Need help laying out my garage

[jeff0547]

About three years ago, I moved into my current house and garage. The garage is 30'X50' and I was excited. Here is what greeted me then:

See, you like it, too.




The problem is that I had no "plan" as to how to lay it out as a working home shop. I have no horizontal surface left to work on. So at the risk of public humiliation, I'm going to let you see what it looks like now.

The reason I'm willing to show this picture is because next year I'll be moving again to another house and building another 30'X50' garage; and I don't want it to look as bad as this one.

So, could you post some pics of your home shop so I can work out a plan, this time?

Thanks, and BTW I'm sure I'm not the only one who has created a mess__there are just no 12 step programs. HELP !!!

Oh yeah, I am working to clean it up this week but it may take until Christmas before I finish.

 

[Jokeman]

I made a rule for myself, if it hasnt been used in a year.....pitch it or sell it. That might help you a little.

 

[jeff0547]

I made a rule for myself, if it hasnt been used in a year.....pitch it or sell it. That might help you a little.

I agree; easier said than done,though.
I am being brutal with myself. Its the only way it'll get done. Thanks.

 

[jeff0547]

Anyone have some pics of your home shop to share?

 

[Steevo]

You started with a space that most guys dream of (1500 sq ft!) and turned it into the back room of a salvage shop. Your problem isn't how to arrange your ****, it is how not to accumulate it.

Rule #1: Your garage is NOT a storage place for old exercise equipment, household goods or furniture. If it no longer warrants a place inside the home, it belongs at the curb for donation, or dropped off at a suitable collection location. If you haven't parted with it because you believe you should receive compensation for it, get off your a$$ and take it to the flea market.

Rule #2: Just because you have it doesn't mean you need to keep it. If you set it on some surface in your garage, it should be because you are working on it. If not, it is either spare parts (belongs in a bin kept under a counter or on a shelf), trading material (same storage rules apply), or it is trash. Do a sanity check by walking through your garage and mentally tagging everything with "I will use that", "I might need that someday", or "I should toss that". The first two categories need a storage plan that does not include "on the bench", and the last category has only one right answer.

 

[jeff0547]

You're absolutely right, Steevo. I started this morning, taking stuff off the bench tops and putting them in boxes or bins. Also spotted several things that I drug home with the intention of giving them to a specific person. Well, that person will get a Thanksgiving gift this week.

Also the table at the front of pic #3 is full of s-10 parts for my 85. I'm going to set up a 4-shelf set to put those parts on.

Here is a thread from garagejournal.com that is going to be my inspiration:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47899

Thanks to all for the kick in the a$$.
btw: my wife agrees with Steeveo; now I don't have a choice.

 

[viper522]

Jeff, I have a similar disposition with regards to collecting stuff. Maybe my post will help you in some way.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48725

 

[sdmr2]

I think we all have been in the same spot that you find yourself in nowso dont feel bad about it. What has helped me after the last move was a steel container. If possiable buy a steel shipping container if you have the room at your new location.

 

[ovilla]

I'm actuallty greatful that I live in a place where it snows each winter. If it wasn't for the need to have to park all the cars in the garage each winter, I'm sure I'd let things get out of hand.

To get motivated to start cleaning I always tell myself that I'm only going to move/touch five boxes per night - that's it! So even if it just takes 5 minutes or an hour, that's all I'll do on a week night. By that weekend, I'll easily have everything put away and then I can finally turn on the compressor and air sweep out the garage. I do enjoy a really clean garage and if it was just me working in it, I bet I could keep it clean. When you have kids and a wife that constantly take things out and use the garage to dump things, then it makes it hard to keep it clean for sure.

 

[jeff0547]

I am making progress. I have reclaimed some horizontal space. Filled 1 1/2 trash cans. Wife was impressed.

Pics:​

 

[pixelmonkey]

how about a basic sketch with some measurements of what you are working with?

we know the overall size... how about walk-in door locations and over-head door locations and sizes?

chris<pixelmonkey>

 

[jeff0547]

how about a basic sketch with some measurements of what you are working with?

we know the overall size... how about walk-in door locations and over-head door locations and sizes?

chris<pixelmonkey>

30'X50' I haven't built it yet _ I have a "Blank Canvas".

 

[sstruckguy]

It looks like you need to make a decision on what you want this space to be used for.

If its for "stuff", the thread subject is wwaayy off. It is actually for setting up a garage/shop, try this tool(it helped me do wonders):

http://www.grizzly.com/workshopplanner.aspx

If you actually want to "set something up", it will help in a big way. If you are unsure, it will still help in seeing what you have not utilized.

 

[Shocker]

2 words....go bigger.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If in doubt, throw it out.

The only time you don't do that is when you are in the middle of construction, and you might need something later.

Looks good there. Keep sorting. Like with like, materials separated from tools. What is really going to help you out in your new shop is if you already have things organised and sorted before you move in.

As for planning, figure out what kind of work you do, and what kind of shop or shops you need to do that work. then figure out what materials or parts you keep on hand for those activities, and plan for materials storage. Do you need parts shelves and bins ? A wood rack ? Car or project spaces ? These can be part of yor shop areas, but they cannot take up your working space.

If there is any way to get your storage shelves tool cabinets and racks set up before you move in, do it. You are already seeing what happens when you don't. It also turns out to be much harder to build or finish with a lot of stuff filling up the construction site. After you move things a dozen times, that becomes way too clear.

In my last move, I actually loaded stuff that I would later have to sort and throw out, all because I simply didn't have time to deal with it. What you are doing now is much smarter.

 

[crewchief888]

in my rented building ( shared space with 2 other guys) i have a steadfast rule, any and all scrap goes directly into the back of my pickup, small stuff and aluminum i toss in a couple of 5 gallon buckets by the door. we only have 1 trash can, and it gets dumped at least once a week. 1 trash can for aluminum cans, when it fills up my stepdaughter comes by, crushes and bags them for me. we usually pull out both the trucks that we keep there and sweep up every week or so. if you cant get in the door you cant work.
believe me this shop gets filthy, with the cutting, welding and grinding that goes on, so usually on sat or sun morning, i pick up everything that i didnt put away during the week.
i'm usually there at least a couple hours every nite during the week, and manage to make my own mess. lol

 

[donhd04]

Hey man, lucky you to have 30x50, i only have 22x22. but anyway try
3http://www.gladiatorgw.com/content.jsp?pageName=PlanYourGrg_BluePrintEst