Re-arranging shop!

[spitfire_er]

How often do you guys re-arrange or organize areas of your shop? I have had my current shop set up for about 3 years now. Yesterday I got frustrated with how things were set up and decided to move a few things around and try to organize my bench. Got about halfway done before throwing in the towel last night. Almost every time I walk into my little shop I try and figure out a better layout or better way to keep things moving in the shop. I'm working in a pretty small area, so space needs to be optimized.

One example is the Harness tester on the end of my bench that I use a handful of times each year. I need to move it and clear up some space. Why do I have a huge tool like that taking up valuable bench space when it only gets used a few times a year?

Once I get it straightened out, I'll have to post some photos!

 

[Rsadams]

Takes time to get everything in the correct order...

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I'm not the best person to ask about keeping things neat but I find that plenty of small parts drawers are very handy and label everything well. I've not done it yet but plan to do a spreadsheet, alphanumerically to reference labels. If I can't remember how something is labeled, I could go to the spreadsheet and type in say, extractors, for example and the spreadsheet should locate anything with extractor in it with a corresponding drawer number/location.
So many small parts and tools in this work that it's hard to keep up with every little piece's location, even in drawers and multiple toolboxes.

 

[WSnyder]

My hardness tester is on a stand alone cabinet and I ask the same question. Why? When you need it it’s invaluable but it takes up so much space. Same for many tools. I’ve put many things on wheels so they can be shuffled around as needed. Slip rolls, notchers, brakes, surface grinder, etc…all on wheels.

 

[spitfire_er]

Yes, I have bought a ton of these to use on some of my heavier "Mobile" machines.

Amazon.com

I was quite skeptical, but I have a set on a 2,300 lb metal shaper that I have on the side of my shop where things get moved in and out of. Not the easiest to move when they are that heavy, but one guy pushing hard can move it, and two guys would be easy. I also have a set on my Keller Hy-duty Saw.

 

[PatMiles]

 

[spitfire_er]

How about storing stocks? I'm getting a collection and piling them in the corner isn't working anymore!

 

[K22]

I am told that I'm a very organized person but at my age and having been married to a wonderful woman for 48 years until November 2021, you might imagine the "stuff" we accumulated. This is a potential problem because I will be seeking smaller quarters in the future so economy of space will become essential.

In 2022 I began the agonizing task of going through all this "stuff". Stuff we hadn't used in years, stuff that I didn't even know we had. Stuff in the attic that I will never use. Duplicate, triplicates, etc. of stuff. Stuff that we kept that didn't work anymore! My workshop was no different, tons of stuff accumulated over years and years which I will never use. I mean, how many nails and screws will I need at my age? Certainly not as many as I had, hundreds. Complicating the issue is that I'm a "tool junkie". So, I did an analysis of what I really need.

Well, as 2023 begins, I have downsized significantly, and it feels good. In addition, I have streamlined my reloading and shooting stuff. I'm down to two calibers now, 223 Rem and 243 Win. which simplifies component inventory. These two calibers do everything I need to do these days - lots of range shooting and groundhog hunting. Really like the economy of loading the 223 Rem. The light recoil and exceptional accuracy are a plus.

I still have more to do but I would say I'm 80% where I want to be. Of course, being in my mid 70's my needs are different that a younger homeowner. So that's my journey to conquer my "stuff". 

 

[LVLAaron]

1 day a week, for 2-4 hours I like to dedicate to nothing but "shop infrastructure"

I dont think about or touch any projects. All about cleaning things that generally get ignored, straightening things up, maybe moving around where things are to fit my flow better. Taking some notes about big stuff I might need/want to do next time. It's therapeutic.

 

[ronsatspokane]

After my neighbor rebuilt his shop from scratch and put mine to shame, I was forced to rebuild the entire interior of mine. The rebuild resulted in separate areas for machining where the lathe and mill reside, welding area where the welders reside, a mechanical area where miscellaneous work items reside like a brake and a shear, a gun bench with all the accoutrements and mezzanine where all the miscellaneous parts, paint and screws are now organized in bins and cabinets so I can find them. I kept the center open for motorcycles, 4 wheeler, boat and a place to work on cars. Love the way it came out. It had been 20 years since the last time. Won't do it again.

 

[Walt Krafft]

The best thing I did a few years ago was to move all raw material out of the shop to a storage building. When it was in the shop it was easier to go buy a new piece than dig out what I had. And I freed up a lot of space to actually do some work.

 

[3Sigma]

There's nothing better than working in a well organized and layed out shop. Especially when it wasn't, and you spent 20 minutes looking for something, or having to move half the shop around to start a project.

I've never thought time and effort dedicated to organizing was wasted.

 

[Shooter13]

How often do you guys re-arrange or organize areas of your shop?

This is an ongoing continuous never ending hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly! No matter where I put it I always decided it would be better somewhere else! (except my press, my press is mounted on an iron shaft mounted in concrete, I think it's staying right there!).

 

[Downhill]

Built a new Gun Room 5 years ago. 18ft x 24ft. 8ft eave height left enough room for a 6ft x 22 ft loft for storage. NICE! It has been 5 years since I moved my stuff in. Still looking for items I know I own. Might look at reorganizing after I locate everything.

 

[abishai]

It would take me few hours of digging just to find the floor of my poor shop

 

[RPSGuns]

I just got done organizing my bench. Now I can't find anything.

 

[butchlambert]

My hardness tester is on a stand alone cabinet and I ask the same question. Why? When you need it it’s invaluable but it takes up so much space. Same for many tools. I’ve put many things on wheels so they can be shuffled around as needed. Slip rolls, notchers, brakes, surface grinder, etc…all on wheels.

Another forum member is the proud owner of my hardness tester.

 

[skeeljc]

With a lathe, mill, air compressor, gunsafe, desk, slop sink, loading bench and a 10' workbench crammed into a 13'x24' shop reorganizing is not an option.

 

[PaGreg]

Another forum member is the proud owner of my hardness tester.

That is my wife’s job.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

My shop has been evolving for 40 years and I change things around as I find better places and ways. It's13'x26' and has to work for gun smithing, reloading (shot shell and metallic) bullet casting, rod building, fly tying and general house hold repairs. I have 3 benches and the only thing permanently mount to a bench is my Ponsness Warren 800+ shotshell press. Other things come out and are clamped to the bench and put back on the shelf when no longer in use. This works for me but there's a reason no two shops are the same.