Organization For Smaller Shops

Ryan · Oct 18, 2007

<img src="http://www.garagejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/org1.jpg" />

So when I moved from Kansas City to Austin, I left behind an ideal shop space where there was room for everything to have its place. I had stations set up for wiring, w...<P><P><a href="http://www.garagejournal.com/?p=90">To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jockey Journal, click here.</a>

IanF · Oct 18, 2007

Nice!

I've definitely been looking to upgrade my wiring bits/tools... everythign piled into a drawer and the top section of my tool chest is just NOT working...

A buddy recommended looking at tackle-boxes... sound like a good idea. :beer:

Enloe · Oct 18, 2007

That is a very nice setup. You walk out into my garage and it looks like it exploded.

ThumbsUp · Oct 18, 2007

This is definitely the way to go when space is at a premium, and I love the classy touch of using vintage boxes.

Your concept is in use in my shop as well, but not because space is at a premium, it's because of time. Over the years, I've learned that my most valuable resource is my time, and time spent looking for tools, parts, or materials is time not spent being productive. Organization such as this is the key.

I use a similar concept with my race gear; a tactic I took from my many trips to the Emergency Room! Next time you're there, notice that they have all the items necessary for the most common procedures pre-packaged and ready to go. So for the most common jobs track-side, I'll pre-package all the tools and materials necessary for the job, e.g. alignment, plug change, brake pad change, etc. into tote boxes and label them accordingly. Then it's just "grab it and GO!"

Did I mention that I really like you cool vintage boxes.

Tman · Oct 18, 2007

I have done the same thing with plastic totes, not as cool as old boxes but helps clean things up!

kbs2244 · Oct 18, 2007

Actually, Thumbsup, those "kits" of equipment you saw at the hospital are the product of a multi-million dollar outfit.
I used to work at a place where we assembled those kits.
It isn't just ER's. It goes into OR,s and all through the hospital.
Each hospital has it's own definition of what may be need for a given procedure. Sometimes the differences can be pretty small. One size scalpel vs. another. 15 yards of thread for stitches vs. 25.
But the will have a kit for removing a appendix, for an ER compound fracture of the lower leg, for quadruple bypass, whatever.
But the idea is that whatever the Doc may need is put into the kit, So when something is scheduled, you just grab the right kit and you have everything you may need.
So... You should have flat tire kit. A replace shock kit. A dirty air filter kit. Etc, etc, etc.

PanelDeland · Oct 18, 2007

My B-I-L sells the machines that bubble pack those kits.Unfortunately my wifes family doesn't think you amount to anything unless you sell something to people who are trying to buy it anyway.I guess I count as a zero since I turn wrenches.

wilbilt · Oct 18, 2007

"Activity Stations"?
My wife works in early childhood education. They have "Activity Stations".

When I have a task to complete, any and all space available becomes my "Station". All of the required "Activities" are performed at that "Station"...

Do I get extra credit?

IanF · Oct 19, 2007

kbs2244 said:
But the idea is that whatever the Doc may need is put into the kit, So when something is scheduled, you just grab the right kit and you have everything you may need.

The other reason they do this is for cost-tracking. It's much easier for them to inventory and track one sealed kit containing a slew of items that may be used for a procedure than all of those items individually. The downside being if they have to open a kit for one thing, the chances are high the entire contents will be tossed when finished, regardless of unused contents. It's just cost to much to keep track of all of those extra bits... granted, a cost saver may be to send unused bits back to the assembler, but I'm not sure that would work for liability reasons...

But I digress...

I use a similar set-up... All of my tools for working on bicycles is stored in a 3-drawer tool box entirely separate from the automotive tools, depsite there being a few duplicates.

Wingnutz · Oct 29, 2007

I had to chime in on this thread because I've had to incorporate the same system about a year ago.

I found 3 Black Hawk boxes with wheels on the bottom and a padded cover so that they could be used comfortably as seats...!

This way I can keep them out and everybody has a place to sit when the bench racing starts...!

Organization For Smaller Shops

Ryan

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IanF

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Enloe

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ThumbsUp

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Tman

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kbs2244

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PanelDeland

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wilbilt

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IanF

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Wingnutz

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