Wanted:Tips on how to work clean and neat

[John Courte]

Every few sessions, I reach a saturation point at which I just can't stand the mess, so I go medieval on it. Sort of like a reboot when the PC gets too slow. However, I try to vacuum up all the chips and scraps off the floor as immediately as possible because I don't want my dog walking around on them, and I like having him in the shop. Because my space is small and weird, I often reconfigure arrangement of tables, tools, and the plane itself before significant construction phases, which is another opportunity for a good cleaning. I figure cleaning/rearranging is part of the process, so there's no shame in spending a whole session cleaning and organizing.

Everyone has a different comfort zone for this kind of thing, but when things are in the way in such a manner as to be actually dangerous, or too much time is spent looking for things instead of building, it's probably time to tidy up.

[islandmonkey]

I have dogs, so it is sweep up chips after every session- Has to be a habit.

[RV10Man]

Originally Posted by DonFromTX

I can verify he is telling the truth, I have been there to see it! However I would be quite distracted in building by all those antique tractors sitting there staring at me

Thanks Don.
I didn't know Wayne had brought you down.

Marshall

[Mark12A]

Originally Posted by flyingshocker

... 'shadow' boxes work well, it greatly reduced the number of bucking bars, inspection mirrors, and wrenches that got closed up in the wings. Its scary to think that the "professional" builders let these things slip by.

Ditto. I ran an Aircraft Battle Damage Repair squadron working on F-4s and later on F-16s. All our tool boxes were shadowed and if there was a tool missing, the entire group would stop and look for it. It's a lot easier when you're only working on one airplane at a time. You did NOT want to be the guy in charge if some wandering O-6 found a wrench in the inlet of a jet ready to be tested...

[David Paule]

These were helpful.

I appreciated Sam's tips for not wasting time, too.

Dave
RV-3B kits on order

[Closterman]

I have a small shop, and when I setup my shop to build my RV-7, I had to find some way to optimise the few space I have... So, I had the idea to put 2 old door just above the workbench. The upper shelf are storage for long parts. The Lower shelf are for the tool I use often (drill, rivet gun, box of cleco, box of hardware and rivets, #30 et #40 bit, ect. ect).. I really like that.. Just one thing, make sure your tool are secure and don't fall.... (Don't worry it's not happen....for now.. ).

[pilotian]

Shop vac is your best friend!

I have a hard time staying organized, but after building at my friends house (he is a organized pro!)I realized that knowing where everything is and having it there always saves you more time than you could ever imagine!

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Once we had things out for a major project, we left them out until it was done - then did major cleanups and tool "put-aways" periodically.

Yep, that is pretty much how I do it also.

Originally Posted by Ironflight

The truth, however, is that at the age most of us start building an airplane, the chances that you're going to change your overall habits are pretty small.

AMEN to that.

[longranger]

I am my father's son; he would roll his Stearman out of his hangar after an annual and you could still see the planform of the airplane on the floor in scattered tools. He did win the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic award (postumously) though.

I read Sam's essay 14 years ago when I started my Rocket, and I've tried to take it to heart. I am a very slow learner, but I AM getting better. I only put all the tools away at the end of a major assemby, but if I notice a tool on the bench I haven't used in a while, I'll take the time to put it in its place in the tool box. That little bit of time pays back many times over the next time I need that particular tool.

As good as it gets:


About normal:

[empennage]

Organizing is either my gift, or illness (depending on who you ask). Here are a few tips I have learned:

- Have plenty of trash cans in convenient places. If you don't, trash will accumulate in piles on your work areas.

- If you look in a specific storage place for a tool/item 3 times, move the item to that space. Let's say you have screwdrivers in the 3rd drawer of your toolbox, but you keep going to drawer 5 for them. Move the screwdrivers to drawer 5.

- Keep items often used together near each other. Although it makes sense to put rivets, nuts, and bolts together, it makes MORE sense to put rivets and riveting tools together.

- Have a stack of plastic baskets (or similar containers) for temporary storage of in-use items. Maybe it's going to take 3 or 4 (or more) sessions to finish a task, so it would waste time to put the necessary tools away at the end of each session. Place them in a basket and they will be there when you need them tomorrow (and you will be able to find them).

- Make efficient use of your storage space. If the shelves are adjustable, move them so there is no "dead space" above the shelf's items. If they aren't adjustable, you can hang wire baskets, or hooks, or even stretch bungee cords across the underside of the shelf above to utilize the empty space.

- You don't want to have to move something to get to something else, ideally. Boxes that can be accessed from the ends, while stacked, are better than boxes with top access that you have to unstack to open. Drawers work well, too. You can make racks out of C-channel or right angle strips to hold those compartmentalized plastic boxes in a way that they can each be accessed individually.

- Have cleaning supplies handy and easily accessible. Mentioned by several people already is the omnipresent ShopVac? - the wall-mount idea is brilliant! If that isn't an option, you can at least pick up 3 or 4 dustpan & brush sets for dirt (groan) cheap at the discount store. Hang them in convenient locations.

- Have clearly defined areas for stuff. Have the cleaning supplies shelf, and the power tool charging shelf, and the measuring tool drawer, etc. You are much more likely to remember where things are, and where things go if there are classifications. We even have silly names for things in our shop such as The Adhesives Cabinet and the Safety Shelf (for PPE). It's goofy, but I will never forget where the hearing protectors, masking tape, or epoxy are again!

Hope this helps, and happy building!

--Lylah