Need a little help organizing the garage - Pics inside

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I am having a hard time organizing my tools. Specifically all the Dewalt drill bit kits, and impact bit kits. I cant seem to stop buying them when I see them at Home Depot or Lowes or whereever I am.

I think I might have a problem buying too many tools. I have spent most of this weekend reorganizing my garage but it is still a mess.

In the past I used to just throw tools where ever when I was done. I am ready to be an adult & put things back where they go. I just need help getting started in where they should go in the first place.

Any advice would be welcome. I wish I could get a method for the madness in the first place. It is such a mess, I dont want to be in this situation again. It drives me nuts each time I look at it.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Jay Sco]

I'd love to help, but I'm pretty bad myself. I have 3 drill bit boxes...empty, and in the same drawer about 50 loose bits rolling around.

 

[Will S.]

Rich, you're shop looks great! Just build a drawer or cabinet for the drill bits. Then come over here and make my shop look as nice as your's.

 

[zkling]

In my opinion and take it for what little it is worth. Your wall with bench and expanded metal shelving is drastically under utilized. A few lateral file cabinets or large drawer tool boxes would really help to maximize space.

The bench looks like you could park a truck on it, but there is lots of wasted space under neath. Looks to be a catch all. Hard to determine dimensions from the pic, but maybe try to add a few drawers to help organize that space. Do you really need the bench to be that long? I know for me, the more horizontal surfaces the worse I am about just cluttering them up. Possibly cut the bench down or set a tool box on top to add more storage.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I like your TJ!

I've got a 98 TJ that I'm getting ready to install Rubicon running gear & transfer case into.

Trying to make up my mind what lift I want to get in the future for it...long arm, short arm...the debate continues in my mind, lol.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

In my opinion and take it for what little it is worth. Your wall with bench and expanded metal shelving is drastically under utilized. A few lateral file cabinets or large drawer tool boxes would really help to maximize space.

The bench looks like you could park a truck on it, but there is lots of wasted space under neath. Looks to be a catch all. Hard to determine dimensions from the pic, but maybe try to add a few drawers to help organize that space. Do you really need the bench to be that long? I know for me, the more horizontal surfaces the worse I am about just cluttering them up. Possibly cut the bench down or set a tool box on top to add more storage.

X2 on cabinets and wasted space. Wish I had that much space!! REALLY wish I could have a roll up door on the back of my garage, too. Then I could MAYBE talk Mrs. LS6 into a2 car sized shop in the back yard...

Tommy

 

[zcar751]

Step one chose a system for organization and storage.
Step two put the system into action.
Figuring out what works best for you but it is allot like AA. You have to admit you have a problem before you can deal with it. Spend enough time on this site and you will find some great ideas that others have put in place.
Some things that help are cabinets in stead of shelves. At least it helps hid the mess.
Don't set a tool part down on top of other items. Don't have spaces that are too deep as you will something in front of an other item.

Good Luck

 

[RichTJ99]

I am going to keep cleaning & organizing. I keep thinking that some drawers in the middle area of the workbench might be a great idea but the edge of the workbench might block a toolbox.

I did buy the hansen socket organizer, so i guess thats a start.

All my drillbits are in a drawer, same with the paddlebits & impact/screwdriver bits.

I just cant figure a way to organize it.

Any other suggestions would be great. I do have a lot of junk sitting around.

 

[RichTJ99]

I like your TJ!

I've got a 98 TJ that I'm getting ready to install Rubicon running gear & transfer case into.

Trying to make up my mind what lift I want to get in the future for it...long arm, short arm...the debate continues in my mind, lol.

Vincent - I have a long arm Rubicon Express (I think they went under) & the TJ rides great. My kids love it but I have not been on a real trail in a few years (kids do that when they are young). Once my boys are older, I will get back out there.

 

[RichTJ99]

I did order another Arko Mills parts bin, I guess it all helps.

 

[blazsawgras]

nice looking workbench strong.

 

[jcbarry]

I would try to organize the shelves a little bit. Looks like a lot of wasted space on them as previously noted. I usually just empty everything onto the floor and start from scratch.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I can see the floor. In some circles THAT counts as organized. All in all, from my stand point it looks pretty good. Only you really know whether it is organized or not. Had you considered either constructing or buying more enclosed wall cabinets (craigslist, Restore, used office furniture dealers)? It would clean the space up visually and force some initial reorganization. Maybe that's all you really need.

 

[bpj71]

I went from a 1 car garage to 2+ that is also my basement. The 1 car garage taught me that keep things high and out of the way. Based on the photos, try and use the space above to store things used less.

Also...I know this is hard to do for all, but throw some stuff out.

 

[AMCguy]

First of all you need a bigger tool box. A much bigger one. All your hand tools could be in the same place in their own dedicated spot in a drawer, completely out of sight. As for everything else; You need to pick ONE storage system and stick with it. You need to replace all of those open wire racks and that metal cabinet with the same type of enclosed metal cabinet, with plenty of shelves inside. Everything would be out of sight. You can pick a system of organization that works for you inside those cabinets, like stacking small parts bins.

You might also have to get rid of a few things, but only you know what isn't getting used and is just taking up space.

Space is a precious commodity in my garage. I have found that I sometimes value the space that something occupies more than the object it's self. When that happens, I either find a storage solution or it's gone. The only time I feel creative and actually enjoy my time in the garage, Is when I'm completely organized and can start fresh. And my bench can't have a thing on it.

 

[jlckmj]

I used to just throw tools where ever when I was done. I am ready to be an adult & put things back where they go. I just need help

being an adult is very over rated!

Jim

 

[Trey T]

Say no to shelves! When my friends ask me for storage advise, that's the first thing I tell them. DO NOT BUY SHELVES!!!!

Watch the youtube below and see the values in drawer cabinets bc you need many of it. I'm not telling you to go out and buy Lista cabinets but there are alternative choices at HD or Lowe's.

You should be spending couple grand in storage cabinets.

[youtube]_jr0GoCVxgk[/youtube]

 

[great white tj]

Ritch, this a 24x24, it might help you with some ideas. With the Jeep and the Trac. in side I can still weld and work on the Jeep ect....

 

[bobbycos]

A bigger tool box would be a good start

And as for buying a lot of tools, you may be turning into a hoarder like so many of us here, me included.

 

[RCPro87]

I admit i have thrown bits and little kits in one drawer of the tool box. Have you heard of Pintrest? I thought it was just for women to trade craft and cooking ideas but hell I sat on it one night and found so much stuff for organization and space saving stuff. Check it out. Its all photos, you can search anything from your hobbies to organization. A lot of GarageJournal stuff has been linked there.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I have an open rack like the ones you have (mine has a lip around the shelf so somewhat different). I use small Rubbermaid tubs to keep them organized, helps to get the many different "locations" for certain items under one organization system.. i.e. I had a number of places where I had outlet strips... two or three locations in the garage / on peg boards, in the shop (2 or 3 places inside various cabinets), in the TV stand in the family room, in the office desk, etc. etc.

This "new" way, I have one tub of them on this cart, and everyone knows that is where they are. Hope this helps..

Dennis

 

[reddevildemo]

The only way I could help is to have you send me all the RC gear......to help clear a shelf. Really...it would help right?

 

[RichTJ99]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think that a second tool box is an excellent idea. I also need to get rid of the second generator, that would help too.

 

[drivesitfar]

Rich: i think you could sell your chrome shelving on wheels and put in either cabinets or shelving with some of these organizers in it for small parts. see how your shelves all are half empty space wise with the shelves full. or since you already own those nice chrome shelves put taller boxes or items on the tall shelves and maybe roll them in front of the cars or between them. it looks like you have about 6 feet of space between the front of the cars and your bench so taking up 2 feet of that with rolling or permanent shelving will still give you access to your bench and the garage.

i also like Zkling's idea that you might gain quite a better use of the huge bench you own by either making it a bit smaller or using some of the wall and bench space for special storage.

here's an idea i'm setting up in my garage that might give you some ideas. i bought these cabinets under the bench that are metal from a retiring TV repair guy so they were in pretty good shape. here's a few other storage ideas.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Drives it..

Great ideas. Don't you hate it when you have one of those nice parts bin cabinets but a drawer or two are missing? I like how you've solved that problem. I'll be keeping this in mind next time I see one with a missing drawer. I know one can be fabricated, but without access to a box and pan brake, its hard for me to get that sort of work done on the cheap..

Dennis

 

[RichTJ99]

Well, I stopped by Harbor freight, and reorganized one side at least.

I keep looking on CL for those parts bins. What are they called? Index card holders?

 

[astroracer]

i found this CMAN Power Chest in the used isle for less then half the cost of new. It was a display piece. This is now my drill organizer. I attached it to a big drawer office cabinet with casters so it rolls around easily.

Drill storage in the RH cabinet with all of the chargers on a timer in the top.

Drill bits, driver adapters, bit kits and lose drills are stored in the drawers of the upper cabinet.

The lower office cabinet has Cleco's, pop rivets and riv-nut kits in the top drawer and drill boxes, sawzall, impact gun and other storage in the bottom.

I also utilize a lot of card indexes and repurposed filing cabinets. Not only in the machine shop but out on the working side also.
This is drill and hardware storage in the machine shop.

Mark