Something just clicked…..

[Strouty]

Having slowed down on the organizing/sorting of stuff in the stockroom has made me think about some of the shelving that I have. I am actually wondering if I need or even want to reinstall it at all. The Vidamar and Lista cabinets are awesome and I really like the visibility when you open the drawers. Of course I just spent a bunch of money on some new Durham drawer cabinets and now I am second guessing those as well.



Not sure if I even need these anymore. Right now I am tripping over them, and they are not as functional as I would have originally thought.

 

[Strouty]

I think my biggest problem is there is no more room in the stockroom unless I either remove my workbench or my recliner and I am not interested in sacrificing either of those at this juncture. If I use the shelves and bins out in the shop, I want them to be mobile and those shelves are designed to stay in one spot. I am not sure it is worth the redesign of the shelves to make them mobile. I may move them to the conex, that way I still have them for the future. When I change the configuration of the shop, there will be more room in the stockroom than there is now, so I may miss them if I get rid of them.

 

[600SL]

600SL, you have some nice looking equipment. Did you repaint everything or was it in really good shape? I am going to get a VFD for my bridgeport. I hope to start making chips and turning things before Halloween.

Found a better picture of the VFD. Cost about $120 delivered on E-bay

 

[GarageWarrior]

I think my biggest problem is there is no more room in the stockroom unless I either remove my workbench or my recliner and I am not interested in sacrificing either of those at this juncture. If I use the shelves and bins out in the shop, I want them to be mobile and those shelves are designed to stay in one spot. I am not sure it is worth the redesign of the shelves to make them mobile. I may move them to the conex, that way I still have them for the future. When I change the configuration of the shop, there will be more room in the stockroom than there is now, so I may miss them if I get rid of them.

Strouty, did you figure out what was the purpose of your shop? Is it a hobby? Or making enough to cover the cost of time, tools and supplies? It seems like you have too much "capabilities" for a one-man operation.

From personal experience - it's hard to keep track of too many projects, tools and supplies - with wide variety of projects I've ended up spending more time setting up for various jobs, organizing or looking for "stuff" than working. Currently going through a major downsizing because of that (...and the cost of space and time).

 

[Strouty]

Found a better picture of the VFD. Cost about $120 delivered on E-bay

Thanks for the picture.

 

[Strouty]

Strouty, did you figure out what was the purpose of your shop? Is it a hobby? Or making enough to cover the cost of time, tools and supplies? It seems like you have too much "capabilities" for a one-man operation.

From personal experience - it's hard to keep track of too many projects, tools and supplies - with wide variety of projects I've ended up spending more time setting up for various jobs, organizing or looking for "stuff" than working. Currently going through a major downsizing because of that (...and the cost of space and time).

I have been following your downsizing, you are very brave. I have thought about what you are doing, but then I woke up in a cold sweat.

The purpose appears to be more hobby right now. I have been buying and selling things a lot lately so I am going to set up a more dedicated shipping area.

I am still doing tower work, that is where a lot of my tools and supplies are from. A lot of those tools and supplies are really expensive to replace so I don't like to sell them. The supplies are very rarely needed by other companies (I have tried selling them) because they all ready have a bunch themselves. I find that if I keep these supplies the cost of storage is covered (and then some) when I use them on a job. Most of the supplies are leftovers from paid jobs, so I really have nothing more than time invested in them and they can bring good money when I am doing a job. I do periodically go through to scrap anything obsolete. Most everything is either stainless or galvanized, so moisture doesn't cause it any grief.

I have two big projects that I would like to complete over this winter and the shop will be crucial to both. I am going to finish rebuilding one of my suburbans, it is getting a new motor and I am setting it up with a slide out rear tool tray. The other one (multi part) is extending the wheelbase on my frieightliner, building the new back body, and at the same time I will be adding the gooseneck hitch so I can actually use my trailer.

These big projects along with all the little stuff is going to either drive me insane or make me a better person. I filled my heating oil tank the other day, so I am off to a good start for the cold weather. Last year I had no oil and no money, so I just turned the heat down to 38 and said goodbye for a few months.

 

[Strouty]

I decided not to wait anymore on the air compressor. I am disassembling it now. I can cover the head up with a tarp and put it outside for the time being. I may end up just trying to sell the head, it will be easier to ship than the 120 gallon tank. The other thought would be to set it up with a motor and send it to the auction. I am trying to get it out of the shop so I can change the oil in my car. I am removing the taper lock bushing to get the pulley off now. I figure I will leave the bushing, pulley, and belts all with the pump.

 

[Strouty]

I got the compressor pulled apart, well I removed the motor, pulley, and starter. I also got my oil changed in the car.

A friend of mine had a grease car kit and I traded some snowplow lights for it. My GF gets the fry oil from the rec department she works for. Now I am going to have to setup to run fry oil in one of the diesels. Another wonderful time consuming project.

 

[GarageWarrior]

The purpose appears to be more hobby right now. I have been buying and selling things a lot lately so I am going to set up a more dedicated shipping area.

I am still doing tower work, that is where a lot of my tools and supplies are from. A lot of those tools and supplies are really expensive to replace so I don't like to sell them. The supplies are very rarely needed by other companies (I have tried selling them) because they all ready have a bunch themselves. I find that if I keep these supplies the cost of storage is covered (and then some) when I use them on a job. Most of the supplies are leftovers from paid jobs, so I really have nothing more than time invested in them and they can bring good money when I am doing a job. I do periodically go through to scrap anything obsolete. Most everything is either stainless or galvanized, so moisture doesn't cause it any grief.

I have two big projects that I would like to complete over this winter and the shop will be crucial to both. I am going to finish rebuilding one of my suburbans, it is getting a new motor and I am setting it up with a slide out rear tool tray. The other one (multi part) is extending the wheelbase on my frieightliner, building the new back body, and at the same time I will be adding the gooseneck hitch so I can actually use my trailer.

These big projects along with all the little stuff is going to either drive me insane or make me a better person. I filled my heating oil tank the other day, so I am off to a good start for the cold weather. Last year I had no oil and no money, so I just turned the heat down to 38 and said goodbye for a few months.

Sounds like you have woodworking, heavy metal fab, machining, car repairs. If it's truly a hobby, maybe put some bounds on what you want to do, and make it manageable in time-commitment, space, resources, money...

For me DIY projects were mostly to save on repairs. Now I've been outsourcing a lot of work, and for most parts - other people can do it faster, better, cheaper and I no longer need tools or facilities. Even selling tools and surplus - auctioneer gets crazy money from the same yard-sale crowd that doesn't want to pay anything until they start bidding against each other I was shocked by how much people were paying for left over paint brushes, rollers, tarps, garden tools, gloves, ear muffs.

You can get a shop to do fab-work on your Suburban, Freightliner. Would it cost too much?

 

[Strouty]

You can get a shop to do fab-work on your Suburban, Freightliner. Would it cost too much?

It would be astronomical. I figure having someone build the back body of my freightliner would cost as much as an entire years rent on my shop. I may not be the fastest, but I love doing things myself. It is really rewarding knowing that I made it and when people ask me about it I get to say I made it myself.

Once I get a little more situated things will start flowing again, I have been making progress overall. I am also getting more motivated, because I can see that the future is brighter than it has been in the last four years.

I do so many things, that I have found the more versatile I am the better. I do not plan on reducing the current equipment, I do plan on making it all work. I will probably add more before I am done. Between the pallet jacks, the forklift, and castors I can pretty much reconfigure things as needed. I think my biggest problem is all the miscellaneous small stuff. I tend to trip over it, literally and figuratively. Right now things are starting to get "real" and I am purging a lot more than I originally thought I would. I hope to continue on this path and make the shop into what I have been dreaming about.

 

[sprntpshr]

Sounds like you have made progress, refined your direction and projects. Keep on going.

With the lull in farm work till harvest I have been purging and setting up the shop the way I had envisioned it.

 

[Strouty]

Sounds like you have made progress, refined your direction and projects. Keep on going.

With the lull in farm work till harvest I have been purging and setting up the shop the way I had envisioned it.

It really is nice to see a plan come together. I will be back in the shop tomorrow as well as most of the long weekend. Hopefully I can make some serious progress.

I was on a tower all day today and now I am a lot sun and wind burned. I think the wind burn hurts more. At least it was not as humid today. I hate to say it but I am looking forward to some cooler weather.

 

[sprntpshr]

It really is nice to see a plan come together. I hate to say it but I am looking forward to some cooler weather.

Same here, I will take 75* and low humidity any day.

We redid our shingled roof a couple of weeks back, during one of the infrequent heat spells this year. It was one of those, the help is here, all the materials are in, tools ready and the rain stopped for 3 days except it was 90*+.

Managed to get heat stroke and only now am I feeling better. It creeps up on you then wham!. Something we really have to watch out for.

 

[Strouty]

Same here, I will take 75* and low humidity any day.

We redid our shingled roof a couple of weeks back, during one of the infrequent heat spells this year. It was one of those, the help is here, all the materials are in, tools ready and the rain stopped for 3 days except it was 90*+.

Managed to get heat stroke and only now am I feeling better. It creeps up on you then wham!. Something we really have to watch out for.

I know what you mean, I have to constantly hydrate when I am on the towers. There is no where to get out of the sun, the steel is hot, and the wind can take the sweat away before you realize you are sweating. I have been luck to never get anything more than a dehydration headache on occasion later that night. Those ****, but are less likely to kill you.

I unloaded my suburban, now I am moving stuff around in the conex. I have to go to the parts store as well as a few other errands, so today is more of a prep day. This weekend should be productive and I am looking forward to it.

 

[Strouty]

So my weekend ended as nonproductive, yet I am overall still happy. I got some metal bookcases for my office for free, I actually took the time to set them up as well. In the process of trying to pick them up, I had to have my truck towed due to a no start issue. After some messing with it, I found it was the starter. I ended up changing the starter in the dark, on the crushed stone in front of my shop. Lets just say, I need to finish the wiring, I think using a wire nut to connect the solenoid would be frowned upon. At least it starts now. The old starter was under warranty too. I had a good used one that I put in for the time being. I may leave it there, but I want to fix the wiring anyways. Then I can use the new starter for one of the other trucks.

Yesterday I decided to go to the lake since it was so hot and humid. Now I am paying for it with a decent sunburn on my back.

 

[Strouty]

After a fiasco with my crane not starting, I got the new spitfire flat lapping machine unloaded. I am actually conversing with the hopeful new owner as I post this. We are arranging pickup. I also got my buddy to buy the remnants of the air compressor, and I delivered it at lunch. One less thing in the way!!!!!!!!!









COMPRESSOR GOES AWAY!

 

[keelan]

Strouty,

After reading about your lapping machine acquisition, I've come to realize that no amount of organization is going to help you. What you need is this setup:

 

[Strouty]

That would probably work!

* I am conveying my true thoughts telepathically *

 

[Strouty]

Well, I thought I had the lapping grinder sold and it was suppose to leave today. Instead, it is now inside my shop, waiting for another potential buyer. I think I need a concrete apron, wait I mean I know I need a concrete apron. I set it part way in the shop with the crane, then tried using heavy duty rollers (not machinery skates) and broke two of them. I ended up getting a pallet jack under it, then tried to use the forklift to get the other end in. It took a lot of effort to move the thing 10 feet. If I had a concrete apron, it would have been a 30 minute process instead of three hours. I feel like I was beaten with a 2x4 on top of all that.

 

[GarageWarrior]

A lapping machine grinder????

Is there enough profit in this to support all the rigging, buying, trucking, storage/display, sales and marketing? ...May be setup a showroom...

If it's not a business, I think it's better spend free time with friends, family, sports, travel. A lapping machine grinder is too heavy to mess around for a hobby resell IMHO

 

[Strouty]

A lapping machine grinder????

Is there enough profit in this to support all the rigging, buying, trucking, storage/display, sales and marketing? ...May be setup a showroom...

If it's not a business, I think it's better spend free time with friends, family, sports, travel. A lapping machine grinder is too heavy to mess around for a hobby resell IMHO

I now know this, now. Hindsight is always 20/20. Originally, it was supposed to get loaded on my truck and delivered to another dealer, but that fell through.

I was going to leave it outside, but everyone that wants to actually pay me for it, wants it inside. I need to get some machinery skates, that should make it easier to get outside. Luckily all the rigging cost me is my time, one of the benefits of having a crane at the shop.

Best part about the next couple of weeks is we have the fall auctions coming up. I am all ready making a list of things to go. Hopefully the lapping machine will be gone later this week or early next week.

Of course once I got the thing 3/4 of the way in, I realized I could have set it in the back of my dump truck, then just parked it in the shop. I really felt stupid after that.

 

[American]

This thread reminds me of a George Carlin routine about stuff:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MvgN5gCuLac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I feel your pain...

 

[Strouty]

This thread reminds me of a George Carlin routine about stuff

I feel your pain...

I love that skit. I live that skit. I hope to change.

I am gathering things to send to the local auction, I can't wait until I can get some of this stuff out of my hair.

I will be taking some stuff to another auction in Massachusetts for mid October.

I am hoping to start dealing with my buyers remorse, by not buying more stuff. Most of the things I have been buying are for "future" projects. I am starting to be able to remind myself that I will only be wasting effort by moving the "new" thing around ten times, before I even get to fixing it.

At least it is starting to cool off, so I can actually work in the shop instead of swimming in sweat.

 

[bczygan]

Still having fun moving things around?

Me?.......Not so much!

Went on a weeks vacation, which is a study in materials handling in itself.

Before we left, I cleared out and cleaned the bathroom. Also organized the back yard and filled 3 big curbside trash cans for pickup while we were gone. I like to return to a house and yard that are nicer than before, so we usually clear and clean before packing for a trip..

Came home and unloaded it all and put everything away. Now the van is totally empty. I like that!

Today I attacked the dressing room/craft room and cleared it out. Set up a dresser and filled it. Now that room is completely functional.

Filled 2 more big curbside trash cans.

All this while the power was out for 4 days, during and after our trip.

We have bulk trash pickup curbside every 2 weeks now. I missed that opportunity yesterday, but it comes again in 2 weeks. I'll just assemble a pile.

Strouty, I see what you are doing, and it is what most everyone on this forum does. You are organizing and setting up your shop to fit your needs. And those needs shift and change over time. So it is a constant process to rearrange things to suit the new conditions.

Like you, my needs are a combination of doing some auto repairs that I can, to save what it would cost to have them done. My time is worth nothing (Literally), so it is a necessity that I do this. Along with that, I just like to be able to do some things with wood and metal. That's the hobby part.

So there is an ongoing process to accommodate those 2 functions. Assembling just the right tools and situating them properly takes some time. And during the hunt, you sometimes run into some deals you can flip. I like it best when you can do this without actually taking possession of the item, but most times you must,

I see that you have a vision for the whole project, and you keep your eye on that prize while you do things each day, to achieve that result. Same is true here. Every day I try to hit a section of the work and complete it.

What kind of tower work do you do? Do you ever erect towers? I'd like to have a nice one for my Ham hobby. Ever run into used ones?

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Bill,

I build everything from little ham towers to giant broadcast towers. I do run across used ones and I actually have some, but the shipping usually kills the deals. If you need a direction and advice on installing one at your house, I can point you in the right direction for sure.

As for the shop, it is like a game, sometimes I am winning and sometimes I am losing. I figure it is a long ride to get to the end, so I am trying to enjoy it as much as possible. Sometimes my connections, skill sets, and equipment gets me in trouble, like the lapping machine. I have found it a home (for a second time), so it should be gone next week. Either way, it was paid for some I am happy, well I will be happier when it is not in the middle of the shop.

I figure I learn something every time I do one of my deals. Sometimes it is a hard lesson, others it makes me some money or maybe a friend. I am definitely more of a "hunter" and if I could just be some rich person's personal shopper, I would probably live a normal life. I am excited about this winter, I am getting ready to be productive for the duration. Last year sucked, I had no money, so I had no oil, so I had no heat. I could not afford to run the furnace over 38 and the electric bill had to be kept to a minimum as well. Right now, I have a full tank of oil and I am currently thinking about getting another tank to fill up as well. I have my snowplow running with a full tank of fuel, last year I had no snowplow and was borrowing my fathers truck until almost Christmas.

I have been setting goals and slowly accomplishing them. I have been selling things (and buying them, but not as much as I have sold!) and I have a couple of truck loads that will be going to the auction. I also have almost a full truck load to go to the scrap yard. There are several shelves of ebay items to be listed, but I have been working doing tower stuff so I have put that on hold. The entire fall/winter feels optimistic whereas last year around this time, I was still behind the eight ball and it only got worse.

 

[Thumper68]

Last weekend I started a auction list as well, got about 20 things on it to bring in before snow hits. Not only does that free up space but $$$ as well to use to finish a project or to (god forbid) start a new project.

Right now i'm looking to do a SteveO style HF 44 workbench, got to have room for more tools, not new to me tools but room for the ones I already have.

 

[Strouty]

Last weekend I started a auction list as well, got about 20 things on it to bring in before snow hits. Not only does that free up space but $$$ as well to use to finish a project or to (god forbid) start a new project.

Right now i'm looking to do a SteveO style HF 44 workbench, got to have room for more tools, not new to me tools but room for the ones I already have.

I really like his bench, there are tons of variations from other members too.

Everything that I am bringing to the auction was paid for so long ago, I am just brining it with no expectations. I usually do pretty well, but who knows. If I end up with some money, it is not going towards a new project, I all ready have plant of them.

It is kind of funny, last year I felt like I had to do so many things before the snow, this year I have a small list and probably two months to get it done. I have a few "dream" projects that I may take to the auction as well. They have been hanging around for over a year and last winter they made plowing difficult. We will see, I figure baby steps right now. I am not at Garagewarriors level yet.

 

[nine4gmc]

I took a load of things to auction today myself that I needed gone at any cost. I learned not to take things that I want a specific amount of money for because they usually **** out but if you take enough randomness, you stand to make an overall profit. I've been listing **** on CL and we are getting ready to have another garage sale soon as well to move more things.

Baby steps are better than no steps, keep it up!

 

[bczygan]

Bill,

I build everything from little ham towers to giant broadcast towers. I do run across used ones and I actually have some, but the shipping usually kills the deals. If you need a direction and advice on installing one at your house, I can point you in the right direction for sure.

As for the shop, it is like a game, sometimes I am winning and sometimes I am losing. I figure it is a long ride to get to the end, so I am trying to enjoy it as much as possible. Sometimes my connections, skill sets, and equipment gets me in trouble, like the lapping machine. I have found it a home (for a second time), so it should be gone next week. Either way, it was paid for some I am happy, well I will be happier when it is not in the middle of the shop.

I figure I learn something every time I do one of my deals. Sometimes it is a hard lesson, others it makes me some money or maybe a friend. I am definitely more of a "hunter" and if I could just be some rich person's personal shopper, I would probably live a normal life. I am excited about this winter, I am getting ready to be productive for the duration. Last year sucked, I had no money, so I had no oil, so I had no heat. I could not afford to run the furnace over 38 and the electric bill had to be kept to a minimum as well. Right now, I have a full tank of oil and I am currently thinking about getting another tank to fill up as well. I have my snowplow running with a full tank of fuel, last year I had no snowplow and was borrowing my fathers truck until almost Christmas.

I have been setting goals and slowly accomplishing them. I have been selling things (and buying them, but not as much as I have sold!) and I have a couple of truck loads that will be going to the auction. I also have almost a full truck load to go to the scrap yard. There are several shelves of ebay items to be listed, but I have been working doing tower stuff so I have put that on hold. The entire fall/winter feels optimistic whereas last year around this time, I was still behind the eight ball and it only got worse.

It's just a future dream, to have a tower tall enough to get above the trees on my lot. Not just for ham (I am AA8MF - How do you like the call?) and also to get a TV antenna and rotator up high enough that the trees don't interfere.

PS, I couldn't do your work. I'm out of shape and afraid of heights!

Bill

 

[Strouty]

I took a load of things to auction today myself that I needed gone at any cost. I learned not to take things that I want a specific amount of money for because they usually **** out but if you take enough randomness, you stand to make an overall profit. I've been listing **** on CL and we are getting ready to have another garage sale soon as well to move more things.

Baby steps are better than no steps, keep it up!

That is what I figure, sometimes the steps are backwards, but I figure as long as I keep moving forward overall it is going pretty well.

It's just a future dream, to have a tower tall enough to get above the trees on my lot. Not just for ham (I am AA8MF - How do you like the call?) and also to get a TV antenna and rotator up high enough that the trees don't interfere.

PS, I couldn't do your work. I'm out of shape and afraid of heights!

Bill

I am out of shape too! I climb a lot slower than I did when I was younger. I respect heights and fear the sudden stop. I have been working on a really nice ham radio installation over the last few years. We have to change out some antennas before the snow flies so he can test out the new ring rotors we installed. I wish I understood more of the radio end, but unfortunately I am the nuts and bolts guy.

 

[Kev442]

I am way ahead of last year with the plow truck too. I hope the season doesn't start out with a massive ice storm like last year. When the heavy snows came, it became hopeless to try and keep up. Had to wait until mid April this spring instead of March 1st to open things up.
I shut down the shop from December to March and concentrate on the house/garage/basement. It's a nice change of pace with less hassles with the weather.

I'm done hauling scrap metal, I've been using the trailer to haul pea gravel in and some firewood out lately. I got way behind on keeping the graveled area covered, it's starting to look nicer after just a couple tons.

I still have a couple vehicles to get out of here. Good running beater trucks and vans that used to pull $7-800 all day long aren't even sold at $500 on Cl lately. Damn hard to part with a good runner for barely above scrap rates.

 

[Strouty]

The lapping machine is GONE! Loaded it today and off it went. I am happy, made a small profit, learned a good lesson. I am gathering things for the auction, I can start bringing them over next week. I am so happy about getting rid of stuff, I don't even care what it sells for.

I am still working on getting the excavator to the shop so I can actually make progress on the backyard. I need to do quite a bit before the snow. I feel good, but I know this time will fly, so I am trying to get all my ducks in a row now. I have a load to go to scrap as well as another load that will be going to another auction in Massachusetts.

Now that the shop is open, I want it to stay that way for most of the winter. I know it will get filled, but I want it to be projects that I am working on and not turn into a warehouse. I have to set aside a good amount of space for ebay items. I have a lot more than I thought and it is scattered, so I need to consolidate it.

The plan is to stay away from both auctions, this way nothing new gets brought home.

 

[mdbeck1]

The lapping machine is GONE! Loaded it today and off it went. I am happy, made a small profit, learned a good lesson. I am gathering things for the auction, I can start bringing them over next week. I am so happy about getting rid of stuff, I don't even care what it sells for.

I am still working on getting the excavator to the shop so I can actually make progress on the backyard. I need to do quite a bit before the snow. I feel good, but I know this time will fly, so I am trying to get all my ducks in a row now. I have a load to go to scrap as well as another load that will be going to another auction in Massachusetts.

Now that the shop is open, I want it to stay that way for most of the winter. I know it will get filled, but I want it to be projects that I am working on and not turn into a warehouse. I have to set aside a good amount of space for ebay items. I have a lot more than I thought and it is scattered, so I need to consolidate it.

The plan is to stay away from both auctions, this way nothing new gets brought home.

Good Plan

 

[Strouty]

All I have to do is stick to it, of course that is the hard part.

 

[Knuckles]

Bud, we gotta lot in common..... my pile is the same as yours, just looks different.
I totally get your vision; Buy, sell, accumulate, improve, repeat as often as necessary. Someone earlier framed it perfectly..... make a decision, even the wrong one, and move forward. The same can be said for acquisitions.... not acquiring means you remain in one spot, or worse, regressing.
Although I respect constructive criticism, I personally feel some here are using you for a personal whipping boy Me thinks they might protest too much If you're here on GJ, you're a tool, shop, and project guy, or gurl(sp); Advice is somewhat welcome, if asked for, but damn, don't bust a guy's balls for filling up his shop, no matter what his original lie was ( my name is ......, I am a garage-o-holic, and I wish to change)
We're garage nuts.... it's what we do.
If anyone's interested, I'll back this up with my own sick collection of carznbikes, machine tools, boxes, cabinets and parts stash, and the natural, and sometimes irrational, progression my disease has led me on.....( in another thread) only to prove I know whereof I speak. It's been a journey, I'll say that much

 

[Knuckles]

Also,I forgot the original intent of my rant; I wanted to thank you for initiating, and sticking with this fascinating thread. It has motivated and inspired me (and so, assuredly, others) to soldier on, in building our own visions of the perfect shop!
Vic.

 

[Strouty]

Also,I forgot the original intent of my rant; I wanted to thank you for initiating, and sticking with this fascinating thread. It has motivated and inspired me (and so, assuredly, others) to soldier on, in building our own visions of the perfect shop!
Vic.

Thank you for the compliment, I have felt a little like a whipping boy, but I take all the comments with a grain of salt. I love that at least they get me thinking in directions that I would never go on my own.

I intend to keep adding to the thread, sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself, comments like this make me realize there are many out there suffering in silence. This winter should take the thread to a whole new level, I may even bring in a professional organizer for a little help getting me through a plateau.

 

[keelan]

Strouty,

I think I was one of the pioneering Strouty Bashers in this thread, but I'm steadfastly holding my ground. I'll confess that I suffer from the same affliction as you, but I have less space to do it in, so I have to operate on a smaller scale. I've only recently started to get on top of my space, and in the last couple days I've sold off a few things that were holding me down, and spent a lot of time organizing everything else. Now when I'm in my garage, I don't feel overwhelmed, and instead get to spend my time working on what I want. Keep up the discussion, I'm on your side!

 

[Strouty]

Strouty,

I think I was one of the pioneering Strouty Bashers in this thread, but I'm steadfastly holding my ground. I'll confess that I suffer from the same affliction as you, but I have less space to do it in, so I have to operate on a smaller scale. I've only recently started to get on top of my space, and in the last couple days I've sold off a few things that were holding me down, and spent a lot of time organizing everything else. Now when I'm in my garage, I don't feel overwhelmed, and instead get to spend my time working on what I want. Keep up the discussion, I'm on your side!

I don't feel anyone was bashing me, I think there is a lot of emotion in this thread. I know I have a lot invested emotionally and physically and I think it has struck a chord with others as well.

Everyone has been supportive in different ways, sometimes it is a little painful, but the truth can hurt. I am glad to have outside eyes on my mess, it has put some of it into perspective. I think I am moving a lot slower than I would have liked, but I am moving.

My directions are constantly changing, my goal is the same, but I know that I will have to adjust the timeframe to finish the goal. I have had a lot of good things going on this summer, they don't always feel like they are good, but they have all moved me in a good direction. I am now setting myself up for a great winter of working in and on the shop. I also have some goals that I did not think about when I started this thread, so I guess I have grown too.

The next couple of years are going to play a major role in the rest of my life and I know that my shop will be the center of everything. That is my main reason for getting things organized.

I have also learned that multi-tasking is the spawn of the devil and should be avoided at all costs. It takes too long to try and do two or more things at once. You end up spending more time trying to figure out where you were when you start switching from project to project. In the end, you have wasted time, money, and the projects may never get finished the way you intended.

 

[Strouty]

Well, the last week has not gone exactly as planned.

The auctioneer asked me to bring stuff to them last wednesday, but I could not get there until thursday. When I did show up, they had all but stopped taking any consignments. I guess one of the people that brought stuff to them, had 300 lots and then another one had 200 lots. He told me I could bring the stuff over, but it would go at the end of the line. He squeaked in four items that were seasonal, I am going to hold the rest until april for the spring auction.

I know I said I didn't care about the stuff, but I know it will literally bring nothing at the end of the auction. Things bring stupid money in the spring, so I can justify waiting.

At least I am still set to bring a few other items to the auction in Massachusetts. I ended up selling another machine for my Father, and he has asked me to sell a trailer for him as well.

I have been slightly depressed about how slow things are going, I am waiting for the excavator so I can actually start moving things around outside. I will need to level an area, then move stuff to the new flat spot, then level more, then move my storage boxes, then level the rest of the area. Of course after all that I need to finish cleaning up so I will be ready to plow snow.