Shop Organization #1: Mo tools, mo problems.

Never ending shop clean up and organization…

I feel like most of my time in the shop lately is just spent moving things around and tuning up tools…

I can relate.

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

The drill tool is cool.

I can totally relate to the cluttered shop problem. I’m almost to the point of emptying my shop so I can organize it better. It’s almost impossible to move in there right now.

-- Chelle http://artsgranddaughter.blogspot.com

When I first started remodeling I would drag salvage home all the time. After a few months I had accumulated so much crap I came up with a new plan; throw it all away and don’t bring anymore home.

That has worked out so much better.

Sadly, it costs a lot of money to salvage. It costs more to restore than to make new and it costs to store it under shelter too. Sometimes I know people looking for something and I always keep my eye out for them.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

I just cleaned out my shed yesterday. Half of the stuff in there went back into the shop. I am trying to keep it off the floor. But it takes time to build storage. Nothing like moving the same junk around 45 times during a project.

Cheller: The drill is cool but I am not sure if I can find a use for it. Although I am planning on using it to add bench dog holes to my workbench. I am going to rig it into a jig somehow. I am also contemplating setting up a little metal/ glass shop in the shed for Kristin who does stain glass. The dril can stay in there then.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Todd. You have a point. You are right about the cost. I don’t know if there is any savings. I can build a door faster than strip it.

It is an obsession. The payoff though is that old stuff looks good in an old house. I am trying to get more picky though.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

I wonder if that old drill press would accept a mortising attachment?

I have to agree with Todd as well. Salvage is OK if you have a need for the stuff. I have old windows that are rotting in the shed because I really don’t need them. The broken glass is one hazard with the hornets being the other! But they do make great mirrors!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Gizmo – I have a real appreciation for reclaimed doors and trim. Sometimes it isn’t about the cost but the fact that once it is gone, it’s story and history is gone. For me as a business, I can’t give my time away so it comes down to this: will the customer pay for it?

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Good point Dadoo. I don’t know if that would work. It is just a handdrill mounted to a moving stand.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

The old drill press is pretty neat. You may find that is works for a dedicated operation leaving the drill press open. I find the drill press not being used that much in my shop, but I couldn’t get rid of it because when I need it – I NEED it.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

My dad has that same drill and stand, He’s had it for as long as i can remember and im 40. I hope to recieve it some day, its a great drill for any shop.

-- bryano

I’m always reorganizing my shop. It’s therapeutic. Nice job, Giz!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Gizmo – Do you still use the facilities at the school?

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Thanks Tom.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Todd. I am not taking a class this semester( I think).

They do have an awesome finishing class next semester that I am thinking about taking. I have many unfinished projects. It cuts down my free time to nothing, but the learning is incredible.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Gizmo – You will really benefit from the finishing class. I have to tell you that a lot of the issues guys deal with are alleviated if they used a professional product instead of the hardware store stock.

I am not a salesman but I use a lot of Sherwin Williams product. I use a lot of pre-cat lacquer but they also have waterborne, and oil base finishes too. The service I get from them is geared to pro’s but not exclusive to them. I am in close proximity to Sherwin Williams at home in Billings or in Ohio so it makes life easy for me.

All the major brands have competitive products in performance and price. These products are designed for businesses to make money through ease of application and fast dry times.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd. That’s good advice. Thanks.

I do use S-W paints in my house, but have not used their finishing products.

In California we have issue with losing most of our oil-based product due to clean air laws, so I am interested in learning to use water based product long term.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

I have been interested in using more environmentally friendly products myself. SW does carry a line of waterborne lacquers. I used Target Coatings on my Eco Sofa Table in the gallery section because someone gave me faulty info when I asked about it at SW. I will try Sherwin’s product next time. The dry times are longer than solvent based lacquer but faster than oil based by far.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Stuff ie: wood and tools. The people I worked with (Approx. 300 people) feel I need stuff, I now have so much stuff, all I can do is stand at the door of my workshop and look at it all. I am able to reach the light switch, so I can get a better look at it all- by day or night. I hate to be mean and say “No more stuff”. I’ve had a litter of kittens move in and they know much better then I do where things are. My son says I need a dumpster, my problem is it’s all “good” stuff. I did do the dumpster thing about three years ago, that stuff is still filed in my mental inventory, looking for stuff that is no longer their is just as bad as having stuff and not being able to get to it. I guess I just needed to share, with like minds, that would care. LOL

Vince

-- Vince,Winter Park,Fl

Great Post Vince. Funny>>> “all I can do is stand at the door of my workshop and look at it all.”

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Yeah… I should institute a statute of limitations on salvage. If I don’t have a specific use in mind for it, It should have an “expiration date” and go away.

I’ve been trying to get everything up off the floor – Vince send over your shop cats to help take care of my mice living behind all the clutter – If I could get everything off the floor, I’d be halfway to clean. Similarly, if I could score a free weekend or two, I could get everything sorted, and I’d be halfway done to clean. ANything beyond 50% clean and organized would be a godsend. Miracle. Anything close to the cleanliness of any shop class space would be rapture (doubled).

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

We might need a new 12 step, Salvager’s Anonymous. Scott, Todd, and Vince: Congrats. The first step is admitting that we all have a problem that is affecting our lives.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Heck, just post some salvage you haven’t used or touched in six months on Craigslist. Why reform when you can spread the addiction. I’ll be watching for your goodies on the curb, as I still have a path to the light switch…

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

you could host a LumberJocks picnic and give out “door prizes” to everyone!!

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Ahhhhh for the love of STUFF! It makes me feel better knowing that I am among others with this same affliction. Holy cow, I think I just completed the first step!

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

Hi Shaun. Welcome to S.A.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne