How Long Do You Spend Organizing?

[Bull]

Your garage, I mean? I feel like I have been organizing for five years i.e. since the place was built. I am always picking up equipment and storage, then I'll set it up and use it, decide it isn't working well with the space, so I sell/get rid of it and replace it. I spend time sanding and painting cabinets and boxes so they don't look so derelict. I spend time sweeping, vacuuming, deciding which tools and which hardware go into which drawers, and how. I feel like it will never end, and sometimes I feel like it isn't even "real" work.

The whole point behind it is trying to create a clean, efficient space in which to work. But damn, I just want to be done with it all already!

 

[Conductor562]

I'm in the same boat. You spend an insane amount of time fixing something that isn't broke. It will never stop. You'll still be organizing your shop when you to old to remember where it was before you moved it.

 

[akdiesel]

If it is not that, then it will be something else. A lot of us are **** about getting it just right and it probably will never be because of that.

 

[dodge610]

It just never ends that is part of the job getting it perfect so you can turn around and change it again. In between those times is when you get the jobs at hand done.

 

[tatra]

i call it what it is , stock rotation.......

 

[Exceller8]

I spend a ton of time organizing but I really enjoy it. I don't think about anything else except what I'm trying to get done. Trading, upgrading, organizing, its all fun to me.

 

[fury9]

If I put everything back where it's SUPPOSED to be, I don't spend long organizing. I tend to get a pile of tools on the workbench and where ever else they might be from being lazy. That's when I spend a good few hours organizing

 

[Toomanytools?]

Neverending.

 

[Strouty]

We should have organizing parties! Like a self help group. I can organize someone else's stuff, but when it comes to mine, forget it. I feel your pain.

 

[brownbagg]

there time i spend the whole weekend in the shop not working on anything but just cleaning up. what really take up space and out of order, jigs and the accessory to the tools, nuts bolts filter hoses belts. pvc fitting copper fitting. I need a storehouse warehouse just for my projects and tools. happiest day of my life was when i had the shop but nothing to but in it. so if i did get cabinets, they just become black holes for junk that you have to get on your knees to look into

i need a orgnist party to come over when Im gone on vacation and just throw everything away. so when i get back i could cuss and scream but nothing i could do about it. at least i have an empty shop again

 

[KCarGuy]

it never stops.
You pick up a new cabinet or Tool Box and everything has to be moved.
Or your finding a better idea on GJ....

 

[dladcock]

Constant, infinite, adjustment and tweaking. Viewing this web site is no real help, either. Just when you find the perfect scenario, there's another brilliant solution.

We once were in retail sales, as business grew, more items added, we constantly had to reformat the display shelving. As long as the dynamics evolved, we were always on the trailing edge, attempting to stay on top of a never ending challenge.

dla

 

[Al Bundy]

I didn't even really want to open this thread since it's the very thing that's been crippling me for the past two years. It's so damn depressing looking at the mess that most of the time I get nothing done and just walk away. I'm almost to the point of just boxing stuff up and sticking it in the corner.

 

[wedge40]

Ocd????

 

[SuitorsGarage]

We should have organizing parties! Like a self help group.

More like a shelf help group!

I use my garage fairly hard most of the time. Every year we have a pumpkin party for the kids and the adults too so that's when I do a major clean up and organizing.

 

[Jack Olsen]

It's partly OCD, and partly a kind of 'process' approach. The important thing not to forget, in my opinion: keep using the garage, even when you're improving it. But as you do other things, keep re-thinking how the garage itself could serve you better. It's a tool, after all -- and one you can tailor to an array of different functions.

 

[Outlander]

Can't talk right now....gotta run and sweep the shop. will post later.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I too am constantly cleaning and sorting my shop but I have noticed that over the years I am also getting better at it. I used to save everything I had left over from a job, things like drywall or 2x4 scraps. Now I can happily toss or burn much of that kind of junk.

I still cannot let go of those odd bits of hardware, brackets, or nuts and bolts because I just might need it late one Sunday night 6 years in the future! I do however now have a clear tub under my main work bench marked "unsorted pieces parts" that gets completely emptied and put away each time it fills up.

I also do enjoy tweaking my shop to my needs. For example if I find myself running to my bench to grab an adjustable wrench or screw driver each time I am getting the mower ready for the wife to cut the lawn, I'll rearrange the pegboard near the mower to now include these tools.

 

[Kevin54]

Like others say " it never stops". I am constantly arranging, rearranging, then arranging again. Yea, I think it may be OCD. I'm satisfied one day, but the next, it may not be good enough. But it does keep me occupied!!!!

 

[Gary S]

I spend very little time organizing because my garage is organized. When I use a tool, I put it back where it belongs when I'm finished. That way, things are always organized. Tools and hardware have their place, and they are in that place when not in use.
An organized mind will have an organized garage with a minimum of effort.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Not too much; my shop is for making $ on the side, not for trying to impress my friends.

 

[Bull]

I spend very little time organizing because my garage is organized. When I use a tool, I put it back where it belongs when I'm finished. That way, things are always organized. Tools and hardware have their place, and they are in that place when not in use.
An organized mind will have an organized garage with a minimum of effort.

I guess you are special, then. Part of my challenge has been deciding things like "what do I NEED to have vs. what do I WANT to have" in my modest garage space. There is also the financial challenge. I did not have the money to finish the inside of my garage when I built the space. This presented constantly evolving organizational challenges. I also did not (and still do not) have the money to buy the proper organizational aids: a large-enough main box, and then ancillary cabinets, bench, drawers etc. I guess you either didn't have those challenges, or have moved beyond them over time.

Not too much; my shop is for making $ on the side, not for trying to impress my friends.

Is my garage to impress my friends?

Trick question, because I don't have any friends that ever go inside my garage.

Anyway, to make money, you need to be organized; it's hard to work efficiently if you are a pack-rat.

 

[RPH]

Too much - not the only one to use it but seem to be the only one that can pick / clean up!

 

[bgarrett]

Organizing never stops. The contents of each container increases and has to be put into a larger container. You ought to see my assortment of automotive lamps

 

[Rickster55]

Organizing is an ongoing process. If you're not constantly re-organizing then you are probably wasting time IMHO. If you could count the steps and/or the time it takes you to get a tool or to a certain spot of your shop over the course of the day you would see how much time is wasted. Especially if you use your shop to make money. If time and money are not an issue then no worries.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Bought another bunch of small plastic 6 quart containers this past weekend.. Having stuff disogranized and cluttered drives me nuts... Try to keep things organized by not using my shop for a warehouse.. I have a shed for storage room and tractors , and a second shed strictly for lawn equipment.. Works best for me when everything has a place where it is supposed to be.. ((nice dream, anyway)))

 

[signcrafter]

I spend hours organizing, it never ends. But I like doing it. I buy stuff and acquire stuff and it piles up and I try to find places for it. Then I get more stuff and find places for it. Then I move things around. Then I get something big and move things around again. It never ends, what fun would it be if you never added things and re organized.

The key is to do a little at a time. Put a little of this away, do a little organizing over there, do a little over here, have some beers, work on something else for a while, then go back to something. The only time it will end is when you have everything you ever could want and a place to put it. Until then, part of the fun of a garage is getting new stuff and finding a place for it. I make sure to have lots of liquid incouragement while organizing and think of it as something to do while enjoying some beers instead of actual work.

 

[BD1]

Like stated, it never ends. Just about when I think it is all set, I get another box, make another table, get another vise, it won't stop.
almost done with a project and something breaks and it starts all over.

 

[DodgeMech]

Only time I spend organizing is when I skip happily off the truck with a box or three of new things to my box...i figure out where w/e it is will fit, shove the box under my tool box and then either take a smoke break or get back to work

 

[niget2002]

I feel like I'm always cleaning or organizing the garage. My problem is that we have stuff in the garage that would be better stored in a storage shed. The goal is to get on built, then get all the bicycles and gardening **** out of the garage. Then the garage can be what I need/want it to be... a place for the woodworking and motorcycle.

 

[kert]

Not enough.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Constantly, the garage is a work in progress. Buy something new and make an adjustment, trial and error to find the best means possible.

 

[Exceller8]

Not too much; my shop is for making $ on the side, not for trying to impress my friends.

The only person I have to impress is me. Working in my shop makes me happy so like I said, I love cleaning, organizing, and changing things up.

 

[Responder]

I still can't get organized in my shop. I have adopted the "RULE OF TEN" in attempting to get/keep the shop organized. Every time (for the most part) I go to the shop, I start by putting 10 things back to where they belong. This is fairly easy at the start but gets harder as everything gets put back in their place.

This can help with the frustration/anxiety that we face when we walk through the door and are overcome with things out of place!

Good luck all !

 

[BigMike782]

When I was a kid every few years Dad would empty the garage into the drive way and start over.

My rule for cleaning is if I pick it up put it wear it needs to be....tool box drawer,shelf,trash....don't just set it somewhere else.

 

[OldracerJones]

I too have the same problem, always organizing and arranging equipment, tools, etc. once I get it the way I want it, something comes up; someone needs to store something, the boat has to be put inside, or just about anything else. Then it's starts all over again.

 

[rickyboy]

I spend very little time organizing because my garage is organized. When I use a tool, I put it back where it belongs when I'm finished. That way, things are always organized. Tools and hardware have their place, and they are in that place when not in use.
An organized mind will have an organized garage with a minimum of effort.

Forgive me,... I know I'm new here but ....
YOU MAKE ME SICK !!

and I'm exactly like you are. Annal in putting things back where I got them from. My father was the same way and instilled that in me. Now if I could only get my wife to do the same thing when it comes to the fridge.

Having said that,...I'm just starting to plan and set up my "new" garage at the "retirement home". I know I'll be moving things and changing things for a while when I get all my things moved up there. I'm drawing out where I want things, on paper to see things ahead of time. I'm also buying a couple of filing cabinets for the lrg. tols like side grinders etc., so they don't consume my "roll away" tool chests/cabinets, More room to put things seems to be the answer for me.

 

[december45]

Its never ending, at it for 50 years

 

[mdbeck1]

Your garage, I mean? I feel like I have been organizing for five years i.e. since the place was built. I am always picking up equipment and storage, then I'll set it up and use it, decide it isn't working well with the space, so I sell/get rid of it and replace it. I spend time sanding and painting cabinets and boxes so they don't look so derelict. I spend time sweeping, vacuuming, deciding which tools and which hardware go into which drawers, and how. I feel like it will never end, and sometimes I feel like it isn't even "real" work.

The whole point behind it is trying to create a clean, efficient space in which to work. But damn, I just want to be done with it all already!

I've been around this site enough to know that you USE your garage. There's nothing wrong with changing up however you probably need to think about an overall theme. Several years ago my wife "bought" me a woodworking shed for the back yard. It was 16'X32' (or so). Before I put any tools in it I sat down and decided what was actually going in it. Part of it was for storage so I built a deck in the upper section to store all of the household "stuff". To do that I had to pull a few woodworking tools in. Then I got to thinking about the "flow" of the wood. The door is on the 16' side on a corner so on that side is the panel saw and the radial arm saw. They reduce the large materials to smaller more manageable sizes. As you follow around the room you find the wood lathe, scroll saw, jointer, drill press and the toolbox. In the center you find the router table and the table saw. On the wall as you come in (on the short side) you have a rack to store plywood. That way if you come in with a sheet to store you turn it sideways and put it in. This has worked well for me but life happens. I found another cabinet to fit under the toolbox (more storage). I ended up keeping several other tools. I need to go back through and clean up again but that won't happen until after hunting season is over.

Yeah, you put storage bins in the garage but you need to upgrade. Just don't let the storage upgrades take over from the real work. When you can't stand the current organization take some time to re-org. Then use it that way for a while and decide what you want to do next. Don't get in a never ending upgrade cycle 'cause there isn't an end. Organization continues until you quit getting stuff coming in. ...and that doesn't happen until you move into the old folks home. Enjoy the trip.

 

[BWS]

We're a money shop....sort of a "speed shop".Might be runnin a cpl thous feet of moulding,may be repairing a part in welding cell,or workin up a new widget in machine shop.The more F**kin and dinkin around,'cause theres no flow,the less work goes out the door.You just need to decide whats important?For us its all about speed.

Machine maintenance....probably slows the shop down the most?But the alternative ***** beyond measure.Good luck.