Work Bench Tool Organizing

[Bogstandard]

I am in the same situation, too small a workshop for too much machinery and tooling.

I call my walls 'vertical benchspaces'

Because my disabilities are getting worse, at this time, whenever I can get a few minutes in my shop, I am making it more to my way of working, lowering shelves so that they can be reached whilst still sitting, and having most used tools lower down, and items that are rarely used higher up. Plus, like on my lathe, tools that are used in the tailstock, are at the tailstock end, and vice versa for the headstock.
It does take a lot of pre-planning, but I am hoping that this rearrangement will last me until the end.

Here, I have just fitted boards around my bench, not only to hang my most used tools on, but it should stop most of the swarf from my machinery ending up on the bench. The upper shelves have yet to be sorted out, they will get done over the coming months.




I have now finished making what tools I want to fit the tailstock on the lathe (well almost), so a place for each tool, and each tool in it's place, there are a few hidden extra spare holes, just in case.




I don't even have room on the walls to hang my plans, so a slideaway plan table has been installed. This has a gap between the bottom of the bench top and the table itself, so that after the plans are 'stuck down', small parts that are made can be placed on top of the plan and slid away for safe keeping.



You may have noticed my new little helper, he is a 'teacup' Jack Russell called Turpin, and has taken over from my sidekick for the last eight years, my mate Bandit, whose picture is in my avatar, he has gone into retirement, lazing about the house, dreaming of bones and chasing butterflies (his favourite pastime when out for a walk, he must have murdered at least a dozen in the time he has been with me).
All Bandit ever wanted to do is be with me in the shop, catch a few spiders and moths and generally keep out of my way.
Turpin is a totally different mutt. He can get into places I never knew existed in my shop, and waits, watching every move I make, ready to pounce on anything that falls onto the floor. Paper gets shredded instantly, but tiny parts and tools he can carry are transported instantly to his bedspace. Very handy if I do drop a small part, I know exactly where to find it.

John