Clean versus not so much.

[Nivekdodge]

Hi all,
After ready the storage cabinet thread 70% of the way thru and looking at other threads, there is a common theme running thru. Some guys are neat as a pin,some not so much. Me personally, I'm not so much while in a project but when its done, it's spotless.
As I start to build a 24x24 attached block, I'm wanting to know how the clean guys do it. Is it something I can plan into the shop? is it something you're always thinking about? Do you spend a lot of time protecting surfaces?
Years ago I built cabinets, modeled after kitchen cabinets, in my 1 car and them found out nothing fit in them well. is there a design idea for this?

No fighting guys, just let us know how you do it.


Kevin

 

[JimVonBaden]

My way, and I am like you being messy when working and clean after, is to make sure I have no open storage to collect dirt. My cabinets are all enclosed, my counters are all finished with smooth, cleanable materials (either SS or VCT) and my floor is tiled with VCT.

Point is, make sure all your surfaces are smooth and cleanable, and don't use shelves and racks if you can avoid them. They just collect hard to clean dust and dirt, especially if you do wood working or metal working around them.

 

[mrramsey]

I am in the process of renovating my garage. What I had was a huge mess. I had a 17'x2' 'work bench' with shelves underneath. then I had wall cabinets and an overhead 'loft' storage rack.

Just give yourself a large enough work area. My new design is about a 6' work surface. Those long spans of work bench just collect ****. I am building custom cabinets that will house all of my stuff.

These will sit 6-7" above the floor and the 2 large cabinets on the ends have a section with no bottom so I can roll in my table saw and mitersaw.

 

[glentre]

It's just a frame of mind and what pleases you. Doesn't matter if your garage is spotless or messy so long as you are comfortable with it. Neatnicks don't understand how anything can get done in a messy shop and messy guys don't understand why neatnicks are so **** about keeping their shops neat and clean and spend little time actually doing anything of consequence. Also depends on what you are doing. Do you have modern sports cars that are pristine or are you working on a full mod or restoration? These shops will look very different. Avid woodworkers will have dust over everything no matter how much effort they put into cleanliness so closed cabinets for them would be more common. If you are a neat and clean kind of guy or a messy guy, eventually your shop will reflect that personality.

I am also messy during a project but clean everything up after. It's the hoarder's shops I see on the forum that concern me because often they want a clean and uncluttered work place but cannot bring themselves to do it.

Glen

 

[zmotorsports]

I can't work in a mess, don't know if it is in my DNA or what. If I make a mess in the middle of a project I have to clean it up before it gets tracked around. My tools are kept clean and somewhat orderly when working but they do get dirty. Tools and work benches get wiped down before putting away while cleaning up. Shop is also cleaned up before locking up for the night. With the exception of a few times when projects run long. Last night for example, my lathe and drill press had shaving on them as well as the floor from a small project. I didn't clean off the lathe or drill press but I did sweep up before closing up the shop for the night. Mainly so I don't track metal shaving around the shop or concrete leading from the shop back to the house.

Like Jim, I prefer to have things in cupboards or cabinets rather than on shelves and pegboard. My last shop was all open shelves with pegboard over the workbenches and it was a PITA to keep everything clean. I swore in my new shop I would NOT have any open shelving nor any pegboard over the workbenches, the pegboard items are now in toolboxes under my benches and supplies and larger tools are in tall two-door cabinets rather than open shelves. It is much easier to clean and gives the hole shop a different feel.

 

[CraigStu]

When we added a bay to our previous 2 car I decided I was going for neat. I bought cheap unfinished kitchen cabinets at HD. No dang open shelves. My work bench was kitchen base cabinets and a formica counter top. These were a little flimsy but they worked fine for the $. On one wall of the original garage I filled it w/ 8 or 10 30 inch wide wall cabinets. Painted all of them w/ a solid color stain. I mounted the lower row high enough off the floor to allow a bunch of those grey Rubbermaid tubs to sit under them. These were great for a lot of **** like winter boots and other odds and ends but we didn't need to see them. Keep your eyes open for sales at HD and Lowes. I bought all those cabs when I happened to walk in on a 25% off sale.

 

[Falcon67]

I choose - not to. I intend to send Hot Rod some pics for "This Guy's Garage" and dare them to print 'em. All those nice clean spaces, here's a guy with more cars and **** than fits in 960 sq/ft. And not just stored, in work for 2018 season. Plus stuff - genny, quad, pit bike - from the trailer for winter service, dog bowls and water (it's also a big dog house), play area. 48 sq/ft of bench top good luck finding a spot to sit anything down.

 

[zmotorsports]

I choose - not to. I intend to send Hot Rod some pics for "This Guy's Garage" and dare them to print 'em. All those nice clean spaces, here's a guy with more cars and **** than fits in 960 sq/ft. And not just stored, in work for 2018 season. Plus stuff - genny, quad, pit bike - from the trailer for winter service, dog bowls and water (it's also a big dog house), play area. 48 sq/ft of bench top good luck finding a spot to sit anything down.

Nice Chris. I don't mean this mean, but I remember my last shop being the same way, the old phrase 10-gallons of **** in a 5-gallon bucket comes to mine. But organized and valuable **** I might add.

 

[Ilikeike]

One thing that I have been doing in the shop at work, my garage/shop at home, and now have friends doing it as well.
I build any shelving with expanded metal, it does not capture dust, you can see what’s up on the shelf easier since you can see through the shelf, and rodents can't hide up there.
I even re-built an old Gorilla shelf that had particle board shelves with expanded metal, looks better than wood my opinion.

 

[larry_g]

I'm not a neat nik. Stuff scattered everywhere and I'm a bit overwhelmed. On the other hand clean is important to me. I sweep and vacuum regularly. When spot opens up on the workbench it is spritzed with cleaner and wiped down. Never a dirty tool goes into the tool box. Dirty tools tend to accumulate on the workbench.

However this is a farm shop so dirty equipment is not unusual in the shop or is fabrication work. So I do have a reason to keep clean as sometimes cleaning is done with a scoop shovel If not kept up on the floor can become a real mess.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[T_R]

I'm average. I don't have one of those fancy show garages with tile floors and cabinets everywhere, I don't think I could keep up with all that plus do work. I sweep up often and put all my stuff away regularly. My old garage is behind the new one I built a few years ago and now is a giant storage shed. I shove all my **** in there so the new garage looks neat.

 

[glentre]

Ilikeike,

Nice avatar. I have the same pin on the shelf over my desk.

Glen

 

[lakeroadster]

My old garage is behind the new one I built a few years ago and now is a giant storage shed. I shove all my **** in there so the new garage looks neat.

Same here. I have a 12' x 12' steel outbuilding that was here before we built the barn. I intended to tear it down once the barn was built, but never did.

Instead I store yard tools, lumber and other items that would clutter up the barn.

As to keeping the barn clean, as said above, We tried to minimize shelves in the bay where I build stuff. We used cabinets with doors and tool boxes. No pegboard or slat board with tools hanging on them.

When you're done with a project you take your air hose and blow the dust off the walls and cabinets, then sweep everything up.

We also walled off the maintenance area from where the tools and cars are stored.. which helps keep filth off everything not needed while working on a project.

Works pretty well. Kind of a "form follows function" approach.

 

[JimVonBaden]

It is funny to hear comments alluding to the idea that it takes so much time to clean a garage that no work gets done. In my garage a lot gets done, and it gets done faster because my garage is neat and I can find everything. Typically I do a good cleaning once a year in spring, then a general clean-up after each project. A general cleaning usually takes one to two hours. Trying to work in a really messy garage means frustration and time spent looking for tools and parts.

 

[Mustang1167]

My garage is organized but not clean by some of the standards here. I wipe off oil/grease, use the leaf blower about once a month, and take out the trash. Everything gets put in it place when I’m done with a project. It’s a detached garage I think that makes a difference sometimes.

My stepfather details his garage like it’s a classic car. It’s never dirty and I HATE being in there because I’m afraid my boots my leave a mark on his floor. To each his own. My house and truck are spotless but my garage is where I like to leave some dirt.

 

[dadsEH]

I may have a problem.........

 

[texasprd]

I even re-built an old Gorilla shelf that had particle board shelves with expanded metal, looks better than wood my opinion.

That does look like a good idea. I have a pallet rack (might even be the same brand) that I wouldn't mind doing that with. What gauge did you use, and how did you cut it? What's the heaviest load you've put on a shelf like that?

I wonder how well expanded metal would stand up to a BBC crankshaft and a Cleveland crankshaft on the same shelf...

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

HIDE THAT STUFF: Open shelves invite clutter. The horizontal surface is just too tempting to put something down for the moment and you'll get back to it in a few days, which turns into weeks and years. Shelving units are fine, but if you can put some simple doors on the front, you'll find yourself keeping things clean and out of sight. Framing with wood around the front of a metal shelf unit is not hard and lets you put on simple MDF doors. Get clever and space the doors out from the front of the shelves by 6" and you can mount shallow shelves on the back of those doors for paint cans or other similar clutter magnets.

I have kitchen cabinets in the back of my garage. It helps, but not as effective as I hoped. Drawer units are great for power tools and loose items. Open cabinet space do not work for cords, cables, or other loose stuff. That's where shelves with bins help.

BINS! Yes, I totally endorse a large quantity of identical sized bins. Cleans things up, makes it easier to organize all the loose stuff that falls over and spills over everything.

FLOORS: Before I moved into the house I purchased, I already spent time sweeping, cleaning, washing, and finally painting the floor with an epoxy coating (Rustoleum products). I had never done this before and I was amazed how much of a difference it has made. The floors stay cleaner. I can wipe up stains with a rag and cleaner. It does get chipped up and I will have to recoat it, but it's been over 6 years and looks good. I really does keep the dust down.

WHEELS. Pretty much everything in my garage is on casters unless it is a shelving unit or attached to the wall. A couple of times a year I would wheel out everything into the driveway to let me sweep and clean the floors and walls. It does attract people thinking there is a super awesome garage sale going on though.

LEAF BLOWER. No, seriously. I'm not kidding. An electric leaf blower works great to blow off the dust that accumulates on shelves, tool boxes, corners, between studs, on the vehicle lift, the floors, etc. I hate seeing all the cobwebs in the corners of the garage or the metal dust from grinding on the floor trapped next to the garage doors. Leaf blower is fantastic for clearing it out.

USE IT, STORE IT, SELL IT. I keep collecting tools at garage and estate sales. I slowly upgrade my tools with nicer stuff, vintage, or similar. I have a table saw in the garage that I have used all of about five times. It's taking up valuable floor space and I really need to just give up and move it to the shed out back. OR simply sell it at the yearly garage sale. How often do you use it? Can you use another tool to do the job? Do you REALLY need those specialty tools in your drawers, on the walls or shelves? While you want the tool, think over when you'll actually need it. I'm willing to let the tool store keep the tool I need on their shelves until when I need it, and then I will buy it as necessary. At least that's what I tell myself. It's hard to obey that guideline when so many nifty tools are on sale. Resist the urge! You can do - oooh, a cheap HVLP gun I could use just for primer? SOLD!

There's tons of organizing ideas here. Find a system you like and stick to it. I wish I had standardized storage options originally and now will have to redo it all to really be effective. That, and more storage sheds.

 

[z28ke]

I use tarps to hide all the “stuff” I have accumulated over the years on pallet racks. The bottom shelf on the right rack is about 5’ off the ground to keep tall lift accessories (transmission jack, stiff arm, oil change jug) out of the way. The rack to the left of my gf’s workbench is covered with a tarp now as well. It’s a bit tacky but doesn’t look as bad as what’s on the shelves.

 

[zmotorsports]

It is funny to hear comments alluding to the idea that it takes so much time to clean a garage that no work gets done. In my garage a lot gets done, and it gets done faster because my garage is neat and I can find everything. Typically I do a good cleaning once a year in spring, then a general clean-up after each project. A general cleaning usually takes one to two hours. Trying to work in a really messy garage means frustration and time spent looking for tools and parts.

I totally agree Jim. I am MUCH more efficient because I can walk right to what I need and not have to look for it or think "what job did I use that on last?" I feel a clean and organized shop aid in Safety, Quality of work and efficiency all three. I used to have customers come into my last shop and wonder if I ever did anything because it was clean. Personally I took that as a compliment.

I too clean after every job (and during on some of them) as well as I have at least one, sometimes two 5S events a year going around my entire shop. This last 5S was a bit easier because it took place while moving into the new shop.

 

[bwringer]

What I'd love to find is some sort of spider repellent.

I swear, I get an area nice and clean and three weeks later it's covered in cobwebs and looks like The Crypt Keeper's damn living room.

 

[crewchief888]

my garage isnt the cleanest by any means,

it's small, dimly lit, has no insulation, or heat.

to most it looks to be a mess,and disorganized, but i know where everything is.

i cant recall spending a nickel for storage, specifically for use in the garage.
everything was salvaged or repurposed.
tool boxes are the exception, i had the majority of them before ever moving here.

i try to keep stuff as mobile as possible, anything i can put on wheels i do.

but i havent moved any of my boxes in at least 3 years...

 

[Falcon67]

I'm organized! Got all kinds of stuff in boxes. Where a particular piece of the stuff is, well...looking...I know I have one...

 

[OccupantRJ]

I am kinda middle of the road on this. Problem is, I tend to keep several and different things going on at any given time. Some of it is a project and some of it is the shop improvements I am constantly working on. Metals, wood, conbination thereof. Right now, it looks like a bomb went off in the middle of a group of milling machines. My son and I have 6 vertical mills between us, with 4 of them in various stages of disassembly. I think there are about 10 other machines to be restored that I have stored back. I tend to clean up in a drive by fashion while working. If I walk across the shop to get a tool, I try to pick up and put away one or two along the way.

 

[-Brent-]

I try my best to keep it clean. I did have a pile of stuff that needed to go into the attic that was sitting on the shop floor (and in the way) for far too long. I just tackled it and it took 5 minutes... I don't know why I procrastinate like that sometimes.

My bench top gets mess any time I use it but it's a small enough surface that it's a few minutes to get organized again.

 

[crewchief888]

I'm organized! Got all kinds of stuff in boxes. Where a particular piece of the stuff is, well...looking...I know I have one...

that was always my problem, i knew i had something, just couldnt find it. i'd go buy another one, and a week later i'd find the one i knew i had.

ive got to the point where i dont keep much "stuff" around. it's much easier to let someone else keep in "in stock" for me. i can pick it up whenever i want to.

i'm surrounded by auto parts stores, big box stores, ace hardware, tractor supply.. at least 2 of each of them within a 15-20 minute drive, (depending on traffic)

 

[Nivekdodge]

Thanks guys. The overwhelming thing i read was cabinets instead of shelves, which I like. I built my first set of cabinets and they're not deep enough. 16"??? what's everyone have?

 

[PT Doc]

I vote for closed cabinets. Much cleaner look and very thing inside will be much cleaner.

 

[rburke65]

It seems that I'm constantly picking up and putting away. But it really helps if you are blessed with square footage and storage.

 

[ghlkal]

I build any shelving with expanded metal, it does not capture dust, you can see what’s up on the shelf easier since you can see through the shelf, and rodents can't hide up there.

I like this idea.

Can you give us some more info on the process (source, cutting, etc)?

 

[Cee3PeeOh]

My problem, and I know it, is I have too many interests and have tools and equipment for all those interests. Electronics, woodworking, automotive, gardening, home repair, then there is the riding mower, the pull around generator, the spray washer, the wood storage and my consumables shelving.

My wife can get her car in but that is it.

I know I need to pare down but I was raised on a farm and was taught to keep everything cause ya might need it. This attitude has served me well because usually I can find what i'm looking for.

Putting it to use... well the car backs out...

 

[OccupantRJ]

Lateral file cabinets with the flip up front doors are the best of both worlds. They can be open shelves or closed cabinets at any time and in any combination. I keep most of my power tools in them.

 

[ezover]

I am in the more messing then neat crowd. but not a hoarders garage.

I have to agree with the poster that stated no flat surfaces they tend to collect stuff.
it is that very reason the wife and I have very few tables or other furniture with a flat surface. we know our weakness.

 

[glentre]

Same as many others, I like neat and everything out of sight. No pegboards or tools hanging on the wall. But, I'm lucky to have a 16 x 34 storage attic above where seldom used items and spare parts go and that place is not so neat. Pics show how tall cabinets can help for those who want to have everything put away. While on a project, all the doors stay open so I can see everything inside like they were shelves but they are closed at the end of the day.

Glen

 

[LeeG]

My first rule is that every single item needs to have one place that is its home. Once everything has a place for it to be 'away', then it is fairly easy to manage keeping things organized.

For me, what works best is drawers and tubs. I built several custom cabinets for my garage using 100 pound full extension drawer slides. I use the latching 15 quart totes to store odd shaped stuff and loose supplies. I also have a fair amount of pegboard for more commonly used tools.

 

[brownbagg]

i guess Im just old school, I dont need ceramic floor tile and white painted drywall with graphics, Im use to concrete slab with oil stains plywood walls with nails to hold tools. sawdust on the floor, its soaks up the oil stains.

 

[crewchief888]

My problem, and I know it, is I have too many interests and have tools and equipment for all those interests. Electronics, woodworking, automotive, gardening, home repair, then there is the riding mower, the pull around generator, the spray washer, the wood storage and my consumables shelving.

My wife can get her car in but that is it.

I know I need to pare down but I was raised on a farm and was taught to keep everything cause ya might need it. This attitude has served me well because usually I can find what i'm looking for.

Putting it to use... well the car backs out...

i wish i could get the wifes car in now... it's still a f'd up mess where she usually parks her car. it's not MY stuff, things she never got around to putting in the shed after "gardening" season.

i out up a small 8x10 shed last spring. enough room for the riding mower, gardening tools, outdoor power tools, added some simple plastic snap together shelving for all the outdoor seat cushions.

i try not to hang on to ANYTHING for more than a year or so. ive moved several times in the past 20 years and ended up dragging the **** around with me, or scrapping it.
maybe it helps that i dont have a big garage, when i start to get overwhelmed with ****, i start tossing stuff...

a friend of mines dad passed away a couple years ago, all the boys left thier **** at dads house. last i heard they have filled 25 40yd dumpsters with 50 years of ****. same guy has had a house up for sale for 3 or 4 years, and at least 20 years of accumulated **** stored in and around the garage... wonder why he hasnt sold it yet........

 

[D rock]

I'm like yoda in my shop. I'd like to say it's organized chaos...buts it's really just chaos.

 

[mikegt4]

Most of you guys it appears would run away gaging if you came to my garage. Every horizontal space is stacked with stuff. I have to walk sideways between project vehicles, some that haven't moved in years. I usually have 3-6 projects going at any one time, sometimes things are disassembled for years and stacked in any available space as they are cleaned and painted. I have come to the point in life that if I put something behind doors I will never remember where it is so few things are in cabinets. That being said I don't do "dirty work" in the building, no painting, welding, grinding etc. That is all done outside.

My son is the opposite, his garage is nothing but clean surfaces, everything is kept out of site. Of course this restricts his capacity for projects and tools. Guess who he comes to when he needs the tools or materials that he doesn't have the cabinet space for. He even buys tools for a project then sells them when he is done. I on the other hand can't come to grips with discarding the 3" long cut off of angle iron, yes I eventually find a use for it.

 

[sberry]

Every horizontal space is stacked with stuff. I have to walk sideways between project vehicles, some that haven't moved in years. I usually have 3-6 projects going at any one time, sometimes things are disassembled for years and stacked in any available space

I try to avoid this like the plague. I go so far as to make a decision, am I going to work on this or not? I actually have some space to move it out of the way. I get tired of looking at stuff like that.

I did have a pile of stuff that needed to go into the attic that was sitting on the shop floor (and in the way) for far too long. I just tackled it and it took 5 minutes... I don't know why I procrastinate like that sometimes.

This is super easy to do and some of it does only take 5 minutes. Before one knows it they been walking aro8und it for a year. I did some remodel a year or 2 ago, I was providing warm heated space for a stack of empty trash cans and other junk that hadn't moved or been used in 15 years.
I have a basement and major shelves in a storage building to get it out of the way. We use some of it, some really don't want to or too good to toss but don't need to wade thru it in the shop either.