The Home Shop Experience: what is yours?

[archimedes]

Greetings All,
It seems upon reflection of my "Home Shop" (only!) experiences that certain
key actions constitute the genesis for paradigm shifts in the evolutionary
process of my interests and ultimately the capapbilities of my shop's
resources (and of course my own). However I am not sure which came
first . . . . my desire or the acquisition (it seems to switch around).
Faced with such a moment as of this writing I am wondering how many
other people get into this same boat . . . . .

Anyone else relate ?
did your priorities change/develop ?
did your productivity change/develop ?
did your satisfaction change?
did your expectations change?

I have a recent machine purchase that has completely catapulted
my shop and myself into a period of scrutiny.

I now need a new discipline for absolute STORAGE efficiency . .
I am now thinking about what my shop is really all about . . . . . .
I am needing a new skillset to optimize CHAOS awareness . . . . . . .
I may have to "give up" to gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I may have to "go get" something new what I didn't need before . . . . .

Certainly all in our lives is dynamic and evolving, I am interested
how everyone managed their expectations with productivity and
ultimately self satisfaction as it relates to this machining universe
in our home shop lives.

Maybe I am alone in this endeavor . . . . .

scott

[happymarius]

Scott,

I have the same problem ! I am actually going to double stack stuff or will have to get a real shop.

Marius

[archimedes]

LOL

Greetings Marius,
Double stacking "_##@@@#@@%$$" been there, still there but this
week after 5 days of 10 - 12 hours each I now have my new storage
system in place. But before I too was Double stacking, Triple stacking
and then with boxes that didn't work well for the contents, were opaque,
not enough for a consistent stacking order. I was left with a growing and aggravating mess.
Only one thing I saw fit to do; Go to plastic. And now, after
God knows how many trips to my local Wal-Mart I have entered into
a long term partnership with Sterilite clear shelving containers. The
sizes are consistent, those sealable lids in clear are sturdy and
confidence inspiring for long hauls up to the shelving top. Last count
I was up to 35 of large through small and now with each project
I see looming in my path my first step is figure the Sterilite box
I will use to coordinate the resto/construction process.
Oh yeah, you know how all of us shop rats can't stand to throw away
a real good BOX and there they all rest; in the corner, under benches, on
shelves, "in" our projects, etc. etc. I have decided to let Wal-Mart inventory
all of my present and future storage needs and guess what . . . . . .
After compiling the legion of my misfit, square brown derbies from within
my shop I found excellent real estate just perfect for the requisite
Sterilite compartment for all those project pieces resting on the shop floor in wait states.


All of this was avoidable until a new machine . . . . . .
and of course --- the future remains . . . . Sterilite today . . . . . hummmmm
and tomorrow . . . . ?

scott

[happymarius]

[SIZE="4"][COLOR="DarkRed"]Hi Scott !

I need to get a CNC mill. That is my problem as well. Everything is tight. It looks that I might have to get a shop. A REAL one ! But the rent !!! Oh boy !

Marius

[archimedes]

we have found the same boat . . . .

I beat you to it . . . . i'm afraid.
But I don't have the new shop to put it in. I have instead the
same 30' x 20' box that houses everything else for the past 10 years
and longer. I have constantly seen this same space revitalized.
Sometimes with a new acquisition or with a new desire. I have seen
many comments about the "ideal" shop or the "larger" space or the
"dream" garage. I have not endeared myself to this vision so much as
striving for the ideal environment that meets my satisfaction. Upgrading
machines, better storage, constantly evaluating "paper" jams (literature,
my shop prints, books, mags), fixture storage --- I find all elements of
this metal process bound to each and to each bound together like
wagons circling. I am yoked to the task of prioritizing a new Akro bin
purchase as much as a retrofit project, a software purchase or the
time I spend on internet research --- and of course ultimately making
chips. What I have also found, is that any of these are all done with
equal gain for further involvement. Hummm --- is this a self serving
cycle . . . . . .
Maybe you should go for the mill Marius; and see how its ambition shapes your own.
scott