuse thread revival but I thought it was warranted, well my ‘working’ workspace is currently the inside size of British tradition telephone box (please see show your workshop thread)

However my table requires upgrade so seeking ideas as my head is scrambled, I do have the option of our modern mini drop leaf kitchen table, however it’s still not sturdy enough for my needs (I’m fussy) I’m considering bolting it to wall but avoided if I can.

So I’m considering seeking an old sewing machine table, the ones which are heavy due to be being fit for purpose however I’m open to any suggestions that’ll fit within the confines of my area, my word working skills aren’t an option either.

[Hawk Scarbrough]

This is my humble workstation. An old put it together computer desk.  A place for everything and everything out of place half the time.

Edited December 27, 2017 by Hawk Scarbrough
writing ommitted

[Jake907]

@impulse 

@Hawk Scarbrough 

if you haven't already, you should post your workshop photos on the Show Your Shop thread, you both have very well thought out and organized work spaces.

[Hawk Scarbrough]

On ‎10‎/‎24‎/‎2015 at 2:57 PM, Hawk Scarbrough said:

Yea, I would too, but I don/t shoot my flintlocks much anymore

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[Hawk Scarbrough]

Just now, Hawk Scarbrough said:

This is my humble workstation, a converted large computer desk.  Surprisingly, it contains just about everything I need or want, with minimum overflow.