I feel like this happens every time I work on a project on my bench. As i work i get a larger pile of tools and a larger pile of parts, And they always get jumbled together and It just bugs me. anyone have a suggestion of something they do to have an easier to work on bench?
Keeping a work bench organized?
- Thread starter Matt018
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SINISTER
Well-known member
When you dont have proper tool/hardware storage its a pain to put away your tools when you are finished using them because they don't have a proper place.
Get a big enough box for your tools and find a place for everything. And get hardware storage trays.
Keep it close enough to your workbench.
Dont be lazy.
Get a big enough box for your tools and find a place for everything. And get hardware storage trays.
Keep it close enough to your workbench.
Dont be lazy.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I always try to do it this way, what I'm working on and related parts on the bench, tools on cart in a handy postion. That way the bench stays clear for parts to be laid out and tools are right at my finger tips. I alos make it a point, stuff is not stored on my main bench. Before I start and when I'm done, I have eight feet of wide open bench.
SINISTER
Well-known member
^ good idea. Though my work bench is in my shed and there is no room for a rollaround cart as well. I suppose if you have the room thats the way to go.
My box is next to the bench. I just have to not be lazy and as soon as I am done with a tool put it away. It doesn't take long to take it back out if I need it.
My box is next to the bench. I just have to not be lazy and as soon as I am done with a tool put it away. It doesn't take long to take it back out if I need it.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Toolbox (es) or a combo of box and carts for hand tool storage.
Plastic bins and zip lock bags or wire-tie ID inventory tags for parts.
Tools in a case go back into toolbox, on a shelving unit or in a locking cabinet or in underbench storage.
If the top of a workbench is always cluttered, things get lost, damaged or they muck up the next job.
Live in a household of women/girls and every basement and garage horizontal surface becomes a "****-collector" or clothes/accessory staging area.
BTDT.
T-shirt to prove it available as proof but optional.
Plastic bins and zip lock bags or wire-tie ID inventory tags for parts.
Tools in a case go back into toolbox, on a shelving unit or in a locking cabinet or in underbench storage.
If the top of a workbench is always cluttered, things get lost, damaged or they muck up the next job.
Live in a household of women/girls and every basement and garage horizontal surface becomes a "****-collector" or clothes/accessory staging area.
BTDT.
T-shirt to prove it available as proof but optional.
I'm glad some of you are capable of that sort of discipline. I have a very neat garage, but while I'm working on it, the benches fill up one at a time.
My fix is to have a lot of benches.
My fix is to have a lot of benches.
98TJ
Well-known member
It's also pointless to waste time searching for tools you need.
The more organized you are, the more efficient your work.
Is your work area small and cramped?
bczygan
Well-known member
One method is to create storage for everything. In this method, all tools are in cabinets or drawers and must be brought out for a job and put away afterward. With a limited work surface area this allows for any job to be set up on it and then later cleared.
Another method is to set up work areas around each machine with all the accessory tools that relate to that tool. With this method the project moves from work station to work station. This method will require more space but a job can start and finish quicker.
Most of us are constrained in some way by space or facility layout. So each solution will be specific to our physical plant, the kind of work we do and the way we like to work.
For me, I want a combination. Since I have a small 1 car garage I will need flexibility which means I will have things on mobile bases. But I also want work stations so I will design and construct storage for accessories that will also be a part of these mobile work stations/machines. I will need some fixed elements but most things will move, including work and layout benches. I will also have to separate functions and put woodworking in another structure. The garage will be automotive and metal working. This setup means I will have to configure the shop for whatever job it is that I want to do. Each workstation needed will have to be pulled out including work bench surfaces. But hand tools and accessory items will be right at hand for that task without removing them from storage. I will have racks and shelves right at the machine or bench. Grab a tool, use it and hang it back up. This will work for making metal or wood items, but automotive requires moving the tools to the vehicle. This will be necessary since there is no inside space for vehicles yet. So a service cart and hand carried tool boxes or buckets will have to do for now. Organized by task. Electrical, cleaning and detailing, welding, general wrenching etc.
It's gonna be fun using all the ideas from this group to design and organize things. It won't be a shop with clean finished lines and no tools visible like some on here where all you see is floor and cabinets. But everything will have a place and most tools will be behind doors for protection from dust. Go to a work center for say a drill press and throw open the cabinet and there are all the fixtures and drill bits and chucks and such.
The advantage of small spaces is that you don't need duplication of features. Everything is close at hand. And the worker and his work can move easily from place to place.
I worked as a machinist in a 2 man shop where all surfaces were covered with a jumble of tools and materials all the time. It was horrid. As a newbie, I had to spend countless time looking for each tool or part. This was because I couldn't easily just see and pick up just the right size mill or tap or reamer. But the owner, who could tell size just by feel, also spent much time looking for things. I eventually learned to keep my own stash of basic tools and tooling in my own specific storage places, and to return them there after a job. We finally spent the better part of a week sorting and sizing and storing things. But the secret is really what you do AFTER that. Without the discipline to return things to their place of storage, it all goes to hell again. Everything has a place. Everything is labeled. Nothing moves to new places. You get trained where everything is. You put everything back after use. End and start of day the workbench is clean. Beginning and end of job the workbench is clean. A place for incoming materials. A path for materials to be processed. A place for finished products to be packed and shipped. Beginning of job, look at part to be made, get materials and tools and assemble on bench. Process materials and use tools to make part(s), going from machine to machine. Finished parts to shipping. Tools back in their spots. Happy worker.
Another method is to set up work areas around each machine with all the accessory tools that relate to that tool. With this method the project moves from work station to work station. This method will require more space but a job can start and finish quicker.
Most of us are constrained in some way by space or facility layout. So each solution will be specific to our physical plant, the kind of work we do and the way we like to work.
For me, I want a combination. Since I have a small 1 car garage I will need flexibility which means I will have things on mobile bases. But I also want work stations so I will design and construct storage for accessories that will also be a part of these mobile work stations/machines. I will need some fixed elements but most things will move, including work and layout benches. I will also have to separate functions and put woodworking in another structure. The garage will be automotive and metal working. This setup means I will have to configure the shop for whatever job it is that I want to do. Each workstation needed will have to be pulled out including work bench surfaces. But hand tools and accessory items will be right at hand for that task without removing them from storage. I will have racks and shelves right at the machine or bench. Grab a tool, use it and hang it back up. This will work for making metal or wood items, but automotive requires moving the tools to the vehicle. This will be necessary since there is no inside space for vehicles yet. So a service cart and hand carried tool boxes or buckets will have to do for now. Organized by task. Electrical, cleaning and detailing, welding, general wrenching etc.
It's gonna be fun using all the ideas from this group to design and organize things. It won't be a shop with clean finished lines and no tools visible like some on here where all you see is floor and cabinets. But everything will have a place and most tools will be behind doors for protection from dust. Go to a work center for say a drill press and throw open the cabinet and there are all the fixtures and drill bits and chucks and such.
The advantage of small spaces is that you don't need duplication of features. Everything is close at hand. And the worker and his work can move easily from place to place.
I worked as a machinist in a 2 man shop where all surfaces were covered with a jumble of tools and materials all the time. It was horrid. As a newbie, I had to spend countless time looking for each tool or part. This was because I couldn't easily just see and pick up just the right size mill or tap or reamer. But the owner, who could tell size just by feel, also spent much time looking for things. I eventually learned to keep my own stash of basic tools and tooling in my own specific storage places, and to return them there after a job. We finally spent the better part of a week sorting and sizing and storing things. But the secret is really what you do AFTER that. Without the discipline to return things to their place of storage, it all goes to hell again. Everything has a place. Everything is labeled. Nothing moves to new places. You get trained where everything is. You put everything back after use. End and start of day the workbench is clean. Beginning and end of job the workbench is clean. A place for incoming materials. A path for materials to be processed. A place for finished products to be packed and shipped. Beginning of job, look at part to be made, get materials and tools and assemble on bench. Process materials and use tools to make part(s), going from machine to machine. Finished parts to shipping. Tools back in their spots. Happy worker.
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Its a two bay garage with a pretty good sized work bench.
And I might start using a tool cart, That would be nice for bringing tools from the car I'm working on over to the component on the bench.
I dont think I need anything elaborate with drawers because I like having all my tools in one place so how is this cart?
http://www.harborfreight.com/16-inch-x-30-inch-steel-service-cart-5107.html
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sometoyotaguy
Well-known member
How about a small toolbox to keep on the bench while you are working on something? That way you can keep the tools out that you need, but they are still contained.
bczygan
Well-known member
Matt,
You say you like having all your tools in one place, but part of organization is separating them so you know where they are. First separate tools from parts and supplies. Then make a place for everything. Always keep things in the same place. Label everything to train yourself where things are.
Use the cart to assemble the tools and parts and materials for the job of the day and to move them to the vehicle or workbench. Use a parts tray to remove parts during the job and keep them together. At the end of the job or end of the day empty the cart and put tools away. This discipline will keep your bench empty except when you are using it to work on a component. No horizontal surface (Workbench) or movable cart is a place for storage.
With the fixed workbench and the movable cart and storage for everything you have all the tools necessary. Discipline to use them is the only other element necessary.
You say you like having all your tools in one place, but part of organization is separating them so you know where they are. First separate tools from parts and supplies. Then make a place for everything. Always keep things in the same place. Label everything to train yourself where things are.
Use the cart to assemble the tools and parts and materials for the job of the day and to move them to the vehicle or workbench. Use a parts tray to remove parts during the job and keep them together. At the end of the job or end of the day empty the cart and put tools away. This discipline will keep your bench empty except when you are using it to work on a component. No horizontal surface (Workbench) or movable cart is a place for storage.
With the fixed workbench and the movable cart and storage for everything you have all the tools necessary. Discipline to use them is the only other element necessary.
sdguy55
Well-known member
I will probably get made fun of for saying this but idc cause its the way i organize my stuff and its the only way i have found that works for me. When doing large projects where i know im gonna have ALOT of different bolts (sizes, thread pitches, etc.) i use ziploc baggies and label them with tape so i know exactly where each group of bolts go and put them all in a box.
mrobins297aaa
Well-known member
I'm glad some of you are capable of that sort of discipline. I have a very neat garage, but while I'm working on it, the benches fill up one at a time.
My fix is to have a lot of benches.
ditto that, when I get to the point of setting up saw horses because all the benches are full I know its time to clean up...........lol
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sometoyotaguy
Well-known member
I do the same thing.
A piece of cardboard with an outline of the parts is a good place to store screws or bolts for an assembly.
It's all in what works for you.
mrobins297aaa
Well-known member
Your bench look something like this?
When i can't even find a place to put a cup of coffee down, I know its time to clean up................lol this pic is from prior house I lived at.
I did use the zip lock bags though
When i can't even find a place to put a cup of coffee down, I know its time to clean up................lol this pic is from prior house I lived at.
I did use the zip lock bags though
98TJ
Well-known member
I just took a few pics tonight of the work area in my garage. This is 1/4 of the overall floor space - the back right corner. The FJ40 and TJ sit side-by-side up front and the back left corner is basically a storage area.
Here's a shot of how it looks tonight. The benches are messy, but not bad. I had to sweep, worked on the bike a bit, and I NEED to clean the shelving under the benches on the left. Flat areas tend to just collect random **** (usually the exact things I'll be looking for) if I don't force myself to stay organized.
Here's a shot of how it looks tonight. The benches are messy, but not bad. I had to sweep, worked on the bike a bit, and I NEED to clean the shelving under the benches on the left. Flat areas tend to just collect random **** (usually the exact things I'll be looking for) if I don't force myself to stay organized.
I've had great luck using restaurant sheet pans for projects. They're heavy gauge aluminum with a 1-inch lip around the perimeter and a rolled edge. Standard size is 18x26, and I have a smaller one that's 14x18.
They're available CHEAP at restaurant supply stores, and I've got a bunch of them--used one on top of a shop-made tool cart, another on a mobile tray (like the one next to a hospital bed), one is riveted to the top of a cabinet that doubles as a work surface, and the others get used as oil catch pans and for job organization.
If I'm taking something apart, like a steering box or bench grinder or rebuilding something, I put the sheet pan on the bench, set the part on the pan, and disassemble it within the confines of the pan. Tools can go on the bench around the pan, but all the parts stay in that pan, neat and organized.
If I have to move everything, I just pick up the whole sheet pan and move it.
Projects you start and get sidetracked from can stay organized and together.
Since cleaning and organizing my shop this summer, I've been pretty diligent about putting my tools away and cleaning up after myself at the end of every night, even if I'm going to come right back there the next day. That's been a HUGE benefit. It took some training to get my son and friends to get in the habit of picking up, sweeping up and throwing trash away at the end of every night, but it sure is nice to start fresh and clean the following day... or week (because half the time, "I'll be back here tomorrow" actually means "the next time I'm free is sometime late next week. Maybe.")
-Brad
They're available CHEAP at restaurant supply stores, and I've got a bunch of them--used one on top of a shop-made tool cart, another on a mobile tray (like the one next to a hospital bed), one is riveted to the top of a cabinet that doubles as a work surface, and the others get used as oil catch pans and for job organization.
If I'm taking something apart, like a steering box or bench grinder or rebuilding something, I put the sheet pan on the bench, set the part on the pan, and disassemble it within the confines of the pan. Tools can go on the bench around the pan, but all the parts stay in that pan, neat and organized.
If I have to move everything, I just pick up the whole sheet pan and move it.
Projects you start and get sidetracked from can stay organized and together.
Since cleaning and organizing my shop this summer, I've been pretty diligent about putting my tools away and cleaning up after myself at the end of every night, even if I'm going to come right back there the next day. That's been a HUGE benefit. It took some training to get my son and friends to get in the habit of picking up, sweeping up and throwing trash away at the end of every night, but it sure is nice to start fresh and clean the following day... or week (because half the time, "I'll be back here tomorrow" actually means "the next time I'm free is sometime late next week. Maybe.")
-Brad
Hephaestus29
Well-known member
A lot of benches equates to a lot of clutter for me. I have 5 workbenches in my garage that are 2 ft deep & 9 feet wide, they're all full of ****. I can clean it up really good & one project that takes 3 days to finish will trash them all.I'm glad some of you are capable of that sort of discipline. I have a very neat garage, but while I'm working on it, the benches fill up one at a time.
My fix is to have a lot of benches.
I can work in my garage for about 8 hours & then I start getting tired, I need to work 7 & clean up the last hour
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You would be shocked... I can work all day, and it takes 15 minutes to wipe down all the tools and put them up, sweep the floor, throw out the scrap and litter, and organize the project off to the side on the work bench or table.
I'm very lazy... and will almost always put off 'til tomorrow what I can do today, but cleaning up every night after I decide it's time to go in, takes very little time. It's hard to know that when you always let "picking up" grow to a multi-hour project like I usually do.
-Brad
DrunkSmurf
Well-known member
That is pretty much the same approach I use. I don't have the sheet trays (Thanks for the tip BTW) but I have several various metal and plastic trays I've collected along the way that I use routinely. Makes for easy clean up and also helps keep parts and projects easy to sit off out of the way when multitasking.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
This is what my bench normally looks like.
Similar to Brad and the Drunk Smurf, I find I use these all the time more for tools than for fasteners.
I try to be disciplined, but if I'm under the car or somewhere more than 10 feet from my cart, it's just easier to set the tools in the magnetic trays. I try to keep the fasteners in their own tray.
I try to be disciplined, but if I'm under the car or somewhere more than 10 feet from my cart, it's just easier to set the tools in the magnetic trays. I try to keep the fasteners in their own tray.