Shop Ideas

[sf3543]

I’m always looking for ways to improve work flow in my shop.
Following are a few things that some of you may find useful.
The tool bin organizers are from stupid simple tools and accept the bins from HF, Home Depot and Lowe’s. They are great.
Having a 3D printer I printed extra boxes that fit in the provided bins for more storage of small stuff.
A trash can with a rolling base, from Amazon, so you can have it where you want it. Also I sometimes use it for a rolling table by using a piece of ply for a lid. Attached blocks on the under side so it doesn’t fall in or off
A HF rolling tool table with the wooden top. Almost always on sale for $299.00. I added a larger ply top which I cover with plastic to do fiberglass work or for doing wheel bearings and other messy stuff. It wipes clean and you can put on new plastic easily. Plus you can store things in the drawers.
Hopefully these will give you some ideas to make things easier in your shop.

 

[wirejock]

I always tell noobs. Whatever works for you. Just find a process and stick to it.

I also recommend a full inventory. Vans is not what it once was, so check and double check.

Personally, I used HF 40 drawer units. Five of them. Bolts, Nuts, Washers, etc.
I added a column to my Excel inventory for shop location. Every item. Back then Vans didn't make mistakes. I think I found a couple missing nuts.

Flat stuff was between cardboard behind a shelf. Angle was on top of the shelf. The rest in bins. Smalls in the HF drawers. Rivets in 8oz water bottles. Really sped up finding stuff. The other thing I did was put all the parts for a component under construction in a bin under the bench. That saved a lot of searching as well.

 

[aeroaddict]

Looks nice. Organization and separation into categories up front saves a lot of time. Just like Larry, all the small completed assemblies are put into a box where they are easily access when the time comes. U shape racks hold the long pieces.

I have separated all the fasteners and put them into labeled sandwich bags. Then into shoe box type containers; bolts, nuts, washers,......

My thought process is that when the build is completed, I will have consumed all the loose things and not have left over containers.

 

[wirejock]

<Snip>
My thought process is that when the build is completed, I will have consumed all the loose things and not have left over containers.

That is why inventory is so important.
Lots of stuff left. If you don't know what it is and where it goes, it will take forever to figure it out.