The Southern Yankee Workshop
Bill Barsh's workshops have progressed from his first, in a 10×10' metal shed, to a one-car garage, a two-car garage, and finally, his dream shop, built in 1995 on his property in Mississippi. His hobby eventually grew into a small business, Southern Yankee Workshop.
Step into Bill's shop and the first thing that hits you is how bright it is. The walls, ceiling, and cabinet faces are all white. Bright-white fluorescent fixtures and LED task lighting eliminate shadows. A few windows let in natural light. The second thing you notice is his radial-arm saw, a carryover from the 1970s. He uses it mostly for rough crosscuts and making half-lap joinery.
Bill placed his dust collector in the attic. Although changing the dust-collector bag is inconvenient, it's a small price to pay for the reduced noise and added floor space.
Sheet goods, cutoffs, and shop chemicals are stored in an adjacent room. Inside the main shop, 86 drawers keep the work area clean and organized. Yes, he knows what every drawer contains. For additional storage, he lined the walls with a 30"-wide strip of pegboard.
When needed, Bill creates a finishing "room" in the corner by sliding a canvas curtain along a wire on the ceiling. The curtain tucks in beside the garage door when not in use. A combination of open doors, fans, and vents ensures fresh-air flow when spraying.
He plumbed in a couple of conveniences, too. A bathroom occupies one corner of the shop, and a utility sink provides easy cleanup of tools and finishing gear.
Bill's shop is an example of cleanliness and efficiency in a relaxing atmosphere. He wouldn't have it any other way.
