If you have ever tried to build a woodworking project you know that you need a shop or area to work on your project. Having an organized shop will help you be more productive and keep you safe while building your design.

The shop is the cornerstone of any woodworker. Weather it is a shed in your back yard or your garage, every woodworker needs a place to make his creations come to life. Keeping your work area clean and safe is of the utmost importance. Here are some tips on how to set up your work area for maximum efficiency.

First off make sure you have enough room to work on your projects without tripping or bumping tools. You don't want to be in a cramped unsafe area when working around saws and other power tools. Safety should be your number one goal. Always make sure your floor is clean of debris and free of cords and other things you could trip on.

Table saws and chops saws are probably the most used tools when creating woodworking projects. Always make sure you have enough room to move around them and be able to safely cut the material you are using. Table saws should have 8 feet in front and behind the saw since most plywood and sheets of finished materials come in 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. Having a table behind your saw will make cutting big sheets of material much easier since big sheets can be heavy and difficult to hold. Chop saws should have at least 8 feet of clearance on either side, 16 feet is better since a lot of materials used in construction come in 16 foot lengths.

Stay organized by using shelves and containers to hold smaller hand tools and other small materials you use in your projects. Stuff like nails and screws should be kept in containers and not scattered all over your workbench where they can fall on the floor and become a hazard to you. Screwdrivers, hammers, and other small hand tools should be kept in toolboxes or organized shelves so you can quickly locate the tool you are looking for. Again, staying organized is a key to being safe in your shop.

Having a file folder or filing cabinet is a great way to keep all of your woodworkers plans and designs organized so you can find them quickly should you need to reference them. This will save you a lot of time if you don't have to search through stacks of paper to find the design you are looking for.

Always keep your tools clean and organized. When you are done using your saws for the day, blow them off with your air compressor. This will help keep your saws clean and help to prolong the life of your tools. Wipe down and put away your other tools after use that way you will be able to easily find them when you need them next. Remember to sweep up and keep your area safe at the end of the day.