Thread: Organising your timber collection ...

Ha! My son calls me an "anal retentive Bower Bird" Don't know whether I'm insulted or proud.

From what you say of yourself you are a complete novice when it comes to retention of bits for Ron ( later (r)on ).

Organise?

I have a carport, which is almost fully occupied with stacks of sheet-goods. MDF, various plys, etc. With a few planks stored on top, where & when they'll fit. Also a couple of tea-chests full of pen planks and several drums 'n boxes of small offcuts.

My slabs are currently leaning in the front of my "shed," (read: "garage" ...until I pull the finger out and build something else) but sadly have to be moved every time I want to access my table saw.

Planks of assorted sizes are stored on the shed floor, with boxes of crap piled on top. (I pretend it's to keep the boards flat, but it's really 'cos I've nowhere left to put either the timber or the boxes of crap. )

As for my turning blanks... well, that's what's called the backyard. In racks, stacks and a couple of plain ol' piles. Except for my "select" blanks, which are literally filling every spare space left over in any of the above-mentioned sheltered locations.

And this is after throwing out several cubic metres when we moved house...

Organise? Wash yo' mouth out!

I have the same problem. Especially since joining this forum and being around and being educated into why a piece of wood should not be discarded lightly.

Even the offcuts are valuable I have been taught. The offcuts of the offcuts have found a place also. But to top it all off I am now being advised, coached, shown, told, how to resurrect wood that is just holding together and not even suitable for firewood as their is more gaps and holes than actual wood.

I am sure the person who invented the use of resins to rebuild wood was thinking of one particular wood worker and unfortunately I have had the bad luck to be mesmerized and coached by this one fanatic.

However, every so often, when I cannot move in my shed I try to go through the pile and separate what is really needed, what projects I might find for them and what is just filling up the shelves and tubs. Than I have to force my self to believe the best place for some of it is in our fireplace to help keep us warm on a cold night.

Peter

One thing I know I should do, is immediately cut scavenged wood into rounds and seal it, if that's what I want it for, or square it up and seal it if I'm not sure. I don't do that, and now I have a whole bunch of split trunk sections in the garage that I will have to cut into smaller rounds or pieces. Just got to get into the habit I suppose.

As for the other stuff, under one of my benches is riddled with offcuts, but very few get thrown towards my sister for her open fireplace. They just stay there, and ocasionally I need a certain piece and I have it.

My shelving is very methodically thought out. In order of photos I have:

• the good pile (racks);
• the working on a job pile (saw horse) and ready dimensioned pile on the bench. And on the floor behind the saw horses is, but you can't see it, the doesn't-fit-anywhere-coz-it's-too-big-pile;
• bits of stuff dunno-what-to-do-with-it-pile; and
• stuffed-if-I-know-throw-it-on-the-floor pile.

There is also the throw-it-at-the-bin pile. It also becomes the if-I-miss-I'll-pick-it-up-later pile.

Originally Posted by Waldo

My shelving is very methodically thought out. In order of photos I have:

• the good pile;
• the working on a job pile;
• bits of stuff dunno-what-to-do-with-it-pile; and
• stuffed-if-I-know-throw-it-on-the-floor pile.

What about the BBQ pile oh sorry that's the project oh and it's a gas BBQ I'll go now

That's the burnt offering pile.

Thanks for this folks. Sounds like no one has really solved this problem. Waldo has come close though.

I've just spent the last two night re-organising my collection of I-should-keep-it-just-in-case-I-need-it-in-10-years pile. Infact it was collection of all bits of wood I've collected so at least I can see what I have now (mostly). Will post some piccies tomorrow.

Cheers,
Af.

Originally Posted by Afro Boy

A few plastic tubs of offcuts that I never go through to pick out any good bits and all sorts of other bits under the workbench and wherever else it fits.

One thing I have started to do is at the end of the work session put away at least 10 things and throw away, burn or chuck out any bit of wood under 300mm long. By sticking to this religiously it's amazing how accessible the shed remains, a pleasure not to climb over things to get in.

These are my good long bits and sheet stuff

Attachment 115190

and these are my good short bits

Attachment 115189

The rest is in the rafters which is long good bits that I don't need for a while.

When you work out how to do it can you post back here, thanks.

Cheers
Mike

Originally Posted by Waldo

My shelving is very methodically thought out.

Waldo,

Those racks that look to be big dowels in 4x2 uprights seem a great idea. Are the dowels horizontal or angled up slightly?

organized, LOL

Under the house - chocka,
Driveway - only half full,
Patio area - currently empty.
Back veranda - some slabs awaiting resawing.
Side of house - a little more room there.
Milling yard - about 4 containers worth.
Stashes on various mates properties etc - lost count . . . . .

Time to make something - I think

Originally Posted by STAR

IEven the offcuts are valuable I have been taught. The offcuts of the offcuts have found a place also. But to top it all off I am now being advised, coached, shown, told, how to resurrect wood that is just holding together and not even suitable for firewood as their is more gaps and holes than actual wood.

I am sure the person who invented the use of resins to rebuild wood was thinking of one particular wood worker and unfortunately I have had the bad luck to be mesmerized and coached by this one fanatic.

Now who could that be

[QUOTE=STAR;1026174]I have the same problem. Especially since joining this forum and being around and being educated into why a piece of wood should not be discarded lightly. Peter[/QUOT

So our education program is a success.

Waldo and Mike, you put us to shame. I would be embarrassed to show pics of my stack of timber. Must admit, I don't throw much away. Even the short bits are kept in the "one day I might need it" heap.