Suggestions on reorganization

[Sasquatch912]

My shop is currently around 30x30. I know that is small but I haven't had the funds to enclose the other 30x20 on it.

I'm still trying to get some more tool chest for organization of various tools and small parts.

I have attached the pictures of my shop to see what yall think I should do.

I appreciate any suggestions/opinions.

 

[mepstein]

Used pallet racking, metal grates on each level and plastic bins for the small stuff. Get everything off the floor and on shelves. Get all the big stuff on wheels, at least temporarily and then organize. You have a lot of space, you just need to use it wisely.

 

[Sasquatch912]

Used pallet racking, metal grates on each level and plastic bins for the small stuff. Get everything off the floor and on shelves. Get all the big stuff on wheels, at least temporarily and then organize. You have a lot of space, you just need to use it wisely.

Yes, those plastic bins I am planning to put nuts and washers on it. The other metal shelving units I am using for storage for things like oil.

I'm debating about removing that double wooden shelf I made in the corner.

 

[Rst277]

Start looking at the garage gallery and checking out other guys shops. Lots of good ideas and I'm more of a visual guy so seeing something helps the wheels get turning. That is a good sized shop and almost empty, just get some shelving and start getting stuff off the floor. It won't be perfect, see how it works for you and improve/change as you go.

 

[Stuart in MN]

There's a lot of stuff on the floor, ands no shelves on the walls. You have a fair amount of height too so things that aren't used often can be put on higher shelves.

 

[tyyost]

I’ll second the pallet rack suggestion. I see you have a short section as a workbench. I’d do a whole wall with it, and make as many shelves as you need, getting the tires, boxes and other parts off the floor.

Then I‘d look at your tools, and start nesting things together. The press and the drill press likely don’t need to be so far apart, tool cart by the tool box, and drill cubby to save trips. You have lots of floor for what you have in there, but you could have tons more just by making some easy changes. The wood stove right in the middle is a bit of a conundrum as it eats a ton of floor all the way up as well as the safe zone around it.

 

[iamhomeless]

I'm probably going to be burned at the stake for saying this, but it looks like you have way more work bench than you need. Which is leading to the bench space getting covered in odds and end and now you are working on the floor.

Those tires and other assorted large heavy stuff can be put up on high shelves or racking if you have a way to get them up and down you are comfortable with.

Gas cans can also get a shelf, but it unless you are getting a flam cabinet, make it an open shelf so you can keep an eye on them, string trimmer and chain saws can get hung above or beside thar.

Most of the small stuff like cables, wires, small parts etc. Should be in cabinets, that will keep them organized, easy to find, and out of the way. Cabinets are better than shelves since the doors keep them from collecting as much junk. You can put in multiple rows of cabinets on top of each other and use some of that verticle space, or you can use a row of cabinets as a base for a bench and then skip a few feet and mount the next row on the wall like a kitchen.

You have nice tall walls, use them, put as much stuff as high up as possible, you can put shelves or cabinets over most of the shop equipment. You just might have to get a set of rolling stairs to access it all, but that will take less floor area than junk piles do.

 

[Garcky]

First thing I'd do is figure out how to get random stuff off the floor in there. Hooks on the wall for that ladder, for example. Also, it looks like there's some actual trash on the floor. Trash can on wheels and don't drop stuff. Just put in in there. Cords, too, on the floor. Those are a tripping hazard and can lead to pulling tools off higher surfaces and breaking them.

I'd look at installing more shelving in there, so you have places to put some of the stuff that's currently on the floor.

 

[Wolley]

Get a couple wire storage racks with castors so you can move them around to clean, etc.

 

[dougf]

30x30 is a great size for a shop! Keep that area for clean work and anything dirty can be done outside under the overhead cover. You can store quite a lot out there too if theft isnt a big problem in your area. It looks like your losing a ton of storage space by not having the shelves on the wall. Lumber is down, so I would get some 2x4's and plywood every paycheck and get some 24" deep shelves along that wall. Maybe leave enough room underneath to store big heavy stuff. 8 rows of shelves should really allow you to clean things up!

 

[kwb]

Get all the yard care stuff out of there. Hang it outside in the unfinished area or house garage or a shed... just not the shop.

Those sacks of concrete are probably half hard, stop trying to store them they don't keep and are worth all of $40 or so to replace. BTDT.

Pallet racking is great if you are loading pallets - otherwise the 4' depth is a sure fire way to have **** go to the back of the shelf and never be seen until you move or the auctioneers come in. It is cheap and if you go that route - I suggest spending the time to narrow it up to 24 or so.

Mount something to the walls so you can hang stuff - 1/2 ply will hold a lot but occasionally you might need to distribute some load. 3/4" will let you skip that for almost everything but you will pay a lot to do that. To manage costs I would run it horizontally from 4' to 8' off the floor. Later on you can come back and do the lower section. It also would let you get organized now and work on getting power & air spread out through the whole shop and eliminate a lot of cords and hoses. In your building I would probably be doing the wiring in conduit.

Create a couple of shelves under your bench - make poor man's drawers with plastic bins or even carboard boxes. As time and funds allow you can always replace benches with toolboxes or lista type cabinets

Get the compressor outside in a box of its own. Insulate for sound in the small box, work in peace and quiet.

Make a parking lot for all the wheeled tools. I know the struggle on these - you don't want to put pressure washer or a generator outside where it might grow legs but those things are always in the way if you don't make a spot for everything you are in a perpetual game of tetris.

 

[mepstein]

You can get pallet racks in a lot of different depths. I’ve seen as short as 20”. The nice thing about buying used pallet racking is you can easily sell it for what you paid. I wish I had the height in my shop. I would probably make a mezzanine out of pallet racking.

 

[Sasquatch912]

I'm now thinking about removing the wooden workbench I made and get both of these eventually and connect to make one workbench then put my kobalt tool chest next to one of them.

46 in. 9 Drawer Mobile Storage Cabinet with Solid Wood Top, Black

Amazing deals on this 46In Mobile Storage Cabinet, Black at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

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46 in. Mobile Workbench with Solid Wood Top, Black

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Then remove the wood stove I made, due to like some of you said, make more room. And then put the metal work bench over near where the wood stove is currently at and have all the metal working stuff together (bench grinder, chopsaw, press, drill press, etc)

Make some shelving units to mount on the wall too.

What do yall think?

 

[MegaVan]

I'm now thinking about removing the wooden workbench I made and get both of these eventually and connect to make one workbench then put my kobalt tool chest next to one of them.

46 in. 9 Drawer Mobile Storage Cabinet with Solid Wood Top, Black

Amazing deals on this 46In Mobile Storage Cabinet, Black at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

46 in. Mobile Workbench with Solid Wood Top, Black

Amazing deals on this Black 46 Inch Mobile Storage Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Then remove the wood stove I made, due to like some of you said, make more room. And then put the metal work bench over near where the wood stove is currently at and have all the metal working stuff together (bench grinder, chopsaw, press, drill press, etc)

Make some shelving units to mount on the wall too.

What do yall think?

I have a disorganization system very similar to yours and I’d caution you on those tool boxes…

Sort out your big stuff first - build some shelves and wall mounts etc like these guys have suggested.

The big tool box should be the last thing you buy.

Also $600 buys a ton of wood right now so again - for me I’d focus on the big stuff and then see what size tool box you’d like when you are done.

 

[Sasquatch912]

I have a disorganization system very similar to yours and I’d caution you on those tool boxes…

Sort out your big stuff first - build some shelves and wall mounts etc like these guys have suggested.

The big tool box should be the last thing you buy.

Also $600 buys a ton of wood right now so again - for me I’d focus on the big stuff and then see what size tool box you’d like when you are done.

Thanks for the information.

Looks like I'm going to have to buy some OSB then to put up walls for mounting Then.

 

[kbeefy]

Shelving holds an impressive amount of stuff and gets it off your bench/floor. You have alot of space/bins on your shelves that is/are completely empty. There is also alot of under used space under your benches that could be storing some of the larger items on your floor.

You have 2 nice size work benches already, just get the clutter off of them so you can use them.

I like the 8'x7'x24 metal shelves at costco. I try to keep like items on each rack so I can find what I'm looking for.

What is the 30x20 portion of your shop being used for? Can you make some cold storage out there and get things like those tires and rims out of your workspace?

I always thought I needed a bigger shop, but then I realized I actually needed to stop using my shop for storage. Now I'm working on getting non tool items moved to other places.

 

[rsparks64]

Get a couple wire storage racks with castors so you can move them around to clean, etc.

I use about 5 of these now and got all at different times at Costco, but waited for sales. They are about 4 or 5 feet wide and 6 feet tall. The older I get the less I wanted to move shelves that weren’t on wheels. Even my main tool chest/work bench is a Milwaukee on casters. I have one heavy duty shelf left that is not on casters and my Milwaukee plain work bench is not on casters. My double decker tool boxes are on casters and my small work bench/mobile work station is also on casters. I can move all of my shelves on casters around with ease and do so when I have to blow out or sweep the garage or when I temporarily need to put all three cars in the garage and need to get my zero turn mower out of the way. I use quite a few plastic storage containers and use the lower shelves for paint, chemicals, etc.

 

[DeeDubz]

You have a lot of empty rafter space. You can use that for misc storage. Another option is mezzanine. I built one in my shop and it opened up a lot of space. 30x30 isn't super small OP thats still a pretty slick garage.

 

[PoorUB]

Mentioning wheels, everything in my shop that sits on the floor is on wheels, everything. I can move it all out to clean and I do once a year. Makes it easier to find my 10mm sockets.

 

[Signing off]

My 2 ¢
People naturally attempt to fill wall space. But that is not always optimal.
The small corner between the doors could have two rows of freestanding shelves back to back.
I have pallet racking and saw the opportunity to hide ladders, bed frames, scrap wood, conduit by freestanding the rack and having an aisle behind it. Getting to both sides of rack became easier too.
You have a great blank canvas.

 

[u2slow]

Pallet racking is a nice start if you can get a bunch cheap, and have the means to transport it easily. I could not, so I've had to build a lot from lumber. What little I could find was a full 4' deep so it's storing large auto parts outside under a lean-to instead.

I put in 2' deep lumber & plywood shelving at 8', 10', and 12' high; plus a cheater 14" shelf at 7'. My tool chests fit under them on the same wall. Also have started on the mezzanine, and more to come.

I was almost at the point of getting another toolchest, but instead have decided to wall-hang select tools on screws and hooks instead.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

 

[Sasquatch912]

Shelving holds an impressive amount of stuff and gets it off your bench/floor. You have alot of space/bins on your shelves that is/are completely empty. There is also alot of under used space under your benches that could be storing some of the larger items on your floor.

You have 2 nice size work benches already, just get the clutter off of them so you can use them.

I like the 8'x7'x24 metal shelves at costco. I try to keep like items on each rack so I can find what I'm looking for.

What is the 30x20 portion of your shop being used for? Can you make some cold storage out there and get things like those tires and rims out of your workspace?

I always thought I needed a bigger shop, but then I realized I actually needed to stop using my shop for storage. Now I'm working on getting non tool items moved to other places.

The 30x20 is open and has one of that pallet shelves that I store wood on, I then have 3 wooden crates with miscellaneous metal from past projects and stuff I've torn apart. I also have a pallet full of plywood that has been cut to smaller sizes (how I bought it), etc.

I just need to get walls put up in the shop so I can make shelves
.

 

[Sasquatch912]

You have a lot of empty rafter space. You can use that for misc storage. Another option is mezzanine. I built one in my shop and it opened up a lot of space. 30x30 isn't super small OP thats still a pretty slick garage.

I thought about that at one point, and store stuff I rarely use or parts from trucks in various plastic totes.

 

[DeeDubz]

I thought about that at one point, and store stuff I rarely use or parts from trucks in various plastic totes.

It didnt cost me too much. My mezzanine is 12x12. I was able to utilize storage underneath it for stuff I dont really use every day. For example i have my engine stand, Cherry picker, wood splitter, triumph.. and a bunch of other stuff. Later on down the road I might close it in and put in a bathroom. It wouldn't be too hard.

 

[brownbagg]

i had to build a free standing bookcase style sheves to the roof using 2x10 (2x8 would work) i made it eight feet wide. all the stuff I dont need daily is up high, generator, small air compressor on bottom

 

[HogDude]

In picture #1 the bench on the right is pallet rack. Great start.
Each upright is dual side for additional horizontal bars. Use search for benches and maybe pallet and/or rack. I’ve seen a really nice setup where the pallet rack bench is flanked by tall uprights and shelving that also bridge over the bench providing a nice mounting option for bench lighting. Take some pictures as there are several types of quick lock systems for uprights/beams. I like the way you roll.

 

[LWB]

A mezzanine would be ideal if you could pull it off. Storage above and you could work below with really good lighting. We did this at work and used the beams to build workbenches too. First thing first, get the stuff up onto the walls.

This is just a basic pic I pulled of the net, You can customize it to whatever you would want and used racking is dirt cheap.

 

[imagineer]

My rules for organizing my 32'x24' pole barn:

Nothing on the floor that doesn't have to be on the floor (i.e., use shelves, racks & wall cabinets).
If something must remain on the floor and does not required to be anchored, put it on wheels.
Move all the dust and grit making operations to one area.

Also, I didn't see a fire extinguisher in your pictures.

 

[gsuty17]

Sounds like you already have lots of good advice but here is are my general thoughts on organization:

1. Throw away all garbage, anything that vaguely resembles garbage, or anything of little to no value.
2. Sell anything of any value that isn't hard to replace and gets used seldom. I call it the craigslist rental program.
3. Clean up all your tools that have homes. Put everything that goes in a tool box in one, if you don't have one, get a toolbox.
4. Remove anything that doesn't need to be inside. If you have any eaves that don't face the road hand yard tools there, etc.
5. Organize what remains. Big tools can go in cabinets, on shelves, under workbenches etc. Put things you access often in easy to reach places, put seldom used things in harder to reach places.

Fundamentally, if you can keep anything off the floor that doesn't HAVE to be on the floor, your 95% the way there. Also, a lot of this is just time management more than organization. Stop working 5 minutes before you have to and clean up your mess and put away your tools.

Based on your pictures, I'd go up. You have tons of storage space over shoulder level. I'd use that space.

 

[u2slow]

used racking is dirt cheap.

Maybe in your area... not mine. Used lumber and cants/slabs from milling is my go-to instead.

 

[LWB]

Maybe in your area... not mine. Used lumber and cants/slabs from milling is my go-to instead.

Whatever works for you. There appears to be a lot of overhead space there.

 

[jives]

Good suggestions here, let me see if I can organize some of the thoughts with my own experiences.
1. Toss out junk and unnecessary stock and tools.
2. Put outdoor stuff outdoors, but keep protected.
3. Prioritize tools and make accessible spaces for them. Other stuff can be stored out of the way. See below for storage.
4. Though I don't like shelves (collect dirt), they are a relatively cheap way to have a place for everything, and everything in its place. If pallet racks are out of the price range, make nice ones with 2 x 4s and plywood.
5. Lateral file cabinets are generally cheap (used, look at auctions/public surplus), hold a ton. Line half a wall with them and all that **** on the floor will go away. PublicSurplus.com in Georgia currently has a number of shelf units and file cabinets (though not all lateral file cabinets)
6. You have tons of height. A free standing mezzanine would not be cheap but could be just the ticket.
7. Wheels on everything. That way you can cram stuff in a corner and pull out when needed. Includes shelves on wheels, the drill press, cabinets, lumber storage racks, etc.

 

[Sasquatch912]

A mezzanine would be ideal if you could pull it off. Storage above and you could work below with really good lighting. We did this at work and used the beams to build workbenches too. First thing first, get the stuff up onto the walls.

This is just a basic pic I pulled of the net, You can customize it to whatever you would want and used racking is dirt cheap.

I would if my shop was bigger. That would be nice.

 

[Sasquatch912]

In picture #1 the bench on the right is pallet rack. Great start.
Each upright is dual side for additional horizontal bars. Use search for benches and maybe pallet and/or rack. I’ve seen a really nice setup where the pallet rack bench is flanked by tall uprights and shelving that also bridge over the bench providing a nice mounting option for bench lighting. Take some pictures as there are several types of quick lock systems for uprights/beams. I like the way you roll.

Yeah, I may get two more cross beams and then put expanded metal on it to store miscellaneous metal.

 

[Sasquatch912]

My rules for organizing my 32'x24' pole barn:

Nothing on the floor that doesn't have to be on the floor (i.e., use shelves, racks & wall cabinets).
If something must remain on the floor and does not required to be anchored, put it on wheels.
Move all the dust and grit making operations to one area.

Also, I didn't see a fire extinguisher in your pictures.

You're right. I need to get one.

That's what I am aiming for is to have everything on wheels.

 

[Sasquatch912]

I'm trying to debate which side to put a higher hanging storage shelves in the space everyone is talking about. I'm thinking the back wall above the metal workbench. I plan not to add much of anything really to the wall where the door is as that wall will be moved toward the end of the building when I expanded and have a bigger roll up door added.

And....I did something one of yall told me not to do...bought two more workbenches. Yeah, I know, stubborn me....but I can organize various engine tools, other tools, etc into different drawers which I am needing to do because EVERYONE that uses my shop puts everything back not in order.

The two benches were on sale plus they have the metal peg board. I'm going to do a shelf above them with spots to hang my power tools. I could've made a wooden workbench like I had already and somehow built drawers; though I never had built drawers before.

I did remove the burn barrel stove. I also moved my metal welding table where the stove was.

I am slowly getting everything organized and cleaned off the floor. I have to say, it feels like I have more room now since I've moved and removed some things.

I still need to get some 2x4 studs, 4x8 OSB, and some brackets that let me connect the 2x4 studs to the metal beams of the building.

This cold has also busted my sinks water line and flooded the shop, so I've got to clean that up .



Currently it looks like this since I've removed, moved, and added things....

 

[Sasquatch912]

Well, I'm still trying to organize. I have done like some of you stated and started using the wall. I torn down that one 3 shelf storage shelf and put them on the wall.

I also moved the sink some and made where the refrigerator can sit over the hot water heater THUS giving me space to put my angle grinder between the sink and drill press. The grinder will be on wheels as well.

I'm going to turn that corner where I have the wall hanging shelves into my woodworking area while the rest of the other areas of the shop will be used for mechanic and fabrication work.

I'm going to start putting more stuff on wheels as many of you suggested so I can make use of this small area (30x30) better.

Eventually I will close in the other 20x30 area and have more woodworking stuff on one side and mechanic/fabrication stuff on the other.


If yall see anything else that you think would be good, just let me know!

Thanks

 

[bb29510]

insulate and plywood the walls, then hang stuff on the walls

 

[rayra]

OSB sheeting on the wall girts, to hang stuff from. Some standing shelves for bulkier items. I'd get all those storage bins away from the doorways and the weather coming in them. I'd set up those big workbenches as proper workspaces, with my tools all gathered around them. IF you have enough tools to group by task or type of work, do so. Have a dedicated auto / mechanical work area.

And as others have alluded too get the stuff off the floor and off the workbenches. The key is to stop using the entire 30x30 area as a junk drawer. Impose some order and then keep it orderly.
Organizing by type of work / task is a good way to put things in order and cuts way down on walking all over the place to get things.
Put all the like items together.

In your pictures I see tools and tooling on every wall / scattered all over. I'd get tired of trudging back and forth thru that obstacle course trying to get things. Waste a lot of time and effort doing that. Unscrew it. You should be able to walk in there with a project in hand / in mind and walk to one spot and have everything you need within reach for the task at hand.

eta most of my shelves are rolling racks, as are almost all my toolboxes and work tables. I can reconfigure my work space any time I need to, or collapse it to free up floor space as needed.
And all those wall cabinets are hanging from french cleats. I can rearrange those cabinets or add tool stations anytime later.
I don't have any current pics, but I shuffled some things around after a spate of furniture building last summer and am about to cut down one of my rolling racks to turn it into a combo wood offcut bins and cutting station / work surface. Again all on wheels. I'll be able to move it to a more open area for cutting long materials, or turn it into the middle stall of our 3-car when I need more room for something else.
That big white rolling table lives docked against the wall under the cabinets and still has some usefulness there, but building furniture I wheel it out in a central spot so I have access to the work from all sides. And headroom above it.

Some time this year I intend to hang a length of EMT from the ceiling and a drape of lightweight ripstop fabric so I can run it across like a curtain and keep all the sawdust confined to that workshop area of the garage.

 

[Sasquatch912]

insulate and plywood the walls, then hang stuff on the walls

I'm going to, but funds are limited at the moment. I was going to go with 7/16 osb for the walls but what do you think?