We turned over the keys yesterday. My workshop of the last 27 years, and the house to which it is attached, is in new hands.
To say the least, it has been an especially busy couple of months. I’m behind on just about everything, including replying to emails. We moved into the new place just last weekend. My next workshop is a shambles of boxes, chests, and containers of all sorts. I’ve got my work cut out for me to set up the new workspace once I get the chance to begin. And I’m looking forward to it.
I plan to write some posts about that process. In some ways, I’ll be setting up from scratch, but with three decades of experience in the way I like to work. So, there may be some useful insights. One of the first things to consider will be a main workbench. As it turned out, I had to leave the one in the old shop. The way I built it in made it, essentially, part of the structure of the garage. Live and learn. And there are many more things to think about — shelving, tool storage, books…. More later.
I appreciate your patience as I get ready for the next chapter. Then the chips will be flying again. Thanks for reading the blog and sticking with me. Oh — and I did remember to grab the saw hanging in the window.
David Fisher, Carving Explorations 
Congratulations Dave. Moving is usually not an easy adventure. But you have lots of useful knowledge now to apply to your new workshop and make your workflow easier. I am happy and excited for you.
Cheers,
Michael
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Best wishes on the journey, your inspiration is always unique and appreciated.
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I built the legs and frame of my new bench from laminated cheap fir plywood and the top from laminated mdf. I added a couple of vises. The top still looks like new and if it did get beat up it would only cost 70 bucks to bolt a new top on, I put casters on so I can roll it around the shop. 4 years later and it still looks like new. Pictures available if you want to see it
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Thanks for sharing that, Dean. I am all for resourcefulness, and you’ve got me thinking.
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Congratulations Dave. it must feel good but will feel even better in a few weeks!
Barry
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I’m in the same boat having moved from my shop into a basement. Enjoy wherever you’re at.
Cheers
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The new owners may never know why they feel so great in that space but the creative vibes will be emanating from the walls for years to come.
Good luck in your new space Dave!
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Thanks, Joel. Let’s hope the creative vibes make up for the dog drool that may be emanating from the floor.
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I’m very much looking forward to watching your new shop take shape, and am sure it will be as harmonious and beautiful as everything you make. I hope you both have a chance to hold still for a couple of days, though, to recover from the moving insanity.
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Today brought a few moments of stillness, Kalia. Thanks. Stillness and birdsong.
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David:
Best of luck with the move. My feeling about moving house is one of he most traumatic things you can do. Just think about all those things you’ll do right this time around.
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Dave,
Congratulations and commiserations. I’m 3 weeks into transferring my old shop (only 23 years) to a brand new space. Did you notice for a few seconds how much like a gallery the new empty space was? Both sad but even more exciting to fill it up, yes? Although I’m losing hair at a faster rate lately. And I decided to just RETIRE (or disappear) for the 2 months it takes to get the shop upright again. There’s so much unnecessary “ballast” (that I still feel attached to) for the yard sale…
I appreciate all your comments and your work. Thanks
WH
Wayne Hall, artist, woodworker http://www.waynehallstudio.com waynehall@midmaine.com
“When the flower arranger arranges the flowers, he also arranges his mind and the mind of the person who looks at the flowers.”
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Yes, the ballast, Wayne! In the rush of the move, I think some of it arrived with me. I’ll be evaluating much of it in the coming weeks and months.
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ok Bon Courage as the French say and can’t wait to see the process–
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Good for you and yours Dave. After so long and many memories of things created, I’m sure you must have mixed emotions, but as my dad used to tell me, I know you will “press on”. It was a privilege to visit with you once in the former workshop and especially now, I thank you for that opportunity.
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The beginning of a new era! Best wishes to you all five.
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27 years. Wow. As a thirty-something-year-old, I can only guess at how that would feel.
Well, I guess this means that when you write your book and include a chapter about setting up shop, the memory will be fresh in your mind!
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Congrats on the new shop and its companion home. I can understand the feelings both for what you left and what you have gained, like many of us have “been there and done that” So good luck and we look forward to seeing the progress.
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Like my dad says – it’s the price you pay for moving up in the world!
Can’t wait to see the new shop!
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Thanks David for the update. Bittersweet moment I’m sure. Looking forward to seeing your new shop and what you do the same vs. differently. Wife and I spend a lot of time talking about our ideal shops. She’s an artist and I’m a woodworker. We’d likely have a shared shop and have it walled off down the middle with a half wall and then glass on top. That way we could see each other and have some sound muffling. Found a church for sale in one of dream retirement cities (Port Townsend WA) in which downstairs was living quarters and upstairs was the former church. Would have been perfect but it’s five years too soon before we are ready to move.
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I like that idea, Joe. The ideal situation is sure to show up at the right time.
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Same boat here. I’m a woodworker, my wife is an artist. We are still looking/longing. We decided that it would be better for her to be upstairs and have that whole space while I’m downstairs. Just another food for thought morsel.
Cheer,
Dan
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I liked the last sentence! Trust you will enjoy finding a place for everything! Brand new beginning, with all you have learned you can make some improvements on what you had, unless it was a perfect setup!
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Not perfect, but it worked. Still, a lot of room for improvement though!
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Bittersweet leaving behind and optimistic future. Both are exciting. Now, the important part: How much weight did you lose with all the moving activity?
We moved a couple of years ago and were fortunate to have all the parts fall into place in a very short time. It was a whirlwind getting things packed up and moved. Lost 15 lbs. 🙂
Have a fabulous time building a new and better shop.
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15 pounds! Wow, Bob, that’s incredible. I may have lost a few ounces in hair, but that’s about it.
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Dave,
I’m looking forward to your posts relating to setting up your new shop! Especially your thought processes.
Sorry about the bench, a hard lesson.
Pete
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