Spring Clean your Workshop
With so many projects and often so little time, keeping my workshop tidy is always a challenge. When designing, my aim is always to have a clear working space, with everything close at hand. Both tools and materials should ideally be kept within arms reach. However, I don’t always follow my own sound advice, and realistically, most of my basic jewellers tools - pliers, files, cutters, torch, etc – are always left out on the bench. When all these tools are combined with all those exciting bits (that I leave out ‘just in case’ or for inspiration), such as findings, coloured beads, bits of wire, sheet and solder, that’s when I get into real problems!
So, with the saying ‘Tidy desk tidy mind’ firmly in my thoughts, and spurred on by the launch of our new storage range, I decided to spring clean my workshop! I started by organising my tools, using a pliers stand for hand tools – ensuring that blades/jaws are kept away from each other (this also lengthens the life of tools). I moved all my reels of wire onto a workstation that allows me to dispense them easily, plus creating a dedicated area for soldering; with my soldering torch, block, Borax cone & dish all in one area.
Then onto the BIG task: organising my jewellery findings, settings, and stock of sheet & wire. The bullion element was relatively easy, just ensuring that my 9ct sheet is kept separate from 18ct sheet, easily achievable with some simple drawers. However, organising components was unfortunately a much bigger job! I am forever being frustrated by having mixed sizes, colours, types of findings – or the worst case scenario – mixing up silver findings with carat gold findings! I used a variety of simple containers, and plastic bags to organise my components. These simple, and thankfully cheap containers are all clear – so I could easily see the pieces, had tight fitting or locking lids – so no danger of losing any, and many of them conveniently stack together to save space.
For more information on storage visit our new storage, tool boxes and plastic bags
Click here for NEW Containers
Tags: bullion, jewellery making, jewellery tools, workshop essentials
February 20th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Im already a fan of the screw on containers, great for taking beads to shows – plus these are a lttle cheaper than where I was buying them from.
February 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I agree, the screw on stackers cost me less than 1.50 and they really do the job.
Does anyone know if the new wooden storage is any good?
February 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Spring Clean your Workshop | Jewellery Making Supplies Blog
http://www.beadsupplies.ca/spring-clean-your-workshop-jewellery-making-supplies-blog.html
http://www.beadsupplies.ca/
February 25th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I’ve got one of those wooden work top units and I love it! Really keeps my work space tidy and it looks great too.
10 out of 10!
February 25th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Hello again, forgot to mention the pliers stand is really useful and provides excellent value – only about a fiver. Easy access as well as storage.
Anyone else got anything interesting to say about these storage units?
April 9th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I took a leaf out of the author’s book and gave my workshop the once over. It’s amazing how much time you save working when everything is where it should be. The worktop units really helped too.