Let’s See The Workshop.

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This is a photo taken in 2019 of the large work shop.

We have been focused on the smaller shop, but since December we have been going though tons of scrap wood, saw dust and templates, parts etc to see the workshop where 1000’s of boats were built over the Century. Work benches, and so on. The real good stuff was in the Rafters, old saw mill cut wood of all sorts. very wide and looong planks. some over 25 ft long, and around 24 inches wide. Lets put it this way, the guys at the dump know me now.

It was all organized. But one too many things that pals had just put in there. nature deplores a vacuum thats for sure.

An incomplete skiff hanging from the ceiling. The last one built here.. for now.

Throwing away scraps of wood that are amazing is tough. George was much better than I about it. I would ask about little scraps. George, ” fire wood” and we moved on.. But you gotta do what ya gotta do when its this much. Ugh.

We moved a bunch of stuff for sure

More stuff moved

The skiff was lowered and taken to Georges house to be finished for his Grandson.

Lots of space – you can see Bruisers Jail Cell to the right there

The marine Railway Sign was found in the rafters

We added a wall texture from some Ceder out in the yard and window details from my stock pile of old house trim

Made a stair rail from old scrap stems

Lots of YELP!

The old part of the shop

Old signs found in the rafters

Those boards are pure gold! Hand written names from over 60 years ago. They are Spreader templates for peoples skiffs

This area was a pile!!!!! of scrap wood. I used some of it to build this workbench. OUT OF OAK!

Yes thats a Planer.. used to run off belts and steam. I call it ‘Stumpy” hasnt met a finger it doesnt like. YIKES. But is an amazing machine. The Deaadrise was also found in the rafters

We still have some great scraps of wood. YIKES! To good to chuck, gotta find someplace here to store it, Oak, Ceder, Mahogany, Walnut.

Thats it for today. there is more, more and lots more. I am installing insulation today. 

I have a helper

23 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Amazing. You have plenty of scrap pieces and floor space to build racks to store the good lumber. What do you really intend to do with that building? Boat storage, workshop, museum, party venue. All of the above?

  2. Matt
    Matt says:

    Yes, I am doing the ceiling in the office in Cedar, walls.. The floor is going to be out of Oak planks forund in the yard. As to this space. Its a social space. The veiw out the back is amazing. And would make a wonderful wedding venue. There will be parties. Also as a possible film location. Boat building? No. varnishing and small work on speed boats YES. and yes the railway works great and much needed in the area.

  3. Ron in Seattle
    Ron in Seattle says:

    Where is the pot belly stove to burn the wood scraps and chew the fat? On the other hand, that’s why the building is still standing after all these years, no chance of fire. Lots of fun stuff!

  4. Pat Banyas
    Pat Banyas says:

    Another wow is all I can say. Can’t imagine how interesting and fun it must be to go through all that stuff.

  5. BT
    BT says:

    Hi Matt, What are the dimensions of the building? Being a Swede from Minnesota, I’m thinking a sauna at the water end of the building with a run and jump off of the dock.

  6. Murdock
    Murdock says:

    “Forensic Fun”!!!!!
    Never know what’s under the next pile of stuff or hidden overhead!
    Corrugated galvanized sheeting over 2”x4”’s is ‘da bomb and if only those walls could talk……..
    Thank you Matt for allowing me to use you as a shining example of a fellow nut case, save it at all costs ADD husband!!!!

  7. Mike D
    Mike D says:

    I give you a lot of credit. If it was me I would spend years moving stuff from one end of the shop to the other assuring myself that it would be a shame to throw it out. And that I’m making progress cleaning up. My kids can haul it all to the landfill.

    Keep up the good work Matt and continue to be a good example to those of us who can’t throw anything away.

  8. Mark in da U P
    Mark in da U P says:

    Looks like a project Matt. Greetings from Michigan‘s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Making the best of the hard water and the non boating season.

  9. Jeffrey Martinson
    Jeffrey Martinson says:

    Impressive all the way around! Happy for you that you that the project is giving you so much joy, and happy for us that you’re sharing it. Marie Kondo would approve!

  10. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    As a lumber scrap hoarder, I would be conflicted and in a state of paralysis. So Bruiser’s jail is paint and parts storage? What a vast space great with so many options. So the railway was an open worksite and the big shop for smaller boat building projects that would fit inside? as well as workshop for railway jobs?

  11. Jerome
    Jerome says:

    Matt You found a cure for this dam virus. Find an old workshop clean it up & reuse it. Wish I lived close so I could volunteer to help clean. The virtual presence is great. Wish you the best.

  12. Max Mueller
    Max Mueller says:

    Perhaps I missed it, but what is the backstory on the closing of the business? Did George retire? I understand cleaning up a multi-generation family business as I had to remove my Grandfather’s machinery, which also was once on a line shaft but electrified, from the family machine shop building. The structure is gone as urban decay has occurred in a once tidy German part of town.

  13. Shep22
    Shep22 says:

    Matt, great job — when did you start this project as it seems you have been keeping this a secret for a looong time!

  14. Jim "the Lurker"
    Jim "the Lurker" says:

    Matt,
    I’m not handy, I have no trade or craft skills whatsoever, hell…I don’t even own a boat but I am thoroughly enjoying your adventure…thank you for documenting your fun…it’s become our fun as well!

  15. thomas d
    thomas d says:

    nothing like that around here. be a great place to hang out with people of the same interest. only 5 vintage wood boat in my area and i have four of them.

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