Thread: At what point do you start to double up?

Mine isn't that big but is in three distinct areas. Each area is setup for specific purposes, eg, turning, table saw and work bench and one for dimension, drilling and bandsaw.

Each area is equipped with the tools needed for those purposes so a few are doubled up, so there is no problem looking for a tool.

So design your space for an orderly workflow.


Peter.

Hi
I don't have two sheds ....... Yet.
But I have three cupboards in my shed and everything starts piling up in them, When I try to find things when I need them... I can't and end up buying them again, when I get back and try to find something else I end up finding the thing I wanted before.
I know how frustrating it is
Hope you find a solution
David

I agree with Sturdee. I have ppe for each machine next to it and tools for work areas are stored nearby. If that means 2 of some tools ( eg screwdrivers, pliers) then that's am investment in efficiency IMHO

Bob, I have 2 sheds, some 10meters apart, 1 shed ( The New Shed) has a turning area and a machining area (jointer/thicky/bandy/scms) and the other shed ( The Old Shed) has the tablesaw, linisher and DP. All area's now have pps (Eyes, ears, breathing). The turning area has a full face mask for the possibly explosive blanks (burls etc) and positive air rebreather.

My main problem is that I might be working in the old shed and then migrate to the new shed and forget to take off the ppe in the old shed. Then remove it in the new shed . . . and forget to take it back and visa versa.

My shed is 40x20 (sorry old measurements) and being retired I do not worry about time. One set of everything for me.Plus the walking is part of break in doing something and allows me to work slowly and safely.

Thanks for the responses guys.

Originally Posted by Pat

My main problem is that I might be working in the old shed and then migrate to the new shed and forget to take off the ppe in the old shed. Then remove it in the new shed . . . and forget to take it back and visa versa.

This sounds all very familiar, I also do the same with tape measures and I have about 6 of the darned things.

I might do some colour coding - a bit like the japanese do with their indoor, outdoor, bathroom, toilet etc footware.

Why only 2?

I find there is a 'Rule of 3'. If I have only one or two of something, then I am always looking for it, usually either using up the time I have available or just giving up in frustration. Rulers, pencils, squares, knives etc.

However, if I have at least 3 of something, I can find at least one of them in 5 minutes. Also I have at least 1 spare to lend to visitors (eyes, ears etc) and if one breaks I'm still good until I WANT to go to the tool shop, rather than having to go (with attendant wallet injury)

Totally agree... "Rule 3" sounds fantastic....

Im guilty of liking the colour coding... hence "orange Lufkin's about 4 of them a various strategic places around the shed...SO I CAN SEE THEM...."

Buying 2 packets of dozen lead pencils one lot bright pink...other yellow... again so I can find them...stored in 3 different locations... so I'm not walking far to get another one when the pencil fairy swipes the one I just put down...SOMEWHERE...???

I purchased a second small hand held trimmer for JUST IN CASE the Torquata I have breaks down its 6 years old and still perfect... the new ones inside in the top of my wardrobe...

I've 3 routers... various sizes... one always stays mounted in the triton sliding attachment & can be quickly interchange with the drop-saw thats mounted in the other mounted attachment....

I've 2 of nearly every conceivable tool in my shed.... (for those who know me... the will understand..) while hubby was alive this was not an excessive or lavish predicament... and of course as we ALL know... there is that old aged necessity to UP-GRADE... get new faster... compact... better... it adds to the collection......

So all the rules... 1 2 & 3 are acceptable ... understandable... & commendable!

There is only one exasperating & unforgivable rule... NOT BEING ABLE to replace the item you value most preciously because they NO LONGER MAKE IT(Power-press Pipe Clamps for example)... or have upgraded ( sometimes stupidly as we know the older one worked better....) .... so I am still searching for another "FESTO 150" ... "my babies" going on at least 7 years may be eight... she's more precious to me than all the other tools... & I fear the day she will be "de-commissioned".... because parts are no longer available.... I will be distraught.

Now the prices of some of the tools have dropped so much... its sometimes cheaper to purchase new ones than repair older ones.... but we keep the other for spare parts...LOL

ONLY rule I have is at least once every 6 years I totally empty the SHED.. an I mean empty....
WHY every 6 years...???
Last time I did that it was 5 years ago when I lost ED... & I need to know exactly what I had and where it was... its about time I did that again as I'm now starting to forget WHAT I have.. and WHERE it IS...
Guess thats a sign of getting older....
So I could invoke a new RULE number 4... if you've forgotten what you have buy another one....

Cheers everyone....
Borrowed daughter computer... will try to drop by and email again next week....
Miss all my woodworking friends...
Keep well... & let me know what's going on!
OH... also want another Ubeaut shirt... I love mine and now its got a hole in it.... NEED another one... (if its warn out, you're allowed to get another one, just in case.... so need 2 more)... that "just-in-case" rule is a good one!

Some reassuring posts folks - somehow it makes me feel less alone and more part of the herd.

I just realized I already double up some on many tools and things. In the last couple of years I have set up several specific tool kits in their own dedicate tool boxes so when I want to perform specific regular activities I'm not running around looking for the right tools to do the job.

I have 3 kits associated with my Chainsaw and milling activities. One kit has all the chainsaw specific tools and jigs plus some parts and that sits in the shed. The other is a mechanical tool kit to take with me while I'm cutting and is normally kept in the van but it does occasionally find it's way to the shed where it tends to get raided. Also in the van I keep a crate with a complete set of PPE for using chainsaws so that I'm never without the stuff I need.

I even have a dedicated tool kit just to service my coffee machine which I keep in the house. Another kit I keep in the house is a basic plumbing kit.

The rest of my stuff in in drawers, in piles, on pegboard, on pegboard in the wrong place or behind another tool, or fallen down behind something, at my sons place or someone has borrowed it.

I don't think doubling up will help. They will still all end up in the same place. And you will have your favourite one that will get used anyway. has 6 tape measures, but only one he actually trusts. Things go in waves. Every now and then EVERY THING is put away. Where they're in use or not. Then you start again! But he does have a tea lady like me to do the putting away!

I belong to the "multiple" tool owner group.
Lots of tape measures, squares, callipers. hand saws, hammers, screwdrivers etc in the "small tool" category.
Also own 7 grinders. (I am lazy about changing different applications.) 4 power saws. 2 routers. Lots of battery drills and accessories. Several electric drills, etc etc.
Hand planes X LOTS.
OK. you get the picture.
Also have a dedicated metal work area and mechanical area. Lots of repeats there too.
As a Men's Shed coordinator, I have also started to collect a lot of tools that travel in my van on a regular basis and stay there.

Why. ?? Small tools are not that expensive, especially on sale from catalogues.
Also my time is worth more to me than the cost of hunting up tools for an individual job.
I also learnt when I was in the trade you could not afford down time if a tool gave up on you or you did not have it on the job.
I also believe in redundancy. I have a new power plane I have never used. It was on special at a fantastic price. My old one is 25 years old and will give up soon, so I bought a replacement before I need to.
I must also add I live in the country, over an hours drive to the nearest hardware to buy what I might need.
So I play it pretty safe.

Paul.

I've a few double ups but not in big ticket items
full toolset in the shed but then mine's only a single car garage - so don't have to travel far to get anything. Most hangs on the wall but am making drawers for stuff now as well.

Also have a toolbox in the kitchen with the basic necessities because it's a pain to have to go to the shed to get a screwdriver to tighten the handles on the saucepots

seems that everything I bought recently has a couple of allen keys with it so I think I've a dozen or so sets of these

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

seems that everything I bought recently has a couple of allen keys with it so I think I've a dozen or so sets of these

Not ikea I hope. You could get banned for that you know!

The reason everything I do takes twice as long as estimated is that I spend half my time looking for tools.

Years ago I built a house. When asked how long it took I used to say " Four and a half years or two and a half years depending on whether you include looking for tools."

Nowadays, I have duplicates and triplicates and tools that are never to be taken away from their dedicated spot. It has been very successful and now I think I would be down to only one third of my time looking for tools.

Regards
Paul