Re-arranging shop!

[cmysix]

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". 

If I’m reading between the lines correctly, my heart breaks for you on the loss of your partner, she will always be with you.. in your heart, God has a plan for us all, even if we don’t like it.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

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.

I've got roughly 100ft(running) of bench space, which is part of the problem. If I clean, I've got multiple areas to work but multiple areas to clean...at some point. Just a bigger mess that takes longer to clean up. It takes me a couple of days to make it presentable if I let it get out of hand. Small parts and tools are the worst. That's why I said what I did in my previous post. Bigger stuff goes back pretty fast but the tiny parts, screws and tools take time. Can't just rake them up in a pile! I think anyone working on guns needs literally 100's of small drawers that are well organized and labeled. The spreadsheet thing is to keep it that way easier. It's hard to just keep up with where the right place is to put each and every small part or tool.. frequently.

 

[hoz53]

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!

Seems like Im always thinking of wat could be a better way of arranging my stuff, anytime i am there. some of it i do and some i dont. when it comes to heavy stuff it takes me alot to actually approve the move. never have enough space, thats for sure but i hwve promised myself im not getting anymore junk than i can fit in there so i discipline myself to things i really need/ use. id hate to be without alot of the stuff i have built to store things in, in there. like my stocks are all on a 2’ deep shelf high enough off the floor i can just reach them (im 6’). its part of a 20’ long shelf unit that holds alot of stuff

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That is my wife’s job.

Exactly

 

[spike-55]

I've got roughly 100ft(running) of bench space, which is part of the problem. If I clean, I've got multiple areas to work but multiple areas to clean...at some point. Just a bigger mess that takes longer to clean up. It takes me a couple of days to make it presentable if I let it get out of hand. Small parts and tools are the worst. That's why I said what I did in my previous post. Bigger stuff goes back pretty fast but the tiny parts, screws and tools take time. Can't just rake them up in a pile! I think anyone working on guns needs literally 100's of small drawers that are well organized and labeled. The spreadsheet thing is to keep it that way easier. It's hard to just keep up with where the right place is to put each and every small part or tool.. frequently.

man after my own heart!!!! we do love our "flat spots" lol
stan

 

[acloco]

I am not in my twilight years, but.....I have LOTS of friends that are (recently retired and 5-10 years IN retirement).

Yes, I have more stuff, than I need. I had the funds and the "need" when purchased and I have a hard time letting go. I F'in HATE lowballers.

Have posted this before, but what is YOUR strategy? Have an auction? They take 30%, minimum. But, most of the time, you will get more than market value.

 

[Fast14riot]

Only when I can't find something important. Ive had the same bench at multiple houses now, its usually the surrounding space causing problems like collecting everything else im working on, lol!

 

[JFrank]

I clean the shop/barn when I can get there.

 

[Cigarcop]

Mines a mess!

 

[boltfluter]

Mines a mess!View attachment 1409758

That's awesome! Mine is a real mess. Working on it though. Slow and steady wins the race! I wish!
Paul

 

[K22]

If I’m reading between the lines correctly, my heart breaks for you on the loss of your partner, she will always be with you.. in your heart, God has a plan for us all, even if we don’t like it.

Thank you for the condolences. It was devastating for me, my daughter and grandchildren. She was a kind and gentle soul - the best person I never knew. It's the most difficult challenge I ever faced, moving forward without her.

 

[K22]

Mines a mess!View attachment 1409758

Wow - super Wow!

 

[Fuj]

My son has a rather large garage. He has a problem he never got
from me. I'll call it the fish bowl effect. As an engineer, he makes a
decent buck. He'll come across a deal, and in the garage it goes,
then he comes across a deal, and in the garage it goes.....repeat,
repeat, repeat. I go to the back where the mill and lathe are at, and
I'm tripping on all kinds of sh_t !! We have a Chinese made dune
buggy up on the lift to replace a rotted frame. He swears he's not
keeping it. I sure hope my grand kids don't see it or there goes more
floor space. So I mentioned to him about rearranging things by starting
with a dumpster. He had no sense of Ha, Ha, over that one....

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

That's awesome! Mine is a real mess. Working on it though. Slow and steady wins the race! I wish!
Paul

Mine's a mess too. I've got a good 50x100 steel building I'm eyeing moving the shop into and re-purposing the building I'm working out of. It'd be pretty easy to build up walls in the other building and make a dedicated area in the bigger building for my shop. Plenty of electricity already in place, plumbing, septic, etc. If I do it, it'll take a bunch of work, just moving everything. But can't think of a better time to re-organize everything.
I'd probably be down sizing a little bit but should still have about 1000 sq ft, roughly. Gotta share the building with farm equipment.

 

[butchlambert]

Mines a mess!View attachment 1409758

Keith, you have always had a great shop! That is why you do my inletting and bedding. Your work almost needs not to have the metal installed as it covers your beautiful work!

 

[mfendley]

Mines a mess!View attachment 1409758

Is that brazed copper pipe for your air runs?

 

[ronsatspokane]

Mines a mess!View attachment 1409758

This looks more like my neighbors shop. One of the best organized shops I've seen with tall ceilings, a huge car hoist, lathe and mill working area, welding area, separate wood working area, tractor and implement area, CNC plasma cutter working area, sheet metal tools and working area, overhead crane (which is actually mine but it fits in his shop better than in mine), overhead power and air and his tool organization is out of this world. This guy is a software guy like me but one of the best fabricators I've met. Even though his shop inspired me to dig to find the floor of mine and rebuild it, his shop still out classes mine by a considerable margin. But mine is much better than it was and it works for me. I could never keep my floor as clean as yours. Park the tractor with the snow blade it it's cleanup time. Pull a car in to work on during the winter or in the rain, time to clean up. The cleanup never ends in my shop.

 

[snert]

I do not have a shop...but I have a 7x16 relaoding room. In it are all of my guns too, and accessories. For three years I suffered under self induced "50 pounds of potatoes in a ten pound sack" syndrome. I have now emptied my room, added better shelving, drawers, lights and gun space. When I move stuff back in, bulk things like case cleaning, gun cleaning table, bulk brass and range brass are going in a storage room. The extraneous stuff is getting sold or given away.

I decided that it has to be useful, comfortable and easy to access, or I won't be happy. Less is more.

However, I did design my gun rack with five empty spaces....

 

[chop house]

Mines a mess!View attachment 1409758

now yer just braggin!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

now yer just braggin!

He should!