I just cleaned and organized my shop in preparation for my next big project---a Mark VI Tenor Sax overhaul
and cosmetic restoration. I hurried and took some pictures before it turns into a complete mess again.
This is the workbench. The covering is shoe sole material that you can cut on and is very heat resistant.
This is the other side of the "L" shaped work area showing the vice (too small) and bench motor.
This is a close-up of the plexiglass tubing tool caddy on a turntable I made. Almost all of the hand
tools I use are within reach of my right hand. Now if I could only learn to put each one back when
I am finished with it to keep my bench from getting cluttered.
This shot shows my homemade Magnehelic and the collet swedging tool that screws into the
bench top and can be removed when not in use.
This is a closeup of the homemade fluorescent leak light I use.
This is my very important shop assistant, best friend, confidant, and all around nice guy - Toby.
(Tobias when he gets in trouble.) The two best things I have done in my work area have been to
use the shoe sole material as a bench covering, thanks to tech Jerry Gilbert (may he rest in peace)
and to install Phillips TL 950 fluorescent bulbs in all of the light fixtures. Sunlight at noon is measured
at CRI 100 at 5,000 Kelvin. These bulbs are CRI 98 at 5,000 Kelvin. The bright light helps to see detail
more clearly, and helps during the winter months to combat SAD -- seasonal affective disorder. My wife
and I are planning on moving into a home with more space in the next year, and I am looking forward to
a larger shop area to spread out and maybe get a lathe and have a separate buffing area.