Overwhelmed and under motivated

[crewchief888]

i ran into this same kinda problem back in january '10. i shared a rented shop space (35x45) with a friend, and things being what they were at the time, we decided the shop wasnt the best idea anymore.
he didnt have much stuff there, a few extra jeep parts, couple sets of doors and a hardtop. i had moved all my spare parts, tools and equipment there, it was my "home away from home". i loaded up my truck for a scrap run before we started moving anything else, that 1st load was almost 1000 lbs. my s-10 was sitting there on stands, i was in the middle of a front axle swap, had to at least get springs and axle under it to get it on the trailer
i'd load my truck and trailer on sat am, and spend the rest of the weekend trying to find a place to put it i my 19x22 garage.
i made a bunch of shelf brackets from angle iron, used some old 12" & 18" wide wood shelves, and filled them with a bunch of various sized acro bins i had to get stuff off the floor. reorganized tools from 4 sets of boxes, into 2 sets, and moved the xtra boxes into the basement.

just moving everything took me a month of sat & sun work, and close to another month of organizing and reorganizing to get tools, parts, the s-10, and the wifes car all in the garage at the same time.
then another scrap run, 1100 lbs of **** i didnt need anymore

it's royal PITA, get some shelves up, start going through everything, toss what ya dont need/want. i go through "****" a couple times a year, and toss out what i wont need.,
it's the only way i stay sane:tard:

 

[rwhite692]

The flipside of the boot to the behind is to accept that there are stretches of your life where spare time is going to be a very rare commodity. Don't beat yourself up if you're genuinely busy. And don't assume that you'll always be this overwhelmed by work/family/whatever and that nothing is ever going to change. Everything changes.

Then again, if you've currently got time for other fun projects, then you definitely got time to tackle the garage. It's one of those things that becomes pretty easy once you've gotten ahead of it. Catching up is the hard part.

Very true, Jack. Everything changes. Adding kids to the equation = "turbocharged change".

As an aside, a good friend of mine who has since passed away, once told me:

"You know... you spend the first half of your life getting sh!t, and the other half of your life... getting rid of sh!t"....

I think that's pretty accurate.

 

[rustbucket49]

Great stuff guys. I really like the idea of setting fire to the tent. That is badass!!!! I really do need a boot in the **** too though. I think I've been trying to eat the elephant in one bite - I will be buying a smaller fork soon.

 

[ctfortner]

I tell you, this post hits home with me! I try to work on my hotrod but I cant freakin move in the shop. I was going to build a lean to or small shed to get **** out, the wife rants "I thought thats what we built the shop for"...so, I took a good look and realized I had to much stuff on the floor, not enough shelves, etc... Just last weekend one wall and the entire ceiling was walled up with OSB. I primed and painted the wall, built a new large shelf that I just finished last night. The new shelf I built should help tremondously, going to start loading it up tonight.

One other thing I really need to do is get rid of stuff I dont use, I hold on to everything. Here is a few before and after shots hoping to clear mine up some

Also I am planning to add something like this to a few bare wall spots...I had a TON of wall space and NO floor space, its time for that to change..

http://woodgears.ca/shelves/index.html

BEFORE

Wall Done

New Shelf Built

 

[JC23]

Nice work, CT. Now be very selective on what you put on those shelves. You can even organize what goes into the containers on each opening. I know it sounds **** but that's how stuff gets organized.

Yesterday I saw a guy's shop that made me want to drive home at a high rate of speed and start on my garage. So I put on my big boys pants and made a promise to work out there tonight and Friday night. If I start with two nights a week, maybe I can move it up to three or more. If only til I get it shoveled out.

So I guess with my previous post of "Pay Yourself First," I would add "Schedule Yourself First."

 

[xcgates]

CT, what dimensions did you use for the shelving, or is it one of the plans on the site you linked to?

(I have to admit, I browsed the site a bit, and it makes me want to go get a circular saw and start making some furniture for my new house. I don't even have a bed yet!)

 

[ctfortner]

Thanks JC, I am going to try and be very selective what goes on and what goes out the door.

xcgates, I used this plan to build the shelf

http://woodgears.ca/storage/shelf_plans/index.html

i followed it to a tee, except I made it 6'6" tall because I have 8 foot ceilings.

Let me tell you, I broke out my new compound laser miter saw, heck with that circular saw. Man I felt like I knew what I was doing with that thing, takes the guess work out of it all.

 

[JC23]

To rustbucket and the rest of us...

The ideas we've collected on this thread WORK! I just used some them and spent three hours in the shop. I cleaned up my main bench, knocked down the clutter on the tool box bench and then treated myself to working on two small fun projects.

And you know what? I feel pretty damn good about it. Now, I can't wait to go out there again and make some more points. Momentum, baby! Momentum!!! Yowza!!!

I might even finish the hutch over the main bench I started building and take the finished pics I've been wanting to for way too long. Hmmm, I wonder where I can post some garage pics???

Thanks, rustbucket! And the rest of you guys, too!

 

[Victorymike18]

I
New Shelf Built

Nice! This looks very similar to a shelf setup that was in a recent issue of the Family Handyman... Although I haven't been subscribed for long, they seem to have some great ideas for garage organization.

If you don't mind me asking: about how much did it cost to build this? I don't see any bracing under the width of the shelves, are you concerned about that? Did you fasten it to the wall?

 

[gordsgarage]

As with most guys in this thread...I needed to declare battle on my own garage mess. I got so frustrated that I couldn't work on projects in my garage because there was no room or organization. I decided I would rather get rid of stuff, and accept that I may have regrets for throwing something away, then never be able to use my work space. I went nuts and got rid of a lot. Not long after I could start seeing some hope. I felt better about being in the garage and since I was happy being out there, I spent more time organizing and creating a better space. The process snowballed.

It has been about 7 years now and I don't reget getting rid of all my old clutter. I have so many new projects on the go, and so many I want to complete, that I have forgoten all about the past. I am organized to the point were everything has a place. It's easy to clean up and best of all I spend my time doing what I want.

I took a couple weeks last fall to put up some more shelving and, again, it only makes working in the garage that much better.

Gord

 

[rustbucket49]

I tell you, this post hits home with me! I try to work on my hotrod but I cant freakin move in the shop. I was going to build a lean to or small shed to get **** out, the wife rants "I thought thats what we built the shop for"...so, I took a good look and realized I had to much stuff on the floor, not enough shelves, etc... Just last weekend one wall and the entire ceiling was walled up with OSB. I primed and painted the wall, built a new large shelf that I just finished last night. The new shelf I built should help tremondously, going to start loading it up tonight.

One other thing I really need to do is get rid of stuff I dont use, I hold on to everything. Here is a few before and after shots hoping to clear mine up some

Also I am planning to add something like this to a few bare wall spots...I had a TON of wall space and NO floor space, its time for that to change..

http://woodgears.ca/shelves/index.html

BEFORE

Wall Done

New Shelf Built

WOW!!! That is very sweet!! That's kinda of what I was thinking - do a wall at a time. I can't decide whether to insulate, but guess I would be stupid not to if I am taking the time to sheetrock.

Your comment about working on your hot rod is spot on with me too. I got a '49 Chevy that I have had for 5 years and it sits there w/ **** piled on it because it is too much of a pain in the **** to dig it out. Despite all my frustrations, I CAN get 2 cars in the garage now (the '49 and my wife's ride) !!!

I know it has been discussed on other threads, but why did you go with OSB?

 

[ctfortner]

@rustbucket

I went with OSB after coming here and reading about what others did. Main reason, durability. Second main reason, being able to screw in and hang most anything, anywhere without a stud. I would definitly insulate if you have bare walls and are going to drywall it all. The walls are a breeze to do, ceiling was a little harder. I insulate mine last winter but didnt do the OSB until now but the insulation and 220 heater made a world of difference. I was able to work on my car when it was 10* outside.

@ victorymike

I have right at $100 in the shelf I built. Could be a little cheaper if you nailed it together, I drywall screwed the whole thing, probably 500 of them. Yes, really. Next time I would air nail it

There is no extra bracing under the shelves other than the 1x3 supports spaced about 32" apart. its very strong and I am not worried about that at all. I climbed up the shelf to screw in the top boards, at 200 pounds it held me fine. I thought I would attach it to the wall but after building it, its so sturdy I dont see the need to. You would literally have to climb it and rock it hard to get it to tip, so I will leave it as is.

Here is a pic of a guy standing on the shelf also showing its strength, this is where I got the plan from also

http://woodgears.ca/storage/shelving.html

 

[JC23]

Just thought I'd add one more winning idea. I picked up two chrome wire shelving units on CL a while back. It seems like there's always a bunch of shelving on there anyway. The first thing I did was to put wheels on them. That makes life MUCH easier in the garage.

I still have my fixed wall units for storage. But having one or two units on wheels lets me use them for projects, keeping more clutter from, as my GF says, 'having the walls close in on me.'

 

[ratdoggy]

Very nice shelves. I got similar from IKEA and they worked out great. I spent a little more but I didn't have any spare time between moving from NY to Ohio and setting up a new house. If I could make a suggestion you might need either a back or an X on the back to keep it from racking. Once you get it organized it's a lot easier to keep it that way.

 

[littleviking]

I was in the same boat about two months ago.

Two months ago a pack rat was delievered to my garage filled with "stuff"
I got so frustrated about the state of my garage and all the "stuff" that was in it. it was filled with yard equipment and christmas decorations and tables a bowflex a riding bike, and assorted bits and pieces of "stuff"

I stopped going into the garage. Wouldnt even think about it.

And that was the best thing for me.

Don't even look at the garage for a week or two. After that when you have forgotten what it looks like go back inside.

Mentally set fire to the garage.
What would you save (that goes into one pile)
What would you salvage(another pile)
What would you never know was gone( yet another pile)

keep the first one
sell the second one
and trash the third.
then pile everything up against a wall and start by drywalling or shelving the opposite wall in your mind.

make it happen
repeat as needed.

then once all of that is done reasses and drink a beer.

the reason leaving the garage for a few weeks works is that mentally your not seeing individual hings your seeing a pile of "stuff"
once you break it all down and get it organized nothing left to do but put it in the right spot.

good luck.

 

[drmoonshine]

Garage sale on everything that you don't need, then recycling old projects. This won't take a day but it shouldn't take a month.

 

[T1320T]

I think we can all feel your pain man. It takes continual upkeep & straightening up to keep a shop clean & well sorted out.
1. Build your shed & putting all shed type things in it.
2. Sort through the rest of the **** & determine what you're gonna keep & what you're gonna chuck.
3. Build as much strategically designed shelving as possible & start organizing.

It's gonna take time but it'll be rewarding in the end to be able to actually function in your shop.

 

[z28snksknr]

I tackled my mess of a garage one wall at a time - link on my sig line. I'm only through 2/3 walls and I lost my budget, time, and space when the wife got pregnant. once things settle down (18 years from now?) I'll tackle that last wall.

 

[abrahamfh]

What has always helped me is that when I get overwhelmed I step back for a bit and return later after a strawberry milkshake at in and out or something.

I have been exactly where you are, mainly due to telling myself that I didn't have time and the desire to restore my 65 Mustang more than taking on the garage. I started to notice that ignoring the garage was slowing down the work on the 65 because I couldn't find what I needed so I decided to take a break and begin my assault.

Currently building the spray paint can cabinet that was posted on here by another member (I hope they don't mind), then a tire rack followed by a shed for the garden tools.

Another thing is staying positive, what helps me do that is surfing GJ for great ideas and knowing that a lot of folks on here are in the same position and if they can do it, so can I.

 

[BigMike782]

My rule for clean up time is if I pick it up don't just move it........put it away or throw it out,recycle,give it away.

I HATE pegboard it usually is flimsy **** or there are holes where you don't want to look at them.I build simple plywood cabinets and use a french cleat(2x4 or 2x6 ripped on a bevel)to hang them.The nice thing about using french cleats is they are easy to put up,take down,move around and as you change where you want cabinets you don't have to unscrew them just lift them off and move to another empty cleat.

I am a keeper of **** I will never use but I am slowly over coming that bad(hard to break) habit.

Look at the small picture,just take one area,bench what ever and clear it off and organize.....after a while you'll see a huge improvement and that will fuel your enegy to keep going.

Get a small piece of plywood and some sort of stake and make a FREE sign.Set unwanted stuff at the curb next to the sign and it will disappear like magic.

 

[Victorymike18]

Every time you go in the garage "gain" on the clean up. It could be a half hour of organizing and cleaning or it could be just put one thing away, but you "gained" Good luck, the GJ has given me unimaginable inspiration.

This thread has a lot of great advice, but I took this particular piece and have made use of it every evening for the past week. Once my wife falls asleep, I go in the garage with this motto in mind, and it has helped to take little bites out of that elephant mentioned earlier.