Projects Is your shop a constant mess?

I think a big problem for a lot of people (including me) is having too much stuff for the available space.

When I have to look for something I will usually just start tidying up the area where it might be. Often it will then turn up, and if it doesn't, at least I haven't completely wasted the time.

 

I'm like Pirate. I have my "ups".

• Get Up
• Pick Up
• Put Up
• Clean Up

I try to do that at the end of each day unless I know I'm right back at the same task with the same tools in the morning. "Clean Up" keeps me from getting filthy, especially when I'm welding, grinding, etc. "Put Up" helps me find stuff when I need it and drastically cuts down on the "Now where did I put that?" moments.

Make no mistake, I work in my shop. It is not a showplace but I try to keep the clutter and the mess to a minimum.

 

If I were not so good at procrastinating, I would have plenty of space...but I'm always too busy to spend the time needed to organize, get rid of, clean, etc.

 

No sir, I don't. HRP

 

Ha! THAT'S an understatement for my garage!

 

Jim, I think we are brothers from different mothers, too many projects to dedicate time for shop cleaning, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, being the annual host of a club meeting dictates me having to do what doesn't come natural.

At least I do have the Boss lady to take care of the catering end of the duties, I know she will have something good to eat and she always makes her crowd favorite fried apple pies coked up in a cast iron skillet.

If we have the normal participation there will be about 15 people to show up and that usually equates to around 40 or so fried pies, and I can only hope there might be a couple of left overs to go with that Friday morning cup of coffee. HRP

 

No!
I dont have room for a mess
Chappy

 

Throwing stuff out weekly. Trying to stop the mentality of keeping every old nut and bolt and pieces of metal that I may use someday. Also backed off of going to garage sales unless there is a specific description of interest.

 

Too many of everything is just a vicious circle.

 

I know I have a tool fetish, I have 3 Craftsman tool around tool chest and for the most part about have the tools are scattered around the shop. on the work table and work bench and of course there is mass of tools I started gathering up that are on the roll around tool cart. HRP

 

If you watch "American Pickers" my garage and basement look like 99% of the places they visit. Do you really want to see photos?

Bob

That was shot yesterday, outside looking in, I'm replacing the rotten back wall with a door and window.

 

It is by the grace of God that more of us haven't succumbed to the dreaded creeper in the dark garage.

Sent from my SM-T350 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Every time I reorganize and straighten up I can't find anything!

 

I put my tools away each day, if I don't I won't find them. My wife gets tired of the rest of the mess and cleans up for me every month or so. All I have to do is give her every penny I've ever made my whole life!!! LOL

 

it's simply amazing how they take pity on us and "save us from ourselves" isn't?

Chappy

 

My shop is as neat and tidy as the inside of my house. And by that I mean that they're both full of random tools and car parts and other junk all over the place. You could probably guess that I'm not married...

 

My shop would be tidy and neat if I did not have horizontal surfaces.

 

My garage gets cleaned up every November so I can get two cars in it for the winter months. I didn’t buy a house so I have to scrape windows at -30.
My shop/warehouse is another matter.

 

Story of my life. I'd be lucky to find a square inch of free space on any flat surface. I think I should see a therapist...

 

Made me look- just realized I have 6 rollaways, all full. Need to get rid of some of that old Whatzit brand Mare Island Shipyard tooling- as soon as I'm sure I don't Needzit. Since the Yard closed, you don't see all those tools at the swaps with CTR and FTR engraved in them any more. Used to be a lot of hot rods n bikes with submarine guages and such running around

 

If I posted pictures of my garage you guys would turn me in to the Hoarders TV show or have me arrested for shop neglect Every time I get it half way cleaned up I go to another auction and come home with a bunch more junk and there goes my clean up. Is there an outfit like AA for car guys? Maybe JA? I would probably get kicked out of the group and start drinking more and end up in AA anyway. Better stick to the car stuff I guess.

 

@HOTRODPRIMER,
I am taking next week off. Part of that time is putting tools away so I can assemble a 34 chassis. Mess == Stalled projects.

 

been in my shop for 22 years now. my shop is not a mess, it has patina.

 

^^^^^^ THATS ME ^^^^

 

my shop is small and cramped and usually cleaned up. It's been a little crazy lately.

 

Sign on my shop wall..."a creative mess is better than tidy idleness".
Inherited from my dear old Mom's shop.

 

Danny the last time I was in your shop it wasn't that bad.

 

You aren’t the “only one”, mine stays cluttered and dirty. I keep working in it until I start stumbling around and almost falling and then have no choice.(Or can’t fine a tool or part I need)

 

Or, .............”A Clean Garage Is A Sign Of A Sick Mind”

 

You could eat off the floor in my garage, if you could stand the grinding dust and the metal from the drill press in your teeth.........D