This week I got started on the shop projects. After the kitten attack and moving most of my shop outside (stuff to be trashed is in the driveway, stuff to save is in the side yard), I’ve started work on some shop storage projects. Turns out I’ve got a lot of junk in the shop so I have thrown a bunch of trash out and have more to get rid of but still a of useful stuff I want to keep.
That is the one big problem in my shop – effective storage. That is a place to store things in an organized and ease to get to manner. I need places to store parts, works in process, lumber and all my tools. The first project I am working on is some pullout shelves for under my outside work bench. I’ll use these small tools, screws, nail, finishing supplies and so on. I’ll put doors on it to keep out dust and kittens.
Here are a few pictures of the state of things:
The wood that survived kitty poop and fuel oil is now outside waiting for the new lumber rack.
With the wood and dust gone my outside shop looks very clean and has lots of space.
Here is the outside work bench with all it’s junk. There will be 6 new pullout shelves to store and organize this stuff.
I’ve got material left over from the office closet project so I am using that to make the shelves.
So far the biggest help to my messy shop problem has been admitting that some things I’ll just never use. I’ve taken what I can to the thrift store or sent to recycling but there is stuff that is just stored garbage and that filled up my trash can this week. Even with all that, I still have a lot of material left to deal with. I plan on using up as much what is left on the storage projects. After the shelves are done, I’ll move on to a new inside lumber rack for new materials and improvements on the outside lumber rack where I store my scraps and “recycled” materials. Yeah, that’s it – I don’t have junk, I am a wood recycler.
If you need me – I’ll be in the shop
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
Ahhhhh, the age old problem of storage. Those bits of wood and small tools really trash my 2-car garage woodworking shop. Looks like total chaos!).
Think the shed idea is great (but like you, think I need to reduce the crap before storing it in the shed). Ralph
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I’ve been able to get rid of a lot of junk lately. I do have a lumber rack on wheels I started to build. Going to make it weather tight so I can store it outside but be able to roll it into the shop as needed.
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How about making project # 1, a storage shed?
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If I had room in the yard for another shed, I would. Maybe, I just need to finish cleaning out the ones I’ve got.
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I can relate to the leftover wood from projects. I have a couple 30 gallon cans with scrap (recyclables) as I hate throwing wood away.
Every year or so, I have to move everything out into the driveway and do a general clean up!!
I enjoy your blog. Will we see you in Rochester, NY next month?? Sure hope so!
Dave in Bartlett, TN
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When we went camping this summer, I took a box of some of the smaller, less useful scraps, for our campfire. I have a bunch of stuff that I can use so the program now is to work on those projects that use up scrape first.
Sorry but I’ll not be making out to the other coast this time.
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I relate to shop photos. While my son was here, I gave him many of my dad’s blacksmith tools and a few of mine. I like to look at my tools even though I can’t use them anymore. Someday………..?
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You never know Marv, maybe you’ll get a chance to work with some.
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