Show Us Your Workspace!

[aabbs20]

I'm about to re-configuring my workshop and would love to gather some ideas. I just started putting my current space a little at a time and it's really just a big desk with some simple hardware organizers. It works but I'm ready to have a better setup with better work flow.

What do your work spaces look like? What are some have and have nots/do and do nots you swear by? Any clever ways to organize parts (small and large) efficiently?

Don't be shy about posting pics, I can't wait to see 'em.

Aaron

[RadioComm]

Happy Thanksgiving for those who are US based, or do Thanksgiving. "Joyeux Jour du Merci Donnant" for those who speak French or are expats in French speaking countries. I'm US based and ready to go out and grill/smoke some plant based Turkey for my Son. But before...

Hi Aaron,
Really don't have any advice. My workbench is a good example of what not to do (or not). It has been put together piecemeal over 30 years. I've attached a picture. On the left is a degutted mid 80's line printer cabinet that my work excessed in 1990. I have my toolbox on top of it. The bench is a draft board that I used in college, also from mid 80's. The black hutch on the bench (desk) is from my oldest Daughter's desk that was donated to the thrift store. The rest has just been added on since. Has not changed though since about early 2000's. It's small, but I've learned how to work with it. I've built/repaired guitar amps, guitars, house stuff, etc. Sorry no lesson's learned or tips. Planning maybe good or not. Not planning worked out for me...  Take care. ttfn

[pullshocks]

The pictures below show my work area during my last build this summer.  I am trying to scale back, and consolidate all amp building supplies and equipment into a small work station that can be rolled away when not in use.  After a couple more projects I plan to get out of the amp building hobby altogether.

[shooter]

Been fixing broke thinks for $$'s since '77  pretty much every bench resembles this one.
the exception was my Ship's bench, there were a lot of OCD types with more stripes then me that thought clean benches equaled quality work 

[aabbs20]

Looking great gents, thanks for sharing! Shooter I sure hope an OCD desk isn't required...I could never keep it that tidy.

[shooter]

 
It was harder than Bootcamp trying to maintain a clean, uncluttered, "official" looking bench. So;
90% of the time gold walked into the room I shot for the bench and looked real busy 

[acheld]

Heh.

That always worked for the officers, but never for the chief! 

[shooter]

 
yep, they just yelled at me.  My saving grace, the 2 messiest techs were Chiefs best hope NOT to get yelled at by the gold for down equipment 

[acheld]

    isn't that how it always went?

[riffanvil]

My lab for electronics repair and general guitar repair are in one enclosure.  My metal shop and wood-shop are in another enclosure separated by a wall (sparks and wood don’t mix well.
Photos attached are of my electronics / guitar lab.  The lab is a “clean space” and is constantly evolving so i can do a variety of work with a minimum of movement.


My photos are KB large so I guess one per post.  The first is my guitar repair and electronics installation bench. Ill post the main amp building and repair section next if anyone is interested.

[riffanvil]

Part of my amp building and repair area.

[sluckey]

Here's my electronics work area. It's just a corner of the main work area in my shop. I'm lucky enough to have a 32 x 24 shop building that was set up for woodworking but has evolved to all-purpose workshop/storage. The main shop area is 22 x 24 and I have two 10 x 12 rooms for storage, parts bin cabinets, refrigerator, etc. And this webpage shows more of my main work area from several different views.

     http://sluckeyamps.com/leslie/leslie.htm

[riffanvil]

Another view of the main electronics workstation in my lab.  There is so much that I hesitate to try to explain it all.  I was scolded for writing too long of a post when I first officially joined this group 10 yrs ago.  So Ill let the photo tell part of the story……

[sluckey]

Another view of the main electronics workstation in my lab.  There is so much that I hesitate to try to explain it all.  I was scolded for writing too long of a post when I first officially joined this group 10 yrs ago.  So Ill let the photo tell part of the story……

Just curious, why are you using such large fonts?

[riffanvil]

Another view.  Everything in the main electronics workstation is accessible and with an easy reach. An office chair pivots between 2 8 foot long benches with racks and shelving behind and to the sides of each bench.

[riffanvil]

Another view of the main electronics workstation in my lab.  There is so much that I hesitate to try to explain it all.  I was scolded for writing too long of a post when I first officially joined this group 10 yrs ago.  So Ill let the photo tell part of the story……

Just curious, why are you using such large fonts?

[riffanvil]

The large fonts are me getting used to this sites format.  I picked a larger size because when I started typing, like now the type size is very small.  I am also getting familiar with an iPad again after using Windows and Android for decades.  Resizing (compressing) the photos in my photos gallery so they would fit has been a PITA. I noticed that what I am typing now (font size) is much bigger when the post appears.  I’m a tube era guy with more than just amps.

[acheld]

A.   Your workspace looks great, very neat.  Mine is nowhere near as clean even when I make the effort.

B.   Try using the "Preview" button before posting -- saves embarrassing mistakes/flubs.  I speak from experience. 

[sluckey]

The large fonts are me getting used to this sites format.  I picked a larger size because when I started typing, like now the type size is very small.  I am also getting familiar with an iPad again after using Windows and Android for decades.  Resizing (compressing) the photos in my photos gallery so they would fit has been a PITA. I noticed that what I am typing now (font size) is much bigger when the post appears.  I’m a tube era guy with more than just amps.

Everything you typed in this message is normal default font because you didn't use the font tool correctly in this message. But I understand about using small devices to do any reading. I hate viewing the forum with my cell phone and the only time I do it is when I'm bored in a doctor's waiting room. 

Carry on. Nothing wrong, I was just curious.

[sluckey]

My shop only vaguely resembles the picture I posted because I'm currently building a police gear rack.

[riffanvil]

Last view of main electronics workspace.

[riffanvil]

If I wasn’t somewhat organized I would waste allot more time looking for tools and parts.  I have been working on guitars and electronics for about 60 yrs with a few other careers mixed in.  I have literally too much stuff, but some has gone through my grandpa’s hands then my dad’s hands, now mine.


Here is a photo of a small part of my parts inventory.  I hate running down parts, especially where I live.

[RadioComm]

If I wasn’t somewhat organized I would waste allot more time looking for tools and parts.  I have been working on guitars and electronics for about 60 yrs with a few other careers mixed in.  I have literally too much stuff, but some has gone through my grandpa’s hands then my dad’s hands, now mine.


Here is a photo of a small part of my parts inventory.  I hate running down parts, especially where I live.

One word... Wow!!!

[riffanvil]

My shop only vaguely resembles the picture I posted because I'm currently building a police gear rack.

Could you ‘splain “police gear rack”?

[sluckey]

This...

[Willabe]

New side job Sluckey?   

[riffanvil]

I like the pipe fitting hook idea.  Very practical and rugged.

[p2pAmps]

[sluckey]

Hey Mike, where's your variac and light bulb current limiter?

[TIMBO]

I've down graded
WHAT A MESS 

[uki]

I got some mess here !!

[p2pAmps]

Hey Mike, where's your variac and light bulb current limiter?

[owen]

my music gear gets worked on at home. the live sound and video gear gets fixed at work.

leaning into a chassis in a chair is murder on my back (even with my chassis stand), so I’m designing a motorized stand-up workbench where I can slide work out up close to my face without leaning into it. next year’s project.

[uki]

Some more mess !!

[mresistor]

Timbo ..  love those flip flops ..      Is that a rental unit?

[Blueboozer]

My messy Potteresque workspace. What started as a light hobby has kinda ballooned.

[p2pAmps]

My messy Potteresque workspace. What started as a light hobby has kinda ballooned.

Show off!  haha!

[glass54]

My Manspace  Component storage cabinets behind ie other side. I have to get off my chair and walk six to eight paces to get components (exercise). Oscilloscope resting under greenish hand towel. And YES! I do have pink, clear and purple fingernail polish. Nitrocellulose based "poor mans locktite"