Working Smarter: Work Tables & Carts

basswood

I just ran into some pics of a staircase job and was thinking about how I use work tables and carts with work surfaces.

Working on a table or cart can speed things up and save your back. This approach says "production" even though I try to make the work say "craftsman." Anyway, here are a few pics:

Enjoy,

Bass

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loneframer

Nice, I like to spread out too. My site usually looks like a garage sale, gotta display the merchandise.

Meetre

Work tables are a must. I'm getting ready to build an assembly bench in the "shop", and I have a "portable" one that goes with in the field. I think it says smart more than anything.

Oh, NICE STAIRS!!

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woodworkbykirk

kinda looks like an incomplete maze

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putting down subfloor with glue and screws, well i saw dr. smith and the robot too , i had a martian burger and a sonic shake

Winchester

I wish I had that kind of work space.

I'm looking for some land where I can build a huge barn/workshop (with an office). I might even build a house, but who needs one, I'll spend all my time in the workshop/office anyway. I guess the wife needs somewhere to sleep though...

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basswood

Here are some more pics from that garage sale... er uh, I mean job site:

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woodworkbykirk

beautiful work, although i dont know what the ho will think when you try to explain the cheese and cracker crumbs on the new cherry stairs

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putting down subfloor with glue and screws, well i saw dr. smith and the robot too , i had a martian burger and a sonic shake

basswood

Thanks Meetre,

Work tables are not as common at jobsites as they should be. Weird how on some jobs all the stuff is on the floor or leaning up against the walls.

Regards,

Bass

basswood

Funny pic, aye.

Gus Dering

You have to think creative through the design process with an eye on easy production.

Then think and act as a manufacturing facility. That goes for shop and on site work.

Good work tables and parts carts are beyond handy, they are a must.

Some times when I'm in a social environment I'm asked what I do and they go into how nice it must be to be an artist. I usually take the time to explain how I have to move through the artist stage as quickly as possible and into the manufacturing phase. Otherwise I'll miss the price point or fall short on the income side.
It never fails to surprise them that we have to bust ass to make a living.

Good subject Bass

loneframer

Heey, boo boo bass, I like that picinic table.

basswood

I do have a big shop, but these pics are all jobsite. On new construction (remember when there was new construction ), I usually set up in the largest, centrally located room in the house.

Cheers,

Bass

loneframer

Hold up , I never had to bust ass framing custom homes what with every framing member being precut.

basswood

What, you think I'm going out to eat lunch in my van during a Minnesota winter... heck if I'm gonna go back out there. If the house has heat... I'm eatin' in there.

basswood

Amen Brother Gus,

You did a nice job summarizing the reason for this thread. The efficient work behind the arts and crafts.

I'm in a race this week to finish another set of columns, and while another guy stains and finishes that stuff, I've got to build a set of 4 retro 60's cabinets to integrate into an old kitchen. No complaining though, it is all good work and it sure is good to have work.

All the best,

Bass

woodworkbykirk

the place im trimming now, is in desperate need of a work table, only problem is the general wont get a garbage bin or get the guy who hauls it away for us in regularly enough so all the garbage is sitting in the garage where im working. painters dont want any cutting going on inside.....

but its amazing how much better things come togher when you have a full size work table for assembling window boxes, closet towers, the never give me enough space to set one up so im stuck assembling stuff on the floor thats still covered in drywall dust

and by the way, love the stairs. trying to get the general let me do them. but he wont switch from the guy who charges 4 arms and 6 legs for an install

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putting down subfloor with glue and screws, well i saw dr. smith and the robot too , i had a martian burger and a sonic shake

KMac

Proper set up and tables not only helps production but also, in my experience, makes a good impression on the homeowner. You look much more professional set up proper than cutting on the floor with your miter and crap all over the place. Just another benefit. I do a lot of work with the HO hovering - I think half my job it putting on a show for the HO.

TBFGhost

I am still trying to find out how to make a durable but lightweight table that I can reuse...hollow core door slabs are light weight and work well for light things...but any weight and you break them...so far the best I can seem to find is the decking from my Perry Scaffolding....

basswood

After building this table for a customer a few months ago, I was thinking of adapting the design and making a jobsite table. It is a knock down model.

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CarpenterMatt

Love your posts Basswood, wonderful work. Its obvious by your prolific posting you are passionate about your work, & thats no bad thing. Henry Ford said "If a man is truly working, he needs no title. His work speaks for him." I think you may be a craftsman from what I've seen, & what I have seen too much of is unspeakably hideous workmanship, so keep it coming!!! Much nicer too look at.