Jim_No_Garage
Well-known member
Interesting - I'm very prone to what you describe and it didn't bother me.
Woodcraft online carries Kaizen foam - I'm going there tomorrow for something else so I will see if they stock it locally.
Cheers
Jim
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
Interesting - I'm very prone to what you describe and it didn't bother me.
Woodcraft online carries Kaizen foam - I'm going there tomorrow for something else so I will see if they stock it locally.
Cheers
Jim
Russ G
Active member
I liked it, too. I'm not a machinist and wouldn't even know where to find the on / off switch on some of those machines, but I can appreciate a nice shop. If nothing else it motivates me to get my own place cleaned up.
In my own shop, I have a Craftsman drill press that I use the ever-lovin' hell out of. I'm 6'1, so they're always a little short.
I put the base on a pair of 6x6 timbers to get my work height up more comfortable.
Then I bought a Craftsman 2-drawer box with deep top storage area, removed the locking bar from the lid, so the drawers open with the lid closed, and loaded up all the tools I ONLY use at the drill press: Hole saws, clamps, all the drill bits I use, chamfer bits, etc. etc., rather than keep those things in my regular tool box. I also have a screwdriver in there for the set screws on hole saw arbors.
I'm doing the same thing with my welder: I'm finishing up a cart made from a '50s Craftsman 3-drawer roll-away: It has my Clecos, a wrench for changing the regulator from one bottle to the other, wrench for drive wheel tension spring, wire cutter, welder's pliers, plus spare tips, wire, etc. etc.
When my Craftsman industrial rt angle grinder was still alive, I had a carry case for it, and left a pair of wrenches in it that matched the nuts on wire cups, so I didn't have to make trips back and forth to get a wrench. EVERY time I used that grinder, it was totally self-contained, so I could just grab the case and go out into the driveway, or over to a friend's house for a project.
It makes sense to have dedicated tool boxes next to specific power tools. Especially in a production shop, as you aren't wasting time walking to your tool box to get things.
-Brad
I put the base on a pair of 6x6 timbers to get my work height up more comfortable.
Then I bought a Craftsman 2-drawer box with deep top storage area, removed the locking bar from the lid, so the drawers open with the lid closed, and loaded up all the tools I ONLY use at the drill press: Hole saws, clamps, all the drill bits I use, chamfer bits, etc. etc., rather than keep those things in my regular tool box. I also have a screwdriver in there for the set screws on hole saw arbors.
I'm doing the same thing with my welder: I'm finishing up a cart made from a '50s Craftsman 3-drawer roll-away: It has my Clecos, a wrench for changing the regulator from one bottle to the other, wrench for drive wheel tension spring, wire cutter, welder's pliers, plus spare tips, wire, etc. etc.
When my Craftsman industrial rt angle grinder was still alive, I had a carry case for it, and left a pair of wrenches in it that matched the nuts on wire cups, so I didn't have to make trips back and forth to get a wrench. EVERY time I used that grinder, it was totally self-contained, so I could just grab the case and go out into the driveway, or over to a friend's house for a project.
It makes sense to have dedicated tool boxes next to specific power tools. Especially in a production shop, as you aren't wasting time walking to your tool box to get things.
-Brad
GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
I watch all of John's videos. The YouTube machining community is excellent and if you're interested, you should watch! Here are the more prominent ones:
Adam @ Abom79
Tom @ oxtoolco
John @ NYCCNC
Keith Fenner
Keith Rucker
Adam @ Abom79
Tom @ oxtoolco
John @ NYCCNC
Keith Fenner
Keith Rucker
so its organized the same way the Air Force builds and organizes every tool box for aircraft maintenance. It helped me learn how to stay organized and drives me nuts now when i see a "tool" box with lose tools. Shadow colors under the cut outs help too.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I've sort of gotten obsessed about watching these guys recently, even though the closest I come to doing any machining is using a drill press and a file.
I started out watching Tom Lipton's videos (after someone here posted a link to his series on making a baby Wilton vise replica) and that led to finding all the others one by one.GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
I've sort of gotten obsessed about watching these guys recently, even though the closest I come to doing any machining is using a drill press and a file.
That's exactly how I got into it! The baby Wilton vise videos were awesome, weren't they? Now it's his etching press videos that just blow me away.
bczygan
Well-known member
Would like to see more detail. Perhaps a video on each machine/work station. Go through every associated drawer and rack.
If you can't find it, it's like you don't own it. So true.
I worked in a shop that was two man. We could never find anything. Spent half a day looking for one item. Many times just gave up. Tool boxes and drawers of misc. all jumbled together. Miserable.
Organizing and optimizing over time is great, but at some point, most things have to settle and find a permanent home. Location, location, location! And then labeling and signage. Some things must be the closest at hand, and some further away.
Then, the other half is keeping organized. Good habits include putting things away. You can't keep track of things if they constantly move around and aren't where they should be.
Any shop gets dirty, so a mix of tools and supplies that are kept out in the open, ready for immediate use, and other things that are put away, safe from dust and debris.
Wish I had his space. but I've seen shops, productive ones, so tight with machines, that 2 men couldn't pass each other.
Bill
If you can't find it, it's like you don't own it. So true.
I worked in a shop that was two man. We could never find anything. Spent half a day looking for one item. Many times just gave up. Tool boxes and drawers of misc. all jumbled together. Miserable.
Organizing and optimizing over time is great, but at some point, most things have to settle and find a permanent home. Location, location, location! And then labeling and signage. Some things must be the closest at hand, and some further away.
Then, the other half is keeping organized. Good habits include putting things away. You can't keep track of things if they constantly move around and aren't where they should be.
Any shop gets dirty, so a mix of tools and supplies that are kept out in the open, ready for immediate use, and other things that are put away, safe from dust and debris.
Wish I had his space. but I've seen shops, productive ones, so tight with machines, that 2 men couldn't pass each other.
Bill
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bczygan
Well-known member
Fastcap Kaizen foam:
http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewprd.asp?idproduct=13435
http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/viewprd.asp?idproduct=13435
Didn't mean to snip your quote, but these are good points. I got sick of looking for basic tools in our shop, so years ago, I made these. Each machine has one, and the initial cost of buying the measuring tools more than pays for itself by not having to search the shop for missing tools. Plus, each tool has its place, which just happens to be a cool anodized aluminum tray. I like to think that it makes one proud to stay organized. First pic shows one I was making today (new machines on the way) and the second shows one in use, on the same machine I'm using to make the other one.
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Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
I don't mind a good organization story, and learned something about Kaizen foam this morning.. so not bad for the 5 minutes I spend on this.
Lilscorpian has a similar thread for tool organization suited to the hobby shop / home shop builder.. Some of the same principles, although not what an efficiency theme..
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174553
Lilscorpian has a similar thread for tool organization suited to the hobby shop / home shop builder.. Some of the same principles, although not what an efficiency theme..
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174553
ez-duzit
Well-known member
This.
Though I have organized my shop in a way that works for me. Such as drawer cabinets for tooling located right by the machines they serve.
vavet
Well-known member
You milled your own tool organizer tray out of aluminum?
That's awesome!
I think that is the machinist's equivalent of a surgeon operating on him/herself.
As for the video as a whole, I also watched only about 10 minutes, but that was because I had to get back to work myself. I think he has great ideas and I'm intrigued by the kaizen foam. I'm not a machinist. I am constantly struggling with organization in my home shop as well as at work. I'm not sure I understand the appeal of the bins. They seem expensive for what they area. Could I not buy something equivalent at HF?
bmk
Well-known member
bczygan
Well-known member
Cool idea!
I'm organizing my metalworking shop right now.
The first thing I'm doing is deciding what machines need to be in the shop in the first place. Since it's a small one car attached garage, I must limit what goes in there. Because it's attached, there is no need for man cave functions like a couch and fridge. The house serves the functions of entertainment, food and drink, and bathroom and cleanup facilities.
The next step is to determine the core functions and associated machines. Even more important is to determine the machines that can be placed elsewhere because they are infrequently used.
So I make a list of machines, and then separate it into two groups. Then I arrange the machines so they relate to each other properly.
In the core group, I can set them so I can run more than one at a time. Mill and lathe are the most important, so should be right across from each other.
Nearby should be vertical and horizontal band saws and a grinder.
I won't do these machine lists right now, as I want to get to individual workstations, one by one, and detail them.
I want to start with the mill. I have a Bridgeport, all manual feed. So here's a start of a list of what is needed nearby to operate it.
3/4" wrench for adjusting head and draw-bar*
Vise*
Vise handle*
Mill handle*
T-slot clean out tool*
Dead blow hammer*
Step block and clamp set*
Wrench for t-slot nuts*
Tapping fluid*
Coolant mixed in squeeze bottle*
WD40 in squeeze bottle*
Lubricants in squeeze bottles or oil cans*
Natural bristle brush for cleanup*
Lights - adjustable*
Collet set R8*
Collet rack*
Clamps+
Jacks+
Parallel set+
Dial indicator with mag base+
Dial indicator with clamp+
De-burring tool+
Square+
Scales - small and large+
Countersinks+
Chart+
Machinery's handbook+
Pad computer+
Edge and center finder+
123 blocks+
L block+
Super saver+
V block+
Gage blocks - A few for setup+
Hex wrench for inserts+
Caliper+
Micrometer+
Marker+
Paper and pencil+
Magnifier+
Chip guard material@
Drill chucks and keys@
Deming drills@
Number and letter drills in case@
Taps@
Mills@
Files@
Inserts@
Tap wrenches@
Reamers@
More to add. Of course, some things will be very near to hand, and some a step away.
I need to mark the ones that are closest at hand to separate them from those a step away. Need a layout table and cleanup items like air blow gun, broom, dust pan and trash can.
This list is pretty extensive, so I don't have to leave the work station of the mill for very many reasons. This means some tools will be duplicated at other stations, like in the original video of this thread. That's OK. But also, some of the things in the list, since this is a small garage shop, can be located to serve more than one station or tool.
Items marked with an * need to be right at the mill, either on it or in or on trays attached to it.
Items marked + could be on a layout table at immediate hand.
Items marked @ could be on shelving a step or two away, but nearby.
Any other suggestions?
Bill
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bczygan
Well-known member
Another area to set up and organize could be a small planning desk.
Like the shop I worked at, I would set it up on a granite surface plate. So a height gauge, marker fluid, scales, caliper and micrometers and paper, pencil and calculator will be needed. Good lighting. Computer. What else?
Bill
Like the shop I worked at, I would set it up on a granite surface plate. So a height gauge, marker fluid, scales, caliper and micrometers and paper, pencil and calculator will be needed. Good lighting. Computer. What else?
Bill
ez-duzit
Well-known member
A cover for the surface plate so it doesn't get knockered up.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Bill...I thought your mill has been sitting outside in the weather for the last 5 years or more? If it has, it has to be one rusted up hulk of metal.
bczygan
Well-known member
Hell NO, Kevin!
It's in the garage/machine shop and hooked up to a static phase converter and making chips!
I LOVE it! Watching Tubelcain and playing with Fusion 360 and planning projects!
http://vid163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/bczygan/Bport_zpslz9ud4v0.mp4
Bill
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conceptmachine
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2014
- Messages
- 109
Your shop story reminds me of mine...almost to the T. I started in 2001 with a VF3 and a CL200, plus some support equipment. Had the opportunity to grow by leaps and bounds but decided to stay small...less stress. I decided to get well organized a few years back. Puts more pride in what I do. Easier to become ISO certified as well. Right now I am ISO compliant. Would have been impossible before organization.
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Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
Hell NO, Kevin!
It's in the garage/machine shop and hooked up to a static phase converter and making chips!
I LOVE it! Watching Tubelcain and playing with Fusion 360 and planning projects!
http://vid163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/bczygan/Bport_zpslz9ud4v0.mp4
Bill
Nice mill Bill.. Except for the BP dandruff..
bczygan
Well-known member
Nice mill Bill.. Except for the BP dandruff..
Damn popcorn ceiling.....Gonna replace it.
therealjakeg
Well-known member
Theres a new podcast of this gent on Weldingtipsandtricks.com episode 23. Amazing way he started and is being recognized of his actions and how he is changing the industry in machining.
Dr Stan
Well-known member
CISSP
New member
Rough crowd...Though this alone isn't the silver bullet, but it can sure help...Been around to a few machine shops...mostly to hire out work. If the place looks unorganized & cluttered, the work output generally follows suit. This guy takes his craft seriously & wants his shop to speak that very point to his customers. Sure...there are always the stories of the "hole-in-the-wall" machinist who's shop is a logistical nightmare but REALLY does fantastic work. It's been my experience that such things are NOT the norm. KAISEN events, 5S, Lean manufacturing etc for the shop makes a big difference in efficiency, throughput and morale...ultimately $$$.
I literally spent all day yesterday watching Tom build a roller press for his wife. It appears he has been working on it for at least 4 years and has many thousands of dollars and man hours in it. Probably would have been cheaper to buy the top of the line machine but when it gets done it will be amazing. I learned so much watching him work. Just watching the small mannerisms and movements of that level of professional is amazing.
MoparTrucks
Well-known member
I have been watching this guy for several years and I find it encouraging to see a young man follow a dream and make something of himself in the trades like that. However, that much organization where I have foam cutouts on my tool cart with even a note pad recessed would drive me crazy and last all of a minute and a half.
I watch Tom Lipton and Abolm and Tubalcain and a few others and I have learned a lot from them but I just don't have the organizational skills they do.
I watch Tom Lipton and Abolm and Tubalcain and a few others and I have learned a lot from them but I just don't have the organizational skills they do.