Question

[wideopen1967]

Fairly new here, have not posted much. But lets just say this forum excites me ALMOST as much as seeing my first penthouse magazine. Some very impressive stuff in here.

Anyway to my question, I have a medium size (tiny compared to some on here) 40 x 20 shop. Basic set up nothing fancy. This has been my space for 19 years

My son who is 19 has taken a somewhat interest in cars. Which I am glad he has his focus on something. He has turned my shop into a hangout. There are 4 up to 10 of his friends hanging out in my shop most afternoons.

I did not mind at first, I would rather have him hanging out at home than being out doing god knows what, but now that its winter time, which is when I typically work on my projects, everytime I go out to tinker, they are there. Also I had to put my foot down about them cleaning, straightening up.

How do I deal with this? I don't want to discourage from them hanging out, but I feel my personal space is being invaded here.

 

[Curtis_Peterson]

Coming from the side of your son (since I am closer to his age) I had friends whose dads were in the garage working on their projects. We always had the clean up after yourself rule. Chances are if you start letting them know now how you feel, if your son doesnt pick up the ball and start cleaning up, one of his friends may likely mention it and start picking up, then the rest will follow suit.
To bad hes not 21, then you can always get what you want by bartering beer! lol

 

[hillbill9889]

Subscribing to this one.

I am in the same scenario except my son is 17. So far I don't mind his friends at all, I get along with all of them. I have had a couple of them do work in the garage and they, and he, just don't respect the space. I have had to clean up grease tracked all over the floor, coolant leaks, etc where they just don't care.

I drew the line last time with the one friend and told him, I'm not trying to be an ******* here, but if you don't keep the place clean, you aren't going to be allowed to do anything in here. So far it has been ok but I think no matter what you do, they won't have the same level of respect for the space as you do.

Will be interesting to see other thoughts.

 

[RECox286]

Yes, young people can be somewhat thoughtless, and I think it

comes from the old saying that if it didn't cost you something you

don't usually appreciate it. Maybe you could talk to them like a

Dutch Uncle, and get their attention that if they have projects you

would be willing to lend an experienced hand, as it were, for the

privilage of shop time. Shop time also means cleanup at the end

of the session. And I agree with you, I would rather have them

in my shop, rather than out on the street. You may be able to

turn this into a positive thing rather than a PITA. "Who wants to

learn to weld, change oil, rebuild a widget ?" I'd say you have an

opportunity with this one...

Uncle Bob

 

[wideopen1967]

Uncle Bob,

I do exactly that, I have had them help me on projects and I have helped them out. Its just I feel I have lost my personal space. Guess it is a timing thing, cause in a few years my son will probably be moved out and on his own, then I will probably wish I had the company again....

 

[larry_g]

My first rule to the kids was 'no tool leaves the shop.' I also had them clean the tools removed from the box but leave them on the bench for me to put away. I hate having to look for tools that are not in there correct place.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[jwhcars]

When you help fix and show these guys things you are building memories that will last a lifetime. I still look back at the time spent with my dad and grandfather. I just hope that my three sons will feel the same way.

 

[Krash Kadillak]

Guys like the direct approach - no B.S.

Tell him:
1.It's your shop. You make the rules. It's also not a democracy.
2. You typically work on your projects during this time of year, so what you are doing has priority.
3. Whatever gets messy, they clean it up, and cleaner that the way it was before the mess.
4. Tools get returned to where they were after every use.
5. Tell him that sometimes you may kick them out, because you might not want 'company' Don't be offended.

Marshall

 

[hondaman263]

Im 18 (young buck on here) and in college and pretty much was doing the same thing your son was. Same scenario, 20x40 garage, always had friends hang out in the up stairs and worked on stuff a lot. Not gonna lie, we made a mess and rarely picked it up.

Then my parents straight up told me if I ever left it messy again, no one would be allowed up in the garage, and they will treat me like a child....
Being the messy teenager i am, a few months later it was filthy. They implemented curfews again, i wasn't allowed to have anyone over, couldn't borrow the car....pretty much made me feel like a 10 year old and took away stuff i took for granted.
After much cleaning and basically renovating my hangout/storage spot, i learned my lesson. Them being tough on me worked, now i ain't letting a single person ever leave trash up there