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[Scott Peterson]

You may be asking - does Scott still like us?  Where the heck has he been the past month?!? 

Well - I do still like everyone - and I have been busy making the various preparations for the arrival of our baby in June.  I made 3 pieces of furniture - a dresser, bookshelf, and a nightstand - from African Mahogany.  I finished them with an oil-based polyurethane (no stain) - which is what I use for furniture projects.

First and foremost, let me introduce my helper - Justin (3 yrs old).  I have kept him involved for 2 great reasons:  1) he loves to help at this age, and this is a window of opportunity that I am most certainly going to take full advantage of!    2) I'm hoping that involving him in getting ready for baby's arrival will smooth the transition between "only child" and "big brother."

[Robert Yarger]

Sound like you will need to make a crib before you get back to puzzles

Wish my son like doing what I do (or vise versa).  I sure could have used his help on many projects.  About all we share is video games.

[Scott Peterson]

Actually - we already have a crib - but we bought it when Justin was born.  I didn't make that one...

I do think this "helper" stage may be a window of opportunity.  Kids can enjoy helping when young - then develop their own interests later.  I certainly want him to develop his interests no matter if I like it as well.  But you're right - it can sure be a bonus if they end up liking what we do!  I guess I will see how it develops...

[Peter Wiltshire]

Hey Scott,

We understand life gets busy, I haven't posted much lately as my Wife and I are in the thick of buying a new home.

Can't wait to see pictures of your new addition in June.

All the best!

[Scott Peterson]

Hi Peter - have you found a house you like yet?  I wonder if property values have come down in Canada the way they have in the US?  Good luck!

The best part of buying a house is...FILLING THE GARAGE WITH TOOLS AND EXPLORING WOODWORKING!  Send photos of your new shop when you can!   

[Robert Yarger]

Peter - the house down the block from me is vacant.  It used to be owend may a magician.  Interested???

[Peter Wiltshire]

Hello all, sorry for the long time to reply, I didn't notice the other posts until today.  We have bought a new house, and our existing house just sold as of yesterday.  Unfortunately Scott, housing prices are still quite high here in Canada, I feel like we could be buying at a high point, but we are not planning another move for a very long time, and with the high market it means we got more for our current place.  So we lose on one end, and win on the other, it all balances out.

I'm Very excited about our new place as it has a double car garage (I have never had a garage, and to this point my workshop has been in a converted cold cellar in our basement)  We don't take possession of the new house until June 27th, but my mind is spinning on how I can take best advantage of my new workshop space.  Enclosed is a photo of the new space (as it appeared on the home inspection day, with the current owners clutter) There is currently some great built in cabinetry and fluorescent lighting over the work surfaces.

I would love to hear any tips and tricks to setting up the space for my new workshop!  I will have to have you all over for a BBQ when we get settled javascript:void(0);
Smiley

[Bernhard Schweitzer]

 
Hello Peter

congartulation for your new home, including garages and new place for workshop; be carefull with  the BBQ idea, I`ll have alook for a cheap flight to Canada andd be warned I think all the other will come toooooo

best regards
Bernhard
just starting for a 4 week vacation to Utah next morning

[Kerry Verne]

Congrats Pete!

I think Eric's workspace is about the size of a single-car garage, but he keeps it tidy. The rest of us with a 2-car garage also contend with trash cans and refridgerators and the like. I'd be glad to show off my garage, but my wife would strenuously object to any display of the colossal mess it has become.

[Canuck]

Congratulations Peter!  My bit of advice is to put tools you don't use as much on casters, that way they can be easily moved in or out as needed.  I likely have the smallest space of anyone and I use casters on everything except my lathe which has a dedicated spot of course   What lathe are you going to get?

[Robert Yarger]

I agree with John.  For limited space, you have to be able to just roll out the piece of equipment you need at the time and leave big space to work in.    Listen how we talk to you like you were not already a seasoned professional.

[Phil Tomlinson]

Congrats on the new home!  I saved a few of my links from when I set up my shop.  Pretty sure these are still up and running--some are links to actual floor plans, etc.

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/resources/index.php?cat=73

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1242

http://woodworking.about.com/od/shopdesignlayout/Wood_Shop_Design_And_Layout.htm

http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner.cfm  (grizzlies online planner)

http://home.comcast.net/~hchute/woodshop_shoplayouts.htm

Good luck and have fun!
 

[Peter Wiltshire]

Wow!  Thanks everyone for the tips.  Great idea about putting things on casters I will definitely incorporate that idea.  Thanks Phil for all the links, there's some great reading there, and it will help me pass the time until my closing date.

Sorry Scott for high jacking your original post!  Hopefully we can put it back on track with some photos when your new addition arrives in June.  Hope every thing is going well for You and your Wife!

[Scott Peterson]

Not a problem - congrats on your house!  This was an exciting time for me, 4-5 years ago when we bought our house and I got into woodworking.

We are doing well - my wife keeps telling me she wants her body back these days!     The later weeks of pregnancy are really uncomfortable for her, but besides that, she is doing well.

[Peter Wiltshire]

Hey Scott my Wife also tells me she wants her body back, and she's not even expecting    I think she wants to look like she did when she was a teenager  Glad to hear things are going well! I look forward to seeing your new born.