My Organization Thread
- Thread starter bczygan
- Start date
Strouty
Well-known member
I want photographic proof Bill. 
I want photographic proof Bill.
Photographic proof will only show what the OP wants you to see
. A better measure might be a weighing (in metric tons) of all the stuff before and after the "purge". 
.
dragrcr890
Well-known member
Its a good thing you have all these tools to use. You can never have too many rubber little mats to trip over in front of every tool and also you cant ever have enough extension cords hanging to choke you while you are working..... I don't know how anything gets done in there
I don't know how anything gets done in therelewis26
Well-known member
Its a good thing you have all these tools to use. You can never have too many rubber little mats to trip over in front of every tool and also you cant ever have enough extension cords hanging to choke you while you are working.....
Not only that, extension cords plugged into more extension cords, all hanging across the ceiling.
This thread motivated me to go through my garage and throw some stuff out.
That disarray and mentality to just pack it away in shed(s!!) makes me want to clean. haha
the gypsy
Well-known member
If you have any serious machinery plugged into those cheap extension cords I would reconsider doing any work until I replaced them.
To those who have been saying too many tools.....********!
I just did an oil change on the Astro Van, and it fought me every inch of the way. Rounded off drain plug bolt, impossible to get at oil filter, at least for my tool list and still lacking organization.
So here's the deal. I had enough tools to get the plug off, but had to use the screwdriver through the filter trick, to get that off. Couldn't find the strap type wrench I knew I had.
When putting the new filter on, I was worried that hand tight wasn't good enough, especially since I've lost my grip (pun intended). So went rummaging in the automotive shed and found a cap type wrench I had forgotten about. It fit perfectly and allowed me to give it that last 1/4 turn.
That proves to me that more tools are better (To a point), as long as you know where they are.
BTW, the book said a PF47E filter was the only one for that van (2002 Astro RWD). But the old filter was a PF52 equiv. Will that fit? It's a lot bigger in length.
Bill
I just did an oil change on the Astro Van, and it fought me every inch of the way. Rounded off drain plug bolt, impossible to get at oil filter, at least for my tool list and still lacking organization.
So here's the deal. I had enough tools to get the plug off, but had to use the screwdriver through the filter trick, to get that off. Couldn't find the strap type wrench I knew I had.
When putting the new filter on, I was worried that hand tight wasn't good enough, especially since I've lost my grip (pun intended). So went rummaging in the automotive shed and found a cap type wrench I had forgotten about. It fit perfectly and allowed me to give it that last 1/4 turn.
That proves to me that more tools are better (To a point), as long as you know where they are.
BTW, the book said a PF47E filter was the only one for that van (2002 Astro RWD). But the old filter was a PF52 equiv. Will that fit? It's a lot bigger in length.
Bill
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
You can get Chevy filters long enough to hold a quart.
turbowoodworker
Well-known member
It amazes me how judgmental people on the internet can be. Keep up the good work Bill.
dragrcr890
Well-known member
Its a sickness, my grandfather was the same way. So the justification in that last post was that he had to use a bunch of different tools, but finally got the job done. All this while saying, I forgot where the strap wrench was and I found the other type wrench. An organized space would have had those tools in specific locations cutting down the "searching for lost tools" timeframe. All I'm saying is this "organization thread" is more like a disorganized thread. If you want to get better then listen to the people who are suggesting plausible solutions, if you don't want to get better, keep 10 vises and 15 grinders. I had to clean out 2 houses full of stuff after a hoarder, so it hits close to home.
You hit on a valid point.
If you can't find an item, to use it, then what's the point of having it. And if you don't have a place to display a collection, and enjoy it, what's the point of collecting it.
On the other hand, if you do have the space, and do organize what you have, what is the limit? If you have enough rooms and shelves and display cases, why can't you have 10,000 Beany Babies?
https://qz.com/114753/meet-the-family-who-lost-100000-when-the-beanie-baby-bubble-burst/
It must have become obvious to you by now, that this thread isn't about showing off a perfect space or a wonderful collection. It's about showing the process of going from one level to another, and turning a storage and work space, into a work space period.
This isn't the first go around with this space. There have been a number of improvement cycles, each an improvement upon the last. Not that there haven't been setbacks and redo's.
I'm sure your garage, or bedroom for that matter, gets cluttered from time to time, and needs a big cleanup.
No, I don't have a big enough garage to put all the shop functions in it. But I do have a house that can house some of them, and enough land and structures for the rest.
So for the time being I'm going to concentrate on organizing and turning storage spaces into work spaces.
And yes, that oil filter wrench now resides in my service cart!
Bill
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Nobody is saying you have too many tools, Bill! Well, that's not all that true... haha. But that's just what you make it mean when someone writes, "get rid of all that junk and keep half of what you've got." Your priorities are so F'd up that you lie to yourself and expect others to believe it.
Turbo, respectfully, these folks you say are judging him, have followed along with Bill's "Garage Journal life" for years. At one point not only did they root for him but they offered help, money, connections, etc. Look back and you'll see parts of the reality that make you wonder why he continues to move stuff around rather than address much more serious issues.
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ScottsGT
Well-known member
Bill, this quote has hit me hard as of lately. I'm in the process myself of doing a reorganization thread. I actually have a goal to reach and I'm taking photos along the way. It might take me another 6 months, but when I hit that goal I'm going to post it here.
My place looks like a hoarders dream right now, but as I mentioned earlier a lot of it is my kids stuff. One pile actually left the basement a couple weeks ago so my youngest could get his big project accomplished. I was just happy to see it all leave the house!
Of course things snowballed on me. It started out as building display cases for my hobby room to put my diecast car collection in. I built one and then realized that I'm a ***** for trying to do wood working on a fold out cafeteria table. So I built a wood workers bench. Once I had the top surface ready, I had to side track to build a project for our daughter. Put together a nice 2X8 work surface that is more than just a plywood slab.
Now that's done, I'm back to completing my wood workers bench. I'm adding a few drawers to have places to store all my wood working clamps, forstner bits, chisels, etc. Hopefully over the long weekend I can complete this and get it off the list.
Instead of jumping back on the diecast cabinets, I have to also rebuild my under stairs storage design with pull out shelves instead of two small flat surfaces. This should take the better part of a month working on it in my spare time.
Oh, and in the middle of all of this, I have been working on cleaning out Mom's home. Yes, she is a hoarder too. She's heavily addicted to QVC and buys **** that is totally useless to her needs. I accomplished that and closed on the sale of her home a week ago today. So I'm working on several hoards right now!
-Brent-,
I agree that my priorities aren't what most people would choose. I've taken a bit of my wife's "Let's live for today" attitude. That's why I put the garage high on my list. We do have water now, but the furnace still needs work by fall. The roof needs finishing, but first we're going on vacation, camping. That's Julie's priority come hell or high water.
I sure did take the help offered way back when, and I appreciate it deeply. It really helped get me started on changing. My whole mindset has changed. Yes, I still buy things I want, but only if I have a use and a particular place for them. I've passed by some really great buys, because the timing was wrong. When this all began, I had the use of 5% of the house and yard. Now it's 80% at least. A hell of a lot of things got discarded to make that happen. And many more will follow. I've gone through things over and over, throwing out more things each time. Filled a 30 CY trailer and innumerable dumpsters.
So thank you GJ, and even everyone who rags on my. I know you mean well.
Enough for today. Just defrosted a fridge and have to do some more work in the yard.
Bill
bowhuntr311
Well-known member
Wow Bill,
Just browsed through this thread. Looks like your defiantly on good path headed in a great direction. Keep it up and keep updating the thread.
Just browsed through this thread. Looks like your defiantly on good path headed in a great direction. Keep it up and keep updating the thread.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
Mom just called me yesterday and asked if she should buy this Android cell phone they had for $135 on QVC. Because it was shiny and neat.
"Mom, you don't have cell service, you couldn't even figure out how to operate the cricket button only phone and you never leave your apartment."
taumac
Well-known member
taumac
Well-known member
Bill, I glad that overall you made progress. I'm glad to hear you have water in the house. I can't speak for some but think many might share same thoughts. We all love our garages and shops but the house is first priority. Making sure roof is done, water is running and house is livable state. Sure you can live for today and that's a great way to live life. You'll never gain the full perspective of that lifestyle until you deal with the stuff you have. How nice would it be NOT the have all your junk cluttering up your life. How much more time will you have to spend with the wife and actually enjoy working in your shop. Its been long process Bill and if your as serious as you say they stop ******* tip toeing around it and start making some wholesale changes. Life is way to ******* short.
taumac,
I'm already enjoying some of the benefits you describe, and especially here in this garage thread.
So nice to just walk in and put your hands on what you need.
Three things make that possible for me.
First, having everything readily available, not in storage, not in unlabeled boxes or bins. Not stacked up high or behind other stuff.
Then, having a specific place for everything. I just labeled the drawers of the file cabinet and roller, with masking tape.
Third, always putting things away after use. That habit is the most important part.
As the photos show, I have many more things to go through. Sort, simplify and organize. When I go into a space, I look around and ask myself, what can I do without here?
Bill
I'm already enjoying some of the benefits you describe, and especially here in this garage thread.
So nice to just walk in and put your hands on what you need.
Three things make that possible for me.
First, having everything readily available, not in storage, not in unlabeled boxes or bins. Not stacked up high or behind other stuff.
Then, having a specific place for everything. I just labeled the drawers of the file cabinet and roller, with masking tape.
Third, always putting things away after use. That habit is the most important part.
As the photos show, I have many more things to go through. Sort, simplify and organize. When I go into a space, I look around and ask myself, what can I do without here?
Bill
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
did we lose Bill under all of the piles?
DFB
Well-known member
Probably out white water kayaking
I dunno what happened to Bill either
but I started losing interest in the organization process hen Bill started bringing in more stuff to store away
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
He's plenty busy padding his post count in other threads 
Craptain
Well-known member
Close. LOLHe's plenty busy padding his post count in other threads
He is on vacation, camping. His van broke down and he didn't have tools with him. Actually turned out to be the battery and his booster was a bit light of electrons to share. He's back up and running so he'll probably be back on this thread soon.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
All those lists, and he didn't have any tools with him?!
Craptain
Well-known member
I had to laugh at myself too. Had sets of sockets but no ratchets. Not even a screwdriver. And I can't tell you how many sets of free HF ones I have here at home.
We packed way too much for camping, as usual. Julie has me take every possible thing for camping, so no room for tools, the good jack, or a spare.
Next time there will be a small kit.
Looks like PB killed all my photos. Not going to replace them.
Back to organization.
Bill
Is there an update on this?
Was thinking of this and I think another thread last night when I was tearing into my garage and had a hankering to rip down the shelving the previous owner had put up. Made up of those metal brackets and 1 foot by 8 feet pieces of wood. Out, out, out!
Was thinking of this and I think another thread last night when I was tearing into my garage and had a hankering to rip down the shelving the previous owner had put up. Made up of those metal brackets and 1 foot by 8 feet pieces of wood. Out, out, out!
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
more junk...shocking.
lewis26
Well-known member
My mother-in-law is a hoarder and shares the same mentality as Bill.
More **** he "might need one day" or just "can't" get rid of.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Bill...you're not helping your case one bit.
DFB
Well-known member
Bill being it is winter here in VT lots of snow and ice my garage is also packed with many things that should be outside during better weather
So I can cut you some slack on that!
