Man's Second Oldest Question
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,510
Likes: 27
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Serious answer? Buy several large storage tubs with snap on covers at Wally world i.e tupperware etc a box or two of ziplock freezer bags and a permanent marker for each tub. Put one or two boxes of bags and a marker in each tub Put parts new or used in a bag for each assembly and label the bag with the marker put instructions in the bag with the parts. Label the end of the tubs with subassemblies: front end, engine, transmission, dashboard, etc. Clear an area of the shop/house where you can stack the tubs. Carry the appropriate tub over to where you are working and work out of it, take out only a bag or two at a time. Replace the bags and cover the tub every night, never leave the shop with any bags out of it's tub or loose parts laying around.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,995
Likes: 422
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
I've had pretty good luck with the ziplock bag / disposable tupperware solution. The second most important part of that process is to have designated collection points. New parts in one place, used parts in another, stuff to be worked on here, yada, yada, yada. Tools get put back were they belong periodically during the work time.
In comparison, my brother, who is also rebuilding a truck seems to spend a bunch of time looking for parts and tools (especially!). Since all of this is all garage time, it is hard to consider any of it poorly spent.
DW
In comparison, my brother, who is also rebuilding a truck seems to spend a bunch of time looking for parts and tools (especially!). Since all of this is all garage time, it is hard to consider any of it poorly spent.
DW
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: North Platte NE
I lose stuff all the time. I usually find it where i last would expect it to be. I once spent about 30 minutes looking for a wrench i needed. i found it when i put my hand in my back pocket.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,972
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I've had pretty good luck with the ziplock bag / disposable tupperware solution. The second most important part of that process is to have designated collection points. New parts in one place, used parts in another, stuff to be worked on here, yada, yada, yada. Tools get put back were they belong periodically during the work time.
.DW
.DW
Bobby
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,888
Likes: 3,130
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
BTW, what is the oldest question? I assume something Biblical.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
The problem with using containers (I use banker's boxes cuz I get them free) is that you have to remember that you have the stuff. When I'm searching for that elusive part and start going thru boxes, I'm shocked at the stuff I find that I'd forgotten about. I found a stash of Fiero parts the other day, it's been 20 years since I had a Fiero. They were in a plastic baggie and marked, but out of sight, out of mind.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,888
Likes: 3,130
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I am admittly bad at organizing anything. I live in a constant enviroment of choas. My dad was even worse, his 2 1/2 car garage was knee high, or higher, in junk with narrow paths but he was amazing. If I needed a part or tool he would tell me, "Go through the door, turn left, go about 5 feet and about two feet to the east there is an old lawn mower, right next to the lawn mower there is a plastic jug and right under the jug there a 8"X8" box. You'll find it in the box." My youngest is the same way. If I can't find it, and my wife doesn't know where it is I just have to ask my youngest. 9 times out of 10 he'll know.
At times I think my youngest is my dad reincarnated. He he was about 6" shorter he'd look just like my dad. He has some of the same mannerisms, dresses like him and once he said a word that I only heard my dad pronounce like that. It was spooky. My dad died about 3 years before the youngest was born so he couldn't have picked any of this up from him.
At times I think my youngest is my dad reincarnated. He he was about 6" shorter he'd look just like my dad. He has some of the same mannerisms, dresses like him and once he said a word that I only heard my dad pronounce like that. It was spooky. My dad died about 3 years before the youngest was born so he couldn't have picked any of this up from him.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
My parents moved from the house I grew up in in 1978 - They sold everything 9Auction) but clothes, dishware, and a few momentoes and moved to Florida.
Somewhere around 2001 I stopped by the house and introduced myself and asked if they had fornd any old toys in the front overhang of the garage - He said no and that I could go look as he never had - I said beside the toys there should be some car parts, Chevy and Studebaker brakes, bearings and some carbs. - He got me the step ladder - The old touys were gone - The car parts were still there
I was out and about today and I thought I would stop by the local hardware store - It was closed, so was the bank - Then I realized it was Sunday
Somewhere around 2001 I stopped by the house and introduced myself and asked if they had fornd any old toys in the front overhang of the garage - He said no and that I could go look as he never had - I said beside the toys there should be some car parts, Chevy and Studebaker brakes, bearings and some carbs. - He got me the step ladder - The old touys were gone - The car parts were still there
I was out and about today and I thought I would stop by the local hardware store - It was closed, so was the bank - Then I realized it was Sunday
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,510
Likes: 27
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,888
Likes: 3,130
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Here in Wisconsin it's "take your clothes off and come to bed".
I now digress.................
I now digress.................
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 29
From: northeast Ga
when missing parts I always start by looking on the work bench,As every thing I have ends up on the work bench.It does nut matter that I spent hours putting tools away,and getting rid of the junk on the bench,The very next time I go to do something the bench is piled high with stuff.It's like it grows,[almost like Kudzu].I finely gave up and built another bench down the side of the garage 20 ft long.I have not seen the top of it in a year.There must be someone sneaking in and leaving stuff,as I never seem to bring in all the things I find when I start cleaning.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 81
From: Northville, MI
I use clear plastic tubs so I can see what is in them. Still, if I get a part in the wrong box it is lost until I open that box again. Then there is the problem of which box do you put those "in-between" parts in? Do fuel line fittings go in the carburetor box or the fuel tank box? 
