My Organization Thread

[-Brent-]

Bill, if you want a nice, little shop, you need to sh!t-can 75% of what you have. Not move it to some other shed. A garbage can should be one of your most respected items when trying to get organized. Not being able to move stuff out, like out of your ownership, will forever limit you.

Seriously, I know guys with small spaces that are incredible fabricators. And they don't have half of the stuff you do. And, if you actually used your tools, you'd know that you don't need much of that stuff.

Until you actually get rid of stuff (not under the guise of organization) this is just another hoarder thread.

Some of that equipment has no business being in that space. Your building and perhaps your skills are not equipped for it. I'm not saying you couldn't get to a place where they'd do you some good... but with how long you went without plumbing (if you've even gotten that sorted) those items just seem like "cool things to have" and most working shops (especially ones so limited on space) are devoid of that stuff.

Best of luck with it. I really hope you do make this a workable place.

 

[disston]

Convince your wife that she needs a bigger house. Bigger house has a bigger garage. Problem solved.

 

[bczygan]

-Brent-,

75% seems just about right. I'm in the middle of dragging stuff out right now. And I can see that that is about what it will take to get a functional work space.

Bill

 

[jp828108]

I'm worried about you.

Many people think I'm crazy. Have you been peeking into my brain?

You just expressed my thoughts perfectly.

Like I said.......I'm worried about you!

Bill

I'm worried about me too Bill, but that is for another thread. I'm sure you may have some hoarding tendencies by looking at the place, but I don't know what it is with all the hate to get rid of everything and have zero redundancy. You have a small space to work with, and have accepted that. So start shuffling it around and organizing it, and please get to posting those progress pictures.

 

[bczygan]

I'm worried about me too Bill, but that is for another thread. I'm sure you may have some hoarding tendencies by looking at the place, but I don't know what it is with all the hate to get rid of everything and have zero redundancy. You have a small space to work with, and have accepted that. So start shuffling it around and organizing it, and please get to posting those progress pictures.

Still dragging things out.

Rain possible this evening, but not likely, Ha, Ha!

Photos when I have a few more things done, Probably late this evening.

Not working hard at it, just a little here and there, with rest breaks in the bedroom A/C. 95 outside. Got a fan in the garage.

Good thing about a small space......there's only so much you can shove in there.

Bill

 

[sberry]

Seriously, I know guys with small spaces that are incredible fabricators. And they don't have half of the stuff you do. And, if you actually used your tools, you'd know that you don't need much of that stuff

Some of that equipment has no business being in that space. Your building and perhaps your skills are not equipped for it. I'm not saying you couldn't get to a place where they'd do you some good... but with how long you went without plumbing (if you've even gotten that sorted) those items just seem like "cool things to have" and most working shops (especially ones so limited on space) are devoid of that stuff.

Jack Olsen comes to mind with this. Will get something he needs, got 1 decent air comp, 1 small welder and a grinder. He can do what he has to do in his world. Got a decent enough car doesn't have to work on it night and day, keeps a few bucks in his pocket to buy a wrench when it comes up.
When I had a real job and slummed around living in the city I didn't have all that ****. Did a little brake work to the 1 car I had in the drive, even paid the garage down he road a time or 2 to do a ujoint and fix an exhaust. Had enough hand tools most of the time I could carry or toss in the trunk.
WTF you gonna do with a blast cab, 3 comps, Brigeport and future shear and brake? You live on 40x100, 1 car you got to work on in the street. Why would 9you even want all that ****. Different if I shirt tail contract, then I buy a few things or go rental.
Been there done it wouldn't do some of it again. It was never as easy as having a hardhat and a tool belt and showing up.
As he says in the quotes above, not everyone is built for this. I got a Bud who been contracting since he was 16. Some people built for a lineman, some for a halfback and some just made to be a contractor. Will sell one trailer to trade up for a better one, always trying to make equipment pay. Doesn't fix a whole lot of stuff, buys new when he has work for it. Cuts his losses when he has to and gets out from under something.

 

[sberry]

He has a rental building and yard so reasonable he couldn't afford to buy it, the stuff is working and the stock he uses, not so much junk.

 

[DFB]

Still dragging things out.



Good thing about a small space......there's only so much you can shove in there.

Bill

Haha!

 

[Kevin54]

Okay Bill......I'll give you what you want. You want ATTENTION!!!! Get the **** over it and quit crying the "HOARDER" card. You've drug this **** on for years. No room in the house, working on a plan. No running water, working one that. No roof, woe is me.......Years Bill.....Don't throw the sympathy card out.

 

[bczygan]

75%.....

Got probably 30% out so far. Putting the things away, including crowbars, boxes of hand saws, crates of extension cords, Workmate. Pulled out the heater vent kit. Still want to pull out the blast cabinet, camelback drill, heater, wash tank, arbor press, 60Gal vert. compressor, and bar folder. Got to make space for them in storage.

Have a double stack of boxes to go through.

Also a line of hand carry boxes to look at.

Still need to label the file cabinet, roller and service cart.

Getting cooler this evening, but still the brick garage is a heat sink.

Bill

 

[nine4gmc]

Just saw this thread, I'll have to catch up on t now!

 

[bczygan]

Photo Time!

Stuff outside that needs to go out back:

Table saw, 2 compressors and blast cabinet filter:

Vise choices:
Snap-On:

3 different size Parkers:
(An Emmert is in the back hall and needs moving to the carpentry shed)

Stuff going out:
Compressor, lamps, heater and blast cabinet:

Stuff to arrange better.
Stools, oil barrel trash cans and anti-fatigue mats:

Craftsman, Kennedy and other hand carry boxes that need going through:

End of one workbench. Dayton grinders need removing:

Vac needs to go:

Pexto bar folder that needs to go. It's on top of a parts washer that could also go elsewhere, but might keep in here if space allows. It's something I would use.

Double stack of boxes that needs going through:

View of stuff lined up and ready to go out, including the camelback drill press:

Some of the things removed will go to be used in other places, like woodworking. Some will be stored because they need working on. And some will go to other locations for use, because they are used less often. Trash is disposed of, of course. Wrapping that things come in, are harder to decide upon. Some things have wrapping or containers that identify or tell how to use the item. Some containers are great for storing the tool. Others not so much. Been throwing most of it away, unless a set in a blow molded case. But even there, the cardboard sleeve ID's the contents. What to do?

Wish I could have gotten more done, but that's it for tonight.

Bill

 

[taumac]

Bill, here's a way to look at things. You want to get a organized functioning work space well your gonna have to par down some. I'm not saying down to one of each but many downsize some. Honestly take a long hard look at stuff you own. What projects are just not going to happen and what will happen and just get rid of stuff that's not going to happen. One thing I see in your place is lack of upper shelves. Get totes and use space above tools. Work from ceiling down. While you might like smaller parts bins getting one lista/ Vidmar cabinet can store a ton of **** in small footprint. Shelves and totes are your friends. Getting stuff off the floor onto shelves helps. Don't bolt down your grinders. You can store the on shelves but have them attached to plywood. You take them off the shelf, clamp them down and they store them away. There's many many examples out the on GJ. Takes parts and pieces of good ideas and make them work for you.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, here's a way to look at things. You want to get a organized functioning work space well your gonna have to pare down some. I'm not saying down to one of each but many downsize some. Honestly take a long hard look at stuff you own. What projects are just not going to happen and what will happen and just get rid of stuff that's not going to happen. One thing I see in your place is lack of upper shelves. Get totes and use space above tools. Work from ceiling down. While you might like smaller parts bins getting one lista/ Vidmar cabinet can store a ton of **** in small footprint. Shelves and totes are your friends. Getting stuff off the floor onto shelves helps. Don't bolt down your grinders. You can store the on shelves but have them attached to plywood. You take them off the shelf, clamp them down and they store them away. There's many many examples out the on GJ. Takes parts and pieces of good ideas and make them work for you.

I'm feelin' ya bro.

See the post above, and look at all the stuff leaving.

Arbor press and stand are going because it will be seldom used.

Grinders, I only need 3. Grinding, wire wheeling and buffing. Vises?...I only need one general purpose (Probably the biggest Parker) and one on the Bridgeport (Cheap China).

Of the things that aren't hooked up and working yet, I'm only keeping the big vertical compressor and the lathe.

Keeping the Buffalo DP and the belt and disc sanders.

Probably move the Baldor pedestal mount grinder to the carpentry shed.

Probably keep the Lincoln tombstone until I get a MIG.

Kennedy top and intermediate have been turned around for better access.

Hand carry tool boxes will be used to contain support tools for work stations like the Bridgeport. Extra ones can contain plumbing, electrical and other trade tools. Those will go elsewhere. Junky ones will be disposed of. I don't have time to rehab them.


Bill

 

[bczygan]

I've thought about high shelves and cabinets.

I could ring the space with them to create the most storage, like Jack has with StrongHold cabinets. But I want a pleasant working environment, with eye appeal for my own pleasure. That's why my wall cabinets have negative spaces between them. I don't need to maximize the available volume. I need to minimize the tools and machinery. It won't be an art museum, but it won't be a cell with every available inch taken up.

Speaking of wall cabinets, the one by the Bridgeport is locked and I've misplaced the key. I wonder what's in it? I need to organize and assign what each cabinet will contain, and what purposes it will serve. The multi-drawer cabinets for fasteners need attending to as well. Organization, labeling and minimizing.

I've also thought of multiple work surfaces, including fold down ones, like Jack and others have. But I already have the problem of stacking things up. More surfaces just become more storage. Storage goes elsewhere.

And the idea of building my roller in, as a permanent cabinet, has crossed my mind. And though I've never moved it, and probably won't, I like the idea that I can. I just have to clean under it. The horizontal band saw is on wheels. It needs to be.

I don't like the stools I have. Too bulky and difficult to move around. But OK for now.

There are a lot more things to think about, but the main thrust for the moment is eliminating as much stuff as I can.


Bill

 

[taumac]

Sorry, you must have posted that while I was in process of composing my post. That's a step in right direction for sure. I think a ring around the top of garage will add storage and look good as well. My main top shelf is about 18" below the ceiling which still gives me tons of room below to pull tall cabinets. I also had a smaller height shelf to for smaller things. I have many vises and those are small and can be easily stored. I would have hard time going down to 1 or 2 vises. 3 grinders is about minimum you need in any shop.

 

[bczygan]

Sorry, you must have posted that while I was in process of composing my post. That's a step in right direction for sure. I think a ring around the top of garage will add storage and look good as well. My main top shelf is about 18" below the ceiling which still gives me tons of room below to pull tall cabinets. I also had a smaller height shelf to for smaller things. I have many vises and those are small and can be easily stored. I would have hard time going down to 1 or 2 vises. 3 grinders is about minimum you need in any shop.

I struggle with how to outfit the shop.

Every added storage device, be it a cabinet or shelf or hand carry toolbox, adds visual clutter. The complexity creates mental stress.

And more storage creates places for excess tools and supplies. Then you are back to a storage space rather than a work space.

So there is the struggle, and balance is the answer.

The reason for this purge, is to gain more capability. I used the shop, even as full as it was, with success. But it was difficult. Had to move things just to get in there. And looking for things sometimes meant I couldn't do the task. But I still got a lot of work done, especially automotive, because those tools were fairly well organized and available.

Now, as I get the unused tools out of there, and organize the rest, I expect to have a working environment and increased capabilities in every part of the space.

As I start to really use the space, it will become evident whether I have too much or too little of anything.

Right now I still have a lot of removals and sorting to do.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

There is one thing your shop is severely lacking.........








Floor space!

 

[bczygan]

There is one thing your shop is severely lacking.........








Floor space!

If I could just order that from Amazon!!!!!!!

It's taking shape though. I have the space that I have. And there are sheds to contain the excess. And those can be reconfigured to house machines that won't fit in the shop. Woodworking will be in one.

And the big compressor will eventually be relocated to out on the back porch.

I don't mind walking to different places to do seldom done tasks.

Right now I am sorting through the stack of boxes shown in a previous post.

Everything not directly needed in the shop, goes out!

If I find with use, that I need an item to be in there, I can always move it back in.

I'm already finding the space to be one I want to work in.

Bill

 

[GTO]

I would pull everything and put it into two groups,one keep and one sell.Then put back what your keeping back in garage.
Good luck

 

[rockettgpw]

Bill, I've posted on your other thread about the joy of having a big space and I get where you are with your collections of buildings and the stuff that fills them. Don't be dissuaded by the curmudgeon factor hitting this thread as what is right for one doesn't have to be the rule for another.
Saying that, I think you are on the right track in offloading some stuff.
The mill and lathe are great for opening opportunities for your own repairs or paid jobs. Don't be concerned about storing your small parts in another shed as you will get used to assessing what you need before you go to collect them and to returning the leftovers from each job to their right place afterwards. Same applies for machining or fabrication stock, bring in what you need as you need it.
Find room for the blast cab in one of the other buildings If you can, place your biggest compressor in it's vicinity and pipe air back to your workspace. This would keep the noise and dust away from you and the machines most of the time and give the best air supply to a very air hungry machine. You may not use the blast cab all the time but there are times you will spend a week in front of it.
i have used my shed for welding, lathe and mill, upholstery, spray painting, furniture restoration, staircase construction, carpentry,engine rebuild and the odd party. Mostly job specific tools are tucked away and brought out for the job. Some cant be, lathe, mill and drill press have their spots but are nested well together. 3 in 1 brake press and hydraulic press are jammed together and I have to wriggle between them to use either but its all still do-able.
The best part is being able to clear the 20x20 'L' shape that isn't storage so I can do the bigger jobs.
Keep going I have faith in you. Don't give up on having a bigger space.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, I've posted on your other thread about the joy of having a big space and I get where you are with your collections of buildings and the stuff that fills them. Don't be dissuaded by the curmudgeon factor hitting this thread as what is right for one doesn't have to be the rule for another.
Saying that, I think you are on the right track in offloading some stuff.
The mill and lathe are great for opening opportunities for your own repairs or paid jobs. Don't be concerned about storing your small parts in another shed as you will get used to assessing what you need before you go to collect them and to returning the leftovers from each job to their right place afterwards. Same applies for machining or fabrication stock, bring in what you need as you need it.
Find room for the blast cab in one of the other buildings If you can, place your biggest compressor in it's vicinity and pipe air back to your workspace. This would keep the noise and dust away from you and the machines most of the time and give the best air supply to a very air hungry machine. You may not use the blast cab all the time but there are times you will spend a week in front of it.
i have used my shed for welding, lathe and mill, upholstery, spray painting, furniture restoration, staircase construction, carpentry,engine rebuild and the odd party. Mostly job specific tools are tucked away and brought out for the job. Some cant be, lathe, mill and drill press have their spots but are nested well together. 3 in 1 brake press and hydraulic press are jammed together and I have to wriggle between them to use either but its all still do-able.
The best part is being able to clear the 20x20 'L' shape that isn't storage so I can do the bigger jobs.
Keep going I have faith in you. Don't give up on having a bigger space.

rockettgpw,

Thank you for your encouragement. I am doing exactly as you suggest. In fact, here are the latest photos, that show the pile outside, that needs to go to the back, and the garage interior.

It's getting there.....slowly.

Bill

The pile in the driveway, that goes in the back.

The shop inside, looking out. The compressor goes out.

The shop inside. looking in from the outside.

 

[Mike.VA]

Bill,
We all know and feel your pain from time to time.

My suggestion, as others have suggested move EVERYTHING OUT!!

The easiest way is to rent a POD, load one side of GOOD, KEEP items and the other side with don't know for sure, keep, sell or trash. Maintain a walk way down the center.

Once everything is out, fill your now empty space with empty benches, empty cabinets and empty shelves.

Then the fun begins.

Good Luck and keep the pictures coming.

 

[bczygan]

Bill,
We all know and feel your pain from time to time.

My suggestion, as others have suggested move EVERYTHING OUT!!

The easiest way is to rent a POD, load one side of GOOD, KEEP items and the other side with don't know for sure, keep, sell or trash. Maintain a walk way down the center.

Once everything is out, fill your now empty space with empty benches, empty cabinets and empty shelves.

Then the fun begins.

Good Luck and keep the pictures coming.

I'm using the garage and tarps for the pod.

Outside, under the tarps are things I definitely don't want in there.

Inside the garage are things I definitely do want in there.

The last big things to remove are the black compressor in the above photo and the arbor press and stand.

I am now down to boxes of stuff, hand carry boxes, vises and grinders and the bench tops.

Just went through the hand carry boxes. Two of the Kennedy's are junky and empty and will go.

Bill

 

[ScottsGT]

I've got that same Snap On vise. It's my one and only vise other than the woodworking vise. I'm pretty sure under that Snap On sticker you will find a Wilton logo. But is an import Wilton. Bought mine off the truck about 35 years ago.

 

[Strouty]

Personally Bill, I would sell the Snap On vise, it is worth more than other stuff just because of the logo.

 

[bczygan]

Well, I was going to just mount one of the Parkers on the end of the bench, but listening to everything said, I'm thinking of mounting the Snap-on on the other end too.

Or not.

Not the biggest problem.

Garage/shop is getting more inviting.

Want to do some milling.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Trammed my head and made chips!

Yippee!!!

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Nice, now someone else that has made chips before me.

I am working on building crates to store all my extra Lista drawers, there are just a few extras.

 

[Matthew3901]

Bill, Keep up the good work in getting your space back to usable!! I like the progress pictures!

 

[bczygan]

Just a quick hint........When tightening a mill in a collet that turns with the drawbar, don't hold the mill in your bare hands......!

Ouch!

Bill

 

[nine4gmc]

Great job Bill, keep at it!

Btw, I'm with Strouty, sell that SO vise and use the money somewhere you need it. I sold the one I had, there are Snap On suckers in every city!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DFB]

Nice job Bill

Chair and fan and tool box in easy reach

It's all good now

 

[bczygan]

Sitting in there right now, watching TV, while wife sleeps.


Bill

 

[jp828108]

Keep cleaning and organizing. Dont let the temptation to use the newly accesible tools pull you away from the real goal.

 

[bczygan]

Keep cleaning and organizing. Dont let the temptation to use the newly accesible tools pull you away from the real goal.

I get to have a little cake and ice cream with my peas and carrots.....

While sitting around last night, enjoying the space, I also re-stacked stuff to give more floor space. Now I can go through everything easier.

Still have the vertical 60 gal. compressor and arbor press to remove. Still have most of the big removed items in the drive and back yard, under tarps, and it rained this morning. Need to get them better shelter.

Going down right now and sort and make a pile of grinders and boxes of stuff to remove.

Last night, with all the better access, I found the tools and fasteners to repair the license plate light on the van.

It's becoming an easier place to work in. And I'm accessing tools and putting things away in a more organized fashion. Even thinking ahead about rehabbing some machines, like the lathe.


Bill

 

[bczygan]

I removed the 60 gal. vertical compressor yesterday.

Then I was surprised when my wife Julie arrived home with two 10' long kayaks.

They fit easily into the 9 1/2' x 19 1/2' garage!!!

Bill

 

[Strouty]

So now your shop is kayak storage?

 

[DFB]

Yup almost never fails...you clean out stuff and then just add more stuff

 

[bczygan]

So now your shop is kayak storage?

For the moment.

Need to build storage for them.

Can't leave them outside and visible for security and getting dirty from trees.

Bill