I sure did. I think we can all relate to his philosophies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT6dnBGgXSY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT6dnBGgXSY
Video I think You Folks Will Like
- Thread starter Eric Patterson
- Start date
I watched that last night, really enjoyed it. The calm narration, with the erratic movement was an odd vide, but cool.
I reflected on my shop experience and have not experienced the gathering place aspect. My grandfather had a shop like that where my uncles used the shop and bummed his tools and skinned deer, etc... but my parents were always more self sufficient so our side of the family didn?t use it. Irony is that we never used the shop but when my grandfather died and it needed cleaned to sell, I got to clean it up. I learned a lesson about what your shop and the shop environs say about you after you are gone.
I feel really lucky to have all the dedicated work spaces I do, and while my shop is only 2 car garage size, I have some great useful dedicated spaces outside the shop, like barns for storage, a meat processing room a reloading/gear room, etc... nice to have those spaces to work and have the dedicated tools ready and the spaces clean. I think about what I need in my next steps in life and I need all that stuff to support my life. I hate starting a job by hustling around and finding stuff. I?m not crazy anal and the shop proper is pretty messy, but the stuff is there to get the work done.
I reflected on my shop experience and have not experienced the gathering place aspect. My grandfather had a shop like that where my uncles used the shop and bummed his tools and skinned deer, etc... but my parents were always more self sufficient so our side of the family didn?t use it. Irony is that we never used the shop but when my grandfather died and it needed cleaned to sell, I got to clean it up. I learned a lesson about what your shop and the shop environs say about you after you are gone.
I feel really lucky to have all the dedicated work spaces I do, and while my shop is only 2 car garage size, I have some great useful dedicated spaces outside the shop, like barns for storage, a meat processing room a reloading/gear room, etc... nice to have those spaces to work and have the dedicated tools ready and the spaces clean. I think about what I need in my next steps in life and I need all that stuff to support my life. I hate starting a job by hustling around and finding stuff. I?m not crazy anal and the shop proper is pretty messy, but the stuff is there to get the work done.
Tod
Thanks for your thoughts. The thing that resonated with me was he encouraged a young person to build early and build big, but not to worry about the interior finishing until a later time, as needs will change, and what you think you need today will often differ to actual needs down the road. I think that is sound advice for anyone whose career won't take them out of the area. I know I wish I had built a shop years ago, long before I actually did. I hear people (and I'm guilty of it myself somewhat) talk about their dream shop and in their mind and on paper they plan out everything down to the minute details. Then they go off and build it and it doesn't meet their needs because their needs changed. I can remember talking to Jeff about just how I wanted the interior space of my shop and I was doing computer layouts with little graphics to represent each machine and I would optimize the available space. Jeff said, matter-of-factly, "I'd work out of the shop a while and just see what works best". That is now the path I'm on because it was taking more time to analyze than the savings from that mental exercise, and the projects and their needs are always changing. It's not a factory making 10,00 units of whatever, it's a different project all the time.
As for organization I simply must have some level of control over my shop and its contents. For me it comes down to the simple mantra, "A place for everything, and everything in its place." When you combine the facts that I am often pressed for time, and have a poor memory, I need to be efficient and not lose time or my mind searching for something.
My shop is somewhat of a gathering place and to me that is one of the best aspects of it. Thomas and his friends are at the shop a lot and I enjoy the time with those fine young men immensely. We usually start and finish each hunt by going to the shop for gear, and even sit around the propane heater afterwards recounting the day's and past hunts.. One of Jeff's closest friends who I did not know before Jeff's passing now comes to the shop as well and we have a great time working on small projects together. Over time I will add amenities and d?cor to my shop to make it a more desirable place to simply hangout. It's not all about a place to work, it's a lot about a place to gather with friends.
Eric
Thanks for your thoughts. The thing that resonated with me was he encouraged a young person to build early and build big, but not to worry about the interior finishing until a later time, as needs will change, and what you think you need today will often differ to actual needs down the road. I think that is sound advice for anyone whose career won't take them out of the area. I know I wish I had built a shop years ago, long before I actually did. I hear people (and I'm guilty of it myself somewhat) talk about their dream shop and in their mind and on paper they plan out everything down to the minute details. Then they go off and build it and it doesn't meet their needs because their needs changed. I can remember talking to Jeff about just how I wanted the interior space of my shop and I was doing computer layouts with little graphics to represent each machine and I would optimize the available space. Jeff said, matter-of-factly, "I'd work out of the shop a while and just see what works best". That is now the path I'm on because it was taking more time to analyze than the savings from that mental exercise, and the projects and their needs are always changing. It's not a factory making 10,00 units of whatever, it's a different project all the time.
As for organization I simply must have some level of control over my shop and its contents. For me it comes down to the simple mantra, "A place for everything, and everything in its place." When you combine the facts that I am often pressed for time, and have a poor memory, I need to be efficient and not lose time or my mind searching for something.
My shop is somewhat of a gathering place and to me that is one of the best aspects of it. Thomas and his friends are at the shop a lot and I enjoy the time with those fine young men immensely. We usually start and finish each hunt by going to the shop for gear, and even sit around the propane heater afterwards recounting the day's and past hunts.. One of Jeff's closest friends who I did not know before Jeff's passing now comes to the shop as well and we have a great time working on small projects together. Over time I will add amenities and d?cor to my shop to make it a more desirable place to simply hangout. It's not all about a place to work, it's a lot about a place to gather with friends.
Eric
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I can totally see the allure of a shop as a meeting place, especially extending it to hunting stuff storage. That does sound great. I've had people invite me over to hang out at their shop, but I'd rather be doing my thing. I have a lot of free time, but I'd rather schedule it as I go, not plan stuff with others. Just a loner I guess.
I'd think having a shop like yours would have the downside of inviting folks that want to use your stuff because it is so nice
.
I'd think having a shop like yours would have the downside of inviting folks that want to use your stuff because it is so nice
.
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Eric~
Thanks so much for sharing this. I thoroughly enjoyed the calm, thoughtful, articulate narration.
I've moved often enough to work in several "shops" of my own devising. I never had the option of choosing the size and the layout was driven by my projects - woodworking of all kinds with some carving and boatbuilding tossed in for good measure.
I began building my current (last!) "dream shop" when I was 55. I say that I took 50 years to design it - because I played in my Dad's shops from my earliest memories.
I planned thoroughly and had few meaningful surprises - but it will always be a work in progress. "Adaptive management" is useful in shops.
The narrator's thankfulness also hit home. I reflect on my great fortune every day. I enjoy sharing the shop with friends old and new - and enjoy my Dad's "company" (he passed in 2011) as I use his tools and teachings.
All the best,
SJS
Thanks so much for sharing this. I thoroughly enjoyed the calm, thoughtful, articulate narration.
I've moved often enough to work in several "shops" of my own devising. I never had the option of choosing the size and the layout was driven by my projects - woodworking of all kinds with some carving and boatbuilding tossed in for good measure.
I began building my current (last!) "dream shop" when I was 55. I say that I took 50 years to design it - because I played in my Dad's shops from my earliest memories.
I planned thoroughly and had few meaningful surprises - but it will always be a work in progress. "Adaptive management" is useful in shops.
The narrator's thankfulness also hit home. I reflect on my great fortune every day. I enjoy sharing the shop with friends old and new - and enjoy my Dad's "company" (he passed in 2011) as I use his tools and teachings.
All the best,
SJS
Steve
Your shop has such a vintage look there is no doubt you planned carefully and executed to perfection. There is a book called Woodshop Lust that shows shops from all over the country. Yours should have been featured.
Eric
Your shop has such a vintage look there is no doubt you planned carefully and executed to perfection. There is a book called Woodshop Lust that shows shops from all over the country. Yours should have been featured.
Eric
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