there are two main reasons to watch shop organization videos: 1- to pick new ideas on what to do with our own mess 2- because its always fun to watch someone else struggre with what we should be doing ourselves in our own shops xD
@@briancasey4917that’s an easy fix. I agree Wes, I was going to say a storage unit but you need somewhere outside the shop for long term projects like the remote log dragger. That thing is cool but it’s taking up so much space and can’t easily be moved around when you need to. It needs a home out of your daily shop.
If you don't mind a suggestion... do whatever it takes to move your woodworking tools out into a separate enclosed space. A lean-to on your existing building, or even a portable building. The wood dust makes a mess in the machining stuff, and oily anything ruins woodworking projects. That will give you more precious room in your main shop. Just a thought. I love your videos!
Yes, sawdust doesn’t mix well plus if you really use the powered woodworking tools you should get a serious dust collector system. As an option you can have the power woodworking tools mobile so you can wheel them outdoors to use.
He has ceiling fans which is just going to spread that stuff around. At a minimum he needs a big exhaust fan in that area. I'd also put in an exhaust fan where the welders are.
I am now 64 years old, and in the 64 years I have learned one thing that will never fail to happen. as soon as you get rid of an item, you will immediately have a desperate need for that item!
The ADD tendency to procrastinate until it's unbearable is very relatable. Thanks for sharing your struggle. New layout looks great and I hope you enjoy the extra space you've rediscovered!
People like seeing progress, improvements and upgrades to the work areas, kind of like a video game character leveling up and getting new abilities. It's weird but that's how I see it
If converting the press brake to CNC is potentially possible, a massive challenge that requires problem solving, a drawing or two, and loads of explanation to viewers I think not only would you enjoy it but the crowd out here watching would as well.
Rule of thumb from a mechanic/fabricator with 60 years of still working NEVER get rid of any tool, even if it hasn't been used in years because if you do you will need it.
I look at things/ metal/ other, and say I can make xxx out of that !! The other morning I was thinking of how to make a Sand anchor for a/ the / my exploration vehicle. With details of xxx///// . so is usable.
Brian Block's channel had a, I believe, a Dake press that used a diesel injection pump as a means of having high pressure and variable flow from very low volume to full output. I would love to see someone tackle this as a one off build and Wes would have the skills and equipment to do it.
My suggestion is pallet racking. You have a lot of vertical space, and a forklift, so I think it makes sense. Palletize all the things, even things like equipment that doesn't get used much if you can, and put them up on racks. You can put workbenches or heavy tooling below the bottom levels of pallet racking. We've got racking with wire mesh shelves in our pole barn.
Yes, SO MUCH THIS. Use all of your vertical space - there's a ton of it there, and you can put a lot of stuff into it, and he already has a forklift, so perfect!
This is what i did in my shop. Vertical space not used is wasted. Everywhere i didn't need vertical space for a project got pallet racking, and some areas i doubled it up side by side and decked with plywood to store things like bikes and lawnmowers. With a forklift it's a natural fit.
Wes, I'm a huge fan of your channel. When you mentioned that you rate in the 98th percentile on openness to experience, and that such people tend to be draw toward each other, I had to leave a comment! I think your huge range of interests, and your willingness to take on new projects that are out of your wheelhouse, is what makes your channel so appealing. I have a garage that looks similar to your shop because my mind is bent in a similar manner. It can definitely be a hinderance, as you say, but it sure makes life interesting!
I have the exact same problem - I have projects in progress from a HUGE variety of subjects / interests, from RF design and testing, to electronics repair, software reverse engineering, CNC mill and lathe (getting the machines themselves up and running), woodworking, car repair (when needed), programmable Christmas lights, just on and on. I'd definitely be scoring way too high on "openness to experience"
I am onboard with what Wes says to 100%. There are simply too many film things to explore and too little time on this earth! Project ideas… oh boy do I have them…. and do I have way too many unfinished projects? You bet!
Much better than trying to please the socialist bell-curve is to do what makes you happy. If multiple unfinished projects make you happy, ignore the haters who do nothing and go live life to the fullest .
Yeah! Didn't know it was a thing. Thanks! Sure does explain a lot and why I'm a "Jack of (almost) ALL trades" 😂 Side note... still haven't gotten into working on trains.😂😂😂😂
Always watching Wes! 😅 You're embarking on a journey which causes most of us to shake at the very core; "Should I though it out even though I haven't used it in 20 years"? Nice work my friend!!
My rule of thumb for reorganizing a shop is this...If it hasn't been used in the last 5 yrs, it goes regardless of sentimental attachment. It's a shop, not a museum.
Any time I do that... I find that I wish I didn't 6 months later.. When the perfect use for it comes up; and now I have to go buy the thing I threw away.
Similar to Parkinson's Law in Business - level of spending always rises to meet or exceed the level of income. It's got more of a George Carlin-esque twist though. "Garages are places to keep your stuff."
I was a collector of nuts and bolts and fasteners of all manner. My father was born in 1906 so I had many items that were made in the 1800s that I had inherited from him. There is no better feeling than finding the perfect use for a bit of hardware that you have been lugging around for over half a century. Cheers from the cinders and ashes of Canada as we prepare for winter. ~ulrich
Northern Saskatchewan? Had a lot of haze here the other day, radio said it was from fires there. Not looking forward to another 6 months of winter either.
Canada is so cool....the people are great.......It is just cold too often. What is there to do.....me, I would start a bolt collection. ( I'm really pleased with how I organized loads of nuts and bolts....I even video them because I'm proud of myself. Been spring cleaning for......11 years now.......getting there) Have a great week!
As I’ve said before, people watch for you. Hell, I suspect most of us would watch you paint the side of a barn at this point. Keep the videos coming, regardless of topic.
Totally. I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get to see the painting process inside here. I'm sure there would be enough of Wes' dry sarcasm vocalised during the process that he could have gotten another video just from the painting!
@@silentepsilon888 Time lapse of Wes running around doing stuff at warp speed, interspersed with brief periods of normal speed whenever he says something sarcastic about wiring. Or painting. Or anything else.
I saw myself so many times during this video that it’s unbelievable. Difference is I’m 84 years old and don’t have the energy to organize like you did. Really enjoyed the video thanks for sharing!
Assuming we all share similar interests, it's safe to say we've all experienced that roller coaster-organize everything, then dive into a new project or buy more stuff! The shop looks fantastic!
I spent a week over Christmas taking everything out of the shop, building a mezzanine, and reorganizing the place. It's a great feeling to be able to use your space efficiently
"Too much stuff, -a slob,- too many interests, not enough focus." Dang Wes, you managed to single me out with just a few words. 3:47 was felt on a personal level. We've all been there in one way or another, and if you haven't you're a liar.
The Hoarders dilemma is finding a use for all that useful stuff , without first having to throw away the useful stuff . My first thought was " does he REALLY need rain THAT badly ?" Because doing something of that.magnitude , is almost a guaranteed drought buster , the line of which would turn the Sahara green for a century .
Ton of comments, but I'll add a couple. I design compressed air systems for a living (among other things). Get yourself an automatic blowdown for your compressed air tank. If you want to get fancy, you can also pipe your coalescing filter/drier into it, so the tank and the filter/drier will get drained. You can get the float style, but I prefer the timer based blowdown. You may have a small amount of oil in the discharge as you will have some carryover. I piped mine through the wall into the gravel outside the shop. The blowdown alleviates the need for you to do it manually and will extend the lifespan of your compressor tank. As you are regularly using a plasma table, it may be worth it to invest in a refrigerated air drier. This system will reduce the dewpoint of your air to a balmy 38F and extend the lifespan of your air tools as well as your plasma tips etc. and make your plasma table more accurate. A Zecks HSJ cycling air drier would be a good selection for your system and would be 120V. If you want to do it "right", you would intercept the output of your compressor, pipe it to the air drier and then back into the tank. That way the tank becomes a dry receiver. A final particulate filter on the outlet of your filter/drier would make for a nice professional quality system. Sticking with Zecks, that would be a ZFC filter with an H cartridge. If you have high periods of air usage, a secondary storage tank would benefit you. In my case, I found a free air tank from someone who blew up the compressor and took the compressor and motor off to just use the tank as a receiver. Works great. Keep up the good work!
Our dryer at work has one and it is fantastic! I like the Rapidair stuff, the "Fast pipe," I believe, it is called is available as 20' sticks of straight tubing.
Wes, my friend, you're a man after my own heart. Too many interests, too many projects, and cursed by the knowledge you could "do it yourself", with virtually no limits on what "it" is. I have a similar sized shop and had very similar problems. Two years ago I had an auction in my yard and sold about eight large, little-used machines out of my shop, plus 14 pallets of miscellaneous, tools, supplies, etc. I also sold a yard full of tractors, cars, equipment, materials, etc. It was a great unburdening. Now my yard is more or less free of all the machinery I bought to fix and flip, plus all the old collector cars I would never finish fixing, and the piles of stuff I bought just because it seemed like a deal and someday I might need that stuff. It was a huge effort that went on for weeks. Friends and family helped, a lot, and in the end I pocketed a good bit of change. I miss a few of the things I had but realistically didn't need. I think if you go through a big cleanup and don't miss anything you got rid of, you didn't clean up very well. My shop is still fairly crowded, but at least I can function in there, and thinking about tidying or rearranging it doesn't cause me to despair, At least not so much as before. ;-) Good luck. Find your happy space.
Wes, I’m An old(ish) UK guy who obviously has the same characteristics as you! I built a tiny workshop to house my 1957 Triumph motorcycle, completely rebuilt to original spec. Because of my “other interests” the workshop is now 1/10 of the size it needs to be. I’ve got so much “stuff” I find it unsafe to even go in there! I’ve thrown out so much stuff too already - which was hard mentally! Your latest video will inspire me to do more and get rid of things I’ll never use, sort stuff (again) and get to a useable space again. Thank you!
Enjoy the Motorbike first this summer and then get back the the workshop make room for another Project like a Velocette !! MSS or A Mac ( with a side car ) Respectfully suggested .
@@chrisgreig5628 Many, many years ago, I had a Norton Dominator, 16” wheels, Watsonian Monaco sidecar with BMC Mini wheel. Fantastic fun! Then a bigger family came along. 🥲🥲
Looking good! Just want to call out that one of those old desks might make a good miter saw stand with storage underneath for no extra work. I have an example of that in a video on my channel. BUT in the war against clutter, gotta be careful with “opportunities” that bring crap back in, totally get it…
Hand held tool boxes. They breed like rabbits here too. In the end your trade expertise is evolving and time to let go of the past and move on. Greta inspiration and revelation for myself and shed. Thanks for sharing the pain
You have my sympathy for your multi interest disorder! I knew there was reason you were one of favorite TH-camrs other than being a fellow M.E. who doesn't use your degree. Back in 1972, when I was a Senior in high school, I took a series of weekly tests for month from the "Joseph O'Connor Institute". At the end of the testing period I went back for the results of my tests and what they meant. I scored high on most of the exams which I thought was good until they informed that I had big challenges ahead of me for the rest of my life. Essentially, I (like yourself) have many internal needs that I need to satisfy in order to feel complete and happy! Your shop, career path, and general frustration of what to work next is what I have dealt with most of my life. I have a fairly complete metal shop tooling as well as wood working tools. Most everything in my life I researched and done myself. Keep up the good work and continue to sharing your life adventure!
Hello Wes👍👍👍 i like the set up of the work shop. Its difficult to set up work shops, the that works. Looking nice 👍 i think fixing that low spot in the concrete, will be hard. No doubt, you really put a lot of hours in that shop. But you got it looking good, sorring and organizeing things is time consuming i know. 👍👍👍
I'm feeling this video. I'm 47. Had collected many of my own tools and after my father passed away in 2021 i inherited his tools. He was a carpenter but had tools for any and every trade. My garage is full. It is so hard to decide what to keep. Every time i sell something, i end up regretting it. Keeping it all does not allow for any work getting done. It's a first world problem for us open to experience folks.
For sheet metal storage, my company built lage pallets that were bigger than the sheet metal we used. The pallets fit onto vertical supports on each side to make a stack of pallets. It worked good, but we used a lot of different sheet metal and could justify the space. I believe they were mostly 5x10 pallets. Also, I have used hanging machine shop curtains in multiple plants. They seem to work really well. For woodworking tools I just prefer good extension cords. I tend to move them outside most of the time to keep the dust outside.
Watching a shop reorganization is like experiencing a rebirth or something like that, it is so satisfying as well as energizing to see and it is also something many should do but have that same tendency to procrastinate to the last, yours truly especially!
That "openness to experience" is what makes you interesting, and yes, I would probably score high in that category too. My house and my shop look like your shop, and I have several interests on you, as I garden, preserve food, knit and sew most of our clothing etc. How you define problematic depends on the point of view. It probably isn't a good thing if you want to be a cog in some industrial wheel, but for an inventor, I'd say it is a useful trait. I'd say Ben Franklin was probably high in that category as well. I spent a good bit of my year so far doing all those projects that I bought materials for and never did. My house is going to be a lot warmer this winter, I have better lighting, and my attic is clean, at least. I've also got more space in the house, as I've used up a lot of stuff that was laying around. The last project is going to be to clean up and organize what is left. I'm dreading it, and it may take longer than what you just did. I'm old. I can't move as fast as I used to. I'm glad you got your shop organized. Yes, I watched to the end.
@@WatchWesWork I agree with your suspicion that a high percentage of your viewers have this trait. If society doesn't want to celebrate openness, we'll form our own club and celebrate it ourselves!
Cleaned out my shop make enough room to split my 5520 two years ago. Cleanup took 4 days. Threw away or gave away many cubic yards of stuff. Had to split the tractor again this week. Cleanup took: 4 days.
I love the RapidAir system in my shop. I did learn the hard way that the compression fittings need to be much tighter than I anticipated. Having one let go and dump the entire tank is a really special experience in a small enclosed space. :)
It's incredible what you did in a pretty short time span! Good luck getting rid of the excess stuff. Wikipedia says "Openness appears to be unrelated to the presence of mental disorders". Relative to your statements on openness, this makes perfect sense to me, as hoarding is clearly not a mental disorder but rather a sign of optimal preparedness...
Going through a much smaller scale operation in my newly built shop. Still need to have the power run for the machines along the north wall. One thing I would suggest is to use the very nice high ceiling and tall walls to allow you to think cubic space rather than two dimensionally. When I set up factories and warehouses I put in racks as high as possible. If you place them against the walls you can have shelf space above the machinery and workbenches. I am doing that by having workbenches nested inside the lower 5 to 6 feet of racking. The first shelf is about the height of the bottom of wall cabinets. The shelves just above the bench will be for common items for use on the bench and the upper shelves will hold items that are not used as frequently. Since you are the lucky owner of a rather high lift forklift you can palletize the equipment that you use less and store it on the upper shelves. For me that would be the snowblower in the summer. Welding rod, hardware, fittings, etc. would be on the lower shelves. Over the years, tool boxes, socket sets, and wrenches have accumulated. I have begun donating them to deserving souls interested in learning to use tools. You have a nice space there. Good luck with your future plans. 😁😎
Please keep the videos coming, I’m a newish diesel tech and I’ve learned so much from watching your videos, not just diesel videos either just learning from you period, your a great teacher and explain things great, keep up the awesome work Wes!
I feel your pain. About fifteen years ago we purchased a home with about 2,500 sq-ft of detached finished and heated shop space. I was in heaven. So much space. The last week or so I have been thinning the collection of crap since I can see a shop workspace crisis looming on the horizon. I really enjoy your videos showcasing your wit and skills. God bless and keep up the excellent work!
The pain is real. I can totally relate. I would suggest sea cans for extra storage, or just dropping one next you your building and chopping an access to it. It's a good space for work that you can do with a 9'6 ceiling and an 8' wide room. Clean room work, parts storage, electrical and electronics, disassembly and assembly. There's a long list of things that can be done in that size of an area that's 40' or 53' long. I have 2 sea cans that I setup for storage and I have 8' tall x 24" deep shelving on either side going all the way down. Some cheap florescent tube lights and it's really fantastic. I see you are already using a few vin-mar cabinets, and they are great for storing a broad range of SKUs in a small space. I would suggest you change out your plastic bins of fasteners for proper bolt bins. I find a 72 hole (8 wide by 9 high) with a 40 hole (8 wide by 5 high) mounted on top is good, but 2 40 hole (8 wide, 5 high) stacked is really quite sensible. If your fastener usage isn't really high, I (for now) have my Standard NC bolts in 1 24 hole drawer (6 holes across by 4 deep). The 6th hole is wider, which is good. I havce 5 sizes of 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 with the smaller size in front (to keep the weight towards the back of ther drawer) and the 4 holes on the right have 1/2" bolts. and the nuts, flats, locks and stovers in another drawer with each row having those parts for 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2" and a few 9/16. Same can be done for NF. Larger sizes and overstock of fast moving sizes go into the bolt bin For metric, I have a smaller selection of M4, M5, M6 and M8 Nuts, Flats and Locks, and just 3 sizes of bolts in a 24 hole bin. When I expand, I will just adopt the same layout I use for NC bolts. I did inventory management for an MRO parts company for a number of years, so I like EVERYTHING to be laid out logicaooy for my small parts and consumables. It makes it so easy. Roller racks are by far the best cost effective pieces of storage equipment for small parts and consumables. The only way better is using Vinmars but as I am sure you know, they aren't cheap. Organizing electrical terminals and shrink tube is key. I have Krimp and seals and Non-insunated butts in 1 24 hole drawer, shrink tube in an an ajustable drawer (I use a lot), and nylon insulated terminals in another drawer. Fuses are all in a 30 hole drawer - minis on top row 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ATCs on next row same sizing, MAXI next row 20-60 in first 5 holes, 3 prong minis below them, and in the bottom right corner I have the PAL fuses. A wire rack like you can get from Lawson is also awesome. I have vacuum line on the top row, fuel and trans line on the next row, 14ga in 7 primary colors on the next, than 10ga Black and a spool of each grey jacketed 14ga 2 and 3 wire and 16ga 2 wire next to it. It convers pretty much all of my needs. For my smaller wire, I have a shelf with some robbed wiring harnesses where I can steal specific colors of ires, mostly 18ga, but pretty much all of the automotive colors, and many variations of colors and stripes. I rarely need more than a 12" length so I don't need huge quantities. For cotter pins, I stock all diameters in 2" ONLY, except the occasional size that I need in 3". A 2" cotter pin is actually any size cotter pin up to 2", and I am happy to cut them to length as needed to save space. Airline fittings, pressure washer fittings and hose fittings also have a 24 hole drawer. 1/4" arbor toolholders and consumables like wire cups, wheels, flap discs, and roloc discs have an adjustable drawer. That's barely scratching the surface, but those are mugh highest use consumable categories with the highest breadth of parts. I had a hay day organizing my hydraulic and steel fitings into the vinmar, absolutely the best storage for those. I hope you find this helpful, Wes. If you are interested in any further thoughts, just shoot me a reply.
Thanks for sharing, just did the same at my main shop, took me full manpower with all hands on deck 2 weeks to make a small dent and fix some overdue band aids like to hot to touch fuses, open to touch bare metal 400v junction boxes and damaged sockets dead lights and additional cables for an other big machine... I totally see where you come from. Just that story about the bolts, I got a big pallet full of zip lock bags with all sorts of screws, I acquired in 2005, and have not touched them since then asides from moving them from one place to the next. No matter what topics you cover, I am enjoying every single vid, no matter how long the break between or how long the vid, thanks Wes for your efforts and the content!
you need a couple of 20' containers along side your shop to put the stuff you don't need but don't want to get rid of it. What ever you do we will be watching. Really like the shop layout.
Agreed. In my area, I can get a grade "A" 40' high cube delivered for a little under $3k. Why people by those crappy "garden" sheds at Lowes or Home Depot for $10-12k is beyond me (well, except for the aesthetics, if you're into that kind of thing).
I laughed so loud when you said you didn't get evicted lol and i was going to come get the tire machines and then the next clip they were driving away 😂
Organization is aways a problem for me too. I have so many projects going, it's hard to keep track. Letting things go is hard but being brutally honest with yourself is a good move. If you haven't used it in 2 years, it goes -- that's my rule. I sometimes having trouble enforcing said rule but that's a different problem. Best of luck in your "new" shop!
I don't think i'd let that DoAll go personally. And that engine support bar, that seems like the sort of thing that doesn't take up much room and may come in handy. Likewise, the high-lift jack might get you out of a bind some day, and you can hang it on a wall easily. The rest of your culling makes tons of sense though!
I agree. I have that same saw. It has a high low transmission and a vari-drive. With a coarse wood blade it is great for wood work at least if he doesn't need it for steel. I use mine for both and the blade welder is great.
I'm 79 with a basement area typical of a handyman. Workbench, grinder, vise, pin board holding up lots of stuff, etc. Scrap wood, paint remainders for touchups. Shelves holding boxes of old taxes, files, receipts line one half of one wall. Moving out of here someday is going to be a weeklong and painful job. It isn't in the same league with what you dealt with. My hats off to you.
It's a great feeling when the re organizing is done. Anyone who has a shop can relate to your plight. Been there, done that, still there. Love the upstairs storage room.
Good job Wes. A struggle we all face and need to conquer. Afterwards I'm always astounded with stuff I find that I was looking for several months or years ago that was lost in the clutter
Followed your site for many years, always interesting. Regarding space, buy a couple of 40' containers and use them for stuff you don't want to get rid of, but will use rarely.
As someone who recently cleaned their garage out and got to build their own little workshop with the tools they inherited from their father, I both feel this immensely and approve greatly. Thank you for taking us along, Wes!
Your interests range from space shuttle construction to whittling. Id pick the top three and mostly set your shop up for them. Hope this helps. Your drill Dr video chalk board intro was priceless.
Annnnnnd just like that somehow I’ve been motivated to attempt taking on an organization mission out in my shop! I feel for you brother, it’s definitely not an easy task when the labor is less on one’s body than the mental anguish of knowing what has to be done. I’ve been “spent” just thinking about it but since drafting my thoughts into a new layout to divide my shop and now lean to (1/2 of a carport mounted to the outside wall of my shop so 10x20 more feet of space) I’ve got a plan. And believe I can getter done! Great job on your project brother, they say a clean functional shop makes the work seem more enjoyable. We’ll see 😉 Thanks for taking us along.
Hey Wes, I'm that pesky electrician again. I've wired industrial shops for 46 years. The only affordable solution for your machines in the middle of the floor is conduit to a box over the machine, a Hubble or equal strain relief and type SOOW cable dropped down to the termination point. Your shop looks great, can you come to Florida and organize mine?!
To many interests, YES. Not enough space, YES. 72 years old, why do I have so much "stuff?" I feel your pain. Been trying for 7 years to thin it out, but IT just seems to keep growing.... Ahhhhhhh. Keep up the good fight.
63 and in the same tree. We gotta thin it out so our kids don't have to sell it for 1/100th of what its worth. Better to give it to someone who'll use it than keep it for an estate auction. :/ High five fellow traveler.
Wow how inspiring! Problem is, I'm a hoarder and procrastinator, with major emotional attachment to my 'stuff', so I'd probably never be able to 'rip the band-aid' One thing I've done in my shop....casters. On anything and everything that can get fitted with them. Cabinets, roll-in saw, etc. Several of my 16, yes, 16 Band saws have casters on them. Even some of my 22? air compressors have them. But I digress... Yes the Press Brake conversion would be a very COOL project. At least in concept. But when it's 90% done, and there's some hardware or software glitch, that's when the great idea turns on you. But.......don't let that thought stop you!
your not the only one in your position. i have enough interests and stuff for a 1500-1800 sq. ft shop.....in my 900 sq ft shop. ive been thinning the herd and it got easier.....after i bought a dump trailer to help with the things that are going away so im not always making trips taking stuff away. my shop is for my interest/hobbies after work and the last thing i want to do after work is work to make space to do my hobbies. after winter layoff about 5 wks ago, home improvements/remodeling started along with the shop thinning. i have all winter off so i work on the house, switch to the working on the shop and when i dont feel like doing neither, ill research things about my interests/hobbies.....like how to thin them out. :) thanks wes. shop looks great.
The new storage area upstairs looks fantastic, as well as the new shop layout with all the different working areas. The big machine row is pretty impressive. Video was pretty entertaining and NOT boring at all. Wes works, we watch 😊 As another guy suggested in the comments here, maybe an old shipping container is a feasible solution for the steel and wood storage?
Well done for taking the plunge and organising your 'shop this far. I too have struggled to reorganize my 80 square foot workshop, and my garage, and my cycle shed and the storage shed. At least you haven't gone down the "more space" route.
lol.. We have all the same interests.. I took electronics in vo-tech.. went on to be an electrician for few years.. I was a plumber apprentice for 2 years.. I ran my own construction crew for houses and metal buildings and fabrication for over a decade.. and have collected a lot of spare hardware over the years and also metal sheets and stacks of lumber... More than I know what to do with apparently. I have a nice enclosed construction tool trailer and also a welding trailer with bottles and Lincoln250 Ranger.. I've collected and rebuilt quads and dirt bikes all my life and still have a shed full of projects.. I've rebuilt engines and manual transmissions, etc.. and repaired all my families vehicles my whole life.. so I have tools for all these things. Since watching your channel (and a dozen others for the past 6 years) I've collected all the auto-diag tools now too.. including scantools and scopes, etc.etc. I had a good run of installing new handles on all my axes and hammers and shovels, etc. and other wood carving stuff and I have way too many of them. I went through another stint of working leather and repairing/ resoling all my boots by hand with chr^stys V^bram soles. I've also had span of interest in sew machines, with patching pants and jackets, etc. just common repairs- but there's a whole other bag of tools that goes with all that. I've been assembling my own AR15's since 2012, and have quite a bit of gun tools and 2 safes full of fun.. plus some swords and a lot of knives. Right out of high school I ran a crew for a few years: trimming trees away from the powerlines for OG&E, and still have several climbing ropes and harnesses and four chainsaws, etc.. Of course like every man, I've rebuilt my share of riding lawnmowers over the years and upgrades. My first computer, I just used it for recording music for awhile from a keyboard. taught myself how to play guitar (sort of). Not to mention building my own gaming computers, installing different OS's, including Linux.. and bought into bitco^n when it was only $100... and learned how trading works and that whole rabbit hole. I've ran big forklifts and understand how to work big equipment, though I never have bought anything yet (other than a 47" 2N-- which doesn't count). Although I don't have a mill or lathe, I have probably watched at least 1000 hours of machine work and learned all about the things and different techniques.. So yeah, I'm 42 and feel like I have lived many lives and have endless interests. lol. I feel your pain.
Well Wes, I don't know if you will ever read this with 2,449 comments currently, but you and I are kindred spirits (that from my teacher-wife's favorite movie Ann of Green Gables)! I have virtually the same set of hobbies and interests as you do, with the same resultant shop chaos. Earlier this year, I purchased an Ammco brake lathe like yours, from a time-capsule north Seattle gas station that still has a functioning multi-bay full-service repair shop with seasoned long-term mechanics that look like you and me. And I just purchased a Coats tire machine and a Hunter balancer almost identical to yours. I won't use them enough to justify having them, but I learned how to do tire work in high school auto shop 40 years ago and have always wanted to do it myself, especially now that I can purchase name-brand tires for incredibly good deals on Amazon (or closeout at Tire Rack), shipped right to me, and then I can install them.
It is my best experience that once these "events" occur and echo is a concern; flags, banners and a ton of wall hanging signs come in to the shop. If the ceiling fans are powered then an electrical cord reel is an easy fix for temp power out on the floor. Most of those fans already have pass through power built into them for a light kit. No one can truly appreciate the work you have put into your shop but we're all here with you watching wes work. Keep up the progress to perfection and always enjoy what you've got. Great Video
Great job, it is always so daunting to tackle a garage clean up regardless of the space and yours is even larger. I would suggest outdoor storage building, shipping connex or something akin to that to help out. Regardless great job and keep it up!
Personally, I have a hard fast rule of 'If it's been there for a decade and never been used, it goes'......... Now if only I could have a hard fast rule about applying hard fast rules!!
Many of us marvel at your ability to continue to do interesting things and maintain the collection of stuff. I feel the open to experience part and my lack of focus has me tripping over unrealized thought experiments often and prohibiting progress on others
Thank you Mr and Mrs Wes for another great video. Yes, I did watch it 'til the end! The shop looks great ... hopefully it's 9 days well spent (plus the 12 hours sorting). Coincidentally, it's our Labour Day weekend coming up, here in New Zealand, but I won't be spending it painting =)
Nice layout. I would recommend you hang on to the extra stuff for another few months to make sure. Then, if you're not sure, keep it another few months.
One thing that never gets mentioned when doing this work(and it is work) is to put a date on the stuff you cannot bear to get rid of. That might not help with this round of organising, but does make it much easier in five years time when you do it again. I'm always amazed at how much crap people take with them when they move to different premises
After unloading the tire machines, guaranteed he'll have a flat tire, and in six months the reorganization will be in vain. The Malibu has found a home, too.
I give you a great deal of credit. Cleaning is necessary and my least favorite thing to do. To take on your job was astonishing!! Good deal, looks very well done. Hope you like it. Good video as per usual. Separate lean-to or addition for the wood working. Similar idea for the steel, a separate lean-to or addition for the steel, set up for easy fork lift access.
there are two main reasons to watch shop organization videos:
1- to pick new ideas on what to do with our own mess
2- because its always fun to watch someone else struggre with what we should be doing ourselves in our own shops xD
26:00 - You need a shipping container for the steel storage, so you can get it out of the shop but keep it out of the elements.
This is the answer. Unfortunately, you'll end up like us with 5 of them one day
Problem is containers sweat on the inside, have to ventilate them
@@briancasey4917that’s an easy fix. I agree Wes, I was going to say a storage unit but you need somewhere outside the shop for long term projects like the remote log dragger. That thing is cool but it’s taking up so much space and can’t easily be moved around when you need to. It needs a home out of your daily shop.
Worst possible advice.
An insulated shipping container with heat and vent for tubings and profile steel.
Condensation is enemy no 1 for steel
If you don't mind a suggestion... do whatever it takes to move your woodworking tools out into a separate enclosed space. A lean-to on your existing building, or even a portable building. The wood dust makes a mess in the machining stuff, and oily anything ruins woodworking projects. That will give you more precious room in your main shop. Just a thought. I love your videos!
I did that, dust is the devil 😊
Yes, sawdust doesn’t mix well plus if you really use the powered woodworking tools you should get a serious dust collector system. As an option you can have the power woodworking tools mobile so you can wheel them outdoors to use.
I agree. The roundhouse shop at our railroad needs a dedicated woodwork space, after a day of woodworking the dust is everywhere.
He has ceiling fans which is just going to spread that stuff around. At a minimum he needs a big exhaust fan in that area. I'd also put in an exhaust fan where the welders are.
I second that. Sawdust is the mortal enemy of machining. Have to isolate it.
I am now 64 years old, and in the 64 years I have learned one thing that will never fail to happen. as soon as you get rid of an item, you will immediately have a desperate need for that item!
Agree 💯
And/or another will take it's place
Yup, and that's why I can barely walk around in my garage. Lol
Every single dang time 😂😂😂
Sounds like you have a hoarder complex, like me!
The ADD tendency to procrastinate until it's unbearable is very relatable. Thanks for sharing your struggle. New layout looks great and I hope you enjoy the extra space you've rediscovered!
Yep
People like seeing progress, improvements and upgrades to the work areas, kind of like a video game character leveling up and getting new abilities. It's weird but that's how I see it
I felt it in my gut when that tipped pile of bins and scattered hardware came on screen. I felt that sigh too.
Sadly I knew that was coming, been there done that. :)
It hurt my heart 💔lol
At least he didn't drop it off the forklift putting it upstairs.
I know for a fact if it had me there would have been some money added to the swear jar.
We've all done it.
PS: any episode where the pad of engineering paper comes out is always a fantastic episode. :)
If converting the press brake to CNC is potentially possible, a massive challenge that requires problem solving, a drawing or two, and loads of explanation to viewers I think not only would you enjoy it but the crowd out here watching would as well.
Rule of thumb from a mechanic/fabricator with 60 years of still working NEVER get rid of any tool, even if it hasn't been used in years because if you do you will need it.
Agree 💯
I look at things/ metal/ other, and say I can make xxx out of that !!
The other morning I was thinking of how to make a Sand anchor for a/ the / my exploration vehicle. With details of xxx///// . so is usable.
I'm certainly still interested in seeing that press hydraulic conversion.
Brian Block's channel had a, I believe, a Dake press that used a diesel injection pump as a means of having high pressure and variable flow from very low volume to full output. I would love to see someone tackle this as a one off build and Wes would have the skills and equipment to do it.
@@gordonborsboom7460me too
Me too.
Me too@@garybrugone433
@@gordonborsboom7460 Brian Block...a jewel of unexplored get 'er done...
My suggestion is pallet racking. You have a lot of vertical space, and a forklift, so I think it makes sense. Palletize all the things, even things like equipment that doesn't get used much if you can, and put them up on racks. You can put workbenches or heavy tooling below the bottom levels of pallet racking. We've got racking with wire mesh shelves in our pole barn.
He really could utilize the steel stock corner and depending on how many shelves he puts vertically really maximize the space for rare use items
Yes, SO MUCH THIS. Use all of your vertical space - there's a ton of it there, and you can put a lot of stuff into it, and he already has a forklift, so perfect!
This is what i did in my shop. Vertical space not used is wasted. Everywhere i didn't need vertical space for a project got pallet racking, and some areas i doubled it up side by side and decked with plywood to store things like bikes and lawnmowers. With a forklift it's a natural fit.
Large cantilever rack with sheet steel on button and longer tubing/angle above.
Wes, I'm a huge fan of your channel. When you mentioned that you rate in the 98th percentile on openness to experience, and that such people tend to be draw toward each other, I had to leave a comment! I think your huge range of interests, and your willingness to take on new projects that are out of your wheelhouse, is what makes your channel so appealing. I have a garage that looks similar to your shop because my mind is bent in a similar manner. It can definitely be a hinderance, as you say, but it sure makes life interesting!
I have the exact same problem - I have projects in progress from a HUGE variety of subjects / interests, from RF design and testing, to electronics repair, software reverse engineering, CNC mill and lathe (getting the machines themselves up and running), woodworking, car repair (when needed), programmable Christmas lights, just on and on. I'd definitely be scoring way too high on "openness to experience"
I am onboard with what Wes says to 100%. There are simply too many film things to explore and too little time on this earth! Project ideas… oh boy do I have them…. and do I have way too many unfinished projects? You bet!
I too suffer from the I can do it that myself thing.
Much better than trying to please the socialist bell-curve is to do what makes you happy. If multiple unfinished projects make you happy, ignore the haters who do nothing and go live life to the fullest .
Hard to explain the sense of relief seeing a video like this can give lol I do this every year or 2
I'm glad you explained that problem. All these years I thought it was just me having a survival disorder.
Yeah! Didn't know it was a thing. Thanks! Sure does explain a lot and why I'm a "Jack of (almost) ALL trades" 😂 Side note... still haven't gotten into working on trains.😂😂😂😂
Always watching Wes! 😅
You're embarking on a journey which causes most of us to shake at the very core; "Should I though it out even though I haven't used it in 20 years"?
Nice work my friend!!
My rule of thumb for reorganizing a shop is this...If it hasn't been used in the last 5 yrs, it goes regardless of sentimental attachment. It's a shop, not a museum.
If it doesn't bring you joy..throw it out.
-Lois Griffin
I usually apply this rule, and 2-3 weeks after I discard it I need that thing…
@@jeankelly2011 Thats exactly how it goes XD
Any time I do that... I find that I wish I didn't 6 months later..
When the perfect use for it comes up; and now I have to go buy the thing I threw away.
that was my thought hes got a museum not a shop
There is a simple equasion. The more space you have the more stuff you gather.😊
Exactly... sadly.
Yep it's like a vacuum 😇, it will be filled instantly 😀
Similar to Parkinson's Law in Business - level of spending always rises to meet or exceed the level of income.
It's got more of a George Carlin-esque twist though. "Garages are places to keep your stuff."
@@tetedur377 It's only stuff until it belongs to someone else - Also George Carlin
trooer werdz hav nevah ben spoken!
"Too many interests and not enough focus"
Makes two of us brother. So many half complete projects in my garage/house.
Wait, you have a house attached to your garage!?!?! What is this 'house' thing you speak of?
I was a collector of nuts and bolts and fasteners of all manner. My father was born in 1906 so I had many items that were made in the 1800s that I had inherited from him. There is no better feeling than finding the perfect use for a bit of hardware that you have been lugging around for over half a century. Cheers from the cinders and ashes of Canada as we prepare for winter. ~ulrich
Northern Saskatchewan? Had a lot of haze here the other day, radio said it was from fires there. Not looking forward to another 6 months of winter either.
@@KStewart-th4sk Don't sell it short, it's 6 months but feels like 10
Canada is so cool....the people are great.......It is just cold too often.
What is there to do.....me, I would start a bolt collection.
( I'm really pleased with how I organized loads of nuts and bolts....I even video them because I'm proud of myself. Been spring cleaning for......11 years now.......getting there)
Have a great week!
And here I am using a few nuts and bolts or lumber from 25 yrs ago when I brought it home-I can use this for....
Very nice man. You've got that parts room pretty dialed!
From one tool and project hoarder to another. WELL DONE!!!!!!! I fully understand your pain and joy of collecting things.
As I’ve said before, people watch for you. Hell, I suspect most of us would watch you paint the side of a barn at this point. Keep the videos coming, regardless of topic.
Completely agree
Totally. I'm a bit disappointed we didn't get to see the painting process inside here. I'm sure there would be enough of Wes' dry sarcasm vocalised during the process that he could have gotten another video just from the painting!
agree, it would have been nice to even just see a time lapse of him painting and installing all that wiring etc.
@@silentepsilon888 Time lapse of Wes running around doing stuff at warp speed, interspersed with brief periods of normal speed whenever he says something sarcastic about wiring. Or painting. Or anything else.
I saw myself so many times during this video that it’s unbelievable. Difference is I’m 84 years old and don’t have the energy to organize like you did. Really enjoyed the video thanks for sharing!
Assuming we all share similar interests, it's safe to say we've all experienced that roller coaster-organize everything, then dive into a new project or buy more stuff! The shop looks fantastic!
I spent a week over Christmas taking everything out of the shop, building a mezzanine, and reorganizing the place. It's a great feeling to be able to use your space efficiently
"Too much stuff, -a slob,- too many interests, not enough focus."
Dang Wes, you managed to single me out with just a few words.
3:47 was felt on a personal level. We've all been there in one way or another, and if you haven't you're a liar.
😂😂😂
Same.
The Hoarders dilemma is finding a use for all that useful stuff , without first having to throw away the useful stuff .
My first thought was " does he REALLY need rain THAT badly ?"
Because doing something of that.magnitude , is almost a guaranteed drought buster , the line of which would turn the Sahara green for a century .
Electronics, vintage computers, ham radio, guns, classic cars ... I'm right there with you, man.
Impossible task. I know the feeling of your dilemma! Well done young man!
You have the most amazing shop. Your treasure drove your skill and interest is absolutely once in a lifetime
Ton of comments, but I'll add a couple. I design compressed air systems for a living (among other things). Get yourself an automatic blowdown for your compressed air tank. If you want to get fancy, you can also pipe your coalescing filter/drier into it, so the tank and the filter/drier will get drained. You can get the float style, but I prefer the timer based blowdown. You may have a small amount of oil in the discharge as you will have some carryover. I piped mine through the wall into the gravel outside the shop. The blowdown alleviates the need for you to do it manually and will extend the lifespan of your compressor tank. As you are regularly using a plasma table, it may be worth it to invest in a refrigerated air drier. This system will reduce the dewpoint of your air to a balmy 38F and extend the lifespan of your air tools as well as your plasma tips etc. and make your plasma table more accurate. A Zecks HSJ cycling air drier would be a good selection for your system and would be 120V. If you want to do it "right", you would intercept the output of your compressor, pipe it to the air drier and then back into the tank. That way the tank becomes a dry receiver. A final particulate filter on the outlet of your filter/drier would make for a nice professional quality system. Sticking with Zecks, that would be a ZFC filter with an H cartridge. If you have high periods of air usage, a secondary storage tank would benefit you. In my case, I found a free air tank from someone who blew up the compressor and took the compressor and motor off to just use the tank as a receiver. Works great.
Keep up the good work!
That beats me climbing a ladder and draining it once a month!
Our dryer at work has one and it is fantastic! I like the Rapidair stuff, the "Fast pipe," I believe, it is called is available as 20' sticks of straight tubing.
Wes, my friend, you're a man after my own heart. Too many interests, too many projects, and cursed by the knowledge you could "do it yourself", with virtually no limits on what "it" is. I have a similar sized shop and had very similar problems. Two years ago I had an auction in my yard and sold about eight large, little-used machines out of my shop, plus 14 pallets of miscellaneous, tools, supplies, etc. I also sold a yard full of tractors, cars, equipment, materials, etc. It was a great unburdening. Now my yard is more or less free of all the machinery I bought to fix and flip, plus all the old collector cars I would never finish fixing, and the piles of stuff I bought just because it seemed like a deal and someday I might need that stuff. It was a huge effort that went on for weeks. Friends and family helped, a lot, and in the end I pocketed a good bit of change. I miss a few of the things I had but realistically didn't need. I think if you go through a big cleanup and don't miss anything you got rid of, you didn't clean up very well. My shop is still fairly crowded, but at least I can function in there, and thinking about tidying or rearranging it doesn't cause me to despair, At least not so much as before. ;-) Good luck. Find your happy space.
The need for a support group is real
Wes, I’m
An old(ish) UK guy who obviously has the same characteristics as you! I built a tiny workshop to house my 1957 Triumph motorcycle, completely rebuilt to original spec.
Because of my “other interests” the workshop is now 1/10 of the size it needs to be. I’ve got so much “stuff” I find it unsafe to even go in there! I’ve thrown out so much stuff too already - which was hard mentally! Your latest video will inspire me to do more and get rid of things I’ll never use, sort stuff (again) and get to a useable space again.
Thank you!
Enjoy the Motorbike first this summer and then get back the the workshop make room for another Project like a Velocette !! MSS or A Mac ( with a side car ) Respectfully suggested .
@@chrisgreig5628
Many, many years ago, I had a Norton Dominator, 16” wheels, Watsonian Monaco sidecar with BMC Mini wheel. Fantastic fun! Then a bigger family came along. 🥲🥲
Looking good! Just want to call out that one of those old desks might make a good miter saw stand with storage underneath for no extra work. I have an example of that in a video on my channel. BUT in the war against clutter, gotta be careful with “opportunities” that bring crap back in, totally get it…
Hand held tool boxes. They breed like rabbits here too. In the end your trade expertise is evolving and time to let go of the past and move on. Greta inspiration and revelation for myself and shed. Thanks for sharing the pain
Thank you for exposing the problem that many of us have. Your shop looks really nice!!
7:00, Wes don't forget to add the foundation work you did on the outside
Ugh. Forgot about that.
You have my sympathy for your multi interest disorder!
I knew there was reason you were one of favorite TH-camrs other than being a fellow M.E. who doesn't use your degree.
Back in 1972, when I was a Senior in high school, I took a series of weekly tests for month from the "Joseph O'Connor Institute".
At the end of the testing period I went back for the results of my tests and what they meant.
I scored high on most of the exams which I thought was good until they informed that I had big challenges ahead of me for the rest of my life.
Essentially, I (like yourself) have many internal needs that I need to satisfy in order to feel complete and happy!
Your shop, career path, and general frustration of what to work next is what I have dealt with most of my life.
I have a fairly complete metal shop tooling as well as wood working tools. Most everything in my life I researched and done myself.
Keep up the good work and continue to sharing your life adventure!
Fellow ME that went other route after 20 years of engineering. Yep
I do good if I can organize 10ft of shop at a time. You did a fantastic job making it a better environment to suit you.
Hello Wes👍👍👍 i like the set up of the work shop. Its difficult to set up work shops, the that works. Looking nice 👍 i think fixing that low spot in the concrete, will be hard. No doubt, you really put a lot of hours in that shop. But you got it looking good, sorring and organizeing things is time consuming i know. 👍👍👍
I'm feeling this video. I'm 47. Had collected many of my own tools and after my father passed away in 2021 i inherited his tools. He was a carpenter but had tools for any and every trade. My garage is full. It is so hard to decide what to keep. Every time i sell something, i end up regretting it. Keeping it all does not allow for any work getting done. It's a first world problem for us open to experience folks.
I really loved this one. Cleaning and organizing stuff is so satisfying. Thanks for sharing that. :)
Next up he will cook a beef wellington with Bernaise sauce!
@@crisprtalk6963 And I would probably watch that and be happy with it :D
@@crisprtalk6963 I'll bring my plate !
For sheet metal storage, my company built lage pallets that were bigger than the sheet metal we used. The pallets fit onto vertical supports on each side to make a stack of pallets. It worked good, but we used a lot of different sheet metal and could justify the space. I believe they were mostly 5x10 pallets.
Also, I have used hanging machine shop curtains in multiple plants. They seem to work really well.
For woodworking tools I just prefer good extension cords. I tend to move them outside most of the time to keep the dust outside.
Watching a shop reorganization is like experiencing a rebirth or something like that, it is so satisfying as well as energizing to see and it is also something many should do but have that same tendency to procrastinate to the last, yours truly especially!
The end result is the prize!!!! Stay focused, looking good!!!
That "openness to experience" is what makes you interesting, and yes, I would probably score high in that category too. My house and my shop look like your shop, and I have several interests on you, as I garden, preserve food, knit and sew most of our clothing etc. How you define problematic depends on the point of view. It probably isn't a good thing if you want to be a cog in some industrial wheel, but for an inventor, I'd say it is a useful trait. I'd say Ben Franklin was probably high in that category as well. I spent a good bit of my year so far doing all those projects that I bought materials for and never did. My house is going to be a lot warmer this winter, I have better lighting, and my attic is clean, at least. I've also got more space in the house, as I've used up a lot of stuff that was laying around. The last project is going to be to clean up and organize what is left. I'm dreading it, and it may take longer than what you just did. I'm old. I can't move as fast as I used to. I'm glad you got your shop organized. Yes, I watched to the end.
It's good for self reliance. Unfortunately, that's a trait that doesn't seem to be celebrated much anymore.
@@WatchWesWork I celebrate it. That's one of the things I like about you.
You the Man ! " how you define problematic depends on the point of view " Wisdom of age !
@@WatchWesWork I agree with your suspicion that a high percentage of your viewers have this trait.
If society doesn't want to celebrate openness, we'll form our own club and celebrate it ourselves!
Cleaned out my shop make enough room to split my 5520 two years ago. Cleanup took 4 days. Threw away or gave away many cubic yards of stuff. Had to split the tractor again this week. Cleanup took: 4 days.
Ouch!
I love the RapidAir system in my shop. I did learn the hard way that the compression fittings need to be much tighter than I anticipated. Having one let go and dump the entire tank is a really special experience in a small enclosed space. :)
Tighten until they gall, then another 1/4 turn?
@@WatchWesWork Of courseI know you're kidding. I use the RipidAir as well. I used "Ultra Tef-Gel" on the threads.
Always have a valve right at the tank
It's incredible what you did in a pretty short time span! Good luck getting rid of the excess stuff.
Wikipedia says "Openness appears to be unrelated to the presence of mental disorders". Relative to your statements on openness, this makes perfect sense to me, as hoarding is clearly not a mental disorder but rather a sign of optimal preparedness...
Going through a much smaller scale operation in my newly built shop. Still need to have the power run for the machines along the north wall.
One thing I would suggest is to use the very nice high ceiling and tall walls to allow you to think cubic space rather than two dimensionally.
When I set up factories and warehouses I put in racks as high as possible. If you place them against the walls you can have shelf space above the machinery and workbenches. I am doing that by having workbenches nested inside the lower 5 to 6 feet of racking. The first shelf is about the height of the bottom of wall cabinets. The shelves just above the bench will be for common items for use on the bench and the upper shelves will hold items that are not used as frequently.
Since you are the lucky owner of a rather high lift forklift you can palletize the equipment that you use less and store it on the upper shelves. For me that would be the snowblower in the summer. Welding rod, hardware, fittings, etc. would be on the lower shelves.
Over the years, tool boxes, socket sets, and wrenches have accumulated. I have begun donating them to deserving souls interested in learning to use tools.
You have a nice space there.
Good luck with your future plans. 😁😎
I think a lean-to against the outside of your building is the best bet for your lengths of material. The shop is looking amazing.
Please keep the videos coming, I’m a newish diesel tech and I’ve learned so much from watching your videos, not just diesel videos either just learning from you period, your a great teacher and explain things great, keep up the awesome work Wes!
I feel your pain. About fifteen years ago we purchased a home with about 2,500 sq-ft of detached finished and heated shop space. I was in heaven. So much space. The last week or so I have been thinning the collection of crap since I can see a shop workspace crisis looming on the horizon. I really enjoy your videos showcasing your wit and skills. God bless and keep up the excellent work!
The pain is real. I can totally relate. I would suggest sea cans for extra storage, or just dropping one next you your building and chopping an access to it. It's a good space for work that you can do with a 9'6 ceiling and an 8' wide room. Clean room work, parts storage, electrical and electronics, disassembly and assembly. There's a long list of things that can be done in that size of an area that's 40' or 53' long. I have 2 sea cans that I setup for storage and I have 8' tall x 24" deep shelving on either side going all the way down. Some cheap florescent tube lights and it's really fantastic. I see you are already using a few vin-mar cabinets, and they are great for storing a broad range of SKUs in a small space. I would suggest you change out your plastic bins of fasteners for proper bolt bins. I find a 72 hole (8 wide by 9 high) with a 40 hole (8 wide by 5 high) mounted on top is good, but 2 40 hole (8 wide, 5 high) stacked is really quite sensible.
If your fastener usage isn't really high, I (for now) have my Standard NC bolts in 1 24 hole drawer (6 holes across by 4 deep). The 6th hole is wider, which is good. I havce 5 sizes of 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16 with the smaller size in front (to keep the weight towards the back of ther drawer) and the 4 holes on the right have 1/2" bolts. and the nuts, flats, locks and stovers in another drawer with each row having those parts for 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2" and a few 9/16. Same can be done for NF. Larger sizes and overstock of fast moving sizes go into the bolt bin
For metric, I have a smaller selection of M4, M5, M6 and M8 Nuts, Flats and Locks, and just 3 sizes of bolts in a 24 hole bin. When I expand, I will just adopt the same layout I use for NC bolts.
I did inventory management for an MRO parts company for a number of years, so I like EVERYTHING to be laid out logicaooy for my small parts and consumables. It makes it so easy. Roller racks are by far the best cost effective pieces of storage equipment for small parts and consumables. The only way better is using Vinmars but as I am sure you know, they aren't cheap.
Organizing electrical terminals and shrink tube is key. I have Krimp and seals and Non-insunated butts in 1 24 hole drawer, shrink tube in an an ajustable drawer (I use a lot), and nylon insulated terminals in another drawer. Fuses are all in a 30 hole drawer - minis on top row 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ATCs on next row same sizing, MAXI next row 20-60 in first 5 holes, 3 prong minis below them, and in the bottom right corner I have the PAL fuses.
A wire rack like you can get from Lawson is also awesome. I have vacuum line on the top row, fuel and trans line on the next row, 14ga in 7 primary colors on the next, than 10ga Black and a spool of each grey jacketed 14ga 2 and 3 wire and 16ga 2 wire next to it. It convers pretty much all of my needs.
For my smaller wire, I have a shelf with some robbed wiring harnesses where I can steal specific colors of ires, mostly 18ga, but pretty much all of the automotive colors, and many variations of colors and stripes. I rarely need more than a 12" length so I don't need huge quantities.
For cotter pins, I stock all diameters in 2" ONLY, except the occasional size that I need in 3". A 2" cotter pin is actually any size cotter pin up to 2", and I am happy to cut them to length as needed to save space.
Airline fittings, pressure washer fittings and hose fittings also have a 24 hole drawer.
1/4" arbor toolholders and consumables like wire cups, wheels, flap discs, and roloc discs have an adjustable drawer.
That's barely scratching the surface, but those are mugh highest use consumable categories with the highest breadth of parts. I had a hay day organizing my hydraulic and steel fitings into the vinmar, absolutely the best storage for those.
I hope you find this helpful, Wes. If you are interested in any further thoughts, just shoot me a reply.
Thanks for sharing, just did the same at my main shop, took me full manpower with all hands on deck 2 weeks to make a small dent and fix some overdue band aids like to hot to touch fuses, open to touch bare metal 400v junction boxes and damaged sockets dead lights and additional cables for an other big machine... I totally see where you come from. Just that story about the bolts, I got a big pallet full of zip lock bags with all sorts of screws, I acquired in 2005, and have not touched them since then asides from moving them from one place to the next. No matter what topics you cover, I am enjoying every single vid, no matter how long the break between or how long the vid, thanks Wes for your efforts and the content!
Oh, I also got a 40 container that's full of parts and tools, untouched since 2012, aside from moving them though Germany
you need a couple of 20' containers along side your shop to put the stuff you don't need but don't want to get rid of it. What ever you do we will be watching. Really like the shop layout.
Agreed. In my area, I can get a grade "A" 40' high cube delivered for a little under $3k. Why people by those crappy "garden" sheds at Lowes or Home Depot for $10-12k is beyond me (well, except for the aesthetics, if you're into that kind of thing).
I laughed so loud when you said you didn't get evicted lol and i was going to come get the tire machines and then the next clip they were driving away 😂
Same. I've been wanting a set of those machines. 🤣
Organization is aways a problem for me too. I have so many projects going, it's hard to keep track. Letting things go is hard but being brutally honest with yourself is a good move. If you haven't used it in 2 years, it goes -- that's my rule. I sometimes having trouble enforcing said rule but that's a different problem. Best of luck in your "new" shop!
I’ve tried that too but I find it hard sometimes.
I think the attic space looks exceptional Wes 😎👍
Amazing transformation. You're my dream neighbor.
Yes to converting the press brake. You and Mrs. Wes have certainly worked hard there, Wes. Should all be worth it in the long run.
I don't think i'd let that DoAll go personally. And that engine support bar, that seems like the sort of thing that doesn't take up much room and may come in handy. Likewise, the high-lift jack might get you out of a bind some day, and you can hang it on a wall easily. The rest of your culling makes tons of sense though!
I agree. I have that same saw. It has a high low transmission and a vari-drive. With a coarse wood blade it is great for wood work at least if he doesn't need it for steel. I use mine for both and the blade welder is great.
I'm 79 with a basement area typical of a handyman. Workbench, grinder, vise, pin board holding up lots of stuff, etc. Scrap wood, paint remainders for touchups. Shelves holding boxes of old taxes, files, receipts line one half of one wall. Moving out of here someday is going to be a weeklong and painful job. It isn't in the same league with what you dealt with. My hats off to you.
I like the new layout. I especially like the machining area. Looks good.
A clean well organized work area helps you to think clearly and thus be more productive. Good job
It's a great feeling when the re organizing is done. Anyone who has a shop can relate to your plight. Been there, done that, still there. Love the upstairs storage room.
a hydraulic cnc press brake - oh hell yes !!!
so what do you CNC on a press? Obviously the backstop, but does it also need to control the distance the ram moves, to be able to do precise angles?
Still watching YES! The end is always better than the begining because of the smiles you have had. Thnks for the smiles!
Good job Wes.
A struggle we all face and need to conquer.
Afterwards I'm always astounded with stuff I find that I was looking for several months or years ago that was lost in the clutter
Followed your site for many years, always interesting. Regarding space, buy a couple of 40' containers and use them for stuff you don't want to get rid of, but will use rarely.
Wes, thank you for sharing all these details. All of us faced this one scale or another and i like how you approached this.
That was a HUGE project! I'm glad that the positive thoughts and vibes I sent helped, Wes. You're welcome.
( I knew all along you would ! Then when I saw the positive Vibe imprint on the wall....I said to myself " Zap's been here! " )
As someone who recently cleaned their garage out and got to build their own little workshop with the tools they inherited from their father, I both feel this immensely and approve greatly. Thank you for taking us along, Wes!
Your interests range from space shuttle construction to whittling. Id pick the top three and mostly set your shop up for them. Hope this helps.
Your drill Dr video chalk board intro was priceless.
Annnnnnd just like that somehow I’ve been motivated to attempt taking on an organization mission out in my shop! I feel for you brother, it’s definitely not an easy task when the labor is less on one’s body than the mental anguish of knowing what has to be done. I’ve been “spent” just thinking about it but since drafting my thoughts into a new layout to divide my shop and now lean to (1/2 of a carport mounted to the outside wall of my shop so 10x20 more feet of space) I’ve got a plan. And believe I can getter done! Great job on your project brother, they say a clean functional shop makes the work seem more enjoyable. We’ll see 😉 Thanks for taking us along.
Hey Wes, I'm that pesky electrician again. I've wired industrial shops for 46 years. The only affordable solution for your machines in the middle of the floor is conduit to a box over the machine, a Hubble or equal strain relief and type SOOW cable dropped down to the termination point. Your shop looks great, can you come to Florida and organize mine?!
You know the rule. If you haven't used it in 10 years and toss it on Monday you will need that exact thing on Tuesday.
To many interests, YES.
Not enough space, YES.
72 years old, why do I have so much "stuff?"
I feel your pain. Been trying for 7 years to thin it out, but IT just seems to keep growing.... Ahhhhhhh. Keep up the good fight.
63 and in the same tree.
We gotta thin it out so our kids don't have to sell it for 1/100th of what its worth. Better to give it to someone who'll use it than keep it for an estate auction. :/ High five fellow traveler.
Wow how inspiring! Problem is, I'm a hoarder and procrastinator, with major emotional attachment to my 'stuff', so I'd probably never be able to 'rip the band-aid' One thing I've done in my shop....casters. On anything and everything that can get fitted with them. Cabinets, roll-in saw, etc. Several of my 16, yes, 16 Band saws have casters on them. Even some of my 22? air compressors have them. But I digress... Yes the Press Brake conversion would be a very COOL project. At least in concept. But when it's 90% done, and there's some hardware or software glitch, that's when the great idea turns on you. But.......don't let that thought stop you!
your not the only one in your position. i have enough interests and stuff for a 1500-1800 sq. ft shop.....in my 900 sq ft shop. ive been thinning the herd and it got easier.....after i bought a dump trailer to help with the things that are going away so im not always making trips taking stuff away. my shop is for my interest/hobbies after work and the last thing i want to do after work is work to make space to do my hobbies.
after winter layoff about 5 wks ago, home improvements/remodeling started along with the shop thinning. i have all winter off so i work on the house, switch to the working on the shop and when i dont feel like doing neither, ill research things about my interests/hobbies.....like how to thin them out. :)
thanks wes. shop looks great.
The new storage area upstairs looks fantastic, as well as the new shop layout with all the different working areas. The big machine row is pretty impressive. Video was pretty entertaining and NOT boring at all. Wes works, we watch 😊 As another guy suggested in the comments here, maybe an old shipping container is a feasible solution for the steel and wood storage?
You have come a long way since your patented S.O.S system.
Man those were dark days...
Lol yes!
Getting out of my sos phase now !
Well done for taking the plunge and organising your 'shop this far. I too have struggled to reorganize my 80 square foot workshop, and my garage, and my cycle shed and the storage shed. At least you haven't gone down the "more space" route.
lol.. We have all the same interests.. I took electronics in vo-tech.. went on to be an electrician for few years.. I was a plumber apprentice for 2 years.. I ran my own construction crew for houses and metal buildings and fabrication for over a decade.. and have collected a lot of spare hardware over the years and also metal sheets and stacks of lumber... More than I know what to do with apparently. I have a nice enclosed construction tool trailer and also a welding trailer with bottles and Lincoln250 Ranger.. I've collected and rebuilt quads and dirt bikes all my life and still have a shed full of projects.. I've rebuilt engines and manual transmissions, etc.. and repaired all my families vehicles my whole life.. so I have tools for all these things. Since watching your channel (and a dozen others for the past 6 years) I've collected all the auto-diag tools now too.. including scantools and scopes, etc.etc. I had a good run of installing new handles on all my axes and hammers and shovels, etc. and other wood carving stuff and I have way too many of them. I went through another stint of working leather and repairing/ resoling all my boots by hand with chr^stys V^bram soles. I've also had span of interest in sew machines, with patching pants and jackets, etc. just common repairs- but there's a whole other bag of tools that goes with all that. I've been assembling my own AR15's since 2012, and have quite a bit of gun tools and 2 safes full of fun.. plus some swords and a lot of knives. Right out of high school I ran a crew for a few years: trimming trees away from the powerlines for OG&E, and still have several climbing ropes and harnesses and four chainsaws, etc.. Of course like every man, I've rebuilt my share of riding lawnmowers over the years and upgrades. My first computer, I just used it for recording music for awhile from a keyboard. taught myself how to play guitar (sort of). Not to mention building my own gaming computers, installing different OS's, including Linux.. and bought into bitco^n when it was only $100... and learned how trading works and that whole rabbit hole. I've ran big forklifts and understand how to work big equipment, though I never have bought anything yet (other than a 47" 2N-- which doesn't count). Although I don't have a mill or lathe, I have probably watched at least 1000 hours of machine work and learned all about the things and different techniques.. So yeah, I'm 42 and feel like I have lived many lives and have endless interests. lol. I feel your pain.
Well Wes, I don't know if you will ever read this with 2,449 comments currently, but you and I are kindred spirits (that from my teacher-wife's favorite movie Ann of Green Gables)! I have virtually the same set of hobbies and interests as you do, with the same resultant shop chaos. Earlier this year, I purchased an Ammco brake lathe like yours, from a time-capsule north Seattle gas station that still has a functioning multi-bay full-service repair shop with seasoned long-term mechanics that look like you and me. And I just purchased a Coats tire machine and a Hunter balancer almost identical to yours. I won't use them enough to justify having them, but I learned how to do tire work in high school auto shop 40 years ago and have always wanted to do it myself, especially now that I can purchase name-brand tires for incredibly good deals on Amazon (or closeout at Tire Rack), shipped right to me, and then I can install them.
Thanks for diagnosing me, I never knew that was my problem. I just thought I liked projects.
It is my best experience that once these "events" occur and echo is a concern; flags, banners and a ton of wall hanging signs come in to the shop.
If the ceiling fans are powered then an electrical cord reel is an easy fix for temp power out on the floor. Most of those fans already have pass through power built into them for a light kit.
No one can truly appreciate the work you have put into your shop but we're all here with you watching wes work.
Keep up the progress to perfection and always enjoy what you've got. Great Video
Oh man these are my favorite kind of videos
Cleaning is always so much fun.You always find stuff you forgot you bought and get to put it back again,lol.Thanks for taking the time to film it.
Great job, it is always so daunting to tackle a garage clean up regardless of the space and yours is even larger. I would suggest outdoor storage building, shipping connex or something akin to that to help out. Regardless great job and keep it up!
Personally, I have a hard fast rule of 'If it's been there for a decade and never been used, it goes'......... Now if only I could have a hard fast rule about applying hard fast rules!!
Now that you have an official "long-term projects" area, ya know what you need? You need an old, decrepit M-F backhoe to work on! :)
I thought that thing was a paying customer job
@@gorak9000 It was, but it has been a frequent long-term guest in the shop...also IIRC the owner was trying to get Wes to buy it
Many of us marvel at your ability to continue to do interesting things and maintain the collection of stuff. I feel the open to experience part and my lack of focus has me tripping over unrealized thought experiments often and prohibiting progress on others
Thank you Mr and Mrs Wes for another great video. Yes, I did watch it 'til the end! The shop looks great ... hopefully it's 9 days well spent (plus the 12 hours sorting). Coincidentally, it's our Labour Day weekend coming up, here in New Zealand, but I won't be spending it painting =)
good video Wes. now it's time to get back to show how you repair cars and trucks. glad to see you're more organized.
Nice layout. I would recommend you hang on to the extra stuff for another few months to make sure. Then, if you're not sure, keep it another few months.
I think I started that 4 months ago...
One thing that never gets mentioned when doing this work(and it is work) is to put a date on the stuff you cannot bear to get rid of. That might not help with this round of organising, but does make it much easier in five years time when you do it again. I'm always amazed at how much crap people take with them when they move to different premises
Echo isn't bad. Scratch that off the worry list for now.
After unloading the tire machines, guaranteed he'll have a flat tire, and in six months the reorganization will be in vain. The Malibu has found a home, too.
I give you a great deal of credit. Cleaning is necessary and my least favorite thing to do. To take on your job was astonishing!! Good deal, looks very well done. Hope you like it. Good video as per usual. Separate lean-to or addition for the wood working. Similar idea for the steel, a separate lean-to or addition for the steel, set up for easy fork lift access.
I'm the same when it comes to having too many interests. Amazing progress for a one man crew.