This first photo shows the area where I do all my keytop work. On the bench, at the moment, are a set of keys (naturals only) that are waiting for their final hand filing and then buffing. They are from a tech in South Carolina. They'll be finished and shipped back tomorrow. Under this bench is storage for first all kinds of used ivory and plastic keytops, as well as a spare Oslund key machine, and boxes full of spare, used player piano parts.
This second photo shows the bench set up that is immediately opposite the "keytop bench". Here are located the machines that I use for keytops. At the far left (barely visible) is a hand operated "machine" that precisely trims off the old keyfront. Moving to the right from there is the 2-inch belt sander for trimming, then there are 2 Oslund key notching machines. One runs "forward" and the other runs in "reverse" for cutting the "notches" (area surrounding the sharps, or black keys). Further right is a Dremel 4" table saw for trimming the overhanging key fronts, and then the buffing wheel set up. Just behind the Dremel, covered with a cloth, is my new Proxxon mini table saw. At present it is set up for a specialty job in key covering and not used often. BTW, I *do* LOVE the Proxxon saw! Oh, I almost forgot to mention....in the center top, on the other side of the "divider" there is a white shower curtain hanging from the ceiling. In that area is my Wagner rotary planer set up. I use this for resurfacing the keytop before gluing on new ones. It is very messy, spewing sawdust and wood bits all over, so it is isolated as much as possible from everything else. The shower curtain allows me to prevent the mess from flinging too far. There's also a drill press near there. Underneath is storage for used piano parts and spare motors.
This picture shows an area that has been recently converted to benchtop work space. Originally the entire wall was shelf storage. A small area of shelving is still in use on the right. Presently, I'm working on the keyboard from a small melodeon on this bench. Under the bench I've stored complete units from player pianos. There is another workbench just to the left and not visible in the photo. I still haven't cleared it of a lot of stuff I'm sorting through! Above that bench I have a whiteboard (dry erase) mounted on the wall where I keep track of all the work that comes in and goes out of the shop each month. Also there are some shallow shelves for small tooling and bottled stuff.
And finally, this is a pic of a long (double) workbench where I do most of my pneumatic work. Presently this is the "guts" of the melodeon. To the left of this bench is the storage shelving and file cabinets, to the right is a tall dresser where I keep most of my leathers and my pneumatic and bellows cloths. On the shelf under the bench, I store all my neoprene tubing and hoses. In the background is some of the rest of the shop that still needs my attention. That area L's over to the right.
Throughout the workshop hand tools are hung from wall-mounted pegboards and thousands of small parts are housed in mini drawered storage units and bins. All my hand held power tools are stored in cabinets or on shelves in the other part of the shop and there, also, are the full sized table saws, grinders, a scroll saw, and two more workbenches, bins of nails, screws, electrical supplies, and almost everything else imaginable!
4 comments:
wow. I love organization and see that you do also. A necessity if work is to get done in a timely fashion.
Taking the "tour" of your workshop was great. Now when you write about a current project there, I can picture it. Did you have to bring all those tools back from Fl? Did you have this kind of a set up there? I am sorry your dad is no longer able to get downstairs. The up side is that you can expand your work area. Most impressive.
I know you have more than enough work but those pictures and explanation would make a great brochure if you needed to put yourself "out there".
Are you keeping a scrapbook of your blogs and pics? Sure makes for great reading. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Well, talk about homesick. My shop in FL wasn't quite as large. It was ground level (not in a basement). The first part was in a 14X24 ft garage and then it had a 16X16 ft addition on the back. A large window in the back room, and a screened entrance at the garage where the actual garage door could be shut as well. It was bright and airy and I could close up and air condition if I desired and not lose the open feeling. I had plexiglas inserts for the screened front. I could roll pianos and reed organs in and out easily. I loved it. In this shop I feel like I'm isolated from the world. Too cave-like.
All the equipment and supplies were moved up here except a compressor and a large 14" bandsaw. Although some of the large used player components were given to another tech/friend. The workbenches from FL were given to techs and friends there and I built new ones here.
Never thought of actually printing a copy of my blog posts. I wonder if many people do that? For those of you who read and blog, let me know.
Blimey deb. Hope it's all insured!
Oh my! I have good business insurance and homeowners would help for none business stuff. Last year, in May, we had a week of torrential rain and got water in to the basement. I have a sump pump and that kept up with it. Still, on average, there was about an inch and a half of water covering the floor. (Deb in rubber boots again as I had to keep working) Flood insurance is extremely expensive so I don't have it. All was okay since everything is built up at least 4 inches off the floor. I was a bit nervous about the sump pump continuing to work. At worst it was running every 15 seconds. Last week I went out and bought a back-up pump (my insurance!). Last year's rain was unusual, the volunteer fire department does go around and pump people out for free but they had a waiting list of over 200. Not to mention that the ones that were first on the list flooded over again during the week long mess. Some people had over 5 feet of water.
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