'Do One Thing'

[northwest]

Wow I would never find Nything if I put things away.....sadly much of my stuff does not have an "away" it just exists..lol

This is always problematic but at least you are aware of it so a solution can't be too far behind. My workshop, considering what is in there, is tiny so everything has a place "somewhere" and the only things that don't are the things I am currently working on.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

To the maxim "Do one thing" I would add "but do it well".

 

[ukracer]

This is always problematic but at least you are aware of it so a solution can't be too far behind. My workshop, considering what is in there, is tiny so everything has a place "somewhere" and the only things that don't are the things I am currently working on.

My problem is after I tidy up I can find things ok. BUT very quickly it all blurrs in my memory. So now if I get lucky I can find what I want all in one place. BUT if I can't find them they are all lost.

Classic example being those cutter I had off you a while back. As they were all neatly packaged I put them in a box and knew where they were but the ones I had previously purchased for a specific task I had previously stored are no where to be seen. I know I purchased 3 x 14mm carbides from a local guy as I grabbed some blacksmiths drills the same day. (They are missing also) I know they will all turn up one day. But when is the unknown lol

BYW where do you get the vacuum seal bags from. I have a sealer but all the bags I have seem to have small patterns on them and are much thinner.

The annoying thing is I have loads of empty draws but putting things in them seems to evade me.

 

[Morris]

Doing one thing means there's something else I didn't do. Where will it all end...

 

[Morrisman]

An old friend of mine, prolific hot rod builder, used to produce enormous quantities of work. The secret, he told me, is to decide what task you are going to do and stay in the workshop until you have finished it, no excuses, just keep plugging on until it is done.

I’ve tried it, it works, but you need a whole load of dedication to keep going when you feel you’ve had enough.

 

[MattF]

I've taken on your tidying up mantra, works surprisingly well for focus on the job at hand

I was about to "like" your post 'til I read that bit.

 

[minimutly]

An old friend of mine, prolific hot rod builder, used to produce enormous quantities of work. The secret, he told me, is to decide what task you are going to do and stay in the workshop until you have finished it, no excuses, just keep plugging on until it is done.

I’ve tried it, it works, but you need a whole load of dedication to keep going when you feel you’ve had enough.

And no other (family) requirements...

 

[Blobber]

My problem is after I tidy up I can find things ok. BUT very quickly it all blurrs in my memory. So now if I get lucky I can find what I want all in one place. BUT if I can't find them they are all lost.

Classic example being those cutter I had off you a while back. As they were all neatly packaged I put them in a box and knew where they were but the ones I had previously purchased for a specific task I had previously stored are no where to be seen. I know I purchased 3 x 14mm carbides from a local guy as I grabbed some blacksmiths drills the same day. (They are missing also) I know they will all turn up one day. But when is the unknown lol

BYW where do you get the vacuum seal bags from. I have a sealer but all the bags I have seem to have small patterns on them and are much thinner.

The annoying thing is I have loads of empty draws but putting things in them seems to evade me.

The clear vacuum bags are for the commercial chamber type machines, the ones with the pattern are for the small home machines, the pattern is so it can suck the air out of the bag

 

[God mode restorations]

Every day for me. 7 days a week.

 

[ukracer]

The clear vacuum bags are for the commercial chamber type machines, the ones with the pattern are for the small home machines, the pattern is so it can suck the air out of the bag

So I can't use the thick bags in my home machine?

 

[Arc Tourist]

I found early on in life, if I do one job and clean up after it the next one goes smoothly; and I don't misplace any tools.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Since I retired that's how I get enjoyment out of each day, do at least one thing and be happy.

 

[MattF]

I simply fit in what I can, when I have time. I always try & get some time in the workshop, whenever possible, & also have some ongoing projects in the flat. Never been one for sitting down & doing nowt.

With regards to tidying up, swarf always gets cleaned up at day end, (it bugs the crap out of me when it's left on machines, or crunching underfoot), but I must admit I'm a bit random in other regards.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I stop early everyday. Leave the workplace tidy and spend half an hour putting my tools back in the van in the right places.

I have two tool boxes that are for bits and bobs I'm using on current jobs. These get cleared out every few weeks so I don't end up with half my van in em.

Home projects consists of either making music or making old music gear work. I do try and chip away and solve one problem an evening or add one part to a track

 

[Morrisman]

And no other (family) requirements...

Well, obviously, no kids to take to school, no job to go to, no dialysis to attend, no jury service to roll up for, just assuming you have the time free, to do the job, then you commit to stay in the shed until the job is done.

 

[Barking Mat]

I just need to stop going to work.

Then I'd have the time to really get on with my projects.

The time, the energy, the motivation is there.

Just 'life' gets in the way.

Need to become rich, and retire, basically.

 

[Dee J]

Ultimately there is no goal to be working towards other than finding some meaning, motivation, distraction and satisfaction, contentment even, from day to day and over the course of life. Craft skills and creativity and the mental space those take me often feel more important than exactly what a given project is. And ultimately we're all aware of the cycle of life - most of the stuff we work on will end up (as we ourselves end up too!) - in the recycling. That tolerance of a turned part that came out just right, that perfectly formed weld bead with minimal distortion, the finish and paint.... mostly has no meaning other than to ourselves. If, for a fleeting moment it seems to be an achievement that's pretty much all we can hope for. Tidy or messy, one project or 100, dedicated to a timescale or open ended - if it works for you then that's the achievement. And yes, if it doesn't work then change something - maybe 'do one thing' is an option to try.

 

[jerrytug]

A tidying-up session can be equally fulfilling as making something. You find tools which you had forgotten about, and get to bin the useless rubbish which accumulates at the bottom of toolboxes. A clean bench and organised tools encourages you to make something new, and results in better quality work.
That's what I tell myself anyway....reality is somewhat different..

 

[ukracer]

I just need to stop going to work.

Then I'd have the time to really get on with my projects.

The time, the energy, the motivation is there.

Just 'life' gets in the way.

Need to become rich, and retire, basically.

Actually life does get in the way BUT it does not mean you get more time to get on with projects when you retire.
External influences have a major effect.

 

[8ob]

. You find tools which you had forgotten about.

It gets worse than that Jerry, I keep unearthing weird looking tools and have completely forgotten what they are for. They will end up posted on here as a “can you guess what it is” topic.

Bob