Garage From Hell

[Cmack9]

Hi there, let me introduce myself. I'm new to the forum, looking forward to meeting you all.

So my shop. I've got a medium to large size farm garage, two 8' overhead doors on opposing ends of the building, and enough room to park four cars tightly.

But I'm in a bit of a bind here, I have a family that can't let go of things, and it's holding big dreams back. It's a mess. Take a look at the photos. I just thought I'd reach out to the forum see what kind of ideas you guys have. Any tips on how to clear out the old and shape up the old family workshop? I'm hoping there might be some clever tricks out there to plan, organize and make the fantastic new space happen.

Any advice gents?

Cheers Cmack9

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[p_mori7]

Advice #1: Resize your photos please to 640x480 so that they aren't as huge.

Welcome to GJ !

 

[drivesitfar]

CMACK: even though i like the big photos you posted if i was on my cell like a lot of members are the pictures make the fonts so small you can't read them and see the pictures at the same time. i have just used the paperclip above where we write our posts and attach pics like we do for an email so try that and i bet it will be easier too.

ok to start off with i see a very nice lathe, metal tables and benches. if you can maybe buy a few commercial type racks to get some stuff up out of the way and your machines and stuff will still roll under them that might be a start. i'm not one to criticize about having too many vises or grinders, but i do see a few not in use or maybe you are working on them. for starters you might look for ideas on vise stands and i really like the trailer hitch sort of mount for workbenches and here's a couple pics and here's a thread to check out:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799&highlight=vise+stands

also check out this thread on metal cabinets and maybe get you some good storage ideas: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305350

i also have ORGANIZING ISSUES so i started a thread that has a few other ideas so you don't have to check 1,000's of threads to find a few and it's called Organizing 201 and here's the link:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305350

just know that you are not alone with this issue and i've even given mine a name. FSD (FLAT SURFACE DISEASE) cause if there is a flat surface (floor, bench, shelf or whatever) i'll fill it up so we are in this fight together. since you already own a lot of the tools I'd like to own just a bit of organizing and you should be fine. of course other members will tell you to move and build a HUGE SHOP, but if you aren't parking cars in your garage you'll get lots of ideas here on how to use your space better. even putting lofts hanging from the ceiling helped me 30 years ago to get some of the supplies and holiday stuff up out of the way.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Cmack9]

CMACK: even though i like the big photos you posted if i was on my cell like a lot of members are the pictures make the fonts so small you can't read them and see the pictures at the same time. i have just used the paperclip above where we write our posts and attach pics like we do for an email so try that and i bet it will be easier too.

ok to start off with i see a very nice lathe, metal tables and benches. if you can maybe buy a few commercial type racks to get some stuff up out of the way and your machines and stuff will still roll under them that might be a start. i'm not one to criticize about having too many vises or grinders, but i do see a few not in use or maybe you are working on them. for starters you might look for ideas on vise stands and i really like the trailer hitch sort of mount for workbenches and here's a couple pics and here's a thread to check out:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252799&highlight=vise+stands

also check out this thread on metal cabinets and maybe get you some good storage ideas: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305350

i also have ORGANIZING ISSUES so i started a thread that has a few other ideas so you don't have to check 1,000's of threads to find a few and it's called Organizing 201 and here's the link:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305350

just know that you are not alone with this issue and i've even given mine a name. FSD (FLAT SURFACE DISEASE) cause if there is a flat surface (floor, bench, shelf or whatever) i'll fill it up so we are in this fight together. since you already own a lot of the tools I'd like to own just a bit of organizing and you should be fine. of course other members will tell you to move and build a HUGE SHOP, but if you aren't parking cars in your garage you'll get lots of ideas here on how to use your space better. even putting lofts hanging from the ceiling helped me 30 years ago to get some of the supplies and holiday stuff up out of the way.

GOOD LUCK!!

Drivesitfar, thanks for the excellent advice!



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[drivesitfar]

CMack: you're welcome. i hope some of it will help you. if you might want to do any woodworking or maybe you do check out the Woodworking 101 thread and we just started it and we have a lot of members posting on it with some great stuff.

also like i mentioned if you ask questions on threads talking about your subject your more likely to get good help there. or post up some of your wisdom as you have time to share it cause anybody with that big of a metal lathe in their garage definitely has some skills.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

 

[PhantomEB]

Just going off your pics ....

3 ramps? No room in the shop to use even 2 of them..... ditch em.

Box on the left of the lathe, could use a top box?

Cabinets are at a nice height..... I would make new ones that are taller and reach the ceiling and place as much as you can.....HIDDEN clutter!