This past summer I convinced Janet to help me sort out, or get rid of, more than 40 years of clutter that had accumulated in our basement. My plan was to convert the newly reclaimed space as my home workshop.
There has always been a "workshop" on the farm. but it had always been just that: the farm workshop. When my kids returned as adults to take over the farm operation, the lines blurred as to which tools were Dad's and which belonged to the farm. Organizational styles and disciplines also changed. In the early years I knew where to look for a needed tool. Generally they could be found "hanging up" right where I kept them. In recent years my frustration became finding the tool I needed for even for the simplest of household tasks. The required tool might be found in any one of seven farm buildings or riding around in someone's truck. Often, after an exhaustive search, the tool when found was worn, dull, or in other ways marginalized from long use (and sometimes abuse.)
Beyond a desire for convenience and a need to organize and upgrade my tools, I also was inspired by a new vision for a workshop. Now that I am retired, I have time to putter, and "puttering" requires a special space with special tools. My day for major construction projects is past. I don't require "job site" capacity tools. My new home shop is being equipped with downsized tools appropriate for smaller projects. I am also a grandfather with three young grandsons who might benefit from having an alternative activity to computer games, Ipads, and smart phones.
My youngest grandson, Oscar age 5, chose for us to make a birdhouse for his Moms' Christmas present this season. Together we did an Internet search to select a do-able design and find a pattern. Oscar measured all the parts. Grandpa cut them out on the power-saw, Oscar drilled the holes on the drill press and nailed the birdhouse together. He selected colors (which required a trip with Grandpa to the hardware store) and did the painting. We just finished it after school last night--well in time for Christmas morning.
There has always been a "workshop" on the farm. but it had always been just that: the farm workshop. When my kids returned as adults to take over the farm operation, the lines blurred as to which tools were Dad's and which belonged to the farm. Organizational styles and disciplines also changed. In the early years I knew where to look for a needed tool. Generally they could be found "hanging up" right where I kept them. In recent years my frustration became finding the tool I needed for even for the simplest of household tasks. The required tool might be found in any one of seven farm buildings or riding around in someone's truck. Often, after an exhaustive search, the tool when found was worn, dull, or in other ways marginalized from long use (and sometimes abuse.)
Beyond a desire for convenience and a need to organize and upgrade my tools, I also was inspired by a new vision for a workshop. Now that I am retired, I have time to putter, and "puttering" requires a special space with special tools. My day for major construction projects is past. I don't require "job site" capacity tools. My new home shop is being equipped with downsized tools appropriate for smaller projects. I am also a grandfather with three young grandsons who might benefit from having an alternative activity to computer games, Ipads, and smart phones.
My youngest grandson, Oscar age 5, chose for us to make a birdhouse for his Moms' Christmas present this season. Together we did an Internet search to select a do-able design and find a pattern. Oscar measured all the parts. Grandpa cut them out on the power-saw, Oscar drilled the holes on the drill press and nailed the birdhouse together. He selected colors (which required a trip with Grandpa to the hardware store) and did the painting. We just finished it after school last night--well in time for Christmas morning.
RSS Feed
