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OP
Ran into some bizarre technical gremlins—this feature kept auto-deleting like I was some kind of rogue spammer. All sorted now. Apologies for the hassle.
slim_grim
Well-known member
Rite in the Rain is my daily driver for work. Never considered setting one aside for the shop...until now! I have a new side-quest for the day!
OP
Learn from my mistakes—ditch the bound notebooks and go with ring binders. If budget isn’t a concern, check out Japanese-style leather binders with 11mm rings—slim, compact, and built to last. Then, keep a stash of larger, budget-friendly binders for archiving the madness.
I use I smaller version of the yellow legal pads. Notes, drawings, lists or whatever but I don't keep most of it.
Probably should because I could probably track more things that I have forgot about.
Probably should because I could probably track more things that I have forgot about.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Dimensions n sketches are consigned to random paper, then discarded after the project is complete. Any comments I have about the project are entered in my diary, with a few photos, to be published as fiction upon my passing.
Parts lists n whatnot get entered in Google tasks, then purged every once in a while when the list becomes unwieldy.
Parts lists n whatnot get entered in Google tasks, then purged every once in a while when the list becomes unwieldy.
OP
I don’t flip through old notebooks often, but when I do, it’s invaluable. That said, a single notebook usually lasts me a year, and I find myself digging through it regularly—especially when projects stall, gather dust, and need resurrecting. Those notes snap me back into the right headspace fast.
I linked some bound journal notebooks that I used during my time in the Marines to ZK the other day in a different thread.
Those would work pretty good and even better better hard bound. On the down side is not being able to flip it open flat like a regular spiral notebook.
Those would work pretty good and even better better hard bound. On the down side is not being able to flip it open flat like a regular spiral notebook.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I too keep a shop notebook, or shop journal as I call it. Have done so for nearly 3 decades now and consists of various projects with spec's, notes, diagrams, etc.
However, just at the start of this year I started a more detailed version and try to write in it daily before closing up the shop for the evening. Some nights it's a lengthy recap of what I did in the shop including random thoughts, other nights is a short sentence or two.
I use these college ruled journals.
However, just at the start of this year I started a more detailed version and try to write in it daily before closing up the shop for the evening. Some nights it's a lengthy recap of what I did in the shop including random thoughts, other nights is a short sentence or two.
I use these college ruled journals.
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Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
Small calendar (ring binder style) for appointments.
Notes, sketches, lists, (…) go in small notebook that I replace when full. Full notebooks as well as calendar sheets get tossed.
Only requirement for both, notebooks and calendar sheets: Need to work well with fountain pen.
My true diary/chronicle is the camera roll on my smartphone. Oh, and I write notes in hard paperback catalogs, that I keep for reference.
Current notebook my significant other got for me, from a set of three.
( https://www.cavallini.com/notebooks )
Kind regards,
Olli
Notes, sketches, lists, (…) go in small notebook that I replace when full. Full notebooks as well as calendar sheets get tossed.
Only requirement for both, notebooks and calendar sheets: Need to work well with fountain pen.
My true diary/chronicle is the camera roll on my smartphone. Oh, and I write notes in hard paperback catalogs, that I keep for reference.
Current notebook my significant other got for me, from a set of three.
( https://www.cavallini.com/notebooks )
Kind regards,
Olli
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OP
Those things are killer. I love the color… and the whole government-issue vibe. Sometimes, I like to fool myself into thinking I’m way more important than I actually am, and that thing plays right into the fantasy.
Wish I had snapped some shots of my buddy’s binder—absolute masterpiece of organization. Each project had its own folder within the binder, different paper types for different tasks, the whole system dialed in. I eat that kind of thing up.
And the leather cover? Beat to hell in the best possible way. Looked like it had lived a hundred lives.
He had the A5 version of this:
They are close to $200... which is just insane to me, but it sure was cool.
LopezBart
Well-known member
If I'm drawing/sketching or doing calculations I want to save, I use one of these computation notebooks. I started using these back in the 80s when I was doing robots, testing sensors, etc; the boss wanted a record since they had gotten into patent issues, and signed and dated notebooks were useful there.
Once I was doing exclusively software at work, I started keeping everything on the computer. Now with cloud storage, for long-running things like vehicle maintenance logs, I use a google doc; these work better for me since I can update them on the road via my phone, and annotate them w/ pictures if needed.
With a white board being my favorite drawing/sketching format, I take pictures of stuff I want to save.
I may shift over to electronic storage exclusively; it's certainly more compact, and the multi-media aspect is really handy.
Once I was doing exclusively software at work, I started keeping everything on the computer. Now with cloud storage, for long-running things like vehicle maintenance logs, I use a google doc; these work better for me since I can update them on the road via my phone, and annotate them w/ pictures if needed.
With a white board being my favorite drawing/sketching format, I take pictures of stuff I want to save.
I may shift over to electronic storage exclusively; it's certainly more compact, and the multi-media aspect is really handy.
OP
If I'm drawing/sketching or doing calculations I want to save, I use one of these computation notebooks. I started using these back in the 80s when I was doing robots, testing sensors, etc; the boss wanted a record since they had gotten into patent issues, and signed and dated notebooks were useful there.
Once I was doing exclusively software at work, I started keeping everything on the computer. Now with cloud storage, for long-running things like vehicle maintenance logs, I use a google doc; these work better for me since I can update them on the road via my phone, and annotate them w/ pictures if needed.
With a white board being my favorite drawing/sketching format, I take pictures of stuff I want to save.
I may shift over to electronic storage exclusively; it's certainly more compact, and the multi-media aspect is really handy.
I use Goodnotes on an iPad Pro for all my work notes—it’s my command center. It also keeps track of receipts, maintenance logs, and everything else for my cars. For to-do lists, I run Things across all my devices. My work life is almost entirely digital.
Tried bringing that system into the shop, but it just didn’t work. The iPad is fine on a stand when I’m reading manuals, but when my hands are greasy, sawdust is flying, and I’m in the thick of it? Not ideal.
For sketching, recording and reading measurements, flipping through ideas, nothing beats an old-school notebook for me.
XJSuperman
Well-known member
The small legal pads work well for my short to-do lists and notes, but in the garage a small spiral bound notebook from work or wherever seems to do the job for me. Its mostly for sketches, designs, measurements, and material lists. A full log of each large project, i.e. a vehicle, is a mess between a whiteboard, my head, camera roll, and social media. Whiteboard shows tasks to complete on it, head has the plans, camera roll documents visual details, and social media is excellent for marking milestones like when I completed a project/task or acquired a significant tool.
It works, but a full written log for each large project would make more sense. Now find me a notebook or binder that is recommended by lefties, because that is the only way I'll find the motivation to spend time writing in one. I was glad to be done fighting spiral-bounds daily after college.
It works, but a full written log for each large project would make more sense. Now find me a notebook or binder that is recommended by lefties, because that is the only way I'll find the motivation to spend time writing in one. I was glad to be done fighting spiral-bounds daily after college.
snorvet
Well-known member
field notes
OP
field notes
I once made a series of "Glovebox Wallets" for the Jalopy Journal. Spot for tire gauge, pen, insurance card, etc... They were built around Field notes:
rdoty
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'm fond of the engineer's computation book - specifically the (rather expensive and worth it) high quality one from Ampad.
Spiral bound so it opens completely flat and folds over - I like this much better than Moleskine. Quad ruled for writing and sketching. Stands up to abuse. I've used this style for decades.
Spiral bound so it opens completely flat and folds over - I like this much better than Moleskine. Quad ruled for writing and sketching. Stands up to abuse. I've used this style for decades.
TurnipTruck
Well-known member
I have bound Journals back to 1988. They began as just a brief synopsis of each days work and billed work order, but expanded (yet compressed) to incomplete sentences and shorthand about what I did each day at work and eventually at home. Since retirement, it continues as more of a diary of each project’s progression.
southalabama
Well-known member
I don’t. I should.
My time in the shop is fragmented and I constantly remeasure, find duplicate parts and suffer from lack of organization.
I’ve got a friend that has a 35 years of journals from travel, adventure, fly fishing, hunting and shooting sports. Alaska to Antarctica. It’s cool to look back.
My time in the shop is fragmented and I constantly remeasure, find duplicate parts and suffer from lack of organization.
I’ve got a friend that has a 35 years of journals from travel, adventure, fly fishing, hunting and shooting sports. Alaska to Antarctica. It’s cool to look back.
Well, just hold tight, I've got an order in from the other day. I'll get one to you after they arrive.
OP
That looks to be a clone of the Travelers Company Notebook - a minimalist Japanese made cover.
OP
I NEVER do this, but I just sent Plotter an email and begged for a sample... Fingers crossed.
Like many I wish I‘d started sooner and in more detail.
I have always kept a notebook of car maintenance and repairs on my vehicles as well as father’s and my son’s. This includes power equipment, compressor etc. Entries always include part numbers, sources, notes etc.
Back in my dealership day I did a lot of side work. No matter who’s vehicle I worked on I documented the date, VIN #, mileage, work preformed, parts used in detail, work suggested, price charged.
For some of my many wooden box projects, I make a dimensioned, usually three view drawing. On this I include notes such as sequence of steps, things to look out for, stain color if applicable, wood used.
I have always kept a notebook of car maintenance and repairs on my vehicles as well as father’s and my son’s. This includes power equipment, compressor etc. Entries always include part numbers, sources, notes etc.
Back in my dealership day I did a lot of side work. No matter who’s vehicle I worked on I documented the date, VIN #, mileage, work preformed, parts used in detail, work suggested, price charged.
For some of my many wooden box projects, I make a dimensioned, usually three view drawing. On this I include notes such as sequence of steps, things to look out for, stain color if applicable, wood used.
It does look very similar. The Calavera one has elastic for two notebooks. I have the small paper cover one in the front and a 120ish page in the other.
On a related note, the Calavera belt that I have is awesome!
OP
It's a copy for sure... A lot of people have been knocking em off stateside because it's both easy and more economical.
That said, you can add far more than two if you are inclined. Travelers sell bands that allow you to connect multiple spines to the one band. Here's a chick that shows ya how it's done.
OP
Another option that is still speedy, but I've heard is even better quality than Plotter:
mee-plus.com
Apparently, the rings used are what people judge much of this by and the Mee-Plus notebooks use German made Krause Rings - the best in the world. I love going down rabbit holes like this and discovering people that live for this ****. Who would have ever thought that ring binders was a niche hobby for some folks?
SlimPad | Pueblo
Important Notice: Elastic band is not included. Please purchase separately. Materials: Slightly firm matte, suede-textured vegetable-tanned leather comes from the Badalassi Carlo tannery in Italy.This leather undergoes minimal sanding, preserving some natural scars or growth marks. Minor...
mee-plus.com
Apparently, the rings used are what people judge much of this by and the Mee-Plus notebooks use German made Krause Rings - the best in the world. I love going down rabbit holes like this and discovering people that live for this ****. Who would have ever thought that ring binders was a niche hobby for some folks?
b-boy
Well-known member
My 'notebook' is composed of various napkins, scraps of paper, pieces of corrugated cardboard, and old wood scraps with carpenter pencil marks, words, pictures, and an occasional doodle. The collection is loosely scattered across my barn, garage, basement, and on the occasional 2x4 covered in drywall. 
joel63
Well-known member
Sure would like to have one of those "Glovebox Wallets.I once made a series of "Glovebox Wallets" for the Jalopy Journal. Spot for tire gauge, pen, insurance card, etc... They were built around Field notes:
"gahrajmahal
Well-known member
So what do you use? Or are you still trying to keep it all in your head like a lunatic?
I guess put me in the lunatic camp. I've tried over the years to be more organized, start and keep binders and notepads. I usually have multiple projects going, then get called to do other spur-of-the moment projects. I then run off without my organizational "pad" and just use whatever's handy. A photo of my desk right now.
I guess put me in the lunatic camp. I've tried over the years to be more organized, start and keep binders and notepads. I usually have multiple projects going, then get called to do other spur-of-the moment projects. I then run off without my organizational "pad" and just use whatever's handy. A photo of my desk right now.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
I have one of those wooden tablets. The kids at Blowes look at me funny when I'm in there.So what do you use? Or are you still trying to keep it all in your head like a lunatic?
I guess put me in the lunatic camp. I've tried over the years to be more organized, start and keep binders and notepads. I usually have multiple projects going, then get called to do other spur-of-the moment projects. I then run off without my organizational "pad" and just use whatever's handy. A photo of my desk right now.
nitroracer20
Well-known member
OP
Oh great. I hope it’s good.
nitroracer20
Well-known member
Havent had, not my thing. Saw on instagram.
Dixie_Flatline
Well-known member
Another option that is still speedy, but I've heard is even better quality than Plotter:
SlimPad | Pueblo
Important Notice: Elastic band is not included. Please purchase separately. Materials: Slightly firm matte, suede-textured vegetable-tanned leather comes from the Badalassi Carlo tannery in Italy.This leather undergoes minimal sanding, preserving some natural scars or growth marks. Minor...
Apparently, the rings used are what people judge much of this by and the Mee-Plus notebooks use German made Krause Rings - the best in the world. I love going down rabbit holes like this and discovering people that live for this ****. Who would have ever thought that ring binders was a niche hobby for some folks?
Have you been down the fountain pen rabbit hole yet? I got one as a gift and found out I enjoyed using it far more than I thought I would, which was both good and bad. Good because its enjoyable, bad because there are so many awesome inks and pens! Of course using fountain pens then led me in search of better paper.
Moleskine paper suffers from bleed through, so you get ghosting. Not a big deal if you skip pages and only use fronts, but if you want to use both sides of a page then you either have to use a pencil or hope you can live with the ghosting. Tomoe River is incredible to use, but also expensive. This can make you feel bad just scrawling quick notes that will be thrown away because of the quality, it just feels a bit wrong to use it like that.
After Moleskine I moved on to Nanami Seven Seas, which uses Tomoe River paper, the down side being you have to order it from Japan. Also gave Rhodia a try, along with Leuchtturm1917 notebooks. I would put Rhodia in second place, followed by Leuchtturm1917.
Now, if you don't want a bound notebook all hope is not lost! You can get Tomoe River in A4 as well as A5 loose sheets. But there is another option out there that I think is great if you are into filling your own binders. HP Premium 32 is phenomenal paper, its not hard to track down in most office supply stores, and an entire ream is only around $28. While you are there they can chop it in half for you, as well as pop some holes in there, so you can easily load up your binder.
Stationery is my guilty pleasure, and if it wasn't such a horrible idea I would open my own store so I could have an excuse to indulge every day!
67carl
Well-known member
I'm terrible at organizing my notes for general things. I have several different notepads I pick at random.
But for work and school I use Goodnotes. I can import PDFs, pictures, PowerPoint slides, etc and take notes on those. I can record audio to specific sections and much more.
But for work and school I use Goodnotes. I can import PDFs, pictures, PowerPoint slides, etc and take notes on those. I can record audio to specific sections and much more.
DGersic
Well-known member
I use Goodnotes also. With a Pencil it works just like paper, but without the bulk.