Shop clutter-- avoidable or inevitable?

[renolaw]

We just finished out new home shop (26x28) and have all the bells and whistles. We planned for the sleek, modern look w/ lots od diamond plate, stainless steel, etc. That is done along w/ the epoxy floor, beer fridge, flat screen TV, sound system, etc. Now clutter is creeping in from this or that project and its damn near impossible to stay on top of the growing clutter. Tools are ALWAYS put away (lesson from 11th grade metal shop class) but all the other crap slowly grows and tarnishes the original intent of the open space, clean work area...

So is it inevitable or preventable? If i can stop the wife from dragging home shit from garage sales we'd be ahead of the game-- and no, can;t get of her...

[fabcam]

If i can stop the wife from dragging home shit from garage sales we'd be ahead of the game.

If you figure this one out, let us all know. I have the same problems, however, it doesn't stop in the shop. I guess I am a slob.:D

[ironpig70]

everything has a palce and everything in its place is the only cure:D sounds to me like you have more crap than space.

[PTSchram]

I consider it inevitable and just live with it and when it gets too bad, I go on a cleaning spree.

[nissancrawler]

Make a spot for everything. Here's a few pictures from my recent reorganization. I make sure that at the end of every day, everything gets put away, even if I know I'll use it the next day. It's made things much nicer for me.
My walls are now floor to ceiling storage. Most things are all in clear tupperware containers. It keeps it neat, and keeps dirt/bugs/junk out. They're $1 each at Wal-Mart, no excuse to not get some.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/chevyman_57/House/DSC00597.jpg
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f56/chevyman_57/House/DSC00580.jpg

[DJ404564X4]

If you figure this one out, let us all know. I have the same problems, however, it doesn't stop in the shop. I guess I am a slob.:D

My garage is like her closet , I'm not alound in the closet ( ya I came out along time ago :flipoff2:) And her and her stuff are not aloud in my garage .

[Jeepdude_Jay]

We just finished out new home shop (26x28) and have all the bells and whistles. We planned for the sleek, modern look w/ lots od diamond plate, stainless steel, etc. That is done along w/ the epoxy floor, beer fridge, flat screen TV, sound system, etc.

Is it a SHOP or a rec room? Can't be both, shops are cluttered. :evil:

[DUG]

I find it to be inevitable; pro or hobbyist, big shop or small you will eventually keep accumulating crap until you have more crap then places to put it.

The choice is to clean house, move up in size or be creative.

Currently I store stuff in the rafters, became adept at tarpping stuff for outside storage and packing shit in pallet rack.

[adampfisters]

Make a spot for everything. Here's a few pictures from my recent reorganization. I make sure that at the end of every day, everything gets put away, even if I know I'll use it the next day. It's made things much nicer for me.
My walls are now floor to ceiling storage. Most things are all in clear tupperware containers. It keeps it neat, and keeps dirt/bugs/junk out. They're $1 each at Wal-Mart, no excuse to not get some.


That kind of looks like my garage when I was in the middle of an engine swap on my rig and parting out a totaled jeep :D

[yager]

its enevitable, just plan for it.. I use those arco bins and try to keep the project creep under control, but it happens especially in a smaller garage.. (mines 22x20) Try different systems and find one that works for you. I've gone though different stages of organization and some worked for me some didn't.

A lost depends how much stuff you stock pile (aka collect) vs just buy as you need it.. I've been in peoples garages and can't understand how they function with out a bin system full of new/usable hardware and fasteners and or common brackets gusstes/tabs etc.. If i need 1 of somthing, I tend to buy 2 or 3 (if i can afford it) So down the road I have an extra D-ring on hand. Stuff like that.. Problem is storing it.. They are building a Tractor Supply 2 miles from me, so I know that will reduce what I need to keep on hand.. Before it was a 2hr round trip to go anywhere other than HD or Lowes for a nut/bolt..

Anyway...... I got some light industrial enclosed cabinets and some old school sciend lab drawer/cabinets off craigslist and man they are the best things ever.. Granted my garage looks like wall to wall cabinets but its helped keep the grinder dust under control. Also the 'in its place' theory can start to take affect..

moral is... don't be arfarid to try something new if one things isn't working out for you..

[PhantomEB]

avoidable, just have to be anal about it like me.

[BobBarry]

The accumulation is inevitable, but I have found two things to be useful for minimizing the clutter:

1. Have a system of organization and a place for everything (sounds like you've got that covered)

and

2. Put everything in its place, find a place for your new stuff, and get rid of the stuff you don't really need.

I need this badly, because my garage is so small to begin with:

http://drbob.tqhosting.com/garage/garage_outside01%20(Small).jpg

I did a garage organization with lots of pegboard and shelves that got most everything into its place (yes, this *is* the after picture; you should have seen it before!):

http://drbob.tqhosting.com/garage/garage_inside02%20(Small).jpg

I also added shelves across the rafters to make more storage space:

http://drbob.tqhosting.com/garage/garage_attic01%20(Small).JPG

After clearing out some extra engines, and finding a place for the rest, I was able to make enough space:

http://drbob.tqhosting.com/garage/garage_inside04%20(Small).JPG

So that I can actually park my car inside (and which allows me to insure it with Hagerty for cheap):

http://drbob.tqhosting.com/garage/garage_inside05%20(Small).JPG

Unfortunately, the trunk of my car becomes a "temporary" storage shelf for many things, and I have to live up to rule #2 above, and get those things into their proper places, or get rid of them if I don't really need them.

[crimsen]

inevitable. it just depends on if i clean after a project or after a day of workin in the shop.

[Mutt]

Go get a storage unit for the CRAP, and when you get tired of paying a monthly bill, eventually you'll get tired of paying another bill and just start throwing crap away.

[MT4Runner]

I consider it inevitable and just live with it and when it gets too bad, I go on a cleaning spree.

inevitable. it just depends on if i clean after a project or after a day of workin in the shop.

x2

Methinks it's a waste of time cleaning after ever day of working. My only problem is if a new project starts before a previous project is finished (like waiting for parts/materials)

So is it inevitable or preventable? If i can stop the wife from dragging home shit from garage sales we'd be ahead of the game-- and no, can;t get of her...

It's possibly manageable if it's a single individual making clutter and cleaning it. Otherwise, your wife and you need to be at the exact same "anal-retentive level". We have "his" and "hers". I'm allowed to park my DD in her garage; the rest is family stuff. The house is hers. I'm only allowed to clutter "my" shop.

A lost depends how much stuff you stock pile (aka collect) vs just buy as you need it...

Really, really, really tough if you hoarde car parts.

[renolaw]

from earlier this year getting 'organized', but now a daze it's uber better-- and uh... no, not a rec room-- altho the tunes and TV are nice, its a shop 1st! will update w/ current vid.

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/RARECJ8/?action=view&current=MOV02620.flv

[bigdreamin]

If you figure this one out, let us all know. I have the same problems, however, it doesn't stop in the shop. I guess I am a slob.:D

Hell thats easy, for me at least. When we bought this house it came with a 25x20 garage. She parks her jeep in there, building supplies and all the lawn and garden shit goes in there. i am currently building a 32'x36' garage out back, teh only thing aloud in it is my tools. :grinpimp:

[Hackfabricaton]

Go get a storage unit for the CRAP, and when you get tired of paying a monthly bill, eventually you'll get tired of paying another bill and just start throwing crap away.

Yeah.....I FINALLY got rid of that monkey. I dropped around $13K over the last five years having to rent 'space'. Sucks. Don't do it. Find yourself some poor SOB that is losing his house and buy it at a discount for the garage.

[ScottFJ40 V2.0]

My garage is like her closet , I'm not alound in the closet ( ya I came out along time ago :flipoff2:) And her and her stuff are not aloud in my garage .

Amen, my wife has an 1800 sq/ft basement to put her shit in, I will clutter up my garage fine without her help :laughing:

[rednckwheelr]

Amen, my wife has an 1800 sq/ft basement to put her shit in,(add an exlamation point here.) I will clutter up my garage fine without her help :laughing:

Just giving you a little extra help with your writing again.:flipoff2:

[ScottFJ40 V2.0]

Just giving you a little extra help with your writing again.:flipoff2:

You're a moron.