TOO Much STUFF!!

[Jhoff310]

Ok guys I'm having some problems in my garage. I'm looking for ideas to help me out. I am a jack of all trades so I have a ton of stuff in my garage from tools, supplies, parts etc...I have a fairly organized system (or so I think), but I am running out of room to store stuff. Yes, I have shelves and cabinets that are full. I am slowly purging, but I also have the mentality of "hey I can use that on a future project" or " they don't give those away, it will come in handy someday".
I'm looking for unique or helpful suggestions on storage. Pics are always welcome and appreciated. I'll try and get some pics in the next day or 2 to show you guys what I mean.

 

[jimgood]

If you have the space on your lot, you might want to consider a garden shed to store things that can tolerate humidity and temperature swings. Or rent a storage unit for things that don't get used but you can't part with.

 

[Empty Pockets]

A garden shed might be a quick and easy solution. Outdoor power equipment, long handled tools and gasoline cans would lend themselves to outside storage

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[Jhoff310]

I built a 12x16 shed a couple years ago for my outdoor equipment.

I have considered a storage unit, but that's not feasible. I need to keep things close by and accessible ( I do emergency repairs, among other things) so keeping things in a storage unit with "Controlled hours" is kinda out of the question.

 

[bwringer]

Set a time limit. If you haven't used or touched something in a year, get rid of it.

Exceptions should be rare.



My Dad did a lot of handyman stuff, and one of the problems I saw was that he would keep leftover supplies and materials and even buy up supplies he found on clearance.

The vast majority of these leftovers simply ended up cluttering up his place for years until they got too worn or damaged to actually use. Plus, clients usually don't really react well to using "leftovers" on their jobs, and you can miss out on profits on materials.

In other words, keep a few odds and ends around that stand a high probability of saving you a trip and being used in the next 6 to 12 months, but don't keep job quantities around and don't give away materials.

And pay attention to storage volume and value. For example, my Dad had a huge trash can full of 2" 90 degree PVC elbows. He probably got them for free, but they took up a ton of space for a cheap item he only needed on rare occasions. Frankly, the trash can was a lot more useful and valuable than the **** he was storing in it.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Set a time limit. If you haven't used or touched something in a year, get rid of it.

Exceptions should be rare.



My Dad did a lot of handyman stuff, and one of the problems I saw was that he would keep leftover supplies and materials and even buy up supplies he found on clearance.

The vast majority of these leftovers simply ended up cluttering up his place for years until they got too worn or damaged to actually use. Plus, clients usually don't really react well to using "leftovers" on their jobs, and you can miss out on profits on materials.

In other words, keep a few odds and ends around that stand a high probability of saving you a trip and being used in the next 6 to 12 months, but don't keep job quantities around and don't give away materials.

And pay attention to storage volume and value. For example, my Dad had a huge garbage can full of 2" 90 degree PVC elbows. He probably got them for free, but they took up a ton of space for a cheap item he only needed on rare occasions. The trash can was a lot more useful and valuable.

I concur.

The "one year rule" is pretty helpful. I think we all have this hoarder mentality.

My exception is for things that don't take up much space.

 

[Jhoff310]

A quick general idea of whats in my garage
air compressor
workbench with drawers of nuts/bolts etc..
cabinets of power tools
large rolling toolbox
cabinet of electrical supplies
cabinet of plumbing
welder
rolling workbench with more drawers underneath
wall shelving---pumps, paints, stains other garage supplies
I cabinet of automotive supplies
tarps
materials for board ups etc...
I keep my ladders under one of my trailers so theyre not taking up real estate
I'm running out of ideas

 

[bwringer]

I'll admit that in my own garage, the "one year rule" has sort of slipped to the "two-ish year rule", but the principle is helpful.

The exceptions are high-value or hard to find parts that don't take up a lot of space and could conceivably end up being useful. For example, I keep quite a few parts around for my vintage motorcycle -- most bits are hard to find and expensive, and they don't take up a lot of room.

For my newer bikes, I keep inventory of smallish parts that could derail a trip or become inconvenient -- wheel bearings, gaskets, water pump seals, fork seals, stators, brake pads, etc. Stuff like chains and sprockets I can have on my doorstep overnight.


For handyman type stuff, most of the materials are bulky, cheap, and easily available almost anywhere, so it doesn't make sense to store a lot of materials. Let Menard's deal with stocking drywall, pipe, and lumber.

 

[engineer2]

My recent solution:

 

[sberry]

I built a vault in a house basement for stuff too good to toss but don't want in my shop. I also build space in my storage building just for it.

 

[LXCam]

I utilize the tenyear rule. Once an item passes that term it's tenured into staying forever.

 

[sberry]

Storage shelves.

 

[sberry]

I moved trucks, forklifts, several other things out after I build a storage building. 200K effort to clean my shop so its empty the way it was designed to be. I move a project out yesterday, if I am not working on it the thing is gone and I continually "strip" unused items.

 

[lostmind]

I'm surprised with what I can do without.
If I need something for a project , I can usually find it a garage sale or flea market , or craigslist cheap.
Let someone else store it

 

[steve308]

Put stuff in a box with a list of what's inside written on one side. Turn the box around and write the date on it. In a year, get a large black trash bag and look for the boxes with the year old date. DO NOT turn them around to look at the inventory sheet, just put them in the bag and seal it - take it to the dump. Worked for me and only once or twice have I ever needed anything I think I threw away.

 

[crewchief888]

I'll admit that in my own garage, the "one year rule" has sort of slipped to the "two-ish year rule", but the principle is helpful.

The exceptions are high-value or hard to find parts that don't take up a lot of space and could conceivably end up being useful.

For handyman type stuff, most of the materials are bulky, cheap, and easily available almost anywhere, so it doesn't make sense to store a lot of materials. Let Menard's deal with stocking drywall, pipe, and lumber.

i purged a bunch of stuff from the garage last year that been hanging around for several years. there were a few things that i kept around that may or may not ever get used.
spare radiator for my s-10 blazer mud truck, spare set of cooling fans that came from a '99 toyota corolla (it's what i'm running in the s-10)

bunch of "universal" type radiator hoses (all NOS from a parts store that went out of business, i've used several of them for a friends project jeep)
drawer full of OEM GM nuts and bolts

i let someone else stock a bunch of stuff i only need every once i a while.
within 8-10 miles i have my pick of multiple home improvement and parts stores.

 

[Pitalplace]

I utilize the tenyear rule. Once an item passes that term it's tenured into staying forever.

I'm on this same plan but then for the first time in my life I have the storage space. I do use inventory all the time as it is 20 miles to town.

 

[Toothaker]

I have a two year rule, which I violate regularly. But I work on it. Oddly enough, it was finding GJ that motivated me. Reading here made me realize I'd been using my garage as a combination of car storage, workshop and warehouse. I consider the first two valid uses of a garage, but not the third. So I've been filling the trashcan with stuff every week, topping it off when the household trash only fills it part way. I suppose I've actually gotten rid of something that has value to someone - but I just have to remind myself that the cost of storage is greater than the value of this junk.

I've also been selling stuff on eBay and taking aluminum things to the scrap metal dealers. I figure I'm getting 4% to 30% of its value - and freeing up valuable space and decluttering my life. I just scrapped an aluminum two post 19" rack, which new cost over $200. I got $8 for it. And I gained six square feet in my home. I paid about $80 per square foot for my house, so I got my money's worth.

I have hoarders in my life, and I love them dearly. I know how far down that rabbit hole goes, and I don't want to go there myself.

 

[Marcm157]

I have a two year rule, which I violate regularly. But I work on it. Oddly enough, it was finding GJ that motivated me.

I have hoarders in my life, and I love them dearly. I know how far down that rabbit hole goes, and I don't want to go there myself.

Ha! It was GJ that motivated me to buy a whole lot of STUFF! Most of which I don't regret. My dad was a hoarder. When he passed away 3 years ago, it took 13 - 30 yard dumpsters to empty his house as well as 2 10 x 20 storage units for the known valuable or suspected valuable stuff. I keep saying I have a touch of him in me and don't want my kids dealing with what I went through after he passed so I have begun to shed some of my stuff but still find it very difficult to do...

 

[Toothaker]

Ha! It was GJ that motivated me to buy a whole lot of STUFF! (snip)

Don't get me wrong! I've been buying stuff too, and from my reading here. I bought a real toolbox, as I had tools everywhere and no system at all. I was astonished when I filled the 44" toolbox. I went out and bought a second one, this time a 27" box. Now my tools are organized.

 

[bmw57isetta]

lostmind:

Your first sentence says it all.

 

[MarlynOC]

But what do you do with chemicals like decks strippers, sealers, old Peel Away (never opened)? Not a trash item.

 

[LXCam]

But what do you do with chemicals like decks strippers, sealers, old Peel Away (never opened)? Not a trash item.

Mix'em all together and dumb it on the weeds or in the duck pond.

 

[ScottsGT]

Ok guys I'm having some problems in my garage. I'm looking for ideas to help me out. I am a jack of all trades so I have a ton of stuff in my garage from tools, supplies, parts etc...I have a fairly organized system (or so I think), but I am running out of room to store stuff. Yes, I have shelves and cabinets that are full. I am slowly purging, but I also have the mentality of "hey I can use that on a future project" or " they don't give those away, it will come in handy someday".
I'm looking for unique or helpful suggestions on storage. Pics are always welcome and appreciated. I'll try and get some pics in the next day or 2 to show you guys what I mean.

Here's your main issue. Purge things you might need, organize tools better for more room. Just went through a lot of this myself and I constantly continue to purge because I seem to bring it in faster. Just this past Sunday I was purging and picked up Dad's old Craftsman belt sander that is 40+ years old. It has a broken belt and I just knew that they were no longer available. I attempted to toss it three times already, just didn't do it. Finally said screw it, and looked it up on line. A new drive belt is on the way for less than $10
But I have hoarded engine parts for cars I don't even own because they are worth something. I just need to gather them all up, clean them and put them on C/L and move them.

I'm installing a metal wall cabinet in my garage, they were throwing out at work. It's going to get all the paint cans off the top of the fridge and freezer. Going through old kids toys or pool toys and tossing them for valuable space for my tools too.

 

[Daveinrockhillsc]

Time to build a bigger garage. LOL.


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[crewchief888]

one thing that ive found useful (to me anyway) is to keep "stuff" separated,

many things that i use in the house, i dont use too many times out in the garage, paint is a perfect example,

gallons, quarts, stain, sealer, poly stay in the house, spray paint can stay in the garage.
most of my woodworking happens inside the house, so that type of stuff stays there. metal working/mechanical stuff stays in the garage.
of course theres always few things, mostly tool related, that float back and forth depending on what ive got going on at the time.

i have a few hand tools in the house to take care of most home repairs.

my garage is small, 19x22, toolboxes, harley and some fab eq take up most of the space. i can squeeze the wifes car in during the winter, she's "kind" enough to park in the driveway the rest of the year.
i do have a full basement, with a walled off room (25x12 or so) that the original owner had for his woodshop.



just my $0.02

 

[RWorth]

I just put up a 13x28 tent, got rid of alot of tools and my CJ, I can see my floor now.

 

[Lhorn]

Agree with bwringer. Be realistic about what you actually will use and get rid of the rest. Just because it's theoretically useable doesn't mean you should keep it. As far as I.d paint cans, our local hazardous waste disposal place accepts paint. They give it away if others want it and I think some places mix it up and donate charities poor countries, whatever. Point is it has a potential use to someone else which I feel better about than just letting it dry up and go to a landfill
My wife keeps way more old baby clothes than is needed. It was in kitchen size garbage bags which took up a tremendous amount of space in the attic. We sorted through it a bit but packed the rest in large (27 gallon I think) stackable storage containers and now have a ton more space in the attic.
My current project is to set up better shelving in the garage. Instead of going with the flimsy 18 inch deep, 48 inch wide shelves you get from HD etc I called a local place that sells more industrial type shelving. Much higher weight capacity but mainly you can get different sizes that you can't get at HD. I got 36 inch deep shelves that go to my ceiling (instead of the usual 72 inch height). I hope to consolidate some of my stuff from flimsier shelves in my work area to these shelves. Except for long, or bulky items I also like to use stackable storage containers. Instead of laying stuff of a shelf, stack it in a box so that you get more stuff of a given shelf. You can also buy extra shelves for this unit. If you like to lay out you tools on a shelf and leave a lot of space between that shelve and the net shelf, you could add another shelve to take advantage of that useable space.

Mainly throw stuff away though. I alway feel good about filling up the trash and recyclable container with **** that's been sitting for years. Very rarely have I later regretted throwing something out.

 

[Elginz]

I utilize the tenyear rule. Once an item passes that term it's tenured into staying forever.

3 me

I tossed some stuff a few years ago, I still find myself looking for some of it now and then.

 

[matt_i]

But what do you do with chemicals like decks strippers, sealers, old Peel Away (never opened)? Not a trash item.

My county has a haz-disposal office/yard. They will take this for free if you are a resident and setup an appointment. Also the township had an annual "cleanup day" in the summer on a weekend where they setup dumpsters of various types at the fairgrounds and a resident can bring certain things (old tube-tvs and 4 tires per resident come to mind). They cancelled it, but in its place, a person can pickup a free voucher at the township hall to use a larger city's recycling center, on any day of the year that they are open.