I have had it!! never again! You? Update June,16th,2015

Great organization Sam.  What happened to the orange, and what did you use it for?  

I upgraded to this one from Harbor Freight, thanks to a good friend.

I wonder if that Harbor Freight hobby toolbox is similar to the one that was sold at Costco?

A messy workbench is the sign of a genius at work.

I used to be a motorcycle mechanic, so I use a somewhat larger tool box (Two of them back to back, actually).

Seems you always need another or a bigger toolbox . . . I won't claim that it is neat, but I know where everything is.  

This looks like my workbench(es). Five different benches, and about one square foot of actual open workspace at any given time.  

I don't have a pic ready, but it seems workbench and tool storage are two key functions that get confused and I am guilty. I discovered more work area once I got my tools more organized. 

If you get it organized, you won't be able to find anything!   When I finish a project

on my workbench, I scrape all the tools off on a big piece of foamboard, brush the

saw and sanding dust off the bench, and then, on the next project, slowly add the tools I need from the pile on the foamboard as I progress on the project on the bench.  And then, repeat.

I went from a bunch of cardboard boxes all over the train room, to 4 actual tool boxes. Not just tools, but scenery supplies and items like traction tires and other special parts. 

Not it sure why it took me as long as it did. 

Hey they call it a work bench for a reason. If it is too neat people will think you are goofing off.

I cleaned up and got organized like that once.  It lasted until halfway through my next project.

I have a very organized system for my tools and meters and everything else I use to work on my trains. My work area with it's VERY bright light looks great and pristine ......until I start the next project and then one by one, tools and parts and engines and whatever are added to the work surface until......I can't find what I'm looking for. Happens every time and I can't seem to avoid it. And if a part rolls off the work surface onto the floor.......it seems that the Earth just swallows it whole and many times, just disappears into thin air. Or......it gets sucked up by a magnetraction axle and I don't find it until hours later. Drives me crazy. 

-Roger

I don't even want to take a picture of my work bench. I need a Hazmat Crew to come in a clean it up. Don

And just WHERE is the hammer???????????

All you need is a bigger work bench!

My workbench isn't super neat right now, but it's not bad.  I regularly clean everything up and put it all away, then start over messing it up.

My brother is big on tool boxes and has given me a couple.   I tried them, but I am more comfortable with my tools hanging on pegboard in front of me.   I do have a tool box with special tools and little used stuff.   However, the stuff I use a lot including all my small german screwdrivers are on holders on the pegboard. 

We each need to find our own way.   And I also get to the point sometimes when I have to stop all projects and clean up the tools and get them where they are supposed to be.

I have a huge roll-around in the basement workshop, that's where all the woodworking stuff is as well.  I have one of these Gerstner 2610 Chests in my gunroom that was a present from my wife many years ago.  I'm loath to put out in a place where it'll get beat up after seeing what they get for them now!   That would buy me a couple of Legacy locomotives!

Looks like a good upgrade.

Yeah, like Bob said!

Is that a Winchester or a Marlin?

I have a Matco double bay bottom box out in the garage that would be a nice work bench. But at 799lbs empty, it is not coming in the house.

I fight disorganization with numbers.

 3 full time benches, and the "spot of choice" that day. 4 roller boxes. 6 on tops, and two machinists boxes, two soldering stations, one electronics & one electrical case "to go", and six "full boxes" "to go". One empty "to go box" for unpredictable jobs.

 Yep, I get lots of "can I borrow" requests.

No such thing exists...you'll find a way to fill it 

Same with garages...

My money's on Winchester.

Richie

As I was finishing up some play time tonight I snapped this disaster on my phone.  Sorry the pic is lousy, but it really didn't seem worth getting a legit camera.  This is supposed to be my computer desk... but serves as a work bench as well until I can get started on a real work shop for the new house.  

While not just tools alone, I coined a term I like, for the mess we create while achieving layout progress.

Progmess. 

From my experience, a neat workbench means a major project was just finished and clean-up has just been completed.  

Well, it is even worse than that.  The workbench, otherwise know as "the-place-where tools-are-randomly-put-down-and-not-easily-found-again," is across the room (which is all of eight feet wide) from those toolboxes, and usually there is even less space left free on it.  Here is a shot taken just now, without any "editing" of the bench.  Typical.  I think most of us are like this when we are focused on a project and putting tools back where they belong becomes less of a priority.

I am feeling a little like the weird one out.  This is my shop center. I agree with those who say it is a disaster while working on a project, but I have to keep it some what organized because I get so pi**-off when I have to dig around searching for my favorite cutting blade, screwdriver or pliers when I am working, so I keep it pretty organized.  It doesn't help that I can't seem to remember much any more so parts have got to be in a bin or designated storage area. To each his own.

love the before and after pics,

this is a great post!!!

keep on tinkering!!

Mine gets messed up to the point that I don't have a place to work, then I stop and put everything away and start again.  It helps that I have a 6 foot table right next to it to move the work to while I clean up.

John, you are lucky to have a six foot table that you can move things to.  If I have a horizontal surface, it is covered.  Vertical surfaces are covered with shelving holding everything from dog food to paint and everything in-between.  No surface left untouched.  I think I may have to apply for an episode of "hoarders".  

Neatness is my biggest problem on my work bench. What really drives me crazy is when I put a tool down and then can't find it ten minutes latter. That's when I know it's time for some needed housekeeping.

It's a funny dichotomy, when I was a technician my tools would be next to me in perfect order, but in my train room things can get haphazard in a couple of hours. I guess it's because at work I can't just drop everything and go to bed when I had enough. But, at home it can always wait until tomorrow and tomorrow is sometimes weeks away.   Good Post!

Bob, sometimes the table next to the bench is covered as well, then the stuff gets stacked on top!  

I do try to usually clean up the bench before leaving it for the day, but I don't always succeed.  My problem is I end up working on three or four projects at the same time.  I'll be doing one thing, then get interested in another task.  When the mail comes and my latest Chinese electronic module shows up, I can't resist putting it through it's paces to see if it'll work out.  I'm easily distracted...