Shop clutter suggestions?

[ironhat]

I was amazed how much my shop improved after I came upon a steel cabinet previously used for dress patterns at a yard sale. The guy said that he couldn't get rid of it because of the spacers welded to the drawer floor and sides which kept the patterns in orderly rows. I got it for $5, chiseled out the spot welds holding the spacers in some of the drawers. I was able to get rid of some inefficient, make do cabinets that I had scavenged. I other words, buy or build some cabinets.

[Uncle Cracker]

This was actually going to be my first bit of advice but I didn;t think it would be very helpful....

Since when has that been a requirement??

[dbhost]

Okay, I got to thinking some more about this, and I hope I don't get too long winded, but here goes nothin'.

Think Vertical. The biggest problem I have in my shop is over-use of horizontal space, and improper use of vertical.

Obviously you have a Thien Cyclone in your shop right? (Okay guys stop laughing!) Stack the vac over the can. (With smoother bends than shown here to reduce impact on airflow...)

Source http://www.cgallery.com/smf/index.php?topic=75.0

A bench top tool storage shelf / stand configuration allows you to stash those benchtop tools vertically and saves you valuable shop floor space. It also is prone to giving you a hernia by moving all those heavy benchtop tools back and forth all the time... It's your call...

Source:http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=38596

If you use those metal tool stands, like I do, you can do what I am planning on, which is mount plywood accross the spreaders and use that space for tool storage.

You see on my sander stand the space above the spreaders. I haven't done it yet, but I am planning on adding 1/2" plywood and storing my hand held sanders there..

And of course, peg board, lots and lots of peg board!

DonHo has some good ideas in a response he had to my thread about 10x12 shed / shops. And while it left me feeling claustrophobic, it also shows some good thinking in a small space. He's really thinking "inside the box" as it were.
http://www.bt3central.com/showpost.p...6&postcount=26

The thread on Garage workshops might also show you some good ideas for making things tidy...

[smorris]

get rid of scrap

HERETIC!

[dbhost]

get rid of scrap

HERETIC!

It still gets used... Just not for WW projects...

And I did say scrap too small or nasty to be used for projects didn't I?

[LinuxRandal]

One VERY dangerous way to get motivated:


Tell your wife, that if your shop isn't organized by (date), then anything left out, she can garage sale.

THAT will get you moving.

[radhak]

I have a serious question -

what do i do with scrap wood?

seriously, guys : i mean scrap scrap, stuff that can definitely not used anywhere, anytime.

i don't have a fireplace; my yard is too small for even a teensy fire. my family consists of girls i cannot drag to any jungle trek or camp-fire (and as if i'd carry all my scrap wood for any of that )

is it a problem if i just throw in the trash? or should it go into recylable?

[MikeMcCoy]

I have a serious question -

what do i do with scrap wood?

seriously, guys : i mean scrap scrap, stuff that can definitely not used anywhere, anytime.

i don't have a fireplace; my yard is too small for even a teensy fire. my family consists of girls i cannot drag to any jungle trek or camp-fire (and as if i'd carry all my scrap wood for any of that )

is it a problem if i just throw in the trash? or should it go into recylable?

You could always get a lathe. Or if you know someone who turns, they can take quite a bit of your smaller scrap.

[radhak]

You could always get a lathe. Or if you know someone who turns, they can take quite a bit of your smaller scrap.

As it happens, I do have a lathe !

But most of the scrap I'm talking about is plywood or particle-board, or really fragmented pine. Can't see them being turned in any way.

[shoottx]

As it happens, I do have a lathe !

But most of the scrap I'm talking about is plywood or particle-board, or really fragmented pine. Can't see them being turned in any way.

Just go ahead and close your eyes and throw it in the trash.

If you are anything like me you ar agonizing over scrap pieces that are small enough that they are not safe to saw any more. So with great reluctance I have started throwing them away!

[dbhost]

As it happens, I do have a lathe !

But most of the scrap I'm talking about is plywood or particle-board, or really fragmented pine. Can't see them being turned in any way.

That stuff ends up in the trash if it is too small to safely work with... Hardwoods, particularly woods that would normally end up in the smoker, if it weren't for woodworking anyway, end up in the smoker...

There is a point where being a pack rat with stuff that might be useful later on, is a BAD thing... I can tell you I know folks that still have large stashes of 8 track tapes, and Betamax video tapes because it might be useful again...

[pelligrini]

You just need the right sized tools for the small stuff.

[radhak]

tell me about being a pack rat : i think i need to quit cold turkey; no other way out. and like you said, it's impossible to do anything safely with it.

You just need the right sized tools for the small stuff.

that is one exquisite piece of art! took 1000 hours to create all that, and I'd say pretty reasonable, seeing the detail that went into it.

my daughter took a look and wants to buy it with her piggy bank money; i could not find if it was for sale.

[chopnhack]

Scrap? Throw away?? Never, I save all the small stuff....
Probably why I can't find my garage....but, they do make great shims! I am afraid of cleaning my garage, I am sure that as soon as i have my shop ready a hurricane will come and wash me away!