Keeping your shop clean & organized

I like you prefer to be organized. I have a very small shop 10 X 20 so I really have no choice. I usually work until I cant find the last tool that I just laid down then I end up putting things away until I find what I am looking for, Still the small shop forces you to keep it organized or Id never be able to get anything built. Plus my shop is my sanctuary. I place to go and watch TV or just relax.

-- piper

I’m watching this one… I have a horrible time keeping my shop clean. I can lay a tool or piece of wood down and in a split second… It’s gone.. completely gone.. I have spent many a day in the shop laughing at myself because I had lost something that I had just layed down.

-- Jamie, Kentucky

I usually clean up after I’m done with my current project.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Jamie: I know that feeling oh-too-well.

Gary: By the time I’m done with a project it is a disaster.

-- Tom, Southwest Florida

Tom – Yea, it can get kinda messy, but I keep a 5 gallon bucket next to most of my machines and
the workbench for the bulk of the junk. I also keep one for saving larger scraps wich I can use for
jigs and fixtures or whatever. When they get too small, in the trash they go.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I’ve found a few ways that work:

1) Invite your full bird ex-army father over. He’ll chew you out until you clean up just to get him quiet.

2) Messy roommates. I mean pizza-&-beer-to-the-rafters roommates. You’ll keep everything clean because if you don’t, your SO won’t even come close to the house.

3) The pile system is organization: What’dya mean? The hammer’s in the hand tool pile, not the power tool pile!

4) Drink coffee, smoke cigars. You get free cans and wooden boxes outta the addiction. Along with very good looking yellow teeth.

Whiskey.

Guilty. I lose stuff—usually find it just after I buy a replacement.

-- Maplewood, MN

haven’t found a method that works yet… cleaning up the work area before leaving the shop helps..

when we first set up our shop.. I’d repeat “the job’s not done until the sawdust is swept up”... that didn’t last long.

what works best in our shop is: Rick works and I “assistant” and clean up after him after each step.

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

Necessity is the mother of invention. Having a very small area to work in causes me to be cleaner and more organized. Loosing tools, too much sawdust and scraps on the floor, and where did the end of that stupid extension cord go??? I have to stop a few times during a project and clean up just so I can move around. Also, being attached to the house and making the attempt not to have a house full of sawdust, my shop vac gets a workout at the end of most days. Of course, I’m one of those organization freaks too, which helps…LOL.

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA

Tom, I find that oraganization is easy… keeping it that way is a whole other subject. With my small shop and most of my tools on movable bases (except those I still don’t have a place for and are sitting on the floor) I am constantly having to shuffle stuff around. I will hopefully be posting my cabinets I just finished shortly which includes a power tool cubby system which should help. I also find that the pegboard walls help a lot, though I never seem to find the tool in the same place it was last time.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Until he moved to Texas I had a friend in the shop who had diabetes and eye problems. We had to keep it clean so he could work there.

Now I have a group that comes over every Wed nite so on Tuesday I do some straightening up.

Once a year we do a thorough clean (wipe the walls, blow out all the dust, etc.) and once a year we do an organizational meeting to sort or re-sort where things go or should go.

I keep it clean by sharing the work load.

I also tend to hang lots of tings on the walls so I pretend I’m not being neat.

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

I find that I must have a designated place for everything that is easy to get to and near where I will use it so it can be returned. When I was in the Air Force we had assigned tool boxes that had each tool outlined in the foam drawer keepers. Each tool set was inventoried before and after your shift and if any tools were lost the entire flightline was shut down until the tool was found. (they make a mess of the jet engines) when the line was shut down the base commander was notified along with the wing commander. ( bad things followed)
I have had it sooo ingrained that it is hard to shake.

-- Hope Never fails

When you can’t walk get the shovel and the big broom.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I definitely need better organized storage. I really need to build a bigger bench and convert the open shelving under the one I have into drawers. I have most of my tools on peg boards, and that works pretty well, but I can’t seem to get the knack for when to put tools back and when to leave them out. If I put it back, I’m sure to need it again almost right away. If I set it down on a random horizontal surface, it will sit there gather dust until I 1) drop it on my foot 2) drop it on the floor and break it 3) need it desperately but can’t find it because it isn’t where it should be. Guess I’ll get it figured out sooner or later.

I just watched The Wood Whisperer’s “When the Dust Settles” and it made me feel a lot better about things. His shop normally looks immaculate on camera but this time he showed what it looked like after finishing up a couple of big projects. I felt right at home.

-- Tom, Southwest Florida

Keeping thing clean in the garage er shop is one of my new years resolutions.

I want to get somethings done this year, not just clean the same surface.

The best way to keep a shop clean is to start out with an organized shop in the first place. You have to spend a considerable amount of time and energy creating an atmosphere that is easy to keep clean. Make it easy to pull out the vacuum and suck up the dust. Make sure you collect as much dust as you can at the tool, and then consider getting an air sweeper. Create a specific place for everything. Organize your storage cabinets and drawers so you know where to find things, as well as put them away.

A clean and organized shop is a healthy and enjoyable place to work.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com

I try to put things back where they came from as I go and keep things near their workstations. A place for everything is my motto. Clean as you go is hard to get used to, but when you do, it gets easier.

-- making sawdust....

The 5 gallon buckets work for me, even when the shop is out of hand. If I haven’t found what I am looking for by the 5th one, (Well !!) Then its time to scratch my head and start cleaning.
God bless

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

I am the world’s worst at keeping a clean shop (that’s why I try real hard not to post pictures of it.) I just picked up a new dust collector which has forced my had a bit, I don’t have any where to put it! too disorganized.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

I’m a firm believer in “don’t fight it.. work with it”.. so if a certain tool keeps ending up somewhere or is always needed somewhere, then store it in that location.. find a place for it that works.

the trick is, to match Rick’s process with my process and make it work for both of us.
I just moved equipment around last weekend.. made more empty space. We’ll have to build something to see if the “flow” works.. then little work areas can be set up near each.
I really like the idea of magnets to hold gadgets

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

To clean I like to sweep up most of the chips and dust when the project is finished. I found that every month or so a good blowing down of everything with a cheap gas leaf blower can make a world of difference. Also is a good way to find a few dozen pencils. They always seem to roll under stuff.

To stay organized I’ll have to get back to you on that one once I get it there.

-- Kevin, Wichita, Kansas

A while back I read an article in some magazine by someone who never started working without putting 10 things away. I tried this for awhile, but have never gotten it to be an ingrained habit. I do go on cleaning rampages when things get really out of hand (I can feel one coming on now), but most of the time I just work around the mess. One of these days I really need to make an organizational plan, clear most everything out of the shop, build/acquire a mess of shop cabinets, and really get organized. Once I do that I can buy more tools.

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

How about the 5 minute rule. If you can’t find it within 5 minutes – buy a new one. (just kidding) I’m going to try the “putting 10 things away strategy”. It might work for my home office as well.

-- ~Plots - http://WoodworkingPlans4Free.com

This is a tough one. A lot of people contributed to my blog on this very subject, and what I learned was to first, get a bunch of clear bins and sort everything into them. Next, identify specific places for everything, as in identified tool holders, drawers, etcetera. Then get real disciplined about putting things back where they belong at the end of every day.
I’m still in the identifying stage, but I’m making progress.
Juliana (my wife) bought me “Bug” for Christmas, and he’s working out real well.

-- Furniture Medic- the prescription for damaged furniture

Being organized really helps and I’ve also found that putting doors on the cabinets cuts down on dust collection. I routinely use the blowgun attachment on my air hose to clear dust and shavings. Puts the stuff to the floor for sweeping up later. I’ve also had the great idea to use the 170 MPH leaf blower feature on my shop vac…cleaned the shop real well, including all those cobwebs in the corners, but also covered the little woman’s car in 1/4” of fine dust! Washing cars and trucks takes away from shop time! So I don’t do that anymore. (Yeah, I got caught.)

Her dishwasher cleans those greasy hand tools too! “Don’t get caught!”

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Her dishwasher cleans those greasy hand tools too! “Don’t get caught!”

Two really good thoughts there.

-- Maplewood, MN

My methodology in the shop is the same as I use in the kitchen.

Clean before you begin (who wants to put meat in this morning’s breadcrumbs)
When you go for a break, put a couple things away
When you are finished, put away the stuff that’s not “in progress”

Vacuuming the shop depends on my level of denial ;) I don’t bother if I’m going out again later that day or the next, but if it was just a weekend stint, I clean up since I may not get out for a while, and then it’s more daunting to get started the next weekend (see rule 1)

-- Dekker - http://www.WoodworkDetails.com/Blog/MNagy/

When I can’t find one of the 20 or so pencils I know are in the shop, I know its time to clean.

-- North Texas

It’s just like the kitchen, you need lots of counter space and nothing on it every time you start a new project. Also having a place for everything is nice too. Then just factor in 15 or so minutes at the end of the shop time to tidy up.

-- St. Louis - just a cut away from finishing!

A clean one man shop means nothing is done, no work, project on the go.

My shop is a disaster, sometimes I cant even see the floor, let alone a clean bench or counter top.

I sweep it up in the evening, put tools away but by 10 a.m. the next day….....looks like a hurricane went through it.

If the wife complains then a simple “Whens the last time you looked in your walk in closet, or the basement, or the dining room table or the pantry.”

silence follows

-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/

My cleaning starts when I no longer have any place to set down my coffee cup!

-- Bruce from Central New York

“A clean shop is a safe shop”. Not only that, you can find your tools, project pieces, and not risking tripping over clutter that could lead to a fall and injury.

-- WeeWilly

The only reason I have not posted photos of my shop yet is because I’d be embarassed to let fellow woodworkers see how messy it can get. brunob’s reply strikes close to home. I TRY to clean up between prodjects, just sometimes they run together. Creative minds flourish in a cluttered environmemnt—-Yeah- that’s it!

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com

I’m training the dust fairies and sawdust trolls to do the clean up at night when I’m away…they are kinda slow learners.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I think the cleanliness and organization of your shop definitely say’s something about you. I don’t think that having a messy shop is necessarily a bad thing though. I studied physics in college, which required that I take a few engineering classes on top of my physics classes. Some of my most brilliant physics professors had the most chaotic offices. They had papers and books piled up everywhere. My engineering professors, however, tended to have very neat and tidy offices. Peoples lives depend upon engineers being well organized, so I think that it is a prerequisite for the job. In many cases, though, the people who truly think outside of the box keep everything they own outside of the box as well. I think the same applies to wood workers. Some of the most creative wood working has come from people who work in seamingly chaotic environments.

-- Scott, San Diego

Everything has to have its place when not in use. That means all tools. shop supplies, jigs,etc. When they are not in use they are in their place. When your done using them they are put back in their place. Clean the shop after every project. OR You could do like we did in prison. None of the inmates could leave till all tools were accounted for!

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

My shop doubles as a double car garage. We still park our vehicles in it at night. I like a clean organized shop. It gets vacumed out at the end of the day. I have a dust collector and a air filtration machine hanging from the cieling, but we all know theres still going to be dust, just less of it. I pickup as I go. Like Bruce said, when theres no room for the coffee cup it’s time to reorganize, then move on to the next procedure of the woodworking prodject. I feel this way is a safer working enviroment and is more productive.

-- If you can't find the time to do it properly, how will you find the time to fix it ?

Try the rule of ten ,that is every time you come back into the shop you take the time to return at least ten things to their rightful place,then make every saturdays first order of busines to give you shop a sweep up and it wont get so bad like mine used to before i started this. I’m fortuate that I am retired and have some amount of space, I like Grizzley tools. I have a IA degree but never taught since retirement I have two young men come over every friday and teach them woodworking. a rewarding experience. Forsythjerry

I found the perfect method to keep my shop clean: I let my father clean it up as often as he wants (which is several times a day). Trouble is, he stays with us only 6 months a year and my shop is a mess in the other 6 months. In those dire times, I clean up if I bump into 3 things in less than 10 seconds (the 3-10) rule.

Alin.

-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida

what i do is just clean after every project. make sure that everything gets cleaned and try to leave at least 30 minutes at the end of every day to clean.

I have the best of intentions… and let things get really bad before I lose several days to a total overhaul. (But I’m really good and considerate about other peoples spaces. If I were in a garage, I’d have to clean up at the end of the day – but when the “day” comes in short spurts there really isn’t time. and I’m pretty sure if I was in a garage it wouldn’t be long before the cars were banished from it.

I’m currently in the middle of what I hope is my final go at finally getting the shop set up and user friendly. Building several new storage racks for lumber and tools. I could put everything away IF I had a home for it (that wasn’t the nearest horizontal surface!)

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

As a semi-reformed slob, I’m finding I absolutely MUST clean as I go, or I get buried.

Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

I always clean the machine and the floor at the end of the day, or project, whichever comes first. Incentive helps though. She who does my laundry (aka my beloved spouse), has to walk through the ‘shop’ to get to the washer/dryer. If the floor isn’t clean, neither are my clothes. End of discussion. :)

I’m bad about things getting left on “the nearest horizontal surface” too. I really TRY to put bigger stuff away as soon as I’m done with it. It’s the small stuff that gets mislaid. I’m workin’ on a solution for that…

-- There is nothing in the world more dangerous, than a woodworker who knows how to read a micrometer...

I keep a trash container next to every piece of equipment and bench in the shop. I always stop in time at the end of the day to do a complete pickup, sweep down and clean up of the shop. Everything and I mean everything has a designated place in the shop. I dump all trash cans daily as needed and check for any wood pieces that can be used for another project. All wood species are labeled and separated in bins or wood racking.

-- Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.

I think that painting the floor was the biggest change in my shop. The cement no longer stores sawdust in the pores which makes the room look cleaner and therefore not so overwhelming that cleanup seems distressing.

The next important thing was making it bright.

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

I have a terrible habit of laying something down (like a pencil or tape measure) as I’m working. Then, when I need it, I’m wasting time looking for it. I’m desperatly trying to get organized and break some old habits. I’d like to start incorporating the rule of 10, and incorporating what Tom (ND2ELK) said- when it’s not in use it’s in it’s place. Here are some storage tips some others shared: http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/SteveKorz/blog/4056

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)