What the **** happened?

[Industrial Toys]

Certainly, if you put your tools away, you will need them again. Actually, tools are the easiest thing to put away, it's all the other unexplainable stuff on the bench that is the bain of my existence.

 

[rangerfredbob]

yeah, tools are easy to put away, but what the heck to do with 3 vehicle seats and a cylinder head from a 4 cylinder? Hopefully going to take care of the seat issue today, but there's still a cylinder head taking up most of my bench...

 

[Doofy]

Just slide the cylinder head under the seat. Problem solved.

 

[John White]

As I get older I don't loose a lot of sleep over it. 15 years ago in my shop every thing was very well organized. All tools cleaned and put back in box at end od day. Every thing put in it place. I had a brake in and in a matter of minutes lost over $20 k in tools and supplies. Has cases of oil all stacked in its place, antifreeze jugs in its place. cans of penetrating oil in its place, solvents , paint etc. had a place along with batteries. Thief broke in and it was just like a shopping spree, didn't take long to take every thing. Now I leave tools laying around, oil in jugs scattered every where, (if I need it I don't have to walk far) keep my battery operated tools scattered around. (I generally know where they are at. ) Light extension cords in different places. When I leave at night and get ready to turn the lights out< I throw a couple of garden rakes down with the tines pointed up, have 3 or 4 shop brooms laying around, have a pitch fork laying by me tool box. Sometimes I will set a 5 gal bucket of waste oil by the door, Will leave a garden hose or two laying around. I guess its like the Home Alone Movie.

 

[JasperFrank]

Aside from how obviously disorganized I've become, I was wondering if other people have the same issue I have with small parts tray/cabinets. I have three, each with about 25 little trays. When ever I need a small part, I go through the same stupid act of checking 75 trays just to find out that I don't have that part. Seriously thinking about dumping the whole concept of saving small parts since I just end up going to the hardware store anyway.

 

[jasonzee]

You need to clean that mess up! And get active

 

[Steve 3650]

I would like to thank Industrial Toys and all of you who responded. This is like an early Christmas present. I thought I was the only one who has this issue!

 

[Doofy]

Aside from how obviously disorganized I've become, I was wondering if other people have the same issue I have with small parts tray/cabinets. I have three, each with about 25 little trays. When ever I need a small part, I go through the same stupid act of checking 75 trays just to find out that I don't have that part. Seriously thinking about dumping the whole concept of saving small parts since I just end up going to the hardware store anyway.

You need a Label Maker. I generalize on some of the drawers and specific labels on others. My 12v automotive bulbs are labeled by type (round base, wedge, miniature, led, etc). Things like an assortment of small electrical parts will all go in the same drawer and be labeled as assorted electrical parts. I can normally find what I'm looking for that way.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have had an electronic parts bin thing for most of my life. The drawers only have numbers, in tens across.

I have an old paper telephone book, I write in pencil, where an item is. Totally unrelated things can be in the same drawer. My system has worked flawlessly and maybe the only thing of it's kind that I stuck with my whole life. New parts bins, are just the normal jumble of stuff. Open fifty drawers in rapid sucession.

 

[JasperFrank]

I can say with some experience, that one should NEVER accept an offer from your partner to "Organize" your shop space.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Bless her heart, but my lady friend thinks tidying up, out of sight, out of mind suffices. She thinks I have too much stuff, but is also amazed again and again at what I can pull out of my azz.

It is kind of degrading to have nice work benches and yet have to work on the floor on your knees for lack of bench space.

 

[GeneV]

My shop is totally organized, the work space is always clean and tools are put away in their place. I break down like items such as screwdrivers or various pliers or something else in their own respective drawers. I label boxes. Yes, it's all a bit ****, but I tend to forget stuff so have to help myself anyway I can.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I am glad I am not the only one with this affliction. I have just learned to accept I am an unorganized slob.

 

[hawkeye08]

My wife bought me a large toolbox for Christmas (52" wide, over 5ft tall). The plan is to put all the automotive tools in that one, then use 1 of the smaller one for electrical stuff, the other for plumbing. Put all the "I should save that" in some small clear totes. I have tools in shop, garage, house, vehicles.. need to reorganize.

We thought when Dad stopped storing his trailer in our shop that I would have room to do some things out there in the winter, but middle daughter/SIL have been storing theirs here since then. They will probably sell their trailer though as soon as they move in the house. Then something else will come up... LOL.

We spent some of yesterday cleaning house, we made a couple runs to the recycle center Saturday to get rid of a bunch of cardboard/plastic/etc. If we can keep it up, we will make great progress over the next several months.

 

[fried1765]

I am glad I am not the only one with this affliction. I have just learned to accept I am an unorganized slob.

I certainly can relate to your comment.

In 1967 when applying at various airlines for a pilot job, every applicant had to take a standardized adaptablity test.
It was called the STANINE...an acronym, for exactly what, I do not know.
The question I will always remember: Are you a snob or a slob?
You are applying for a position that will require extreme precision, but yet must interact well with the public, and fellow employees.
What is the answer they are looking for?
I decided to guess that being a slob (humble) might be the best answer.
I answered:...Slob!
I got hired!
Retired 33 years later as a B-747-400 Capt.

Perhaps I was a bit of a slob then, but closing in on 80, I am definitely a much more meaningful slob now!

 

[3930dave]

Years ago, my Sister referred to my primary mode as Organized Chaos, so i can relate well to much of what has been posted.....

There is probably a 12 step program for us (I might need 18 or so.....), but I suspect it starts like this:



Always loved that Wisdom from Walt....

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My lady friend just arrived and sarcastically commented "oh you cleaned up the house". Her brother might be coming here. This is the way I seem to live. I don't like it, but most of the time it is the way it is. Why do I want to pretend to others, that I live in an organized neat house? I have given up apologizing for a mess too or making an excuse. Sorry, I am defective!

 

[fried1765]

My lady friend just arrived and sarcastically commented "oh you cleaned up the house". Her brother might be coming here. This is the way I seem to live. I don't like it, but most of the time it is the way it is. Why do I want to pretend to others, that I live in an organized neat house? I have given up apologizing for a mess too or making an excuse. Sorry, I am defective!

We seem so much alike, you could almost be the Ontario brother that I do not have.
I have the same lady friend type though.

 

[Doofy]

My lady friend just arrived and sarcastically commented "oh you cleaned up the house". Her brother might be coming here. This is the way I seem to live. I don't like it, but most of the time it is the way it is. Why do I want to pretend to others, that I live in an organized neat house? I have given up apologizing for a mess too or making an excuse. Sorry, I am defective!

Nope. THEY know where the door is. Your home is your castle, no matter how humble or messy.

 

[Doofy]

My lady friend just arrived and sarcastically commented "oh you cleaned up the house". Her brother might be coming here. This is the way I seem to live. I don't like it, but most of the time it is the way it is. Why do I want to pretend to others, that I live in an organized neat house? I have given up apologizing for a mess too or making an excuse. Sorry, I am defective!

And...they know what they can do with a rolling doughnut!