Something just clicked…..

[Strouty]

and it is the realization that my shop doesn't fit everything I own, unless I use it as a warehouse.


I have officially named my shop "The Salvage Garage".


UPDATES:

Update February 2017, pictures are gone, gone forever, sorry thread is kind of ruined, feel free to read, but it won't make any sense without seeing the pictures. I am not going to try and rebuild it, I am going to move on to a new thread.


May 2016: So far the this spring has seen things moving in the right direction. My stuff is starting to get nervous, I have been scrapping and trashing lots of things, so I am hoping that the future of the shop is going to be much better.

This has been an ongoing journey of discovery, sometimes I have to go back and read things again and again. It is helping me feel more accountable, sometimes it ends up being a journal, other times it is truly motivational. I have all of you guys to thank for that motivation and support, stick with me, all the input has been helpful for sure. I move at a slower pace than most, I thank you in advance for taking the time to look through things.


Back to the original story:


March 2014: The last couple of days I have been playing the space game and the outlook is grim. I need to get rid of a bunch of things, just so I can use the damn garage. I have visions of wide open spaces and tons of storage. Apparently I have too many storage containers for the current space. I know I need to start going up the walls, but my current storage doesn't lend itself to easy access above a certain height. I am freaking out, I bought a 40' high cube (9'6" tall) conex (shipping container) last year to solve this very problem. Now the conex is full and the shop is too.

A little background on me:

I am 37 (just so you don't think I am a retired hoarder) and this stuff has been collected over the last 8 years. I had the basic hand tools before that, but the majority of this stuff has either traded, purchased at auctions, craigslist buys, or free. I rarely buy something new, unless it will make me money or if buying used would be too risky. I grew up on 100 acres and it had multiple shops and lots of outside storage. I was essentially born into the tower industry, I started climbing towers when I was little and I worked for my Father's company all though school. I built my first car at 17 from a junker with rotted out floors and a bad transmission.

I started my own company in 1999 and did well until I herniated two discs in 2004. I recovered slowly from that and started doing tower work again, then in 2010 I had a recurring issue with my hands and things went south from there.

I spent 2012 having 3 surgeries on my forearms, then the first part of 2013 in therapy for them. I just started feeling like myself again towards the end the summer 2013. This year (2014) will be the first year that I have had full use of my hands in over three years. Knock on wood, I am now trying to get things together, this is my shop and my project.


Useless hands

These pictures were taken the other day, just before I got motivated:

Looking down from my small storage loft

Another shot from above, this is the other side of the shop

This is the front wall of my stockroom

A little more of the stockroom

This is right next to my entry door

This is in front of the stairs going up to the storage loft

 

[Richard Cranium]

Well first off I will stop by and get that Lista cabinet that you are not using, that will free up some space...It looks like you are not using the storage that you already have very well, I look at the area where you have empty boxes and see a lot of space there that is basically empty, Empty storage boxes stored on the racks. Get a plan and get started, I would love to have a shop the size of yours.....****

 

[Strouty]

Of course this is actually clean compared to what it was on Wednesday. I also have stuff outside that I moved temporarily, but have no place to put it except back in the garage. Also some of it may look organized, but it is more "containerized" than organized. I just buy more storage to "sort" the mess. I know I am a borderline hoarder (Bill would be proud!), just the thought of taking away some of my cabinets is freaking me out. I have some awesome tools and some great storage supplies, but they are all underutilized and I don't really understand why it is so hard for me to get it under control. I have a small forklift, but it is a burden because it is battery operated so I can't store it outside during the colder months. Then I have multiple tools that I intend to repair and they take up a lot of room.

Here is some of the stuff outside

 

[Strouty]

Well first off I will stop by and get that Lista cabinet that you are not using, that will free up some space...It looks like you are not using the storage that you already have very well, I look at the area where you have empty boxes and see a lot of space there that is basically empty, Empty storage boxes stored on the racks. Get a plan and get started, I would love to have a shop the size of yours.....****

I feel like a whiner, my problem was 100% self created. but this size shop is a curse 50% of the time. The dimensions are 32' deep by 60' wide with 12' 6" to the bottom chord of the trusses. I need to get it squared away this spring so I can make some money this year. I have soooo many projects that now I have started giving up on some. I either don't have the skills or I don't have the money to get them completed. That is the most frustrating part, having a tool that needs work before I can even use it, yet I have to trip over it to work on anything else. Here is a prime example:

My lathe, a sad story

 

[6t7gto]

I saw an empty shelf.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I am hearing you as I have had similar issues, from your pics I can see lots of opportunities for improvement in terms of layout and storage. Firstly take it in small steps at a time but have an end goal in place, to look at your shop as it is today would be fairly a daunting task. Don't be disheartened.
I can see the odd garage sale coming up.

Cheers, looking forward to see how you get along.

 

[Strouty]

It is a work in progress. My aim is to have a few open shelves. I would like to always have an open area that I can use to store a project that is in progress.

 

[Strouty]

I need to actually take measurements and start laying things out, but I am not familiar with how to use google sketchup yet. I have drawn things so many times, but it never works the way I intended.

I was planning on separating the two halves with a wall, but it limits my ability to easily move things from one side to the other. Most of my current storage is designed to be along a perimeter wall and that is what is killing me. I used to be in a two bay garage that was split by a wall and you get more wall storage and less open space. Now the open space can kill me.

I have tried to make most things on wheels or easy access with a pallet jack or the forklift.

 

[MonoxieChild]

I had the same issue. I make more money selling parts on car forums, then i do my daily job. So have quite a mass of car parts always in my way. I fixed this just a 2 months ago. I had a small unused room in my basement. Built shelves all around 3 full walls floor to ceiling from 2x4's and 3/4 OSB sheets. Moved everything out of the garage that was directly shop related. Made a HUGE difference.

 

[coljar]

I'm taking it that you've started putting stuff in that 40' container, but are you using the space in it to it's best potential? I'm kinda hit and miss in that department. I have stuff stashed here and there to keep it out of my new garage, but **** is still finding it's way in there, since the inside is still under construction.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Geez, and I thought my garage was a mess....

 

[Strouty]

I'm taking it that you've started putting stuff in that 40' container, but are you using the space in it to it's best potential? I'm kinda hit and miss in that department. I have stuff stashed here and there to keep it out of my new garage, but **** is still finding it's way in there, since the inside is still under construction.

Unfortunately, the conex is pretty full.





I also have a small shed, 30' office trailer, 8' truck box, 16' truck box, 24' truck box, and three Knaack jobsite boxes full of stuff as well. Of course then there are the things that are sitting outside to the weather.

 

[bczygan]

OK,
You are talking to an expert master hoarder here.
And you are in no way close to utilizing that space to it's fullest potential.
Storage should go ALL the way up to the ceiling with a rolling ladder for access.
A mezzanine can make use of all the wasted space above you.
And besides the aforementioned shipping container, there are numerous places in a typical residence, where things can be squirreled away.
Is your car full of stuff?
Do you have piles of things tarped in the yard?
Do you have enclosed trailers as storage?
And how many sheds do you have? Under 10? You're not there yet.
How about piles of stuff in the yard, disguised as firewood piles?

I thought not.

You have a long way to go...

Of course, you could go through things and sort and sell or discard some stuff. I hear that works...at least in theory.

Bill

 

[coljar]

Man!!! If that's the case.......yeah, you've got me beat. I think some of us need to show this thread to our wives.

 

[Strouty]

Bill, you are the reason I said borderline hoarder. I got lucky and dropped out of hoarder school, but I hear you can go back for free anytime you like.

My shop is not tall enough to do a mezzanine and get a truck in (12' 6"). There are two places that I can put a mezzanine, just need some $$ and I should be good. The "stockroom" area is a candidate for an entire second floor, I just have to get the $$ for the engineer to modify the trusses.

Because I am working on finishing the shop as I go, I can't really go floor to ceiling yet. I do have some modular pallet racking that I use. Once the damn snow melts, I can get back to making the rest of my overhead shelves. I am just too lazy (and it is too cold) to dig out the pallet racking that I need.

I started by building this unit for my furnace, but I plan on continuing it across most of the back wall. Yes it is not complete yet.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Re organization is a must here....a constant thing in my case.

 

[Strouty]

Man!!! If that's the case.......yeah, you've got me beat. I think some of us need to show this thread to our wives.

As long as mine doesn't see it!

 

[Strouty]

Re organization is a must here....a constant thing in my case.

I have been through your build and I respect you immensely!

My goal is to essentially have three spaces. 15' by 32' is stockroom and office, 25' by 32' is suppose to be automotive, then the last 20' by 32' is for metal fab. The way I have started cleaning is to just move everything to the area that it is suppose to be in, then I figure I have to really start planning.

I am finding that I can't fit what I want in each part and I haven't really decided what can overlap yet. I also have woodworking tools, but they fold up and roll around nicely. I plan on turning the back of the office trailer into a wood shop.

 

[Strouty]

Those pictures were taken yesterday, except the ones of the conex (shipping container). Here is what I have done so far last night and this morning.

Making room to get at the bridgeport, also need to move the file cabinets


This is my pallet racking, it isn't really for pallets, but it works


This is one of my worst areas, the stairs really mess me up. Of course having an uninstalled lift is kind of annoying as well


I have some woodworking tools and a couple of GM 6.5 turbo diesel engines that are in the way.


Here is the side wall of the "fab shop" area, I am not sure those cabinets are my best option.


This is the front of the fab shop area.


This is the best overall view I can get of the stockroom, it shows the makeshift mezzanine that I have above the shelves.


I am starting to make a mess in this area, I even filled the shelf that 6t7gto mentioned.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Maid Service... Kindly pick a number and wait in line..

 

[LS6 Tommy]

It took me a long time to force myself into doing it, but what you have to do is unless it's parts for a restoration or material stock, if you haven't used it in a year, sell it or toss it...

Tommy

 

[Strouty]

I am pretty sure I am going to make a rack to hold the air compressor above my rotabin. It will be kind of in between the automotive side and fab side. I am still trying to figure out where to put the lathe and the bridgeport. I think I have it figured out, but not sure. I will post some pictures in a bit after I have shuffled things again.

 

[Strouty]

It took me a long time to force myself into doing it, but what you have to do is unless it's parts for a restoration or material stock, if you haven't used it in a year, sell it or toss it...

Tommy

I am wired not to follow that mantra.

I find most projects end up being cyclical and if I did that, I would be wasting a lot of money.

The problem I've had over the last four years was an injury and now it is better, I am feeling overwhelmed. The current mess and all the other stuff is from years of not being able to use my hands for more than a few minutes at a time. Now that I can use them, well who knows. Here is the story of my hands:

Useless hands

 

[coljar]

You know, after looking at additional pictures, your shop's not really that much out of control. It just needs a day or two of spring cleaning. It's a nice shop.

 

[Strouty]

You know, after looking at additional pictures, your shop's not really that much out of control. It just needs a day or two of spring cleaning. It's a nice shop.

Thank you, but it doesn't feel that way. I really wish I was more optimistic, but I aspire to be able to come in and find what I need so I can get something done. Right now, it is like a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is constantly churning.

 

[ambenz]

I hate to get "Donked" in the head with a jackstand!!!!!

Better start defining space and start selling off the stuff you can live without!
I would set up the container as a shop, maybe add a loft to the garage for a warehouse and sell that stuff deep in the corner.

 

[Strouty]

I had to go outside and since it was so nice out (almost 35F) I decided to take a break and shoot some exterior pictures for you guys. I figure I can work inside anytime, so why not have some fun in the sun!

This is the front you can see my daily driver (XC70) and then "Bev" she is an ex beverage truck that is slowly being converted into a utility/hot shot hauler.


Here is the side that houses the stockroom and the office. You can also see the bathroom (no running water yet) we like to call it the "poopsicle" in the winter and the "poop sauna" in the summer. I need to move the conex this summer, it was a terrible location to have it. Another option is to leave it there and continue the roof so I end up having another storage space outside


This is the end where the fab shop is, I have my oil tank out there, which was inside until this past fall. That gained me some room!


This is "Buck" the bucket truck and you can see my boom truck behind him. The boom truck has a bunch of stuff that was inside the shop on the back deck.


You can just make out the stuff buried in the snowbank, there is a car, three self loading reel trailers, and a boat.


Here is the snowplow, it takes care of the mess pretty well. You can see my small shed and a few other projects too.


Here are the two suburbans, both diesel, both projects. I also have my trailer that I will eventually haul behind Bev.


That is the way outback.


around the tree is where I keep my scrap, but this year the snow snuck up on me and I have way more stuff around it than usual.


This is the office/jobsite trailer. I am using it for storage right now, but it will be a small workspace for my GF and the back area is for woodworking.

 

[Strouty]

I hate to get "Donked" in the head with a jackstand!!!!!

Better start defining space and start selling off the stuff you can live without!
I would set up the container as a shop, maybe add a loft to the garage for a warehouse and sell that stuff deep in the corner.

That is vertical storage! There is no real stuff in the corner, it just gets moved around depending on what I am trying to do. I can grab that entire section with my pallet jack and move it where ever I need to. I have more of them outside, they tend to come and go as needed.

 

[Strouty]

Here are the other boxes plus the mess inside them. I did not trudge through the snow to get interior pics of the small shed or the office trailer.

The front of the 24' box.


This is the inside of the 24' box truck, it is pretty full. I have to limit what goes in there, the mice can make a mess of things.


Inside the 16' truck box.


This is a small box from a toyota 1 ton. I use it to store oils and gasoline, things I do not want in the shop.


This is between the 24' and 16' box. At one point it was covered, but the canopy has seen better days.


Lockers! They are everywhere.

 

[coljar]

Thank you, but it doesn't feel that way. I really wish I was that optimistic, but I aspire to be able to come in and find what I need. Right now, it is like a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is constantly churning.

I can identify with that; for example, I've been slowly moving equipment over from my old shop to my new garage. I rent part of that building to a commercial business, and it's a friend who has been renting it since 1991. Some of the tools and equipment have been in the same spot since before I was born because it was my grandfather's place before me. My point is: I could be blind and still be able to go and get what I'm looking for. In my new garage, it's (scratch head) where did I decide to put that micrometer. I don't label where the expensive stuff is kept. Makes it too easy to grab and run, but that's me.

 

[Strouty]

I can identify with that; for example, I've been slowly moving equipment over from my old shop to my new garage. I rent part of that building to a commercial business, and it's a friend who has been renting it since 1991. Some of the tools and equipment have been in the same spot since before I was born because it was my grandfather's place before me. My point is: I could be blind and still be able to go and get what I'm looking for. In my new garage, it's (scratch head) where did I decide to put that micrometer. I don't label where the expensive stuff is kept. Makes it too easy to grab and run, but that's me.

I started labeling, but it was a mess, I had to keep adjusting labels and containers. Now I have a better system, I just need to get to it. I think sorting the stuff into a workable organized system is where I totally fall short.

With most of the stuff on wheels I can turn the shop bassackwards in an instant, then I have no idea where something is…..again.

I just spent two weeks organizing hardware and then I realized all I had done was just take it out of one big container and put it into many small containers. I go through the motions every so often, I will setup boxes and put all the tools in one, hardware in another, electrical, I usually end up running out of boxes.

A lot of the stuff I have, I probably do not need, but every time I go and pull a $30 3phase connector out of storage, it feels pretty good. I still don't know if I am going to really continue with my old work or if I am going to do something different. I have a couple hundred thousand dollars worth of inventory, yet unless I have a job to use it on, no one will buy it for anything near its value.

 

[the gypsy]

Hi Strouty. I want to thank you for the pictures. I am a lot like you but I would not have the courage to post a picture of my mess. My garage is also a work in progress and occassionally get discouraged too. Don't give up, the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

 

[bczygan]

Those pictures were taken yesterday, except the ones of the conex (shipping container). Here is what I have done so far last night and this morning.

WOW! Big change!
What are those flat, greyish to off white things at the bottom of all those photos? Are those FLOORS?
I've heard they are great for walking on, and moving things around on.
I've GOT to get me some of those!
Bill

 

[ahab]

For labeling I really like these:

Self-Adhesive 3 x 5-Inch Index Card Pockets

To change out a label all you ave to do is swap out an index card. I bought 100 years ago and they're still lasting me.

I'm sure you can rid of some of the duplicates and a few things outside. To finish all those projects you'd need a few employees.

 

[bczygan]

You are feeling something that hoarders end up feeling, and it stops us dad in our tracks.
We look at the mess, in it's entirety, and it is overwhelming. So we just quit, and never get started on clearing it up.

The secret, is what you are doing.

Focus on one area.

Then move on to another.

Ignore everything else.

Once all areas are fairly well organized, with things in the proper areas, then you can work the overall project without being overwhelmed.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

For labeling I really like these:

Self-Adhesive 3 x 5-Inch Index Card Pockets

To change out a label all you ave to do is swap out an index card. I bought 100 years ago and they're still lasting me.

I'm sure you can rid of some of the duplicates and a few things outside. To finish all those projects you'd need a few employees.

I ended up buying magnetic tape and I use a brother labeler to add the actual labels. The magnetic strip can be written on, it has a white side, it just doesn't stand out as much as my yellow labels with black lettering. This enables me to rapidly change an entire section by just swapping the magnetic label on the shelf. Eventually I would like to label all the individual bins, so it is broken down even more specifically. I would probably have gone with something like you suggested, but I do not have that much room on most of my containers.

You are feeling something that hoarders end up feeling, and it stops us dad in our tracks.
We look at the mess, in it's entirety, and it is overwhelming. So we just quit, and never get started on clearing it up.

The secret, is what you are doing.

Focus on one area.

Then move on to another.

Ignore everything else.

Once all areas are fairly well organized, with things in the proper areas, then you can work the overall project without being overwhelmed.

Bill

Yes those are floors! They have been hiding for a while. I know what you are saying is true, I am keeping my head down and trying to stay focused. The exterior is another story, I will wait until all the snow (then mud) is gone before I even start that project.

 

[Strouty]

Here is the latest update, I am going to try and get the vidmar cabinet moved over to the fab side and then I am calling it quits for the day. I don't want to get myself overworked and stressed about the mess. I will try and post some more pictures either before I leave or when I get home. On another note, I am not sure how far the bridgeport should be from the lathe, it seems pretty tight right now, but I either need to move the lathe to another wall (where the green drill press is) or move some of my cabinets.

Bridgeport tucked into the corner, the lathe is right up against the cabinets.


Bridgeport


Cabinets may need to be moved.


Close up.

 

[bczygan]

Attaboy! That's a perfect layout for the Bridgeport and lathe, unless you work on really long stock on the Bridgeport.

Another good thing you are doing, is to post photos as you go along. It gives you feedback, that you ARE accomplishing something. And it get's you "Attaboys" from us, as well as yourself.

I like to have all the accessory tools, needed for running a machine, within arms reach of the tool. I would have shelves, cabinets and rolling carts to hold everything needed, as well as the stock I was working on.
A rolling table behind my working position at the Bridgeport, Lathe and Drill Press, could hold layout and measurement tools. It could have enough surface area for cutting tools, drills and mills and such, that I was using for the job at hand. It should be big enough for the stock I'm working on as well.
A rack alongside the Bridgeport could hold drills, chucks and r8 collets.
A shelf above the head of the lathe could hold cutter holders with cutters installed.
Plenty of wall space for a chart, and some art.
They make a rack for collets that mounts to the Bridgeport as well as lights you can mount on each side.

Would want some anti-fatigue mats. And some music.

I'm already moving into your shop and putting up curtains...

Bill

 

[Strouty]

I just finished moving everything so I can get to the vidmar cabinet. Now I am going to move it over near the bridgeport. I figure it will hold most of my tooling, then I will build a shelf above the lathe to hold more stuff. I saw a really cool rack that a machinist had made to hold heavier things like rotary tables. I will try and dig up some pictures. I do not plan on machining long things, but if I ever need to, I can always pull the bridgeport out.

 

[larry_g]

Here is the latest update, I am going to try and get the vidmar cabinet moved over to the fab side today and then I am calling it quits for today. I don't want to get myself overworked and stressed about the mess. I will try and post some more pictures either before I leave or when I get home. On another note, I am not sure how far the bridgeport should be from the lathe, it sees pretty tight right now, but I either need to move the lathe to another wall (where green drill press is) or move some of my cabinets.

Try rotating the lathe so the headstock is toward the middle of the room and the tailstock is 3-4' from the wall.

Next time you have the urge to look at Craigslist or go to an auction, turn your time to loading up a rig for the dump or recycle. This is advise from someone who has been there. It will free you.

lg
no neat sig line