We’ve established that Frank Kozik has set up a sweet bike shop most of us would give our right arm for, but he actually wrenches on them as well. This is significant — it’s the difference between a rider and someone who has bikes. We have to give Frank an extra gold star for living, “If you ride it, you wrench it.”
We field a lot of questions about shop space, from people with huge shops and people with small places that they’re making do with. Our response is uniform and unswerving: Use whatever you have. Readers Brent and Erica’s shop leans toward the small side, and that’s still cool.
Just like every shop, it contains worktops and toolboxes, it inspires projects and future plans; and it’s constantly changing and being upgraded. It’s not a million-dollar shop, and it only hints at what it’ll become one day, when it’s finished. For now, Brent and Erica can bust out a quick project or have some space to take the lawn mower apart — and that’s most of the battle right there.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Sometimes coolness can sway our opinion. In the case of reader Frank Kozik’s shop, two factors won us over. The first was his reassurance that his shop is much messier now than it was the day he completed it, when this picture was taken. As some of you know, we have a fondness for messy work areas, because it means work is getting done.
Take a look under the center of the workbench for the second reason we dig this shop. That, friends, is a Tiger tank, and it brings a smile to my face. If I knew nothing else about Frank, that alone would give me a good opinion of him. For more evidence of this shop’s sweetness, you need only look on top of the bench to find an AT-AT — might I add a hearty booyah?
This workshop clearly belongs to a man with class and discernment.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
What does your shop floor look like? In the Toolmonger shop, we work on a concrete floor sealed with a water- and oil-proof coating. It gets a bit slick when there’s a spill, and it’s hard to stand on all day long. So when I saw this photo of a non-slip mat posted by photo pool member Looking Glass, it really got me thinking. I know there are a ton of anti-slip and anti-fatigue mats, floor coverings, and whatnot — but are they worth it?
Growing up, I always held with the dogma that a workshop should have a concrete floor. My reasoning: “What does it matter if it gets stained?” Since then I’ve worked on dirt floors, wood floors, lots of tile, and even carpet — and I’ve discovered there are benefits to each.
What do you do in your own workspace? What’s most important about your shop floor? Let us know in comments.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
When you picture a small workshop like dad used to have, a picture like this probably pops into your head. Reader Wattsei kindly posted this photo of his dad’s shop, and we remember why dad always seemed like he could fix anything — because he probably had before.
Workshops like this are the best kind — it’s seen countless broken bicycles, woodworking projects, and household fix-it jobs. Through the years, Wattsei’s old man has carefully stocked it, so it’s ready to handle any issue that comes along.
To some it might look like a bunch of cluttered junk — but to a tool guy this looks like a place where you can get some work done. Thanks for the photo, Wattsei.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
This shop pic comes to us courtesy of photo pool member va3tim — it’s his first workbench, and it looks like he’s out in the shop using it quite a bit. We dig the massive fastener storage just above the bench and the home-built storage bins off to the right.
Va3tim’s bench also features wood storage underneath the work top area, for scrap and smaller pieces. Looking at his layout, you might wonder how he can find anything — but we bet he can lay his hands on any tool he owns in less time than it takes to ask for it.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
TM reader and photo pool member Litcritter was kind enough to post this photo of his work space. He notes: “I was waiting until the workshop was clean before taking a pic to put online, but I think it’s time to face facts: I can have a clean workshop, or I can get stuff done. ” We say a messy shop indicates you’re in it — and a productive shop is almost always better than a clean one.
We love how his work area looks scattered but in progress. It’s full of nice touches like old-school metal lockers and a wood rack set way up high across the back wall. We definitely covet the wood rack, Litcritter — nice work!
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
This is a man with his priorities straight. Just look at reader and Flickr member jon m ryan’s shop. You can see from the picture that work gets done here, even though the untrained eye might say it’s messy.
As someone who doesn’t have running water in his shop, I covet your steam cleaner sink! From the casting and molds and dyes, we guess composite fabrication is the name of the game for jon. Hats off and beers up to you, sir!
Toolmonger Flickr Pool [Flickr]
There’s been a dearth of shop pictures posted to the photo pool lately. But maybe the tide is turning with BobbyMikeWalters’ post of this photo of his shop. He writes in comments: “Yes, I work here. And I make a living. Heh.”
This, by the way, is our definition of a “good” shop: one that actually sees use. A beautiful shop that stays clean because nothing ever generates sawdust, metal chips, or grinding debris within it is (by our definition) a bad shop.
Thanks for the post, Bobby. And thanks for reminding us that we need to get out and dirty up the Toolmonger shop a bit this week, too.
Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]
TM reader and photo pool member KurtSchwind was kind enough to post this photo of his work space. He notes: “The ductwork hangs 5′” from the floor. I hit my head on it constantly. The 6″ round is only 6′ off the floor, and I hit my head on that, too.” But he clearly keeps coming back for more — in classic TM style.
We love how his work area is organzied, but used. We can imagine Kurt pulling out the Ryobi tool set on the bottom left for household projects or snagging that orange plastic square — just like Sean’s dad likes — for some basic carpentry work.
One question, though: Kurt, where do you plan to hang that shelf leaning against the bench?
TM reader NickNaylo — who brought us the brake drum forge — also posted some great photos of his shop, including this one of a cabinet in which he keeps his hand tools. The drawer fronts (near the bottom of the picture) are made of a single piece of white oak.
But cabinet aside, look at the tools! I see a nice-looking hand drill in the top right plus lots of planes and other woodworking necessities. Good stuff, and thanks again for sharing!
Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]
TM reader and photo pool member Milomingo posted some great shots of his shop, including this photo of his clamp storage. Remember: if you’re planning on doing any woodworking at all, you can never, never own too many clamps. What a great way to store them, too!
If you’ve got a sec, sign up for a free account with Flickr, join Toolmonger’s group, and post some pics of your shop — or your latest tools or project. And keep an eye out for the latest pool addtiions in the center sidebar here on TM.
Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]
TM reader and photo pool member Simon posted this picture of his shop, showing all Toolmongers that pegboard isn’t just for hanging tools. His bin-based storage system looks neat and tidy — and portable, as you can take a bin of fasteners (or whatever) over to where you’re working.
We’ll say this much, Simon: our storage area isn’t nearly as organized.
If you’ve got a minute, sign up for Flickr’s free service, join the Toolmonger group, and post some pictures of your shop, work area, tools, or latest project. And don’t forget to keep an eye on TM’s center column where we display some of the latest uploads.
Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]
Can’t post pics of your shop ’cause it’s too small? Don’t tell TM reader Stuey. He’s re-purposed a closet to hold his tools and gear, and he’s not afraid to show you. Note the Photoshopped-in white box covering up the shirts he still keeps in with the tools. Awesome.
Don’t be scared. We’ll be gentile! Take a sec to sign up for Flickr (if you haven’t already), join the Toolmonger group, and post some pics of your shop, tools, or latest project.
Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]
TM reader and photo pool member Instant Arcade posted this picture of his hella-messy — and functional — work area. In Flickr comments he writes: “I just work on top of the crap that’s already there, and leave more crap behind. Eventually I’ll have no space, so I’ll either clean it up a little bit or move over to the kitchen table.”
Check out the photo pool for lots of details about what all the “crap” is and what it’s used for, and don’t forget to sign up for Flickr, join the TM group, and post a picture of your workspace. Be it junk-shop cluttered or F1 garage tidy, we’d like to see it!
Toolmonger’s Photo Pool [Flickr]
We want to see your work areas and shops! Toolmonger reader and photo pool member Cbyrneiv posted this photo of his workbench, where he reloads shells and takes care of other household business. Now we’d like to see yours.
Take a moment (if you haven’t already) and sign up for a free account on Flickr, then join Toolmonger’s group and share a photo of your work area. Don’t worry if it’s a mess or “not as good as so-and-so’s.” We don’t care! If anything, a messy work area just means that you use it.
We’ll be watching, and we’ll post as many as we can here on Toolmonger.
The Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
Here’s another reader’s shop, this time from James. It’s a bit small, but you can see some of the items he lists as present. He writes:
“This is roughly a 250-degree view of my disaster of a shop. From left to right you’ll see things like:
Neat stuff!
Remember, if you get a chance, drop us a line with a link to a good-quality 450-pixel-wide photo of your shop. We’d love to feature it and discuss it here on TM.
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