Something just clicked…..

[Strouty]

RM, I am taking the Mitsu to a job tomorrow morning, so I wanted to get it done before leaving. Seeing out of it will be a huge benefit, especially for this job, some of the digging is near a garage. Usually my jobs are out in the middle of no where or in the woods.

Rich, you must have been reading my mind, I was just thinking that when I get the new weatherstripping I should pull all the windows and repaint the machine.

Using the shop feels a lot better than in the past, I think the organizing has really helped me emotionally and mentally, that in turn is helping me physically. I spent a bit more time before I left to clean up my mess, I figure it will be nicer to walk in to a clean space in the morning.



I took this picture for the peanut gallery..........

 

[Richard Cranium]

A few min. each night to clean up, so that you go into a clean shop, will help you so very much. No one likes to go into a dirty shop. Keep clearing a few square feet each time you are out there. Go back and look what it looked like when you started this thread. Holy hell bat man.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Hey.

HEY! I resemble that statement!
Oh look! Are those Integy piggybacks? I never noticed those before.

I took this picture for the peanut gallery..........
[/QUOTE

 

[Kev442]

Fixing those windows is going to have a larger effect than you think. There is nothing wrong with running older equipment, but those cloudy windows were telling your clients that you do not care about maintaining equipment properly, whether it is true or not. You only get one chance to make a first impression and that excavator was giving the exact wrong vibe last year.

You have just about completed the transformation of your storage unit into a shop. If you had not needed to move the excavator out to cut the large sheets (by using a table on the other side), I would have considered it about done, with the rest being details. Congrats.

The wide angle view showing the ceiling reminds me that your roofing repairs are considered temporary. Until you make those permanent, you are stuck moving those newer lights around and with poor insulation falling down randomly. You have less than 120 days to do a permanent repair that looks nice.

 

[dlcwent]

Well done my friend.

 

[Strouty]

Wanna, they are piggy backs, but I can't remember if they are integy or some other brand. I actually have some unbuilt progressives too. Maybe this week I can dig out the tires and a few other bits. I am not sure if my batteries are any good, I know lithium ions store well, they have never been charged and are probably six years old.

Kev, I ended up having room to cut the remaining parts without removing the machine, I did have to move the table, but that was more about controlling where the chips went versus ability to use it. I have not forgotten about the roof, I have a couple new ideas, but I will have to get a permit from the town to do them, not sure I want to go that route yet.

Thanks DLC.

 

[dlcwent]

Hey, while you are purging, grab something that I can add to my wall. I might even hang it next to Cuda's fishnets.

 

[bczygan]

Strouty,

Just wow!

A completely cleaned up shop.

What will you post about now???

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Oh MY!!!

It's a new machine!

It will be blinding in the cab with all that extra sunlight coming in.

Bill

 

[Thumper68]

Wow, The shop is looking great.

How good did it feel to have the room to pull the excavator inside?

I agree on cleaning up at the end of the day, I have really gotten into that habit as well, tools back in the box, cords wrapped up and floor swept.

 

[Strouty]

Being able to not only bring the Mitsu inside, but to work on it and around it was a great feeling. I think my next big push after getting this done is to add wheels to the big fabrication table, I guess I could start with cleaning it off first!

The funny part is that I really only cleaned up 1/2 the shop, there is still a mess on the other side that NEEDS to be dealt with. The steel rack in the middle is one of my biggest mistakes, not sure how I am going to handle that yet, too many ideas in my head. I need to concentrate on today, got to get the machine to the job site and get things rolling with that. Plenty to do all around and my back is still a bit sore, going to push forward regardless.

 

[bczygan]

Being able to not only bring the Mitsu inside, but to work on it and around it was a great feeling. I think my next big push after getting this done is to add wheels to the big fabrication table, I guess I could start with cleaning it off first!

The funny part is that I really only cleaned up 1/2 the shop, there is still a mess on the other side that NEEDS to be dealt with. The steel rack in the middle is one of my biggest mistakes, not sure how I am going to handle that yet, too many ideas in my head. I need to concentrate on today, got to get the machine to the job site and get things rolling with that. Plenty to do all around and my back is still a bit sore, going to push forward regardless.

Careful framing of photos is what keeps my shop looking good for others!

But I need some special blinders for myself...

Bill

 

[Firebrand]

Great job on the shop AND the window replacement project! Your process, combined with a solid analytical approach and logic tree, have greatly influenced the organization of my garage and shop as well!

Isn't that the greatest feeling when projects come into the shop and the shop works with you rather than against you?

I battled a boat into my garage diagonally on Saturday to beat the rain and keep moving ahead. Sounds a bit similar to the Mitsu and window-fest.

Stick with your plans! You are helping yourself and others, too!

 

[Strouty]

Thanks guys, we all seem to be helping each other.

 

[Strouty]

No real update, just a mental note that it was nice to come back to a clean shop.

 

[bczygan]

No real update, just a mental note that it was nice to come back to a clean shop.

Isn't it JUST!!!

I've had times like that. And then it all goes to hell for a while again.

But when it happens, it is the most wonderful place to be.

Sometimes I'll just sit down on a stool and look around and think, "All this is mine?"

When it's messy and I can't get to things, like it was the other morning, it's aggravating. I just had to move things around until I could get to things.

Then it was serendipity again!

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Yeah, sometimes I wish I didn't own all the stuff. When it gets to that point, the stuff owns me, I hate that feeling.

 

[Kev442]

When I have to move 5 things to get at what I need at the moment, I want to scream and start chucking it all.
Getting better though.
The sight of uncluttered concrete in a shop is a true joy. Too bad I started my summer project and won't see much of it for a long time...

 

[bczygan]

When I have to move 5 things to get at what I need at the moment, I want to scream and start chucking it all.
Getting better though.
The sight of uncluttered concrete in a shop is a true joy. Too bad I started my summer project and won't see much of it for a long time...

I spent a good part of two days looking for my 2 pipe wrenches. I looked all over the house, including the basement, and the yard, including 2 sheds.

Finally ran into them in a box in the garage after I gave up looking..

That just isn't good enough. I will find a permanent place for all plumbing tools and supplies.

Bill

 

[Kev442]

And now you know why I will not use totes or boxes anymore. My pipe wrenches are in my tool chest, where they belong. They could also be put in my plumbing carryall if I felt like it.

 

[nine4gmc]

I keep a plastic carry box full of essential home repair tools under the sink in the kids bathroom. It has a small and medium pipe wrench, basin wrench, allen wrenches, pliers, channel locks and assortment of screwdrivers among other things.

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[Strouty]

Nines, I think that was what started my duplicate tools, I just needed to have a small box for this and that, then it was triplicate tools, then.......... you get the idea.

I am going to try and work on a small shop project here and there, but most everything will be stuff for the current job. Once I get things under control for the job, then I will have some more time to spend on the shop. The biggest thing for me is to not overdo it and get burnt out, I have a bad habit of that. Yesterday I got home around 9PM, that is OK one or two nights a week, but I need to watch it overall.

 

[Strouty]

It is raining cats and dogs right now, trying to set up the new welding cart to put the new welder on. The damn wheels are typical China rubber, smell like crazy, so I left them outside and I probably will leave them there for another day. At least I can get the cart ready for them, I hate the idea of coming into the shop and having the entire place reek of China.

I ended up doing errands today, thinking about heading home, tomorrow I will be at the job site most of the day, then I will do some work at the shop. I am thinking Thursday will be a full shop day, I will see what tomorrow brings.

 

[nine4gmc]

What wheel are you using and what are they rated at? I'm getting ready to build a welding cart myself but most the wheels I see are 200 lb rating or less for the large set, my welders weight that much, then I'll have the plasma cutter, bottles, electric wiring and outlets, tools etc. Can't find any swivel casters to work either...

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[Strouty]

I am no help on that front, this is a miller cart I just assembled. I am eventually making a bench that rolls around with all my welders and plasma cutter, but I plan on keeping the 211 on its own because it is easy to grab for a quick job. I did however find out it is a small cart and not made to hold a larger bottle, so now I have to decide if I am going to a smaller bottle or if I am going to modify the cart. After man handling the bottle, I am thinking I will use a smaller bottle just because it will be easier for me to manage by myself. At least I am almost out of gas, so that is good timing. I have a long hose and kept the bottle centrally located, then dragged the welder to where ever I wanted to use it. I use both straight argon and argon CO2 mix, so I have some extra bottles.

 

[nine4gmc]

Gotcha, thanks.

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[bimmer1980]

I've had good luck buying casters on ebay for a variety of projects.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-x-2-Swive...018306?hash=item2a4852e402:g:OBYAAOSw0vBUfz47

I've bought similar to what is listed above.

For a decent caster, you need to be willing to pay $15 to $25 each, pending wheel type and if it has a brake.

 

[Strouty]

Nines, I have had good luck at a local surplus place, maybe you can find some military surplus? How big are you looking for? Are you thinking all swivel or traditional two bigger straight rear wheels with two castors on the front to turn?

 

[nine4gmc]

Yeah, I want like 8-10" straight rear wheels and maybe 4" swivel locking casters on front. I don't want anything pneumatic that can deflate or anything that will form flat spots and not want to roll. IDK of any local surplus places so I'm pretty much stuck with retail or online.

 

[Strouty]

These are probably the best type you could get for the straight wheels. The casters are easy to get in steel wheels, but I have never really looked for locking ones, they must have them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ant...nk-Wall-Art-Industrial-Hit-Miss-/272266313024

 

[Strouty]

I spent the morning at the job site digging a hole, got down 5' and hit a chunk of ledge, had to clock the hole about 30 degrees and dig it again so I could get the 6' depth that the engineer required. The problem was that the hole was too big for the Mitsu to reach all the way across, so I had to partially fill it in so I could reach the other side, then get back out of the hole and remove the material I used as a ramp. The blasted rocks were pretty big, so it was slow digging. I don't know why I didn't take any pictures, but I will next time.

I ended up back at the shop this afternoon since I had some help available, we cut some of the plywood down to size, but I need to figure out exactly how I am building the forms. I thought about reusing some of my old ones, but they are all a bit too wrong dimensionally. I will have to take a trip to the lumber yard tomorrow for sure, I only had one 2x6 and I will need several of them.

Right now both forklifts are in the shop with plywood on the forks. I did get to finally add some plywood to the wall behind my adjustable table, so I can start mounting bins for my RC Car stuff.

 

[Strouty]

I spent the first part of the day nursing my elbow, apparently it is not ready to shovel dirt, at least not for a couple hours in a row.

I was supposed to have help this afternoon, but they had to reschedule because of an emergency car show that they found out about a 12 noon today?

Anyways I changed direction once again and gathered up some materials for the job, got the two empty propane tanks filled, had the local rigging supply company rework the lifting chain I had them make the other day, now I am at the shop. I need to load up some other tools, unload some things, get a knaack box for the job, the generator, and other misc things. I am taking the trailer home so I can load wood tomorrow after I get done at the site.

Fun stuff for sure, I will try and get some pictures of what I am doing at the site tomorrow.

 

[nine4gmc]

First time having two forklifts in there I bet? Feels good I'm sure, looks good!

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[Strouty]

I had them both in there when I had to fix the u-joint, but there wasn't as much room.

 

[Coolabah]

..snip..
Fun stuff for sure, I will try and get some pictures of what I am doing at the site tomorrow.

I for one would love to see that. Strouty , I have to be honest with you when you first started this thread as much as I like think I am a nice guy I caught myself thinking " wow I would never let my shop get that messy ". These photos of your shop over the last week ... I am now thinking "wow I will never get my shop that organised and tidy ". It has been a big and still ongoing haul for you to this point but I just had to say what I just said (whilst desperately trying to keep the jealousy out of my words !!!)

 

[dlcwent]

Lurking my friend. Just lurking.

 

[Strouty]

Coolabah, I understand what you were thinking, I am pretty sure I was in the same camp at one point, but it is really easy to get overwhelmed. When my shop started getting really bad, I had a serious issue with my hands, my personality and mentality were the things that let me keep adding to the mess with no way to clean it up. About the time that I started this thread I was learning to deal with the mental issues and the physical issues were almost over, well at least with the hands. I have learned a lot about myself over the last couple years, I am glad to have all you guys along for the journey. As for getting organized, I almost think that it is easier than making a mess, I know that sounds weird, but once you get things started it is so much easier. Now I can find things, I know where to put a lot of things, in the future I hope to have everything figured out, at least until I add new things.

Hello Lurker, windy enough for you yesterday?

I am going to take some pictures before I start work this morning, then I can take some pictures after the delivery or deliveries of flowable fill are placed. Nothing too exciting, but the excavator is beating my back up a bit, I am going to have to see the chiropractor next week as the inversion table is not helping enough, just finished my stretches and I feel like I was in a car accident. I know if I keep moving that it gets better, but it doesn't go away, between my back and my elbow, I just want to be done with this project, but I have barely started.

 

[dlcwent]

It was a bit on the breezy side yesterday. I think it ***** that your body is giving you so much pain. I'll check back to se the pictures. I've got a yard full still, so gotta get my *** in gear. Hope you have a productive day.

 

[Strouty]

Waiting on flowable fill delivery. They are running behind a bit. Said they would be here shortly, only 40 minutes late. I wish I had brought lunch. I did take pictures so I will post them tonight. Hopefully one truck load will do it, if not I have to wait for another truck.

 

[Richard Cranium]

also waiting to see the pictures.