The Merits Of An Orderly Shop

[ironhat]

My space problem (14' x 24') with a Ridgid 3650 and a 4' x 6' bench in the middle, a cutting bench on one long wall, storage on the other, doesn't leave much room for clutter. My psychological problem is that I am driven to clean up as I go along. Unfortunately, the later often gets in the way of the project because I have to retrieve an item several times during the project. And, thirdly, my health only allows varying spurts of work and, sometimes, a few days in between project days. Unfortunately, I sometimes forget the nuances of the project and have issues with mistakes. I'm trying to keep a simple log of what I'm to do next and what I've determined to watch out for. Geez, it gets complicated.

[scmhogg]

I have kitchen type cabinets, on one side, of my third of the garage. I finally made a map of the cabinets and write an inventory in the appropriate locations. I have one copy inside the door of each, and one copy in a binder. All my drawers are labeled. I love my Smart Label.

One of my problems is caused by my compunction to consume. Or CC as we call it. The latest gadget calls me with its siren song. Reminds me of the time when we had software and shelfware. I had lots of the latter. Went from computer shows to WW shows.

Hi, my name is Steve, and I'm a friend of Norm.

[crokett]

Larry, it is true that some are born organizers and some are not. Your CD collection is sorted, indexed, resorted then classified. Mine is just all in the cabinet and at best is grouped by music type. However, there is no reason I can't put all the CDs back when I am done with them, ya know?

[LarryG]

I agree with Rod: Tom Clark said it perfectly. My shop is organized, and kept, following the same basic philosophy.

(One possible exception: the "getting tools out" part. Many of my handheld power tools are stored in their cases, which are in turn stashed under my assembly table. Mainly this is because I don't have anywhere else to put them. I do know exactly where each one is, but it does take a little time to one out when I need it. However, the ones I used most -- cordless drill drivers, and my two most-used routers -- stay out and ready to go at all times.)

I do, however, think that you're either an organized person or you're not, in the same sense that everyone is supposedly either a Type A or a Type B. I'm a lifelong list-maker, note-taker, and put-it-upper. My personal library, my CD collection, my magazines are sorted into alphabetical or chronological order. Some would label this anal retentive organization for the sake of organization, and in some cases I suppose it is. But I can find something when I need it.

If you weren't born with this organizational gene, though, my observations of others suggests that it's awfully tough to grow it. It's easy for someone who has it to preach being orderly, and I often do, but sometimes I have to remind myself that it's less easy for those I'm preaching to to change their basic natures.

[Bill in Buena Park]

...So aside from having plexiglass doors...

The cabinets built into one wall in my shop area all had doors (ugly ones) when I moved in. And some couldn't close when I put my tools in - so off they came. Now I can see everything in them.

I used to play the "hunt for stuff" game too, but found that if I organize by grouping things physically to coincide with how my brain groups them mentally, I can find anything. All TS accessories, jigs, etc, grouped and located near the TS, all hardware/fasteners grouped (and subgrouped - i.e., all drywall screws, sorted by length), and so forth.

Now my problem is remembering where I set stuff while in the midst of a project, as I'm likely to set a rule, clamp or square anywhere within reach and forget it. I think I need to incorporate a rolling tool tray, much like a doctor would use in the ER...

[RodKirby]

Just like everyone else, we all have the same number of hours in the day. It's what you do with those hours that make us all different.

In my case, I want to make the best use possible of the limited hours available to play in my workshop. I learned years ago that in order to get much done, you can't waste all your time looking for your tools, getting them out, and getting ready to work. I wanted to build my shop so it would work with me, instead of against me by wasting precious shop time.

The bottom line is simple. Organized shops help you to build your projects much easier and faster than those shops that are constantly in disarray.

Perfectly said, Tom

[Tom Clark]

Just like everyone else, we all have the same number of hours in the day. It's what you do with those hours that make us all different.

In my case, I want to make the best use possible of the limited hours available to play in my workshop. I learned years ago that in order to get much done, you can't waste all your time looking for your tools, getting them out, and getting ready to work. I wanted to build my shop so it would work with me, instead of against me by wasting precious shop time.

The bottom line is simple. Organized shops help you to build your projects much easier and faster than those shops that are constantly in disarray.

[Sawatzky]

I should clarify that the drill press is a bench model, and the dust collector is a small portable unit that fits under my workbench. I will try to post some pictures if I can figure out how.

[radhak]

I think I have a pretty well organized shop. I have my whole shop set up in 1/2 of a two car garage. I can still keep the van in the garage, and when I move it out I have a whole 1/2 of a garage to build/assemble in. I am a bit crammed, but I have managed to house a table saw, miter saw, band saw, router table, jointer, dust collector, drill press, scroll saw, 3 workbenches, rolling tool box, shop vac, a shelving uinit filled with other tools,and yard equipment in half of my garage. I still have plenty of room to work in. I also make it a point to sweep up after working just to keep the dust down. One thing my wife will never have to ask me to do is clean the garage. Everything has a place, and it makes it so nice when working so I don't have to search. After a day in the shop it is a mess, but I actually enjoy cleaning it up so I can have fun working the next time instead of cleaining.

Are all these full sized tools or tiny models?

Just kidding - and plain jealous of your commitment and organization.

For our inspiration, could you please post a couple of pictures?

[Hellrazor]

I have a problem with all of the clean up your shop types. When I put everything away I forget where I put it and spend even more time looking around

[Sawatzky]

I think I have a pretty well organized shop. I have my whole shop set up in 1/2 of a two car garage. I can still keep the van in the garage, and when I move it out I have a whole 1/2 of a garage to build/assemble in. I am a bit crammed, but I have managed to house a table saw, miter saw, band saw, router table, jointer, dust collector, drill press, scroll saw, 3 workbenches, rolling tool box, shop vac, a shelving uinit filled with other tools,and yard equipment in half of my garage. I still have plenty of room to work in. I also make it a point to sweep up after working just to keep the dust down. One thing my wife will never have to ask me to do is clean the garage. Everything has a place, and it makes it so nice when working so I don't have to search. After a day in the shop it is a mess, but I actually enjoy cleaning it up so I can have fun working the next time instead of cleaining.

[shoottx]

Now, a twist to all this organizing for me, is that once things are put away, so is my memory of where it was put. So aside from having plexiglass doors and drawer fronts, the next step is to label the cabinet doors and drawers - with BIG, EASY TO READ LABELS.

I have spent the last 30 years trying to get organized. Four moves, four different shop configurations, more time to collect tools, wood, miscellaneous goods (one man's junk) and a crazy work schedule has left shop organization the hunt for the holy grail.

Some of the problem is a good problem, like I have a stack of oak and walnut taking up a big chunk of floor space. This is a self liquidating problem, but in the mean time I have to organize around it. The other part of the problem is self induced, just not being able to toss a lot of good stuff.

Having time recently, and being able to spend a little extra time in the shop, I have been inspired by Rod’s shop. I am building a new router table, and a small cabinet for under the drill press. When those projects are done will build a new or modified stand for the BT3K with lots of drawers.

And as Russ stated all of the drawers are going to be labeled with easy to read signs. I don't know how many times I have had to go and buy something just to find my original, that was tucked away safely.

Thanks all for the inspiration.

[pacwind3]

I am trying to mentally implement a new idea in my shop. A bit over a year ago I worked in an industrial furniture shop. We all had our own set of certain tools, but some tools the shop only had one of. Routers and pocket hole jigs for example. Obviously, when you were done with a tool, it needed to be put back so the next guy can use it. You'll piss off a coworker fast if they have to hunt the shop for a tool that's laying on your bench unused.
Of course, this plan means everything has a place to be "put back" to. I'm still working on that part. It's getting there.

[Thalermade]

Now, a twist to all this organizing for me, is that once things are put away, so is my memory of where it was put. So aside from having plexiglass doors and drawer fronts, the next step is to label the cabinet doors and drawers - with BIG, EASY TO READ LABELS.

Of course I will probably end up needing a sign to remind me to read the lablels..............


Russ

[dbhost]

I don't know if it was here or not, but the bet tip on keeping the shop clear of clutter is this:

Every time you enter the shop, put ten things away and then you can start doing whatever it was you came into the shop to do. That is if you can remember what that was! LOL.

Bill

Yeah, the big trick is, for some of us anyway, having that place for everything anyway... I am busting my tail trying to get that all squared away, not succeeding too quickly though. I AM making progress, but that is slow and painful progress at best...