Clutter happens, or..... shop organization

[rickt4498]

skidloader...definition

skidloader = heavy duty self propelled dustpan ; > )

[Ron in Indiana]

skidloader = heavy duty self propelled dustpan ; > )

Exactly and more so. With the forks I can move pallets of parts as well as trucks that do not run. I also have a tire machine/ bumper straightener when needed. It's a Terex mini excavator with a hydralic thumb. The toys are everything.

[Kevin Mienke]

I mustered a little energy and did a some cleaning in my shop. It won't keep long.

[Hobcobble]

Here's old & new..... I kind of like working in the old building better.
I like the smell of old wood :)
John

[Gordon Maney]

Here's old & new..... I kind of like working in the old building better.
I like the smell of old wood :)
John

Your floor looks good. Is it sealed?

[NNICKB]

My Dad likes big RWD cars and drove a Mercury Grand Marquis for some years. Eventually it needed the trans rebuilt so he spent the $1000 bucks to have it done. Soon everything else on the car decided to go and he was looking at more and more repairs to an increasingly worthless car. You've been there. We've all been there.

Sooo, I found him a similar Ford that some old lady had, with 11,000 miles on the odo. We tried to sell the old Merc. No luck. No one wanted it. Not even for $500.

Eventually we just junked it. Well, you know, I had to save that new automatic transmission. Sat in the path of my shop for years. Every time I thought all the fluid had leaked out of the thing, I'd clean it up, and more would come out.

Eventually the "newer" Ford wore out, and we traded it in . As part of the deal, I threw in the spare transmission. The dealer was thrilled. Apparently there was some demand for these. But I was sure glad to see it go. Ecstatic, in fact.

A few weeks later, my best friend called me up. Hey Nick, the transmission went out on this Mercury Grand Marquis I just bought. Know where I can get one?

Moral is, don't throw anything away. Especially if your Dad and your buddies drive Fords.

[MasterYota]

I can relate to everything posted so far, and all of its true.

I currently share shop space with Dad in his garage. He's an old hotrodder/ woodworker and I'm an offroader. And while we do get along great, we often have very different idea's of how to get a project accomplished. A 32x30 working space just isn't enough for for two hot rods, a 4x4, and a table saw. Sawdust dosen't belong in engine intakes, and greasy fingerprints don't belong on new maple hardwoods! But somehow we manage.

"Our" workbench is probably 20' long and 3' deep, and there is just enough room to keep a work space open around the vice. I guess there is a reason trucks come with tail gates, its an alternate work bench.

We are both terrible packrats, but organization is key. There is alot of wasted space under parked cars! Whenever I clean up he can't find anything and vice-versa... We spend far too much time looking for parts and tools than either of us spend turning a wrench. Its comical most of the time, but it does get frustrating after an hour or so. We also suffer the same problems that most fathers and sons have when it comes to tools. He says I loose his, and I think he hides mine in spite! hahaha. I'm sure that neither of which is true, but it does make for some exciting bench racing sessions...

[Bruce]

Your Lucky

I can relate to everything posted so far, and all of its true.

I currently share shop space with Dad in his garage. He's an old hotrodder/ woodworker and I'm an offroader. And while we do get along great, we often have very different idea's of how to get a project accomplished. A 32x30 working space just isn't enough for for two hot rods, a 4x4, and a table saw. Sawdust dosen't belong in engine intakes, and greasy fingerprints don't belong on new maple hardwoods! But somehow we manage.

"Our" workbench is probably 20' long and 3' deep, and there is just enough room to keep a work space open around the vice. I guess there is a reason trucks come with tail gates, its an alternate work bench.

We are both terrible packrats, but organization is key. There is alot of wasted space under parked cars! Whenever I clean up he can't find anything and vice-versa... We spend far too much time looking for parts and tools than either of us spend turning a wrench. Its comical most of the time, but it does get frustrating after an hour or so. We also suffer the same problems that most fathers and sons have when it comes to tools. He says I loose his, and I think he hides mine in spite! hahaha. I'm sure that neither of which is true, but it does make for some exciting bench racing sessions...

Sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy all as long as you can, if you know what I mean? My son and I haven't hit a pattern yet, he is just graduating from JMU, so we might start a pattern or rhythm of some type or another.
My father, George, the Master Electrician & Master Mason was always the prankster, but disliked anybody else doing the pranks, he was an immense pack-rat, as am I.
The boy, its a coin toss, unless it is an edged weapon or has a barrel.

[Hobcobble]

Your floor looks good. Is it sealed?

Gordon,
I used an epoxy floor coating on it.
John

[MasterYota]

Sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy all as long as you can, if you know what I mean? My son and I haven't hit a pattern yet, he is just graduating from JMU, so we might start a pattern or rhythm of some type or another.
My father, George, the Master Electrician & Master Mason was always the prankster, but disliked anybody else doing the pranks, he was an immense pack-rat, as am I.
The boy, its a coin toss, unless it is an edged weapon or has a barrel.

I'll take it for as long as I can get it. Just about everything I know I can attribute back to the foundation skills that he passed on to me. I guess I was one of the lucky ones, I've been out in the shop with him since I was old enough to be useful. And I wouldn't trade those times for anything.

We did initiate a shop schedule though after I started developing my own projects. He dosen't like the cold, and we don't have any heat out there, so I get the shop all winter, and he gets it in the summer. Its a good system, other than during those times of overlap in the spring and fall.

As for pranks, he's got me beat hands down. That man can pass wind on command, usually when I'm stuck in one spot doing something important. If he suddenly disappears, I know its time to hold my breath!..Ha!!