My Organization Thread

[bczygan]

There are a lot of threads about organization here on GJ.

And I have read and followed a number of them.

This thread will be my response.

It will incorporate the methods I have picked and have chosen from all the good ideas I've seen.

 

[bczygan]

Some principles I have decided to follow:

Areas for different functions should relate to each other in a sensible way. For instance, stock should come in and be stored near where it enters. Cutting to size should be the next step and happen nearby. Then different operations should happen in some regular order. Then finishing and exiting should again be near a door to outside.

Some functions need more separation, like painting and welding.

Some functions need not be in any particular place.

All work stations should be set up complete, with all the necessary tools and supplies, ready to function. This will mean duplication of some tools.

Some often used tools will need to be out in the open, ready for use, while others can be enclosed in cabinets or placed on shelves. Dust control is a factor.

Visual harmony is important for a serene work place.

Lighting must be carefully designed for the tasks at hand.

Colors and textures and materials can be used as tools to achieve some of these desired results.

The spaces must be flexible, to accommodate change.

There will be more as I think of them.

 

[Strouty]

Don't forget about negative space!

 

[bczygan]

Don't forget about negative space!

Strouty,

You've got enough Lista's to fill all your negative spaces!

If I only had enough space to waste it on negative space.....

Even an inch or two would help!

 

[bczygan]

First thing I'm going to do is assign functions to the most appropriate spaces.

This is a problem.

I want the one car garage to be a metal shop, but being at the end of the driveway, it should be automotive!

 

[DFB]

Nothing like a having clean and well organized shop space, whether your just wrenching and especially with fabrication processes when using both stationary and portable power tools.

Flow is so important when laying out materials and or building/assembling something. I've worked in manufacturing, machine shop, and carpenter shops over various parts of my life so I can appreciate it.

Especially if others have to share tools and equipment!

A good example is like down at the farm & greenhouse business where I work now. If no one puts any company owned tools away where they should belong, you waste a lot of valuable time trying to locate stuff. Most places I've been before always had decent tool cribs but not this place I work now.

Wrench and sockets sets are always missing pieces You may find one in a tractor tool box or on the floor of a truck and sometimes even on the ground Flat screwdrivers might be found in a box with some paint supplies. Try to access a bench vise you might spend 15 min moving stuff out of the way. Pick up a saw the blade all shot or the cord is broke

I can't deal with that **** and since I'm the facilities maintenance guy (besides other things) I have all my own tools...its just far easier on me.

Bill, my home garage does need more attention to detail and storage so I'll be following this. I get so busy during the non frozen months that much of my personal stuff doesn't ever get put away just put down somewhere and rotated around when need.

Organized chaos I like to call it.

 

[matt_i]

Not trying to be divisive, but I gave up on the "material flow" concept a long time ago, I realized I'm a job-shop and not a production factory.

More important is that I can access the sides of my machines that I need to do various jobs, and open the various panels for service and troubleshooting, especially on the heavy ones which aren't going to move very often.

Along those lines I mostly opted to put the heaviest machinery furthest into the shop and lighter things that can be moved via pallet jack closer to the work area.

 

[readhead]

Bill, I'm surprised you organized your thoughts. Signing up.

Andy

 

[bczygan]

Bill, I'm surprised you organized your thoughts. Signing up.

Andy

Andy,

Hey.........!

Everyone is due at least one moment of clarity!!!

 

[bczygan]

Not trying to be divisive, but I gave up on the "material flow" concept a long time ago, I realized I'm a job-shop and not a production factory.

More important is that I can access the sides of my machines that I need to do various jobs, and open the various panels for service and troubleshooting, especially on the heavy ones which aren't going to move very often.

Along those lines I mostly opted to put the heaviest machinery furthest into the shop and lighter things that can be moved via pallet jack closer to the work area.

I agree about the flow thing.

My garage/shop is so small (9 1/2 x 19 1/2), that I can't make flow happen. The plus is, that being so small, everything is just a couple of steps away anyway.

This also means that I can put some functions elsewhere. My small one car garage is attached to a small 2 story brick colonial with only 1,250SF of space. It sits on a corner lot measuring 40 x 100. So while space is minimal, everything is close together. While the layout of the house on the lot doesn't allow additions to the house because of front and side setbacks, a separate building detached from the house can accommodate other functions.

So the first thing I did is to assign woodworking to this imaginary building.

But let's go back in time a little.

To be continued...

 

[bczygan]

OK, some history.

We were hoarders....still are, but getting better every day.

Long story short, we've gone through multiple rounds pf purging and clearing and cleaning up the place. It would take several long threads to document, so let's start from where we are today.

There are 8 or 9 small sheds on the property, that I've built to contain all the stuff we have. They are a work in progress as well. In fact, the entire property is a work in progress. I think you will find your shops and garages will be as well. What you want to do is always changing, so you work spaces will change too.

Right now the garage is metal working equipment with some automotive stuff and some things I need to place elsewhere. I haven't figured out how to merge metal working and automotive.

The next thing I need to do is post some photos.

 

[jp828108]

Bill

Please do post up some photos. Im sure you know how we all love photos. I have been a long time lurker. And am trying to do more posting. I started my own build thread, and posting updates helps keep me motivated to coninuously make progress. Not sure if you would get same result, but it is helping me.

 

[JackTheTank]

Finished reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. One of her suggestions is to go around your room holding things up and asking: "does this bring me joy?" If not, throw it away.

As good as that is for an office or bedroom, it probably won't work as well for a garage.. There are many things which don't bring joy but will be needed at some point.

On a separate note: "Lighting must be carefully designed for the tasks at hand". Any downside to buying a few rolls of LED strips and lighting the whole place up?

 

[bczygan]

Finished reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. One of her suggestions is to go around your room holding things up and asking: "does this bring me joy?" If not, throw it away.

As good as that is for an office or bedroom, it probably won't work as well for a garage.. There are many things which don't bring joy but will be needed at some point.

On a separate note: "Lighting must be carefully designed for the tasks at hand". Any downside to buying a few rolls of LED strips and lighting the whole place up?

Almost all my tools bring me joy, and most are useful.

But only if I know where they are, and only if I can easily get to them to use them.

So a place for everything and everything in it's place.

When I get some photos up, you'll see the lighting.

 

[bczygan]

Bill

Please do post up some photos. Im sure you know how we all love photos. I have been a long time lurker. And am trying to do more posting. I started my own build thread, and posting updates helps keep me motivated to coninuously make progress. Not sure if you would get same result, but it is helping me.

Wow!

You did some major work there.

I'm just moving things around so I can use them.

 

[bczygan]

Photo time!

Looking from the open garage door into the garage:

As you can see, the left side has one layer of stuff against the wall, while the right one has 2 layers, making the layer against that wall, inaccessible. I must remove enough things to make that one layer. So deciding what functions can go elsewhere is the next step.

Looking at the left side:

Here is where I will list what's there and where it will go or stay.

Looking at the right side:

Here is where I will list what's there and where it will go or stay.

Looking at that same side, but from the other end of the garage:

More detail from this end of the garage.

And lastly, looking at the other side, also from the far end of the garage:

More detail from this end of the garage.

Shelf above:

I'll add some listings of what's in there, and what I plan to do with it in the next post, or add it to this one.

 

[RWorth]

Not sure if it's just me, but I can't see any of your pix.

Eric

 

[bczygan]

Not sure if it's just me, but I can't see any of your pix.

Eric

It's not you. Gotta fix it.

 

[bczygan]

Fixed the photos.

Now I'll take each one and analyze it.

 

[matt_i]

Couple of free suggestions. I see too many bench grinders, just 1 will do, craigslist the rest. T hen you can use the shelf to store other things.

Once your bridgeport head gets back in tram, I'd craigslist the small drill press. The mill is a better drill press than that to start with and takes less space.

 

[bczygan]

In the overall view the first thing to see, is that there is way too much stuff. I can get to the basic automotive tools I need, but most all of the metalworking equipment is buried.

What are the functions for this space?

My first desire was to make it a metalworking shop period. Automotive would all move to a shed in the back yard, accessible from the side street. That doesn't work well because there is a step down from the back yard to the public sidewalk. Can't move the service cart out. The driveway in the front yard is the obvious place for automotive work. Although I have a project van parked there and have been working on the DD in the street. There is also a Bridgeport base in the drive that will need to move.

So the answer is that the garage will be, and must be, mixed use. Tools and equipment for automotive maintenance will have to share space with metalworking tools.

This means that only necessary tools for each of those functions can make the grade to be there. Storage of automotive supplies will go in the shed in the back yard. And machines and tools for metalworking, that are seldom used, will have to also go elsewhere.

Next, I will go through the rest of the photos and pick out what must be removed, and identify what will remain.

 

[DFB]

Wow what mess!

And I thought I was bad

But does looks a lot like the greenhouse storage building


Bill if it helps any I can remember in my factory supervisory days we would say "if a cluttered desk is the sign of cluttered mind what's the sign of an empty desk then?"

Dunno if it applies to garages and workspaces though

Carry on...or maybe carry out

 

[bczygan]

Couple of free suggestions. I see too many bench grinders, just 1 will do, craigslist the rest. T hen you can use the shelf to store other things.

Once your bridgeport head gets back in tram, I'd craigslist the small drill press. The mill is a better drill press than that to start with and takes less space.

Good suggestions, except I have plans for those machines. They may not be in this space though.

Bill

 

[readhead]

Bill, where did you get pictures of my garage? I'm going through something similar right now. I would walk in with every intention of cleaning up, stand there for ten minutes and walk out. Finally about two weeks ago I started by clearing off some shelves to make room for other stuff and now the wife and I go out after dinner and empty two boxes every night. It may take half an hour or ten minutes but we stop at two.

Now two thirds of the floor is clear. A new issue has now developed. Not enough shelves. We have a couple of shelf units now and a place to put them. Now the process continues.

I think this will probably be the first pass and then more permanent storage solutions will be put into place. Of course throwing stuff out is imperative. Storing trash doesn't help the process.

Good luck. I'm following along.

Andy

 

[jp828108]

Wow!

You did some major work there.

I'm just moving things around so I can use them.

Bill

Bill

Work I really wasn't wanting to do right from the beginning, but plans sometimes don't go as planned. Your space has some serious potential. You have some tools I am drooling over. I hope the progress continues. Im sure you know, and I am slowly learning, everything takes time. I'm sure you. An get it cleaned and organized. Your tool list thread is quite extensive, and I know you have successfully worked on widdling down the needs. So I'm sure you can apply the same to shop cleanup.

 

[bczygan]

This is the left side, looking in from outside.

Starting from the left, there is a bunch of parts cabinets on shelves. I'm undecided about these. I don't want to have to go to a shed in the back yard for small fasteners and such, but this garage space cant become a storage space. It is a WORK SPACE! Maybe I will take out the SAE stuff, maybe not. It needs organization though. And the clutch of oil cans need to be distributed to the machines they will be used for.

Underneath the shelving, beginning on the left, there is the base for a large arbor press. Next to it is the arbor press itself. Then a 1/2HP Baldor bench grinder mounted on a base. Below that is the head from a Bridgeport mill.

The arbor press and base are seldom used, and large, heavy and immobile. They need to go elsewhere. Perhaps in a location with the H press that is stored elsewhere.

The Baldor on it's stand also take a lot of space. It would be useful in the woodworking shed, to keep tools sharp.

The Bridgeport head, along with it's base in the driveway, need to go in the back yard somewhere.

Once this space is cleared out, I intend it to house the HF service cart. That puts it right at the door for easy access. I is stuffed with most of the tools and supplies I need for working on the vans. Whether I drag it out onto the drive, or work from it there, that is the most convenient place for it. And it is backed up by the HF roller that sits a little further on down this wall.

Next in line is the file cabinet. It's very handy for storing things. I'm going to leave it be for the moment, but the drawers need labeling. On the top of the file cabinet are intermediate and top Kennedy boxes. They fit there, but aren't real accessible, even for a tall guy like me. They will have to move. They are my best Kennedys, so will probably get used in the garage/shop somewhere.

On top of them is a box of flue fittings and a gas hose for the garage space heater. It needs installing.

Next in line is the HF roller with misc and less used tools. It will stay there, at least for now.

The plan overall, is to have 2 lines of machinery and equipment, one down each side wall, with an aisle in the middle which is wide enough to bring a bicycle or motorcycle or lawnmower in to work on. Cars will never see the inside of this garage. It's just too small. And we have vans anyway.

On top of the roller I have an old 240V 180A HF stick welder. I also have a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone that's also 240V. Will be getting a Mig sometime and also have a China made Plasma. I'd like to keep my welders in here somewhere, but be able to drag them out on the drive as needed.

More analysis to come...

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Bill, where did you get pictures of my garage? I'm going through something similar right now. I would walk in with every intention of cleaning up, stand there for ten minutes and walk out. Finally about two weeks ago I started by clearing off some shelves to make room for other stuff and now the wife and I go out after dinner and empty two boxes every night. It may take half an hour or ten minutes but we stop at two.

Now two thirds of the floor is clear. A new issue has now developed. Not enough shelves. We have a couple of shelf units now and a place to put them. Now the process continues.

I think this will probably be the first pass and then more permanent storage solutions will be put into place. Of course throwing stuff out is imperative. Storing trash doesn't help the process.

Good luck. I'm following along.

Andy

Andy,

I am not so much disposing of tools and equipment, because I got them for specific purposes. Most of what I'm doing is moving certain seldom used functions, and the associated machines, elsewhere. This will free up space. I don't want to make this a storage space, but a work space. So things not needing to be immediately at hand, will go elsewhere.

Bill

 

[readhead]

Bill,
That is my goal also. I have equipment in three locations and am trying to get it all in one place and usable. I have sold a couple of sheet metal brakes and I sold my Bridgeport because there was not enough space. I still have a pan brake, roller and shear and a lathe. Before anyone says anything about the Bridgeport I do intend to get something smaller in the future but my neighbor has two mills and I have the use of them any time.
Had to make some hard choices but in the long run everything will be ok At this point I am just trying to organize enough to come up with a final plan.

Andy

 

[bczygan]

Bill,
That is my goal also. I have equipment in three locations and am trying to get it all in one place and usable. I have sold a couple of sheet metal brakes and I sold my Bridgeport because there was not enough space. I still have a pan brake, roller and shear and a lathe. Before anyone says anything about the Bridgeport I do intend to get something smaller in the future but my neighbor has two mills and I have the use of them any time.
Had to make some hard choices but in the long run everything will be ok At this point I am just trying to organize enough to come up with a final plan.

Andy

Andy,

I still have a list of machines I want to get. A box and pan brake, a vertical band saw. For woodworking, a planer and a jointer. That will require redoing spaces.

One tension is between a practical work space and a pleasant work space.

I've been in a machine shop where you had to squeeze down narrow aisles sideways between machines. Optimized space but a visual and mental nightmare. On the other hand, I could make this a visual feast for the eyes, setting up 2, or at the most 3 machines, with negative space between them, tools all put out of sight in a cabinet, and lighting highlighting the machines like statues in a museum. Some garages on here are like that. But I need a functional work space.

If I had a big pole barn, like some on here, I would just put everything in there, with maybe dividers for welding and finishing and a separated space for woodworking. As it is, I have to spread things out around the garage, house and sheds.

Bill

 

[Trey T]

First step - DO NOT BUY ANYMORE STUFF!!! lol

 

[matt_i]

I see two more bench grinders I didn't see before One on a pedestal next to the arbor press and another across from the arbor press.

On your rotary bender, I would recommend finding the most likely open spot with the door closed (for winter ops) and put some drop-in anchors in the floor. This is the kind where you drill to a specific depth, drop in the anchor and expand the bottom by hammering in a pin. Then it uses regular hex or socket bolts to attach, the advantage is you remove the bolts and the floor is flat and open once again. I have a different rotary bender (diacro) and I put it on a purpose built pallet to roll out with a pallet jack and use when needed.

 

[bczygan]

First step - DO NOT BUY ANYMORE STUFF!!! lol

I was trying to make sense of the above statement......but couldn't for the life of me, no matter how I turned it around in my mind!

I do think this is a case of needing to build more infrastructure.

Soon I'll have to start tunneling underground......

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Latest stuff:

16 in. Ball Joint Separator HF 63420 7.99
Air Hammer Replacement Chisel Spring HF 68275 1.69
3 Piece Long Air Chisel Set HF 68276 7.99

Today's shopping list:

4 Piece Short Air Chisel Set HF 68277 5.99 - not yet
Air Hammer Quick Release Chisel Holder HF 66621 4.99 - cool! - got it
4 Piece Solid Brass Industrial Quick Coupler Set HF 68241 2.79 - got the 5 piece
1/4" Male Steel Industrial Swivel Plug HF 68185 1.99 - decided no
1/4" Female to Male Swivel Connector HF 68196 4.99 - got it

Also got a pocket air gun.



Bill

 

[555]

I just waded through the maze of stuff that has taken over my garage. I'm glad to see I am not the only one who has that problem.

 

[Trey T]

I was trying to make sense of the above statement......but couldn't for the life of me, no matter how I turned it around in my mind!

I do think this is a case of needing to build more infrastructure.

Soon I'll have to start tunneling underground......

Bill

lol ... I tell my wife that I would only buy more stuff if it helps me organizing -
see what's wrong w/ my approach? So I think I know your pain, man.

I think the better step in organization is to stop visiting the vise and grinder threads, or the forum altogether ...lol

 

[Homerr]

Hi Bill, it looks like you're getting better - and so is the garage!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Latest stuff:

16 in. Ball Joint Separator HF 63420 7.99
Air Hammer Replacement Chisel Spring HF 68275 1.69
3 Piece Long Air Chisel Set HF 68276 7.99

Today's shopping list:

4 Piece Short Air Chisel Set HF 68277 5.99 - not yet
Air Hammer Quick Release Chisel Holder HF 66621 4.99 - cool! - got it
4 Piece Solid Brass Industrial Quick Coupler Set HF 68241 2.79 - got the 5 piece
1/4" Male Steel Industrial Swivel Plug HF 68185 1.99 - decided no
1/4" Female to Male Swivel Connector HF 68196 4.99 - got it

Also got a pocket air gun.



Bill

Wrong thread Bill. This is for your tools thread.

 

[bczygan]

Wrong thread Bill. This is for your tools thread.

Good point!

I'm so confused!

Guess I won't mention the table saw...

Bill

 

[cheechi]

first, photos of the drawers for each toolbox. I bet I can help you some if I know more of what you're working with.

second, put something very important and needed daily inside the lid of the service cart. set yourself a goal today to clear off the top of it and keep it clear. now make that goal last a week. etc etc. That's how you start.

a few quick and easy to get you started; the C clamp is literally inches away from being hung on the service cart handle. do it. Angle grinder(s) on top of the blast cabinet put them on the handle too.

is that a Durham or Huot box way up high on the right side? does it have a flat top to it? All your photos I can't tell what's sitting on top of the HF 42" box. Put this box on top of the HF. Move the Kennedy off the bench onto it also. Show me more photos of the left side after doing these.

I could literally do this all day. If you give me more photos I'll give you more instructions.

 

[ScottsGT]

At some point a man has to know his limitations. Your limitations are set by your real estate. Hate to say it, but I keep hearing words in your posts used by hoarders all the time. "Plans for it, need it, etc" how many welders and bench grinders and bench presses does a man with limited space really need?
I've watched and cleaned up behind my mother for the past year now moving her out of her home and into an assisted living facility. She's addicted to QVC. I have sitting in my basement an electric tiller she thought I really needed. I tried to talk her into returning it, she wouldn't have any part of that. I ask her about the new kitchen gadgets she just bought and she "has planes for it" even though she cannot even stand at a kitchen counter and use them. She has two storage rooms full of things like this that I don't dare start liquidating as long as she's still alive.
And I'll add, I have a touch of the symptoms myself in addition to my boys stacking it deep in my basement. I've got so many mustang parts all over the place. Doors, fenders, engine on a stand, front bumper in a huge box, 2 sets of seats......
And I want a planer so bad I can't stand it. I just have no room unless I want my garage to turn into a crawl space also. But I'm also doing my best to rearrange, build new pull out shelving and getting rid of **** in general.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I really appreciate having clean working space and organization. I too am slowely working towards it.
Now I'm off to dig through the garage to find my weedeater.