Something just clicked…..

[bczygan]

I have been picking on Bill today, but yesterday I was at an auction buying things.

I bought a pencil sharpener for the office, another kiln (for who knows what reason), a military style cargo box, and a dresser with two matching nightstands. My GF bought a tall cabinet that she wanted to use in the kitchen while we are remodeling. After buying the stuff and getting ready to load it, I realized that it was not the quality that I initially thought it was. Frustration set in, I was all set to go straight to goodwill with it. I bought it to replace my existing all wood dresser and cheap nightstands. This new one is not all wood, it has veneered MDF for the tops.

I decided to be positive about it because it was still built well. I took measurements and it seemed to be a good size for replacement. Well, after getting it all upstairs in the bedroom it really isn't much larger capacity, but it is a lot wider. So it takes up more room with minimal gain. At this point I am still seeing the negative side, $75 spent, half a day wasted, I would have been better off not going!

In the end, it does have a little more room, plus it gives me a wider surface to work with when folding clothes. It has space underneath it and I am going to see what I can find for storage bins, if I get some that fit nice, then I will be better off anyways.

The nightstands are great, they look nice and they have a drawer to put things in, that helps keep the clutter to a minimum! So after taking a few breaths, it turned out fine, but I was panicked for a few minutes. We spent a few hours moving things around, then loaded up the old furniture and headed off to goodwill. Everything was dropped off and we decided to have a nice dinner out. Disaster and regression averted!

Now I am off to the shop to unload the kiln and get some tools ready for a job I have on Wednesday.

Strouty,
I know that panic. I know buyers remorse. I know the feeling when I have spent all my money and have to live short for a while.

The way I used to go out shopping, was with no particular goal in mind except to get a "DEAL". I wound up with all kinds of usable stuff, but much of it not what I needed.

Then I changed to going out with particular needs or wants in mind. This helped immensely, but there was one more piece to the puzzle.

That piece was being particular.......very particular. For furniture, I take measurements and a specific list of requirements it must meet.

For instance, my wife wants a patio set. To her, any junk set will do. To me, it must not just be a good buy, but also have sturdy comfortable chairs with ample cushions. Also no steel, so it won't rust, a table that isn't too big or small and have no glass or wood in it. No rocking or sling type chairs. It must also be heavy enough to help secure the umbrella.

I'll look at a lot of them before the right one comes home. Until then, I can do without.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

I hate all those feelings. I have been pretty good and this weekend was fairly mild. I am trying to get a few more things done in the office and then I am headed home. Starting a new business and changing all my accounts is way more work than I thought it would be. In the end it should be worth it.

I have jobs for weds, thurs, and fri of this week and it looks like monday, tuesday and weds of next week. Next friday I have an electrically oriented friend coming over to help me out with a few wiring projects. This weekend should be dedicated to the air compressor, but I will have to see how I feel physically.

 

[Strouty]

I went looking one more time and I found the title to the trailer! I just saved myself a few weeks of aggravation and $43 bucks. I am headed home for the night.

 

[Strouty]

Got Bev registered this morning, then brought her in for a checkup. Should know more by friday. I am headed to look at a 20 ton bumper pull trailer with air brakes for my dad. It looks like a great deal and I am going to try and negotiate for an even better one. When I get back I need to load up all my tools for the rest of the week. Hopefully it won't be raining.

 

[Strouty]

Yesterday's road trip was a bust, the trailer was a good picture taker. The seller had told me that it had like new tires and that the brakes were newer. Well the decking was rotted, the jack had been ripped off and bubble gum welded back on, the tires were 60% to 90% worn out with a few that had cracks in the sidewalls so big that I could put my pinky in them. I didn't even look at the brakes after that. At least I got to take a nice ride with the GF, we also had a nice dinner.

Bev needs a few things, nothing major, so I had them do the repairs. I wish my compressor was running, I could have done the work, but no way am I removing those wheels without an impact wrench.

I went and did the first real job today, it went better than expected and I was in a man basket for a good portion of the day. I brought my sunscreen, but it turns out that it was completely separated and essentially empty. I got a nice burn in several places.

After I was done, I went up a bit further to visit a couple fellow GJ members (dlcwent and tinker rick). They was working with on dlcwent's shop, making room for a lift. Good guys for sure, I hope to meet more local members someday. It turned out that it was a good thing, my oil cooler lines were leaking, bad. Three quarts of oil later and I was back to where I should have been. I would not have made it home without him! Now I have undercoated the entire truck. I almost had it towed back, but I figured fukkit and powered through (stupidity at it's finest).

 

[Dusten]

I honestly don't think I've ever seen anyone with that much stuff

 

[Strouty]

I honestly don't think I've ever seen anyone with that much stuff

You're young, give it time.

 

[Dusten]

You're young, give it time.

I don't collect things. I am a minimalist. My wife hates that I will get rid of something as soon as I have no use for it. And I'm not that young.

 

[rmalkow2]

I don't collect things. I am a minimalist. My wife hates that I will get rid of something as soon as I have no use for it. And I'm not that young.

Except, it seems you collect Ford Lightning trucks and Ford Mustangs?

 

[Dusten]

Except, it seems you collect Ford Lightning trucks and Ford Mustangs?

Not really.

I bought the 2001 5 or 6 years ago. My wife bought the 94 cobra for herself 4 years ago.

The 1993 and the 1968 were my fathers, who passed last year.

I've owned almost 50 cars, I generally keep one a while, get bored, and get rid of it for another.

 

[Strouty]

Dusten, I have seen your blank canvas. After a few years, we can make a final judgement. A minimalist would never need a large shop and a three car garage. You just have not peaked yet! We tend to fill the size space we have, so if you can keep things to a minimum, that is awesome. I remember when I moved into my shop, all I had was a couple toolboxes, and a grinder. Then I needed this, then I needed that, then……………. well you get the idea.

 

[dlcwent]

Glad you made it back. Undercoating is never a bad thing It was good to see you again.
We need to get down to your place soon, before you get it too "cleaned up"

 

[Strouty]

I don't think it will ever be "too cleaned up"!

 

[amx1041]

I started reading your thread a couple of weeks ago. Finished it today (slow day at work, don't tell anybody). I feel for you. I have the same problem except on a smaller scale. I can't seem to turn down anything that's free. I’d tell myself “I'll figure out a use for it later”. Then one day you turn around you have no room to work.
After I found your thread I started taking a hard look at all of my stuff and making some difficult decisions. Last Saturday I started going through my garage and asking myself “why do I have this” and “do I really think I’ll ever use it”. Tomorrow I’ll take a pick up load of scrap to the recycler and I’ve actually listed some things on Craig’s List.
I know my grandfather is spinning in his grave. He never threw anything out.
I have a lot more to do but thanks for the inspiration to start.

 

[Kev442]

And this is why this thread is one of the most important on GJ. For every guy who has posted about this thread helping to motivate them, I would guess there are 10 who just went out to the garage/shed and started cleaning things up.
I am just over two years into starting the last part of my cleanup and the biggest: the garage and pole building. When I think back on the thousands of pounds I've already got rid of or used for the purpose intended ( building materials), and how far I yet have to go.....

 

[Strouty]

AMX, Posts like yours are what really helped me overcome the embarrassment of posting my mess on the forum. It can be a long road, but try to keep moving forward, I slip sometimes and end up with a mess. At least now I actually think to myself, what did I do? It seems to help the next time a good deal or free stuff comes up. I have sold a bunch of things and then purchased tools that I needed, I figure too many tools is not as much of a problem as too much junk!

Kev, I bet you are right about all the silent lurkers. I am sure there are some people that may have even been scared straight by my mess, they may have thought I don't want to end up in that position! Either way posting this is teaching me and getting criticism (good and bad) has helped me out immensely. I am hopeful that one day I can post pictures of my completely organized shop in the garage gallery section and be proud of it.

 

[Strouty]

On Wednesday I did a small job and I took some pictures specifically so I could show you guys what I do. I try and do smaller jobs now, my *** is out of shape, so I am not as agile as I used to be.


This is a HAM radio installation, it currently has two rotatable antennas. The pole is just under 100' and the top antenna is about 45' long and 30' wide.


This is the rotor setup for the lower antenna, it had an issue that was causing it to stop rotating, the motor ended up being bad. After replacing it, things worked much better.



Beautiful view!



The top antenna is being removed so we can change the rotor out to a larger one, then later this summer we will add a different antenna.



This is the rotor and the "cage" as we call it. After removing the antenna I will have to unbolt this and remove it as well. I am going to let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves.

 

[Strouty]

My motivation is slightly decreased today, the last couple of days have been non stop hustle and I am not used to that. I think I am just going to load up some scrap steel for Monday and then do a bit of cleaning. I know my GF wants me to go shopping with her so she can approve of my "wedding clothes" for her cousins wedding next weekend. I guess I will indulge her.

Sunday we are going to move some furniture at her mothers house, then I hope to get my *** over to the shop so I can move the gooseneck trailer out front, that way I can unload it. Probably no more updates today, talk with you guys tomorrow.

 

[dcmus]

Gosh.......I've read the entire thread over the last couple days and what a saga. I'm worn out just thinking about all you've accomplished. Keep up the good work!

 

[Strouty]

Gosh.......I've read the entire thread over the last couple days and what a saga. I'm worn out just thinking about all you've accomplished. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate you taking the time to read the entire thread, I know how much effort it takes, I go through it every few months. It keeps me honest with myself.

 

[dlcwent]

My motivation is slightly decreased today, the last couple of days have been non stop hustle and I am not used to that. I think I am just going to load up some scrap steel for Monday and then do a bit of cleaning. I know my GF wants me to go shopping with her so she can approve of my "wedding clothes" for her cousins wedding next weekend. I guess I will indulge her.

Sunday we are going to move some furniture at her mothers house, then I hope to get my *** over to the shop so I can move the gooseneck trailer out front, that way I can unload it. Probably no more updates today, talk with you guys tomorrow.

You scared me for a second. I thought you were committing the "ball and chain" sin.
So that was the little tower you were working on last week. Still too high for me. Knees get weak just looking at the pictures.

 

[jockeylot]

I would give anything to have a garage that size. Mine is always a storage area and my cars never see the inside.

 

[Strouty]

You scared me for a second. I thought you were committing the "ball and chain" sin.
So that was the little tower you were working on last week. Still too high for me. Knees get weak just looking at the pictures.

No wedding bells for me, but we might as well be married, I think this year is 16 years. I would rather be on a tower than a pole like that one, it moves a lot, kind of like a fishing pole.

 

[Strouty]

I would give anything to have a garage that size. Mine is always a storage area and my cars never see the inside.

That is exactly what I thought the first day I went to see this one. I figured I would never be able to fill it and that it was big enough for anything that I wanted to do. I guess I was wrong.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

The bigger the garage the more stuff that seems to come home with ya. I bought a house last year with a 24x20 2 story and a 30x50 to add to the 24x32 I work out of. 8 months later and they are all about half full and I'm picking some more stuff up today...lol

 

[Strouty]

The bigger the garage the more stuff that seems to come home with ya. I bought a house last year with a 24x20 2 story and a 30x50 to add to the 24x32 I work out of. 8 months later and they are all about half full and I'm picking some more stuff up today...lol

Exactly. At least I am not alone!

 

[danfromsyr]

This thread has been some inspiration for me

I moved from a 12x20 small garage to a 36x50 barn with a separate 24x36 chicken coop storage bldg..

all full in only a few years..

I'm working on purging and finding space now.. it'll take me at least 2 years..

 

[Strouty]

This thread has been some inspiration for me

I moved from a 12x20 small garage to a 36x50 barn with a separate 24x36 chicken coop storage bldg..

all full in only a few years..

I'm working on purging and finding space now.. it'll take me at least 2 years..

You are being much more realistic than I ever was. I think it has taken me that long to figure out that it is going to take me a long time to get things where I would like them.

 

[amx1041]

My late father had a saying "Junks accumulates in exact proportion to the amount of space you have to put it in"

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: amazing views from the top of that little tower. it looks a lot like Seattle outside the city about an hour's drive in any direction.

so how did you conquer any fear of height? i didn't know i had one until sitting on a deck with a rusty railing on the 13th floor of a nice hotel while they were repairing the roof above just above me. also it was about 30 MPH winds at the time with a squeaking crane boom over my head. any wind in Maine to speak of? looks nice

thanks for sharing and since you have a lot of the same metal cabinets that i have i'm curious how you organize the stuff to put in them so you can find it later. i'll look in your thread for that or maybe we can learn together.

cheers and stay safe

 

[Strouty]

Thanks Drives, Maine definitely gets wind, It was a light breeze when I was removing the big antenna, it took some effort to keep it from spinning into the boom of the crane.

As far as fear, I grew up in the tower business, so I have never known it as fear in the sense of afraid, it is a fear to me in a respectful way. Not sure if that makes sense, but it is hard to describe.

Organizing has not been one of my good qualities yet. I am working on things, very slowly. When the shop does not make me any money, it kind of gets put on the back burner. I will be updating this thread on a fairly regular basis, so check back from time to time. Yesterday I was doing some tree work and it appears that I pulled or strained my quadriceps in my left leg. I woke up this morning and could hardly bend my leg. Now I am supposed to take it easy for the weekend, just when I was ready to jump back into organizing things!

 

[nine4gmc]

I don't see how you do it, I am terrified in tall buildings with balcony's or see through floors...I can climb on the roof of my house and run around no problem but you get me 50-100' off the ground and my knees start shaking... I'm WAY more comfortable 50-100' deep in the ocean.

 

[Strouty]

I don't see how you do it, I am terrified in tall buildings with balcony's or see through floors...I can climb on the roof of my house and run around no problem but you get me 50-100' off the ground and my knees start shaking... I'm WAY more comfortable 50-100' deep in the ocean.

You may laugh, but I hate being on a roof if it is not almost flat (read that as scared like a little girl). I also hate scaffolding.

 

[taumac]

You may laugh, but I hate being on a roof if it is not almost flat (read that as scared like a little girl). I also hate scaffolding.

I'm same way. If I'm in a safety harness or secured I'm fine. If freely hanging or on top of a building and look over I'm scared. I've seen too many videos of scary things happen and it's got me all freaked out.

 

[dlcwent]

Someone once said that they weren't afraid of falling, it was the stopping that bothered them. I'll second that one.

 

[Strouty]

On a tower there are known constants (at least in my mind) on staging and a roof for some reason I just don't like it. I will still go there, but I definitely am not as productive like on a tower.

It is not a safety harness thing, because if I was "allowed" to free climb the towers, I would. I also don't mind climbing trees, although I am about 300 pounds so they need to be fairly rugged trees.

 

[Strouty]

I am hearing that clicking again. I think I may sell a bunch of my cabinets and shelves that really do not fit my storage needs. I have been talking about getting organized for a long time, yet all I really have done is purchased cabinets and shelves to make me feel organized. It is not working at all. I am supposed to start working with a company next week for at least a few weeks. The money from those jobs should allow me to heavily invest in my stockroom. The office was what really got me started on this thought process, then the new Snap On toolbox and cart were kind of the push that I think I need. I have way too many bins, boxes, shelves, and cabinets that really do not fit any of the things that I use regularly. I have done a bit of research on Lista's wall storage system and I think it will make a very modular setup that will allow me to fit my tools and equipment much better than my current setup.

 

[bczygan]

I am hearing that clicking again. I think I may sell a bunch of my cabinets and shelves that really do not fit my storage needs. I have been talking about getting organized for a long time, yet all I really have done is purchased cabinets and shelves to make me feel organized. It is not working at all. I am supposed to start working with a company next week for at least a few weeks. The money from those jobs should allow me to heavily invest in my stockroom. The office was what really got me started on this thought process, then the new Snap On toolbox and cart were kind of the push that I think I need. I have way too many bins, boxes, shelves, and cabinets that really do not fit any of the things that I use regularly. I have done a bit of research on Lista's wall storage system and I think it will make a very modular setup that will allow me to fit my tools and equipment much better than my current setup.

Strouty,
Now you're getting it. More storage isn't the answer. The right storage is the answer.

More stuff isn't the answer. The right stuff is the answer.

Example: We just got a new tent and screen tent for camping. Julie wanted to save the boxes because "We could use them". I almost agreed. Then I realized we could get cardboard anytime we need it. So I cut them up and put in the trash.

I just went out and looked at some stuff I had taken outside. It all looks so much less desirable than it did when inside.

BTW, Nice job of giving me vertigo with the tower photos!

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Sorry about the vertigo. I think if I can unload all my big cabinets that this new system will fit everything and more, in less space as well. I will have to shift a few things around, but I can deal with that to make things work better.

 

[bczygan]

Sorry about the vertigo. I think if I can unload all my big cabinets that this new system will fit everything and more, in less space as well. I will have to shift a few things around, but I can deal with that to make things work better.

It is possible to deal with, and rid myself of my fear of heights.

It involves going to as many high places as possible. I did that one summer. But it comes back if I don't regularly so it.

Sounds like you have a good plan. Be sure to give us photos as you go.

What is that HAM doing with the antenna he is replacing?

Bill