Smart Shop tips!

[beowulf]

One of the most useful things I have done in my barn/shop is put things on the walls where they are visible. And the best thing I have done to put things on the wall was to use magnet bars from Harbor Freight - used for drill bits, impact driver bits, and more - will be adding more for wrenches.
See the pics - also used Harbor Freight hooks and hangars for cords and circ saws and sawz alls etc.

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[fried1765]

One of the most useful things I have done in my barn/shop is put things on the walls where they are visible. And the best thing I have done to put things on the wall was to use magnet bars from Harbor Freight - used for drill bits, impact driver bits, and more - will be adding more for wrenches.
See the pics - also used Harbor Freight hooks and hangars for cords and circ saws and sawz alls etc.

View attachment 683929View attachment 683930View attachment 683932View attachment 683933View attachment 683934.

My lady friend wants me to keep everything in cabinets!
I hate cabinets!
Trying to guess which cabinet something in can be very frustrating.

 

[Doofy]

My lady friend wants me to keep everything in cabinets!
I hate cabinets!
Trying to guess which cabinet something in can be very frustrating.

Label Maker or Magnetic Labels for tool boxes or metal cabinets. My walls are to crowded for magnetic tool bars. Easy to make and install drawers under workbenches and keeps everything cleaner.

 

[fried1765]

Label Maker or Magnetic Labels for tool boxes or metal cabinets. My walls are to crowded for magnetic tool bars. Easy to make and install drawers under workbenches and keeps everything cleaner.

I like to look on the wall,.... and see it there.
No hunting for stuff.
It is either in sight, or I left it somewhere.

 

[neverfailyou]

I have a mix of magnetic bars, peg board with hooks, cabinets, rolling tool boxes, and a harbor freight 5 drawer tool cart. I labeled everything with blue painters tape and a sharpie ( except the magnetic bars and peg board). And I move things around depending on how I work on projects. As I get liking the item location, I use a label maker for a more permanent location.
I’ve been in my shop for a couple of years now and locations are stabilizing.

 

[two_bit_score]

I remember an ice box sitting in one of our out buildings back in the 60s

I have an ice box sitting n one of mine today. It is not being used, of course.

 

[two_bit_score]

My lady friend wants me to keep everything in cabinets!
I hate cabinets!
Trying to guess which cabinet something in can be very frustrating.

Is it your shop or hers?

 

[BravoXray]

My lady friend wants me to keep everything in cabinets!
I hate cabinets!
Trying to guess which cabinet something in can be very frustrating.

You let her in your shop?
Good lord guy, next thing after the cabinets will be scented candles everywhere!

 

[fried1765]

Is it your shop or hers?

In Florida .... hers!
She does glass slumping, has two kilns, and is very artistic with glass projects.
In NE.....mine!

 

[fried1765]

You let her in your shop?
Good lord guy, next thing after the cabinets will be scented candles everywhere!

She has other favorable attributes.....even at age 74.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

And a wringer washing machine sitting on the back porch, with a 4 strand closeline in the back yard.

We used a wringer washer till around 1979.

 

[bindian]

Is it your shop or hers?

Exactly!
hugs, Brandi

 

[two_bit_score]

In Florida .... hers!
She does glass slumping, has two kilns, and is very artistic with glass projects.
In NE.....mine!

Glad you clarified that.

 

[BackRoad]

Gents, rather than a tip...I have a question.

My tractors, vehicles and implements present a mix of Metric and SAE fasteners, further compounded by standard and fine threads.

Does anyone have a favorite Metric and SAE thread gauge they might recommend?

Objective is to quickly, and more ACCURATELY identify bolt and nut size and threads when working on equipment and replacing parts.

 

[the old grind]

Got $10? Screw Thread Gauge | Metric and SAE | Recommends Drill Bit & Tap Size (BCP675): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific



There are all-metal gauges for a few more bucks. Nut & Bolt Thread Checker (Inch & Metric), Original Version (SWTC-26): Tap And Die Sets: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[Big Barn]

I like these



There was a time in my life when I would have scoffed at needing a visual aid to determine thread sizes.

Then I got old(er). LOL.

 

[sea2summit]

i bet if a kid sees a 4 wire cloths line in gramps backyard...they think its some kind of old TV antenna.

You assume they know what a TV antenna was.

 

[the old grind]

Those old crow's foot antennas weren't 'digital'. Gotta have that nowadays. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

btw, isn't 'digital camo' just the thing we've all been waiting for too. Looks better on seat-covers, fender flares, and floor-mats than those old-school patterns on our take the wife to dinner hats. I bet many game species were getting wise to the leaf, bark, & branch look. Welcome to the new age.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I like these View attachment 684030

So I interpreted this to mean that you used the bolts in your bolt bin. That's my thread checker. Metric is easy as they go 6,8,10 etc. If you keep both fine and coarse thread in the same bin it's easy to spot the difference. Imperial is a bit harder but if you've worked with it for many years like I have then it's not to difficult. I have thread checkers but I might use them once every two years. The rest of the measuring is by eyeball. The hardest for me to see in bolt heads is the difference between 3/8th. 10mm and 7/16th's.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

One of the most useful things I have done in my barn/shop is put things on the walls where they are visible. And the best thing I have done to put things on the wall was to use magnet bars from Harbor Freight - used for drill bits, impact driver bits, and more - will be adding more for wrenches.
See the pics - also used Harbor Freight hooks and hangars for cords and circ saws and sawz alls etc.

View attachment 683929View attachment 683930View attachment 683932View attachment 683933View attachment 683934.

Ah ha! You're the one buying all the hang-alls and magnetic strips! every time I get a chance to go to HF they are both on my list.... they never have any in stock!