Something just clicked…..

[Kev442]

Good job. I'm thinking that if you reflect on the thousands of pounds you've scrapped over the last two years, you will find you regret less than 5% of it. Considering the thousands of dollars you've gotten for the scrap, you are easily able to buy it new without any qualms if you actually needed any of it.

I'm trying a new angle. Although I was proud of myself for not buying that project truck I wanted to a couple weeks back, it did not improve my situation. So, I grabbed a project car out of the pole building and put it in the garage where I have to look at it every day. This is so I will clean it up and SELL it.

With the space gained in the pole building, I am going to start on another project car this year. This one has a parts car as well, so by fall I should be able to send the remains of that to scrap as well. That's the plan anyway....

 

[Strouty]

I like the way you think 1/2 Cup. My snap on driver says I need to buy another lightbulb bin and use it for fuses. We measured and there is enough space, so I am going to put one of those on my list. Today was a bust for the actual shop, but the office looks better and the scrap is gone along with all the brush from the house. Overall I guess it was a good day. Tomorrow will be another bust, I am setting up a printer at the MIL's house, then I have a doctor's appointment and when I finally get to the shop, I have to load up Bev for the job. So the rest of the week is essentially done.

 

[Strouty]

Kev, that sounds like a good plan. I am starting to make plans, they always have to flow, life seems to get in the way. Recently the things that have been in the way are all making me money, so I really can't complain. This fall I look forward to getting back to the suburbans, every time I find parts for the project I have been putting them in the trucks. I figure that way the parts will be there when I need them.

 

[dlcwent]

So you like those daylight bulbs? They do seem to be a lot better source of light in my opinion. Rick is the one that turned me onto them. I was impressed how bright his garage was and he had 4500 K (correct me if I'm wrong Rick). So when I bought some for my shop I decided on the 6500 K. Unbelievable deference. What did you get?

I love that funky clock you have in your office.

 

[nine4gmc]

Those rotary tables are the ****. I missed them earlier. Like the bulb holder too, I have all my spare bulbs in a drawer, banging together...

Hope you have a good work week and get back to the shop organization soon!

I read a cool thing on Instagram earlier, it said something to the tune of:

If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.

Something to think about. It helped me.

 

[Strouty]

DLC, the bulbs are all 6500k, I have had my T-8s like that forever, but the office was warm colors, the daylight makes me feel so much better, especially on a day like yesterday.

Nines, I am listening to another audio book and it has some input like that as well. They discuss goals and lead and lag measures. A lag measure is essentially a result on the way to the goal and the lead measure is one that helps you get there. They say to essentially ignore the lag measures and concentrate on the lead measures. Think of weight loss, looking at the scale is your lag measure, walking for 30 minutes every day is the lead measure, if that makes sense.

 

[Strouty]

Just arrived at the shop, ten phone calls to return, some pictures need to be taken and posted, emails need to be answered, a truck needs to be loaded with tools and supplies, and arrangements need to be made to unload the final tower section tomorrow in the morning. I am pretty sure that I am forgetting about something, but you get the idea. I am glad I decided that nothing was being done to the shop today. Anyways I am off to load Bev.

 

[Strouty]

So yesterday it rained, every time it rains new things come to the surface, usually something steel. Today I saw a hunk of rope coming out of the ground, so I tried to pull it out, would not come out. Then I found this little gem.

 

[nine4gmc]

Thats commonly referred to as a groung saw, they come out after the rain to knash and knarl up tires. Good thing you were able to catch it!

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[86turbodsl]

Wow. Is your shop built on a landfill?

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[Strouty]

The people who built it used it as a dump, the things that I have found while digging are crazy. I pulled up a 1" thick piece of steel the other day, it was about 18" by 18". Anytime I dig, there is always steel, kind of fun, but annoying at the same time.

 

[cbacres]

Strouty, keep up the great progress, now that Tampa is back, don't let him slow you down. That guy can cause a museum train to derail with his follies,err women.

Maybe that rope is tied to the table saw that the blade goes to!

 

[bczygan]

Strouty,
The thing that is inspirational about your progress, is how you are able to let go of things. I tend to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Part of your method seems to be that you find what has value, and then sell it. But you are also not afraid to just trash or scrap what doesn't.

I tend to find future value in everything, but never convert it to that value by using or selling it.

You give me inspiration to do that. In fact, I will begin today, between rain showers.

Your horde is large and diverse enough to also give me hope that my horde of many items can also be pared down.

I see that organization is essential, but it isn't enough. There must also be concrete plans to use everything. And multiples must have one best item selected, and the rest disposed of.

You also seem to do a mental calculation, to determine if an item is worth your time to repair or rehab. I don't do that. I value my time at zero, so everything has to potential to be fixed, when in reality, my time is finite, and most things will never be repaired.

I notice that you have down days, but are always striving to get back on track by planning out your week, and trying to fill it with useful progress of one type or another. You must have the memory of winter, to spur you on. I also feel that.

I sometimes feel that it's all hopeless, but you seem not to have that black cloud hanging over you. You must see the light at the end of the tunnel.


Bill

 

[dlcwent]

Thats commonly referred to as a groung saw, they come out after the rain to knash and knarl up tires. Good thing you were able to catch it!

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And I'd like to add that they are not as common in Maine as they are in the deep south. Usually they travel solo but sometimes can be found in groups as large as six to eight.

 

[nine4gmc]

DLC

Bill, great post!



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[Thumper68]

Nice ground saw,

I can feel your pain on all the stuff finding its way to the surface. We had a piece of property that my uncles used as a junk yard/ storage yard. I was tasked with the clean up so we could sell it, I hauled over 200 cars and trucks to the scrap yard along with a few 100 tons of misc other ****, IIRC 6 40 yd dumpsters of trash (Old car seats, plastic parts etc..) and a bon fire that lasted 2 weeks.

In the end I had to go over about 30 acres with the dozer with a root/rock blade and hired a few local kids to pick out the metal.

I was also able to sell off about 25 cars from the 30's, 40's and 50's that were still in good enough shape for restoration.

I spent most of my 17th summer cleaning that place up.

 

[Strouty]

Bill,

I too have what feels like hopeless days, I try and concentrate on one thing. If I just get started, it usually works itself out. I do try and see what value an item has, I am a bit slow to sell things right now, but I am working on a system so I don't forget or put them on the back burner. Tossing stuff that I know I can't or won't repair is still tough, but you need to place some value on your time. I have to be careful because I can get lost in a totally unimportant project and miss out on making actual money on a job. So it is a balancing act for sure.

Thumper, sounds like fun, I had to clear a tower site when I was 15, got to run the skidder hauling logs for a few weeks, it was a blast.

 

[Kev442]

Well, its working. I washed the car and put it on cl. Now to see how long it takes to sell...

Strouty, that stuff coming out of the ground is kinda shocking, no bare feet for you!

Bill, I have noticed that with you, it is either priceless or worthless. You seem to miss that entire middle ground that most guys spend their entire lives in: buying something you like better and selling off the old version. Couple that with having 5 to 18 of each item when there is only one of you, and that is where your life is spent putting up another shed instead of getting to use the stuff you like best.

 

[Strouty]

Kev is hitting the nail on the head, if you have too much stuff it is almost impossible to enjoy it. Most of the time it burdens you so badly that it makes other things you love no longer important. Some times it even makes stuff more important than the people in your life.

I am done with stuff controlling my life, but there is a spider web of a mess and it will take a while to undo everything.

 

[Kev442]

I noticed about 5 years ago that I was burdened with "hand me downs". A picture my uncle gave me, some chairs my aunt gave me etc. I was a nice guy would say " sure, thanks!". It made them feel good, but I realized they didn't want it, and neither do I. They have passed on ( God rest their souls), and I have freed myself of the attachment of those items. That was huge, the wife had been pressing about in years past. I shocked her by tossing couches and chairs.

Now, the project vehicle problem is staring at me. If I get rid of one, I open up 120 square feet in the pole building. Not to mention the ones outside, a huge spiderweb to untangle...

 

[nine4gmc]

There is so much truth and wisdom in this thread, it should be a sticky.

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[Strouty]

It is the only way to do it and keep your sanity. I know if I just got rid of everything tomorrow, I would end up back in the same place in a couple of years, but the mental damage would be terrible.

Sometimes it is hard to get rid of things because we place so much power in the item, like a memory, or a loved one, but really the item is not them and it is not the memory. I used to like to take pictures all the time, but I was starting to realize that I was missing what was going on, especially when I was with family and friends. I may have taken a great picture or two out of 100 shots, but I did not have the experience the other people got.

As for my seemingly never ending supply of stuff, I hope to someday (soon) see the end of it. I used to think of myself as a collector of a lot of things, but really it was all about satisfying the hunt. As soon as I had the item, it was on to another thing. The other issue that I still have is buying supplies or parts to fix something and then never doing it. Not only does it tie up money, but it takes up space both mentally and physically.

Sorry if I sound like I am rambling, I am getting sleepy and think it is time for bed. I should be at the shop tomorrow and Friday, the job I started got changed due to the prime contractor having an injured employee, not serious, but enough to make us regroup next week.

 

[Strouty]

There is so much truth and wisdom in this thread, it should be a sticky.

We should make a coffee table book.

I am so glad I started this thread in the general garage discussion rather than the garage gallery section, I think there are too many people that think a garage should be pristine and clean and that anyone who has lots of stuff is just not worth anything because they can't clean up the mess themselves.

 

[Kev442]

You are apparently most lucent when tired. "The thrill of the hunt" and " I'll buy the parts/supplies I will need for the project right away, but do the project later" are the entire crux of my problems.

I made a point of spending last spring finishing the walls and ceiling and painting them. Every time I walk past the areas where drywall, insulation and ceiling tiles were piled, I am amazed all over again that they are where they belong, not in the way. It's like being a normal person!

 

[bczygan]

Kev,

I recognize the posts that make sense, cause the truth hurts a little.

And yours was right on target.

There are so many things I want to do, and I can do none of them, partly because they are too many.

If I could focus, I could get to all my interests, one by one.

18 pop ups, means none will get redone. In fact, the one we use, will never get repaired or properly maintained.

I'm a materials handler!!! I'm a warehouse manager!

I also accept gifts of stuff others don't want. Just demolished a cabinet I was given. Have to toss it.

But that brings up another problem. Even demolished items become raw material, and I love amassing raw materials for some vague unknown future project. So the piano I demolished resulted in a pile of wood. And lately I've picked up some metals off bulk trash piles on the curb on bulk trash day. More stuff to manage.

And keep stuff way after it's useful life is gone. Did I tell you I have a dozen ruined auto batteries?

Those wheel and tire combos for the trailers that I just stacked up are a problem. Now that I look at them, the wheels look good. Should I strip the tires off and keep them?

Multiply by dozens of interests...

The difficulty is in choosing. I must learn how. Getting some money back, might be the incentive I need.

Kev, I like the idea of choosing the best, and selling the rest. I'm good at tossing trash and junk, but am halted when looking at stuff with value, so I just keep it all, and then have to manage it.

And Strouty, the stuff or people thing is also apropos.

Bill

 

[nine4gmc]

Bill, take those 12 batteries to the recycle joint and collect your $100... Around here they are $8 a pop for bad batteries.

I know, it's easy for me to say, being on the other end of the computer screen while I have a pile in both bays, outside both bays and behind the shop that needs tending to myself.

The rim/tires could be put on CL, you already said you buy them in sets so let someone else deal with taking the tires off, storing rims, disposing of tires etc, all that is a big hassle and could be over in minutes with a CL ad. You could ask a few dollars or just give them away and be better off than dealing with them any longer.

Really, if you ever met a decent scrap guy you could get rid of a lot of junk and still know that if you ever need it again, he will most likely be able to find what you need. Let him be the materials handler/warehouse guy.

 

[Kev442]

Bill, I think you are a materials wrecker. You bought those shingles how many years ago? Soon they will be junk. Money completely wasted.
Now repeat that with the thousands of dollars of stuff left out in the weather over the years. Yes, including 18 campers, they are worthless with mold and mildew now.

Anyway, look at the piano wood. Its been in the weather for months now. It would need to be sanded, planed, cut, etc to be used. Now, think of where you would use it. If you cannot even fool yourself into a specific use for it right now, it is worthless to you.

Where are all those new kitchen cabinets going? Outside under a tarp? I give them 2 months sitting outside, then worthless.

I have told Strouty I am the resident azzhole of this thread, sorry that I took aim at you, but that's the way I am.

 

[Kev442]

Can you guys tell that I think storing stuff out in the weather is a waste of time and money? I use a hitop van for my "outside" stuff. A carboy if you will. I hate even leaving my parts cars outside.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, I think you are a materials wrecker. You bought those shingles how many years ago? Soon they will be junk. Money completely wasted.
Now repeat that with the thousands of dollars of stuff left out in the weather over the years. Yes, including 18 campers, they are worthless with mold and mildew now.

Anyway, look at the piano wood. Its been in the weather for months now. It would need to be sanded, planed, cut, etc to be used. Now, think of where you would use it. If you cannot even fool yourself into a specific use for it right now, it is worthless to you.

Where are all those new kitchen cabinets going? Outside under a tarp? I give them 2 months sitting outside, then worthless.

I have told Strouty I am the resident azzhole of this thread, sorry that I took aim at you, but that's the way I am.

I've been trying not to think of those kitchen cabinets. We were no where near ready to get them. Don't even have a way to transport them! Now I have to deal with it. And you're not an a-hole if you're right, you're just speaking plainly and clearly to someone who can't see the forest for the trees.

You're right on the piano wood. My only excuse is it's under a tarp and not bothering me right now. I don't think the shingles are ruined, but they need to be used soon. Not doing good sitting there. Trailers? Haven't even been out to see them. Too many things to do here.

It's becoming clear that I still have a lot of just plain tossing out of stuff to do before I think about selling things. Thanks for the heads up and clearing of the air.

Rain is letting up and tomorrow is supposed to be clear. I want to get started early and fill up some more Courville containers. In fact, that is one strategy I have been using. I have extra Courvilles, and have been using them to store stuff in, that I couldn't bear to throw away, or let get ruined. I could just roll those to the curb in the morning.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Bill, go back to the store and tell them you CAN'T buy the cabinets, ask for a refund, even if they charge a restocking fee. If they will not refund any money, leave them there as a donation and learn from this transaction. Being honest is painful, especially with yourself. You know you are not ready for them yet and if you bring them home now, they will be ruined or in the way. When you get some money the next time take a look at all the projects you have and spend the money on one you can complete. I have tossed several projects, I have given a few away and I sold some of the parts. I am no where near done with my rampage, but I am getting closer every day. At this point I am not even sure where or when it will be over, but I am not letting the stuff win.

I know you love to make to do lists, but I want to tell you that a to do list is worthless if you are putting things on there just for the sake of checking them off. Your lists need to have substance and a precise goal for the end result is very important. I too have this problem, I almost get a "high" from checking the items off, even when they mean nothing in the big picture. I have been working on precise goals, but also on ones that actually get something accomplished that works towards my overall big picture.

As an example, on Tuesday, my goal for the day was to have Bev loaded and ready to go for the job I had scheduled on Wednesday. Monday afternoon I had gathered some hardware that I wanted to move to the conex, that hardware was staring at me, I wanted to move it, but it was not part of my goal. I wanted to "check it off" my list, but it did not fit in the goal. The goal was more important than anything else at that time, so I stuck with it. I am glad I did not spend the 30 minutes or so I would have on moving the hardware because it took longer to load everything than I had figured and I still needed to go home and pack clothes.

Today I am going to work on sorting stainless steel and galvanized hardware so I can put the majority of it out in the conex.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, go back to the store and tell them you CAN'T buy the cabinets, ask for a refund, even if they charge a restocking fee. If they will not refund any money, leave them there as a donation and learn from this transaction. Being honest is painful, especially with yourself. You know you are not ready for them yet and if you bring them home now, they will be ruined or in the way. When you get some money the next time take a look at all the projects you have and spend the money on one you can complete. I have tossed several projects, I have given a few away and I sold some of the parts. I am no where near done with my rampage, but I am getting closer every day. At this point I am not even sure where or when it will be over, but I am not letting the stuff win.

I know you love to make to do lists, but I want to tell you that a to do list is worthless if you are putting things on there just for the sake of checking them off. Your lists need to have substance and a precise goal for the end result is very important. I too have this problem, I almost get a "high" from checking the items off, even when they mean nothing in the big picture. I have been working on precise goals, but also on ones that actually get something accomplished that works towards my overall big picture.

As an example, on Tuesday, my goal for the day was to have Bev loaded and ready to go for the job I had scheduled on Wednesday. Monday afternoon I had gathered some hardware that I wanted to move to the conex, that hardware was staring at me, I wanted to move it, but it was not part of my goal. I wanted to "check it off" my list, but it did not fit in the goal. The goal was more important than anything else at that time, so I stuck with it. I am glad I did not spend the 30 minutes or so I would have on moving the hardware because it took longer to load everything than I had figured and I still needed to go home and pack clothes.

Today I am going to work on sorting stainless steel and galvanized hardware so I can put the majority of it out in the conex.

Thanks Strouty.

I'm thinking hard about this.

The cabinets are a big problem as I don't yet have transport for them, a place to put them in the house, and I don't even know if many of them will fit our kitchen. I need to analyze that. In addition, while they match the ones we already have, they are very cheap.

The other problem is that Julie is set on having them. Big problem to cancel without her, and she'll never agree. Plus Restore won't take returns. But I'm going to try them anyway.

Meanwhile, today I'm going to just get rid of some more stuff wherever I can.

I understand about focused goals, but I have an opportunity to discard until they pick up today, and plenty of things to choose from for discarding. While I'm in the frame of mind to toss stuff, I must take advantage. It's like skimming the top off a pudding. I can only bear to toss some things I have been thinking about for some time. I start out thinking how I will keep and use them, but after moving them around countless times, one day I have the ability to just let them go. Today is that day for a bunch of stuff.

Bill

 

[bimmer1980]

I do enjoy reading over the various struggles that you guys have. I sometimes struggle with many of the same things, so it is helpful to get some perspective......

One of the things that has really helped me is part of my day job has involved working with a large metal manufacturing shop. In talking and working with the people there, I have figured out that the material cost of a project is typically the smaller cost of the entire job. You have to think of your labor as the expensive part. This place charges us $55 per hour of labor when people are working on it. That covers the actual guy doing the work and a supervisor to check in on it. The consultant that we work with charges $100 per hour.

They also focus on turning their inventory every 2.75 days. So they are really focused on only having just enough inventory for the current run of projects.

I tried to apply some of these tactics to my own projects and find there is some help there. If I think of my time as a high value item, then it is easier to throw a random widget in the garbage. Frankly, the time to deal with the widget costs too much. For hardware, this is especially true. I can go to Tractor Supply and buy the specific fasteners for a project and be done. Typically much quicker than trying to hunt around the garage and find the hardware. I hate hunting for things. If it is a specialty fastener, I can order from Fastenal or McMaster and they will deliver to me. I do this with Amazon as well, altho they don't quite have the selection of industrial items that Fastenal or other suppliers have.....

As far as lists go, I find it is best to have specific action items that I know I can achieve. This get's me into a groove and I make progress. I also usually have the list just a little longer so that there is a little bit of a "stretch" goal. It also helps me that when I stop on a project, that I take a moment and recognize what the next thing I will be doing when I next work on it. I also try to be reasonable about what I expect I can accomplish. It is better to be making progress than to have the list so unreasonable that I have no chance of starting anything.....

Anyhow, just a few random things that have helped me on my journey's....hopefully they will be of some assistance to you all.....

Also, I try to remember my couple of big goals in life and try to weigh the randomness against that. Is it worth dinking with this stupid little widget when I really would rather be doing X or Y or Z? Remember your mission statement.

 

[Strouty]

Good words Bimmer, I think they using "lean manufacturing tactics" and I was just reading about "stretch" goals. I think I have had lots of goals, but too vague with no real time line. I am trying to format new goals with a "from x to y by z" type format. At this point I am still fine tuning things, but I have seen the light and I am trying to exit the tunnel. The problem is, the tunnel is pretty long. I am trying to balance the storage of work related materials versus the handling costs of them. I figure that the conex will ultimately be the storage area for all these supplies, so I should gain back some space in the shop. I spent time earlier this year getting rid of anything that is no longer usable in the industry, I can tell you that it is tough to toss this stuff as it is generally galvanized or stainless so you don't have to worry about it rusting away. I think my adventure last fall where I scrapped all those tons of someone else's tower related junk was a real eye opener.

 

[Strouty]

I just can't seem to get warm today, I have the heat cranked and still feel cold to the bone.

I am starting by picking up several things that I know have a home and can be put away. I am then going to work on locating all the stainless and galvanized hardware I can so it can be moved to the conex. Luckily a lot of it is all ready sorted and ready to go, I just have to get some bins to put it in. At least as I move through this, I can be looking for other places to save storage space or at least maximize it for now.

I still need to go through my winter work clothes, I tossed one coat today because when I wore it the other day, I remembered why I hate the coat. It has no underarm zippered openings, without those it is too hard for me to regulate my temperature and the coat ends up feeling like I am wearing a trash bag.

 

[egnorant]

I see much truth, both good and bad in this thread. My shop is more of a fix it shop with a slight automotive bent to it. It would be much simpler if I had a single purpose like the stuff I set up for restaurants. How do you set it up when, in the same week, your workbench sees a winch, a popcorn machine, rebuilding carburetors, wiring solar panels and sorting wrenches.

I saw the statement about having so much to do that nothing gets done. I used that one for years! It is just like any other job where you have to do the steps until it is done. I would love to have a magic wand that let me skip the little parts that get you to the goal. KABLAM..organized tools! Abracadabra...scrap metal gone! ZAP...useless **** in the trash!

One day...something just clicked and I decided to just nuke a big hole in the middle and cleaned out the shop, got electric, water, tools, lights and such in a workable space. Then I cut up the rest into physical areas with a purpose. Cleaned a carport in a day, spent a week on a garage and it spurred me on to the next area.

Sure some of the cleaned area got filled back up, but they now have a purpose. Half the carport now holds more stuff than before, it is organized for lawn mowers, chainsaws, bicycles and other seasonal and small engine stuff. I even have a small work area where I can keep some tools and supplies.

My scrap metal pile is huge and may never totally go away. Sure my current push for finishing everything "this side of the fence" will result in 70% of the stuff being put on the other side of the fence, I still got rid of 30%.

My problem is too much room! I can ignore or just pick at half my area while using, improving and maintaining the areas I have improved and made usable.

Stop thinking of reasons not to do. It is remarkably easy to not do something.

Like the little guy said: "Do or do not, there is no try"

Bruce

 

[Strouty]

That is exactly what I am finding Bruce, once I get started it is a snowball effect and I need to actually stop myself and take a break.

I too am plagued with the multipurpose shop, hardly ever do the same thing twice, so I am trying to think universal. I have also set up most everything so it has casters or I can easily move it with a pallet jack or forklift. Long term and big picture is to have everything in the shop adaptable and multipurpose. Sometimes it takes a while to figure out how to make things work together, other times I realize that they will never work together, but still need to coexist in the same space.

I am seriously considering leaving for the day, I am a little concerned that I may end up with a cold if I don't get warmed up. I just had hot food, I am all dressed in warm clothes, and I have been moving around, nothing seems to help.

 

[Spiritwalker2222]

This tread has motivated me to toss, sell some items.

I bought a nice impact gun 10 years ago and still have my old one. I can easily sell the old one.
My pile of scrap wood needs to be paired down.
I also have some patio adjustment legs that I wanted to recycle. I'm going to head over to the dump to dispose of, instead of waiting for more things like I originally intended.

 

[Strouty]

Sometimes that is all it takes, just an item or two, then it turns into three, then four, then you have an entire pile.

 

[RonnieC]

Getting rid of stuff is liberating. I imagine what would happen if a tornado ripped through my garage and I lost everything. What would I truly miss? Certainly not leftover pieces of projects and stuff that doesn't work but I may fix someday.
Keep it neat, tidy and usable. Then its a pleasant environment, not a mentally taxing one. The value of that exceeds the perceived value of all the excess clutter you're hanging onto.

 

[Kev442]

I guess I can't agree with letting the cabinets go. If Julie wants this project done, I think it's time to man up and do it.

1) recycle the car batteries for $100
2) use the money to get the van fixed. A brake line or two and a transmission mount are such small repairs in the scheme of things
3) empty the van
4) pick up the cabinets, leave in the van
5) take everything out of the kitchen and put in the yard and tarp it. Do not inspect, sort, categorize. Just move it and pile it
6) tear the old cabinets out and toss them in the 7 trash cans
7) bring some new cabinets in and start the fitting job

As the little man really said: do or I'll fry your azz with the force, you whiney little *****!