STUFF to store and/or hide

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:11 am

I have been trying to establish some sense of order in my shop; trying to keep like things together. Reible, on a different scale, has done what I would like to do. His rack of specialized storage containers (different thread) is fantastic.

All this effort has done for me, so far, is create chaos.

Audio Parts
Telephone Parts
General Electronics
House hold and Shop Electrical
Plumbing
Wood working
Painting
Fence Materials
TV Antenna and Cable Related
Portable Lighting
RV Trailer Parts (really bad here)
Barracuda Parts (gonna restore someday)
etc, etc

Then there is the SHOP

and I am not sure what else is out in the shed. At one time, the shed was restricted space. It contained nothing other than my wife's gardening stuff, some "antiques" (three steamer trunks full) and Christmas decorations.

A year or so ago, I was given "limited access" to the shed. Her bad hip has kept her from going out there so she doesn't know. Boy will I be in trouble after her hip surgery this fall.

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:40 am

It's a never ending battle for "Truth, Goodness and the American way".

I have mine in containers, labeled very similar to that. Then containers on the shelves. Shop stuff is in drawers that were Shopsmith made.

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I also use machinist chests for fine instruments and parts.

2rr2nv · Post by **2rr2nv** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:13 pm

WOW! that looks NICE!! I can only dream of having a shop look that good.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:23 pm

Once you reach the tipping point where the amount of 'stuff' exceeds a reasonable capacity to store 'neatly' and the infusion of 'new' stuff exceeds the rate at which 'storing' it logically is likely, you cease to store stuff and hide it where you last touched it.

beatnik · Post by **beatnik** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:48 pm

I just hauled two truck loads of "stuff" to the thrift store. I still have more "stuff" to decide whether it's needed "stuff" or donatable "stuff".

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:13 pm

beatnik wrote:I just hauled two truck loads of "stuff" to the thrift store. I still have more "stuff" to decide whether it's needed "stuff" or donatable "stuff".

My wife suggested that I put all these small boxes of stuff that I have created into one larger box. She proposes then to tape it shut and date it with the promise that if it does not get opened in 6 months, it all goes to the thrift shop.

I just might do that. Right after I look through it all again just to make sure. For example, I know that there are three brand new wall outlets and two brand new wall switches in there. I also have some "like new" lamp sockets and a couple lamp cords. Stuff like that does not go to the thrift store - not from this house.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:26 pm

dusty wrote:My wife suggested that I put all these small boxes of stuff that I have created into one larger box. She proposes then to tape it shut and date it with the promise that if it does not get opened in 6 months, it all goes to the thrift shop.

I just might do that. Right after I look through it all again just to make sure. For example, I know that there are three brand new wall outlets and two brand new wall switches in there. I also have some "like new" lamp sockets and a couple lamp cords. Stuff like that does not go to the thrift store - not from this house.

6 months?:eek: A meager flash on the time line of potential need!!!!!

That 'thinkin - ah - mind set is common among those who do not do anything, but pay others to do everything since spare parts come with the repairman.

I consider that 'attutude' male bovine detrius.

Methinks that depends upon who is 'in charge'.

But then I definitely be a pack rat myself.

My frugal upbringing does not allow for judging timing or actual potential for need(who knows what the future holds?). Only one thing I know for sure, and the timing is totally unknown(within a decade or hopefully two!)

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 2:41 pm

About the only stuff that I give away donate is clothes that will never again fit! I recently found a box with stuff I had stored away from 1991

As an ongoing garage reclamation and storage project and trying specifically to remove any waste (aka grasp at straws) I empty a mishmash of whatever into one of the empty semi-clear plastic flip top containers, then sort from there into more labeled containers holding electrical, nuts and bolts, parts, etc. Those fit nicely on storage racks until I can get back to them. I still have a bazillion or so nuts, bolts, washers and screws to sort into useable labeled containers

I found things about myself.
1. If I can't see it of find it quickly then I tend not to use it, even if it would make the project complete quicker and most likely easier..

2. If I had followed that 6 month rules, I'd be buying replacement stuff. Much of what I had was when I was working so it was purchased with a different cash stream. I'm more stingy with my Social Security. That recently found box with stuff stored in there from 1991, some of it I would never be able to replace.

3. As with businesses in the past, I tend to be MUCH more efficient when I can easily find what I am looking for. Though I now have the time to look, I get distracted if I can't find what I want. Kind of like surfing the internet.

4. If something has a place where it belongs, I am much more inclined to put it back there and clean up before I quit for the day.

As far as clearing out stuff... my thought is I'll let whoever inherits my stuff do what they want with it. Maybe THEY will find something useful and fun!

Just my 2 cents,

Be well,
Ben

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 5:28 pm

I save stuff and I save containers to hold the stuff I save. I ran out of room i had too many empty containers ready to store stuff so I was in quandary.

Then it dawned on me many of the things I was saving had been reinvented and now there was a better way. Other things I was saving were outmoded and the same product was produced only it performed better, installed easier or lasted longer.

I looked at my plumbing supplies and smiled they would never become out moded or obsolete so I put them back on the shelf. Now 20 years later they are still there safe and sound while I buy ways to store more.

Again it dawned on me, if I didn't store them and bought them as I needed them I would not have money tied up in them and I could use their spaced to store stuff in saving even more money.

Then a family member died, he had one of everything in his shop. You couldn't think of a thing that he didn't have. But he also had tons of money tied up in all the stuff. When he died he lived too far away from any one that had an idea of the what the stuff was. Since no one wanted or could get to the stuff they auctioned the stuff off and got pennies on the dollar for his stuff.

You know what, I learned in all of this????? If I have something I want to store and I don't have the room, I throw away stuff until I have the room. I now have a almost two empty wall cabinets because I threw away the containers I was saving to store my stuff in.

My ACE hardware is happy too because when I go there and say I need a "X" they say why are you doing it that way. About 3 years ago a guy invented this and you can use it and save 90% of the time you would have spent doing it a "X". I say oh and pay for it out of the money I saved not building more storage for my stuff.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 14, 2014 6:25 pm

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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