Up here on the tundra, the last snowbanks are melting away in my backyard. Temperatures are such that shorts have become a possible item of apparel (while wearing a parka at times, of course), and windows long frozen shut are now able to be cranked open. And you know what that means: it’s time for shop spring cleaning.
Last Thursday was my day: I had some help, and at the end of the afternoon I was just amazed at how nice the place looked. And with the tools, jigs, drill bits, articles of clothing, cans of finish and pieces of wood that I found, it was almost like Christmas.
The downside? It is almost too clean. Last night I was going to turn some stuff on the lathe, and the thought of all the chips and sawdust stopped me in my tracks. But fear not, few folks can embrace clutter like yours truly. This evening will see the sawdust flying and my pristine shop will become a fond memory. But I will have some cool turned bowls, so that’s a good tradeoff.
Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal
