Something just clicked…..

[cbacres]

Stockroom looks good Strouty. Maybe some day I'll get my **** straightened out.
I know what you mean about everything needing to be in its place, makes a Hughes diffrence when you are gearing up to do something.

 

[Richard Cranium]

strouty, I don't think you are giving your self enough credit. You have made miles of head way. You may not feel that you have done much, But look around you. All of us are trying to tell you how far you have came...Richard d.

 

[carcajou]

It's a slow but rewarding process getting things the way you want them, in their proper place. Bugs the hell out of me too when things are not organized, if it doesn't feel right....it's not. I can work with it, but it still bugs me.

 

[bczygan]

Strouty,

I know well, what it's like to have a plan that doesn't look right to others.

To most of us, your stock room looks more than fine.

But in your mind, it is far from that. Plus it is something you MUST do.

Do note though, that perfectionism is a symptom of hoarding.

What I am finding, in my organizational tasks, is that it is more important that things find a final resting place, than exactly where that place is. There is a tendency, in the hoarder/perfectionist, to keep improving things, and moving things around. You never know where the latest location is. You never get in the habit of going there for the item.

I CAN understand that you do want to find that final resting place for every item, so you can start memorizing where things are.

And you have completed all the large projects that weather allowed. Now is the time to do all the finer sorting and organizing. But give yourself a "good enough" goal.

It's funny, but when I saw your binding supplies, it reminded me that I have that same binder and supplies for it. I lived over it in the office for years. I even used it to make a few binders. Then I realized that I didn't use it much. It is now out in a shed, and may never be used again. I should probably get rid of it. I don't have a need to make binders. I use PDF files. In fact, I used to print out manuals for everything and put them in 3 ring binders. I had a whole cabinet full of them. I finally tossed them all out. I realized that I had never referenced them, and they were all PDF files on my computer and phone anyway. That is something you might do. Make a run through all the things in the supply area and pick up each item and ask yourself if you can do without it. Keep an empty box next to you as you do this, and quickly toss the item as soon as you make the determination. And at the end of the session, quickly dispose of the box full of stuff.

I have 3 buckets full of those grey Carlon outside boxes. Went through them and realized they were almost all sizes and configurations I would never need. It is surprising how much stuff was acquired blindly, that I have no real use for. Once I look at it and REALLY determine it's true value (Or lack of value) to me, I can easily determine it's fate.

Bill

 

[GirchyGirchy]

You guys and your totes. I got rid of the few I had except for camping gear that needs to be portable. I admit I still have car parts in some boxes, but that's it.

Why? You have to pull them off the shelf, carry them somewhere or put them on the floor. Then you have to rummage through them and reverse the whole thing when done. So much wasted time. Just put things on a shelf, and when the shelf is full, quit buying ****. I dare anyone to walk into a professional shop, go to the tool/ parts bin and show me totes full of stuff.

I'm guessing you're talking about people who run a shop...for a homeowner/DIYer, totes are great. Throw all the copper fittings in one, black pipe in another, PVC in a third, stack them up. Same for electrical stuff...j boxes and covers, wire nuts, etc. Otherwise it would be one half of an entire shelf dedicated to all of those little things rolling around and falling all over.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

It's funny, but when I saw your binding supplies, it reminded me that I have that same binder and supplies for it. I lived over it in the office for years. I even used it to make a few binders. Then I realized that I didn't use it much. It is now out in a shed, and may never be used again. I should probably get rid of it. I don't have a need to make binders. I use PDF files. In fact, I used to print out manuals for everything and put them in 3 ring binders. I had a whole cabinet full of them. I finally tossed them all out.

I have 3 buckets full of those grey Carlon outside boxes. Went through them and realized they were almost all sizes and configurations I would never need. It is surprising how much stuff was acquired blindly, that I have no real use for. Once I look at it and REALLY determine it's true value (Or lack of value) to me, I can easily determine it's fate.

That's my take on scrolling through random pages. Is that rusty *** TPI 350 ever going to be used? Why an entire shelf of empty 3-ring binders? That ginormous stack of grey electrical boxes? Just seems like large quantities of items that don't get used a whole lot, if at all. Be honest with yourself and toss more stuff. If you need to purchase some of them back later, oh well, at least you didn't have 50 of them sitting around that entire time.

 

[Strouty]

The entire point of this sort is to let myself be honest. There are lots of things that can go, should go, and hopefully will go. The binders (as one example) represent a time when I was more productive. I think seeing them helps me remember that time, I do still use them, but much less frequently. They get used for inspection reports for towers, almost every customer wants a hard copy or two as well as a digital (PDF) copy. I use the system when I print out old manuals as well, so it is very handy. I look at it as one victory, I always know where it is and that the supplies are with it. I hope to have more of the stock room organized in that manner. What some of you see as organized, I see as just things tossed in random empty bins. Yes there are some spots that are organized, I just need to get the random things out and find a home for them, that home may be the trash or recycling, but they need to be dealt with. When I say need it is more of an emotional need and that is the journey, knowing that my situation has changed, understanding that I can't do all the things I dreamed about doing. It is a hard pill to swallow and I am trying to take this a piece at a time, right now is a big step for me and I am sure I will stumble and tick off some people, but I am going to work my way through it.

 

[rmalkow2]

Looking at the pics of your existing stock room storage I have to agree with some others that you do already have a good start. Just continue that theme at this point and as you have said look hard at things you don't need and scrap them.
Normally the recommended way to organize is to only handle things once. So ideally if you pick up a box of parts from the shop floor it goes directly back into the stock room where it belongs rather than some interim bin or tote. But, I do agree that is not always practical so when necessary you inject the interim sort into a tote then get to that later. Just don't make temporary totes the norm.
I think you've made a lot of progress. Step back once in awhile and celebrate the accomplishments both big and small.

 

[Strouty]

I see the progress outside and I see progress inside as well, but when I look at the stockroom all I see is what happened the last couple times I "cleaned up". Basically I ran around and found empty bins and put whatever fit inside them, then put them on whatever shelf was open. This time will be different.

As much as I would like to only handle something once, I know that si going to be unrealistic for me and the process I am going through. I have to get a sense for how much of of the items there are, then make appropriate space with some room to grow.

 

[rmalkow2]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[Strouty]

The best part is last night my Brother canceled the job we were supposed to do so now I can go to the shop. My GF is going out to dinner with coworkers tonight, so I may even stay late. I will update with pictures throughout the process, I am sure I will need to take a break now and then.

 

[bczygan]

The entire point of this sort is to let myself be honest. There are lots of things that can go, should go, and hopefully will go. The binders (as one example) represent a time when I was more productive. I think seeing them helps me remember that time, I do still use them, but much less frequently. They get used for inspection reports for towers, almost every customer wants a hard copy or two as well as a digital (PDF) copy. I use the system when I print out old manuals as well, so it is very handy. I look at it as one victory, I always know where it is and that the supplies are with it. I hope to have more of the stock room organized in that manner. What some of you see as organized, I see as just things tossed in random empty bins. Yes there are some spots that are organized, I just need to get the random things out and find a home for them, that home may be the trash or recycling, but they need to be dealt with. When I say need it is more of an emotional need and that is the journey, knowing that my situation has changed, understanding that I can't do all the things I dreamed about doing. It is a hard pill to swallow and I am trying to take this a piece at a time, right now is a big step for me and I am sure I will stumble and tick off some people, but I am going to work my way through it.

Letting go off dreams is REALLY hard. I try to think of it as focusing on the important ones. Every dream I let go of, makes space and time to REALLY follow the ones I really want to get to. After a while, you start to get really picky about which dreams (And their associated things) that you will allow to take center stage in your life.

Memorabilia is another hoarder category. I use my camera phone to capture the item, and then toss it. One reason I tend to keep memorabilia is because it reminds me of when I was in my prime. Another is just in case I start to forget things. The camera solves all that.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

A note about totes and handling things.

When you have a difficulty tossing things, you MUST handle them multiple times. It's just the way it is.

And totes can help in sorting, as can boxes and bags.

But all those things can also be traps. If they are opaque and unlabeled, they become endless holes of unknown content, like a pile under a tarp.

They can all be useful for sorting and organizing as long as they are identified as to contents and easily accessible. I try to dispose of as many as possible and to keep dead storage to a minimum.

Bill

 

[mdbeck1]

I see the progress outside and I see progress inside as well, but when I look at the stockroom all I see is what happened the last couple times I "cleaned up". Basically I ran around and found empty bins and put whatever fit inside them, then put them on whatever shelf was open. This time will be different.
.
.
.

I did something similar on one of my previous "clean ups". ...but in the long run by me putting all the "plumbing stuff" in different bins it made it easier later.

Example: I have a big cabinet with lots of drawers (most the same one or two sizes). I had put all the metric bolts in two different drawers. The drawers are on opposite ends of the main cabinet. That wasn't very efficient but was convenient while I was organizing. On round two I just moved the two drawers next to each other. On round three I will determine if I have enough bolts to break them out into separate storage.

 

[Strouty]

Bill, I hear you on the dead space, that is really an issue in the storage boxes. I am not going to worry about that yet, just can't handle it all at once.

MB, some of my bins were dedicated to a certain type of supply, others were haphazard. I plan on rectifying this. I just got to the shop now and I am about to start in on the organizing process. Why neck and back are a bit sore as I just came from the Chiropractor's office. I should be able to get a good four or five hours of sorting done, it will all depend on how I feel. It ***** because I am mentally prepared, but between my elbow, neck and back, the physical aspect may be what stops forward progress. I did take some advil and tylenol, so that should help. Of to the races and as I said I will take a break or two and post some progress pictures.

 

[Strouty]

Only 30 minutes in and I hit my first stumbling block. I am going to move on, but I want opinions. I am working on the electrical section of the stockroom, should "electrical" tape go there or should I keep all the tape in one location?

Next question would you keep automotive electrical components in that section or would you have them stay in the "Automotive" section? I guess I am wondering if I should break out a section that deals with 12 volt, then it gets fuzzy, I have 24 volt for certain things too. This is where I get hung up. I am off to keep cleaning, but please let me know what you guys think.

 

[DonPowers]

Strouty, I keep some with electrical and some with tape because it has more uses than just electrical.

As far as automotive, I try to keep all the electrical components in one area.

 

[Strouty]

So now I am thinking of having an area of general automotive, but having specialized parts in the Lista cabinets. As an example things like oil filters and air filters would be in the general automotive section but trim clips for my volvo wagon or injectors for my 6.5 diesel would be in the Lista drawer or section of the drawer for that type of vehicle.

Generic automotive could also include oversized items and trailer wiring parts. I am leaning towards this rather than mixing electrical systems together.

I have also figured I can have a plumbing area and it would be very generic, I do little plumbing in the shop. The fittings are more likely to be used for air than water at this point. It is almost all cast iron parts, some is brass, but almost no PVC or copper, that stuff stays at the house.

Here are the first pictures, I have emptied about 30 bins and am starting to put things into a five gallon scrap bucket. I have also consolidated things into labeled areas. I am going to use the painter's tape and a marker to label things for right now, then once I like it I will break out the labeler and make some more permanent labels.

 

[Strouty]

With the electrical do you guys keep hardware there too? I have tons of spring nuts, conduit clamps, and other hardware that you would see in Home Depot's electrical department. I feel like it should all stay in one section, but it too has more than one use. I use my unistrut for all kinds of things, I used it to hold my air lines to the wall. Then I have lots of things like pegboard hooks, yet I have NO pegboard. Should I get pegboard or should I toss the hangers? Then I have fire proof insulation that works well for spark plug wires and other things that get close to the exhaust.

 

[Strouty]

Also while I am pondering it, do you guys toss good things even if you have the space to store them? I am wondering if just the act of keeping something is going to make matters worse. I figure if I had the room and can label the bin, why not? Of course I have all ready found a few bins of things that I have no idea what they are, I may have to start a new thread: "The thread of what is this?"

 

[Thumper68]

I keep High voltage 120 240 stuff together and the 12 and 24 volt stuff in a separate spot.

The reason for this is that I have some very similar stuff toggle switches etc. for both high voltage and low voltage keeping them separate means that I don't have to read the small print to figure out which is which.

I would put all the hangers, clamps, unistrut stuff with the elec, you will still know where it is even if you are using it for something else.

 

[DonPowers]

I keep my pegboard stuff, unistrut parts and e track parts in the same general area.

I'd keep the pegboard stuff. Have a wall of it in my old garage but none so far in the new one. Will probably not put up full sheets like before but might use the steel pegboard in 2x2 sheets, which I saw at Lowes.

 

[Thumper68]

I would toss the peg board stuff, it is cheap and if needed in the future you can get more.

Stuff I don't remember what it is I tend to sort out and keep for a time and on the next clean up will toss if I still don't know what it is.

 

[Strouty]

I think keeping the electrical hardware together but not in the electrical section will be easier in the long run. I have some nice drawers and most of it is all ready in bins that fit the drawers. I would prefer to open a drawer rather than balancing a bin, so I think having to walk a little further is worth it.

Don, I have always wanted to have pegboard, just never committed to a location. I would like to have an area for belts and maybe another for hose clamps. Thumper's point it a good one, the hangers are cheap enough and I don't even know what I want yet. I think as I find things that are so mysterious that I don't even know what they are, well I think they are going to be tossed.

Thumper, the 12/24 and 120/240 areas is a good idea. I also think I will separate three phase too.

 

[DonPowers]

I saw the steel stuff at Lowes a while back and looks to be modular with standoffs so you can add sheets to make bigger sections if you want. Kinda liked the 2 x 2 sections because you can fit the stuff in pretty much anywhere, unlike a 4 x 8 sheet. Check it out next time you are at Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_595503-16878-56194___?productId=50220687&pl=1&Ntt=steel+pegboard

 

[bczygan]

I try to separate things by groups of things needed to do a task.

So Electrical has everything needed for that, including measuring tape, hammer, level, pencil, testing equipment, wire, outlets, fixtures, switches, wire nuts etc. etc.

Carpentry also has measuring tape, pencil, hammer etc.

So I double up or more on some tools. HF stuff is great for that.

I have an Automotive shed, a Carpentry/Woodworking shed, an Electrical area in another shed, an Office Supplies and Equipment area also in that shed.

It wouldn't work to put all the tape measures in one spot and all the hammers in another.

Bill

 

[DonPowers]

The reason I keep pegboard stuff, unistrut parts and e track parts in the same general area is because they are modular systems that can be configured for various uses. At least, thats the way I think of them.

 

[nine4gmc]

damn, typed out a long response and hit the wrong key deleting it all.

Keep a roll of tape with all the other tape and keep one with the auto electrical, only if you have several rolls, DO NOT go out and buy more tape just to have in separate areas.

That had nothing to do with my previous reply attempt, I'll have to get to that another day now that I'm frustrated with my keyboard skills.

 

[DonPowers]

damn, typed out a long response and hit the wrong key deleting it all.

Keep a roll of tape with all the other tape and keep one with the auto electrical, only if you have several rolls, DO NOT go out and buy more tape just to have in separate areas.

That had nothing to do with my previous reply attempt, I'll have to get to that another day now that I'm frustrated with my keyboard skills.

Take a deep breath 9s. I do this more than I care to admit.

 

[Thumper68]

I try to separate things by groups of things needed to do a task.

So Electrical has everything needed for that, including measuring tape, hammer, level, pencil, testing equipment, wire, outlets, fixtures, switches, wire nuts etc. etc.

Carpentry also has measuring tape, pencil, hammer etc.

So I double up or more on some tools. HF stuff is great for that.

I have an Automotive shed, a Carpentry/Woodworking shed, an Electrical area in another shed, an Office Supplies and Equipment area also in that shed.

It wouldn't work to put all the tape measures in one spot and all the hammers in another.

Bill

The reason I keep pegboard stuff, unistrut parts and e track parts in the same general area is because they are modular systems that can be configured for various uses. At least, thats the way I think of them.

We are all going to have slightly different ways of hitting the same goal.

I have all my 120/240 tools and test equipment in a tool bag easy to grab and there is a good selection of small parts in there as well, that way I can grab it and go, all the elec pvc stuff ie. boxes, sweeps, connecters are in one tote. In another 2 totes I have all the regular 120/240 stuff, then in a 4th tote I have all the misc. low voltage stuff, door bells, cat5/6, that tote is right next to all the boxes of cat3/5/6 wire so when loading for a job I can grab it all quickly.

I have 2 more tool bags with all my low voltage/networking tools in the same area as the wire and parts.

Personally I hate peg board it takes up to much wall space for to little storage.

 

[Strouty]

I can see some of this organizing is subjective based on one's own thought process. That means I have to make some decisions, I am not usually great at that, but I will give it a try. You guys have some good ideas and points.

Bill, I don't usually keep tools with the supplies, but I know what you mean. My furnace has the proper wrenches sitting there waiting for the next time it needs to be bled.

So what about things like bearings that are new but I have no idea what they fit? Toss them? I am leaning that way because my old mentality (that worked so well) was to build or make projects based on the hardware at hand. I would prefer to use the appropriate stuff rather than making thing spork with the wrong size or type of part.

 

[Strouty]

Nines, I have buckets of electrical tape, we use it for weatherproofing purposes on the towers. If anything I have too much.

Thumper, I have a small tool bag like you are describing, I use it for my electrical work. It has my insulated screwdrivers and basic wiring tools. I need to locate it and make sure it has a fully stocked selection of wire nuts and staples. I am pretty sure it is at the house right now, been a while since I did any real electrical work.

 

[bczygan]

Strouty,
I have tossed so much stuff that is perfectly good. In fact, it aroused a bunch of ire on the Hoarders group. They said I was wasting things that could be donated or given away. My reason was that the longer I held it, even just in my hands, the more likely I was to keep it. Even in the dumpster, it was subject to retrieval by me. I was so thankful when the trash trucks came by and took the decision entirely out of my hands.

For some people though, knowing that things went to some good use helps them rehome the items. And for some people, selling things, relaxes their grip on them more easily

To show how ridiculous it gets, right now I am looking at 2 decorative brass goose figurines. I don't like them and never have. I want to toss them, but am conflicted. My mind is playing tricks on me, and suggesting I could make something out of the brass. So here they still sit, when they should have gone out with today's trash.

Now, you will almost always feel SOME regret at throwing things away. And the harder it was to toss, the stronger the regret will be. But there will also be a feeling of relief and freedom from care and responsibility that was attached to that object.

So be brutal. Especially with small things. You can always get more.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

I know I did it before and I regretted it a bit, but only after I found a catalog that showed what everything was and how expensive they were. I think I tossed about $2k worth of specialty body and trim clips. Really I am glad they are gone, I should want to keep only the things that I use and or know what they used for, but part of me wants to keep and sort everything. I know the sorting is a way to keep my mind occupied, almost mindlessly, I guess it could be worse I could use alcohol or drugs to do that.

 

[bczygan]

Oh, and pegboard!

I don't like the stuff. But I did have a sheet on the garage wall. Took it down. Stuff takes up too much space on it, and everything collects dust.

But I have a few pieces of nicely finished pegboard and the HD hooks and hangers. I may use it in the end of one of the sheds for tools, or not. Meanwhile I live over it all.

I also have a bunch of those steel panels that mount on the wall, that you can hook the plastic Akro bins onto. Again, dust catchers unless mounted in a cabinet.

When I actually get to using the things I own, I'm sure that things will have to be rearranged according to how I really need them to be.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

I have a ton of that metal wall mount for the bins. I agree it is a dust magnet unless in a cabinet. Eventually my stockroom will be closed off from the rest of the shop, so dust should be minimal.

 

[Thumper68]

Strouty how many bearings are we talking about 2, 10, 100 more?

Are they NIB and easy to sort or are they unpackaged and ready to rust or get damaged?

Bearings are not something I have ever had a bunch of, I think that there are 3 in the shop right now all for the snow blower NIB and in a drawer with all the other blower parts.

 

[Strouty]

They are older timken and still in the box, all different sizes, maybe 15 all together. I just don't have anything that uses them. Seems silly to hold on to them since I am trying to purge. I think they are going and I won't worry about it again.

 

[Thumper68]

They are older timken and still in the box, all different sizes, maybe 15 all together. I just don't have anything that uses them. Seems silly to hold on to them since I am trying to purge. I think they are going and I won't worry about it again.

Toss them in a box for the spring auction, I saw a box go here for like $50.

 

[Strouty]

I think that is a good idea, I all ready started an Ebay box, so Auction box makes sense. Eventually I will have an entire stockroom that is all Lista, then I can keep everything together by mixing drawers and shelves. For right now I will keep the bulk of the electrical supplies on the shelves and the hardware will be in the other section in my pull out drawers. It seems like it will be much easier to get at them and I like that idea. I have a couple drawers full of lugs and some other odd electrical stuff too, I may just designate an entire cabinet to electrical.