Work Areas

[barra]

G'day all. I was just wondering if we could share tips on how we have all layed out our workshops/benches. I know some of us are restricted with space, so I am curious about how people have overcome the space problem with imaginative use of what they have available.

Barra

[bruce johnson]

Barra,

Good question. I use a lot of pegboard, that way I am able to change the configuration of the hanging tools as my whims and floor plan have changed. My current shop is a long one-car garage. My benches are mostly the modular "Gorilla Rack" benches and shelving. They are able to be used as racking type shelves or as benches. The underneath is set up with storage bins for scraps or big patterns. The ones I set up for shelves hold leather, trees, and supplies like rope cans, stirrups, the like. I have one drawdown in the shop now, and the works in progress or repairs are stored on a 3 tier pipe saddle rack. My cutting table is actually a used big metal desk. I raised it up 8" with pipe extensions on the legs to make it a comfortable height for cutting (just big enough pipe to slip over the legs). I cover it with particle board for cutting with the roller knife. I have a plastic board for the regular knives. The drawers hold the power tools like the drills, Dremel, heat gun, etc. I have a pegboard next to the cutting table for cutting tools only. All the knives, scissors, draw gauges live there. I know when I am working there to be careful.

Small parts and hardware are kept in parts drawers. I have probably 6 or 7. I hang them on the pegboard to save bench top space. Bench top tools I use are a belt sander, two drill presses on the powered side. On a bench that sticks out, I have a Chase pattern splitter, hand crank splitter, handcrank skiver, and rein rounder. They are all set at different angles or arranged so I can use any of them and not be interfered with by another tool.

I keep my in-stock silver in parts drawers. I have a small fire-resistant safe in the shop I keep for closeup records and customer silver. The best investment I made in creature comfort this year was the interlocking foam anti-fatigue floor mats.

I am lucky I have a covered porch out the back door of the shop. I have tables set up out there. One is for oiling and dyeing, the other is for glueing. The bench grinders with the buffing wheels are out there to prevent rouge splatter on leather. The shop press I use for a clicker is out there also.

The only thing I would add is a good sized laundry sink. The closest sink is the kitchen....

Bruce Johnson

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[barra]

The Pics show the homemade draw down, the stitching horse and part of the bench set up as it appeared as it was at my last house.

My main problem is I move frequently due to the bill paying job so nothing can be overly permanent. Everything must be able to be dismantled easily. At this point in time I have the use of one half of a double garage. I use the term double garage loosely (don't park 2 cars in and expect to be able to open the car doors to get out). I too use those dismantable metal, knock together with a hammer type benches/shelving. On top of these I have a pine bench top that just sits on top. The boards are joined with wooden slats. In my last place I had 2 of the metal shelves coming out long ways from the wall about a metre apart. The slats holding the pine boards together are exatly the width of the metal shelving apart so that the hole thing sits on top and sort of locks into place. I then had another 2 metal shelves along another wall as storage shelves.

Where I am now I could not for love nor money set up the workshop like I used to have it. No amount of re arranging would make things fit the way I had it. The space saving compromise was to use all 4 metal shelving units together as the bench space and I then placed the pine top on as previously. 2 things happened that in hindsight are actually benefits. I could no longer use the pine top slats to lock onto the original 2 shelf units. This mean't that the slats sit directly on top of the benches making the bench top about 2 inches higher than previously. This 2 inches higher is actually an improvement. I also now have gaps between the slats. This has proven a convenient place to slide in some trays for litle nic nacs and note books. Also the extra 2 " is actually a better height for me.

I have in the past taken the traditional saddlers route and stored my hand tools on a back board in the usual leather loops. While I needed the tools readily available and always at arms length, I have always needed a huge backboard meaning some tools always ended up on the top row and invariably just ot of arms reach. Also I have lived in the tropics and tools literally rusted over night. What I did then was to group all my tools into categories, edge tools,punches, awls etc. For each of these categories I made individual canvas tool rolls. When all the tool rolls were rolled up I found they actually took up surprisngly little space. The tools rolls were then stored on a shelf above the bench. I find that for each type of job I will know mainly in advance the tools I will need so i just get them out of their roll and have them on the bench til the job is done and then store it back into it's roll. I think we all have our favourite of each type of tool, you know the one that just sits right in the hand. I then worked out what tools I continually use for every job and made a seperate canvas tool roll for those. This has a few stitch marking wheels, single creaser (tickler), compass dividers, burnishing stick, favourite awl, adjustable screw creaser round knife and a few assorted sundries. This tool roll is open on the bench for every job and gets rolled up at night. It is also the travelling tool roll and allows me to do odd running repairs at the barn with the home made stitching pony made out of a plank with a large bulldog clamp attached (not pretty but it works). On the back of the bench I have a few storage bins for buckles etc and in between those I have a pine board that I have drilled holes into of varying sizes to store what I call the odds and sods tools (much like storing stamping tools in a wooden block. Underneath this is just enough space for my smasher, plough guage and a few nut bolt and screw containers. All of my hand sewing threads are stored in used plastic yoghurt containers with an eylet in the lid to feed the thread out of. I then have just enough space under the bench for a crate with stains, dyes, neatlac etc. Oh yeah I have a sheet of perspex that I put on top of the bench when staining and spills just wipe off so it is clean for next time. Also on top of the bench is my marble block and stamping tools as I like to stand when stamping. I still like to have a pine cutting board but also have a few of the plastic kitchen type ones. A small one of those goes into the travelling kit.

Under the bench I have stored things in crates much like Bruce has done. For my cutting out bench I have an old drafting table that has height adjustable legs. This table also has a very deep draw and this is where I store my sheepskins and roo skins. Under this bench is where I store my bridle sides and skirting type leathers. At the moment they are rolled up and stored on end in packing boxes (not overly fussed on that idea). Butted up next to the main bench (no choice due to space) is my harness stitcher and because I don't use the treadle function, crap gets stored underneath there like spools of thread. Against another wall I have an old singer 29K13 treadle base with a woodentop. This is where I have attached my hand operated eyelet/stud press and rounding machine. Next to that is the singer 132K6. I wish I had the space for a decent sewing table to make canvas work easier. I then have just enough space for the home made draw down horse (a carpenter I am not). This horse is quite tall compared to most I have seen but this suits me. I then have a metal tray underneath the drawdown as I find this a convenient place to place tools down when I want hands free. Immediatley next to that is the also home made stitching horse. Being trained by an old English saddler and harness maker. The stitching horse concept was until recently foreign to me. I have always sat at the bench with a set of clams. A few years ago I saw a picture of the stitching horse (what is that bizarre looking contraption I thought) So I then decided to make one and now use it about 50/50 with the clams. The horse has a fairly wide top with cut outs for my legs. This means I have a wide base for my fat arse as well as space in front of the stitching clamp to place a few tools. Onto the very front of the stitching horse I have clamped my splitter. It is here for 2 reasons. I find I don't use it much and also it annoys me being on the main bench top.

Most of my patterns I have laminated and if the pattern is more than A3 size I use as many as required and have reference makes, so that for example I might join say 3 laminated segments of the pattern by matching up the reference marks to make the finished size pattern. For small patterns I find pictures and blow up the image on a photocopier until i have the size I want and then laminate. I make the pattern about 1/8" smaller than I want the finished pattern as this allows for cutting out the laminated sheet and still ensures it is sealed up. The large laminated patterns I leave the sheet intact but then run the pattern under the sewing machine with no thread. When I want to use it I place it on the leather and with a scrap of sheepskin dusted in talc I run over the pattern. Enough of the talc enters all the little stitch holes and it is enough to see when the pattern is removed. I then run over the talc line with a single creaser and wipe off the excess talc. On some patterns this technique is not convenient and I make those patterns out of heavy vinyl or even old lino flooring.

I love tinkering with things and trying to turn it into a labour saving leather tool. I have an old movie projector film winder that I am going to turn into either a bobbin winder or a adjustable edge creasing machine if I have to die trying. A lot of tools I have found in the bargain bin at the hardware and lots can easily be adapted into leatherwork tools. I also like looking at tools of other trades and trying to figure out what leatherwork application I can turn it into.

Barra

[mulefool]

My shop was built from plans for a 24 X 36 barn. It seemed big til I put all my stuff in it. One corner has a little showroom area and behind that a small office area. I have two 4X 8 cutting tables with polyethylene butcher block cutting sssurface. I love that stuff, but after awhile it gets pretty chewed up. I heard once you can kind of re surface it by melting the surface with a blow torch, that sounds like a potential disaster to me. Unfortunately I find that one tof the tables becomes storage space for on going projects. My biggest problems are storage of projects and work that is done and needing picked up, and storage of leather scrap. I have 2 sewing machines, a Landis 3 and a Chandler. I also picked up a clicker last year and that takes up a bit of space. Once you set one of those things down, you kind of hate to try and move it again. I've done a few major re arrangement of the space over the last 10 years. A big mistake in building it was not putting in a sink. what was I thinking? But I didn't want to deal with getting a plumbing permit. Next time..........

[Go2Tex]

Great topic. But, I am reminded of the old adage, one picture is worth a thousand words. By all means, please post more pics of your shops.

One reason this topic is of particular interest to me is that I am in the process of moving and will be setting up shop in a new place. I haven't bought my new place yet so I don't know if I'll be converting someone else's auto shop or barn or whatever into a saddlemaking shop or building my shop from the ground up.

I'm tempted to try to find a turn-key shop so I can be up and running in short order but the idea of building my dream shop has a certain appeal as well.

I've been building my saddles in a converted portion of my home's 2 car garage. I walled off about 3/4 of one side, insulated it and put up some sheetrock and framed in a door. I put down 3/4" tongue and groove board to soften the concrete floor and used rubber mats to stand on. I used up every inch of space on every wall for tools and every nook and cranny under, beside, behind and over every bench and shelf. My little shop was blessed with good lighting from 2 large windows, an unusual feature for most garages. A small space heater kept me working even on the coldest days and the insulation kept the room an even moderate temperature without the heater.

With 3 benches, one stitcher, a stitching horse and a drawdown, there weren't much room for visitors! So, naturally, I can't wait to expand into that big new shop in the near future.

The perfect one-man shop, as I figure it, would be about 26x26 and would facilitate a smooth work process flow from the shipping/receiving area, with a large overhead door, to the storage area, cutting area, centralized assembly area, with efficient access to the different tool locations, stitchers, splitters, etc, parts, patterns and other operations such as oil/dye station, then to the pre-ship holding location and then back to the shipping/receiving area. An office area and bathroom, lots of windows for good lighing and ventilation, and a good airconditioning system would complete the design.

I'm estimating about $20K. And I dreaming or what?

[K-Man]

Here's some pics of my shop:

I have 1000 sq feet of total space. We built a small office (approx 125 sq feet), and left the rest open to set up the work areas. The first pic is our sign, which is adjacent to the 10 ft roll up door. The display cabinet area acts as our initial greet of the customers. The second pic shows one of our work benches. At the far end of that, we have a small sink and hot water heater. To the right of that area is where we have all of our shipping supplies. The wall shows some of the dies we use, and I have a 7-ton clicker at this shop. (I have a 15-ton clicker also at the old shop.) The leather we use is located on a 4x8 table "behind" (center of the room) the user at the clicker. The next pic shows our three sewing machines (all Artisans - two 3000's, one 618) and some of the dummy guns we use. It also shows one of the 4x8 tables we have. (There are two 4x8 that sit side by side.) The next pic shows the main workbench area. I've used unfinished kitchen cabinets that I got from Lowe's for the construction of it. (I usually got slightly damaged versions in order to save a few dollars. For example, I got the cabinet top for 75% off because of some slight damage.) I've used peg board to hang some of the tools I use on a regular basis. The next pic shows the workbench which sits directly to the left. Again, I used the unfinished kitchen cabinets here for the base. In the background is the area where I do all of the dyeing. We also hung some plastic behind the peg board which goes all the way to the floor and surrounds the table to catch any splashing of the dye. The last pic shows the 2' x 8' sign that sits on the end of the building that we are in. It faces a heavily travelled roadway, and lights up at night. It's brought in a significant amount of visitors to the shop.

Of course, the most important piece of equipment sits in the corner - the Coke machine. It's about 30 years old and hums right along, keeping everything nice and cold. I'm a somewhat avid coke collector, as you can see by some of the decorations on the walls. On the wall, just to the right of the main workbench, is a 6' x 6' sign.

The way the shop is set up currently has proven to be very functional in a lot of different aspects. We can easily greet visitors; we have various workstations; the work flow seems to function and follow basic lines. We have a very active business and offer a lot of different items to the customer. We do primarily holsters and accessories for concealed carry, and offer true custom work.

[BruceGibson]

Awesome, Kevin! So...how do you feel about aspiring holstermakers showing up at the door?

[barra]

Now we are cooking with gas with good pictures. Great layout K-man. You have given me many ideas. What a fantastic idea using seconds kitchen cabinets. Your layout looks to be roomy as well as functional. I have a question about the hydraulic press behind the drill press. Is it what you are using as your clicker and if so does it work like a car jack but in reverse. I will try and post some updated pics this weekend of my set up. The biggest problem I have where I am now is natural lighting. Were I was before xmas had a huge window in front of the bench. The only way now to let in natural light is to open up the garage roller doors. It is winter here and that is crazy talk. I do have my stitcher on rollers with brakes so if the weather is fine I can roll it out onto the patio area along with the stitching horse.

I too don't have a sink so i am resolved to using plastic tubs. The nearest sink is in the bathroom which is just inside the door as I enter the house from the garage. This is a trap. It is too close so the temptation is there to use it but to do so would mean death.

I forgot to mention my most cherished workshop implement, the coffee pot The beer fridge used to fit too but alas that is out on the patio.

Keep he pics of workshops coming guys and girls. They don't have to be from saddle makers.

Barra

[K-Man]

Now we are cooking with gas with good pictures. Great layout K-man. You have given me many ideas. What a fantastic idea using seconds kitchen cabinets. Your layout looks to be roomy as well as functional. I have a question about the hydraulic press behind the drill press. Is it what you are using as your clicker and if so does it work like a car jack but in reverse.

I use a Tippmann 7-ton clicker at this shop. You can see it somewhat in the fourth picture above (under the Coca-Cola bottle cap/next to the large air compressor).

I use the hydraulic press you're asking about to mold/press the holster around the gun. It's the one offered by Weaver leather. You can use it as a clicker, but I think it would be kind of tuff to utilize it that way if you're cutting leather of any substantial thickness.

[Don101]

nice shop and set up just amazing and so tidy my work shop always looks so untidy ill get in there and take some pics