STUFF to store and/or hide

[dusty]

Good story, Ed and probably a very applicable story. The only part that doesn't ring true here is the storage of containers that I might need one day. I was short of place and while looking for some open place I realized I had these boxes of boxes and containers. Many found the trash barrel. Now I don't have the containers to put the fruits of this latest "organization effort" into.

What throws me for a loop though is not screws, bolts, nails washer, nuts, screw eyes, lag bolts, etc. I know what to do with those; find and empty container and keep them.

It is items like this. I don't know what it is or where it came from but if I ever need it where would I go to get it.

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or this:

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[Gene Howe]

This should be hanging in my shop.

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[BuckeyeDennis]

Good story, Ed and probably a very applicable story. The only part that doesn't ring true here is the storage of containers that I might need one day. I was short of place and while looking for some open place I realized I had these boxes of boxes and containers. Many found the trash barrel. Now I don't have the containers to put the fruits of this latest "organization effort" into.

What throws me for a loop though is not screws, bolts, nails washer, nuts, screw eyes, lag bolts, etc. I know what to do with those]25623[/ATTACH]

or this:

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The last time I did a thorough shop reorganization, I had a pile of stuff like that left over, after I put away the easily-classified stuff. I eventually decided to label a box "Miscellaneous Brackets", and threw them in there. Now, when I need to make a bracket for something, it's a good source of raw materials.

[swampgator]

Ed, your story reminded me of 1992 when the government finally went JIT. Before that, we had 9 Naval Supply Centers, plus all the Army and Air Force Depots and GSA and DLA warehouses. Here at Pensacola, we had one of the smaller Supply warehouses. We had 22 acres under roof, lock and key, plus another 12 acres fenced for such stuff as engines, rotor blades and rotor heads, fuel tanks and accessories. When the Navy began downsizing in the 1980's, we had this program called JIT. Rather than warehouse supplies readily available in the nearby market place, we quit stocking it. When someone needed printer ink, computer parts or service, paper, and other office supplies, we developed contracts on a rotation list of local vendors. Of course, Pensacola was put on the BRAC list in 1991 and we closed all that in 1993. By 1994, the warehouses and lots were completely empty.

Thinking of doing much the same thing for my garage. Getting projects done so I can move out the wood and have more work space for everything I want the garage for including putting the car back in. When I get all that stuff out, will be a better time for organizing the remainder of stuff.

[idcook]

I'd love to see and read some ideas for small shop storage of large pieces of lumber.

I recently inherited a number of reclaimed floor joists; some as long a 15 ft; that I need to make space for.

For other organization concerns I'll continue reading through this thread as well as work out some on my own.

[WmZiggy]

Good story, Ed and probably a very applicable story. The only part that doesn't ring true here is the storage of containers that I might need one day. I was short of place and while looking for some open place I realized I had these boxes of boxes and containers. Many found the trash barrel. Now I don't have the containers to put the fruits of this latest "organization effort" into.

What throws me for a loop though is not screws, bolts, nails washer, nuts, screw eyes, lag bolts, etc. I know what to do with those]25623[/ATTACH]

or this:

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I don't know if this will work for you or not, it depends on whether you have a cat. We are dog people but inherited a cat from our son some years ago while he was in college. It's a long story and I won't go into it here. However, since Kitty Liter comes in plastic containers that hold about 28 lbs. and are approximately 12"x12"x12", I found they make great containers for material you pictured. They stack on one another and have nice lids and handles. I print a label on the computer and attach it with rubber cement. They work great for plumbing parts, TV, wire, casters, you name it. I also use them in the garden shed for bird and grass seed. It turned out to be a good second use for these tubs.

[dusty]

Peanut butter containers work great. You can see through them and they seal tight. They have flat tops and bottoms so they stack. I use a lot of them.

I also use the steel cans with rubber lids that come with the nuts that I am addicted to.

When I lived in Plano, TX, I bought containers at the "Container Store". They had a great variety of very convenient sizes. Unfortunately, I did not buy more than I needed and now I can't find a Container Store. They have a web site but I hate buying from a catalog or on-line. I never seem to get exactly what I want.

[Ed in Tampa]

I don't know if this will work for you or not, it depends on whether you have a cat. We are dog people but inherited a cat from our son some years ago while he was in college. It's a long story and I won't go into it here. However, since Kitty Liter comes in plastic containers that hold about 28 lbs. and are approximately 12"x12"x12", I found they make great containers for material you pictured. They stack on one another and have nice lids and handles. I print a label on the computer and attach it with rubber cement. They work great for plumbing parts, TV, wire, casters, you name it. I also use them in the garden shed for bird and grass seed. It turned out to be a good second use for these tubs.

That sounds like an idea but how many of us will remember we have a funny shaped thing that looks like the funny shaped thing that just broke in something?

Classic example I have a screened in pool and the rubber ribbing that holds the screen in goes bad. I went to the HD and found I could buy 10 yards for $3.99 or 300 feet for $10 I bought the 300 and new installer and used the 6 feet I needed and safely stored the ribbing and installer away. Then 10 years later I had the screening replaced. About a year or two after it I found some ribbing needed replaced so I went to the store an bought a spool of 300 ft , used what I needed and went to store it. That is when I found the first spool. The ribbing on the first spool was beginning to break down so I threw it and put in the new roll with a new installer. Now I had two installers and lots of ribbing. However I forgot about them when my wife mentioned to me the ribbing was coming out of the front door while we were in HD. You got it I bought a new roll.

Oh by the way each time I bought ribbing they had changed the size and shape of it so it was easier to install and lasted longer.

Now if I wasn't such a knuckle head I would have bought only enough to do the job the first time still having plenty to spare. And done the same the next two times. I would be money ahead and had more room to store other useless junk that I will forget about.

Another example I was up north at my father in laws and he took me to a bolt and nut manufacturer. They had a zillion bins of nuts, bolts, screws, fasteners and etc. They also had tiny paper bags that you could fill for $.05. I went nuts filling the bags marking the size on each. i must have spent $20. I came home put each bag in a compartment in my nut bolt storage marking each. I have a nut or screw for every job. NOT!

What I found was the size I have is too long too short, threaded different, doesn't have nylock nut or has a pan head where I need a nut head or was a phillips when I needed a hex or square drive. Sure I can cut, rig or do something to make them work or I can go to the ACE and pick up exactly what I need and do the job once and know it is done right.

Another example Dodge uses a nylon clip to hold the windshield wipers to the drive bar. When my first broke you had to go to the dealer to get them. I bought two complete sets for probably $10 apiece. 10 years after I replaced them they broke again and I forgot I had replacements but now you can buy them at any auto parts store for $2 a set. I bought two. Fixed the truck and put the spare away. While putting them away I found the other spare set I had bought at $10. Also I might mention since they are now avail so readily to the public they are built different, easier to install and out of material that does not break down like the originals. So what I accomplished was storing junk that is about useless. Oh forgot to mention was out in the truck the other day and wipers broke I was going pass the auto parts store so I stopped in bought another set fixed my truck and drove home with wipers. Plus they now come as packs with about 10 spares for $2. Anyone need the plastic dohicky that hold wipers to the drive bar in Dodges, I'm storing a mess of them.

So you are right save the cat litter boxes put all your precious parts in them and set they down for the cat to use and once they are used throw the whole mess out. You will be surprised at the room you now have.

[JPG]

Which proves, that in order to be a successful hoarder, one must remember what is being hoarded!:D

Like the 'organized', a hoarder cannot be lazy and not remember nor 'look' for things salted away. Geez, all ya gotta remember is, where was it I last touched it?:rolleyes:

[Gene Howe]

It's in there somewhere!
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