For any craftsman, his or her workshop is their pride and joy. Lots of hard work and creative ideas take place inside it, but sometimes this can lead to the space getting a little messy and out of hand.
So, whether you’re setting up a new workshop or looking to tidy up your existing one, organisation is key to keeping a tidy and clean space where everything is easy to find. We have put together this guide on the best practices you can implement to organise your workshop.
Table of Contents
Clear the area and measure your space
This is the most logical first step to getting organised. Clear out everything in your space and sort it into two piles: items you use and items you don’t. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if you haven’t physically touched an item or tool the last ten times you were in your workshop, then it can go into storage.If you feel too overwhelmed to clear out everything in the workshop, you can work area by area to minimise the stress.
Next, you should measure the space that you have including the width and height of walls, as well as how much workbench surface you have free, too. This is so you can confidently choose tools and organisational kits that you know will fit.
Assess your requirements
After you have cleared everything out and sorted it into piles, you need to assess what needs to be stored and how. Make a list of what you’re planning to store within your workshop and the type of tools that you have. This way you can appropriately choose the right storage solution for both larger tools and materials, as well as all those small fixings and parts.
Decide on storage solutions
This is the fun part – choosing all the tools and storage products that will be in your workshop. Below is a list of some of the most popular organisers that make a great fit in any workshop.
Wire shelving
Wire shelving is one of the best ways to store your power tools. It is important to keep power tools stored safely as, even when they are not plugged in or in use, they still pose a serious risk.
When you store power tools on wire shelving, the parts of the tools that prevent them from lying flat on a standard shelf (e.g. the blade of the saws or the end of the drill) can fit right through the spaces in the shelves. You should install your shelves high up on your wall, even if it means needing a ladder to reach them, to keep them away from unauthorised use or accidental impacts.
Parts storage bins
Just about every workshop will need some parts storage bins. They are perfect for storing and organising small, individual items like nuts and bolts, small tools and other delicate parts. A good thing about organiser bins is that they are stackable on top of one another. This means you can store them in an organised way on your workbench, or display them on a shelving unit.
Organiser bins come supplied in a wide variety of colours and are very easy to label, helping you keep track of small items that can easily get lost and upping your organisation game too.
What’s more, they are resistant to rust, corrosion and chemicals as well as extreme weather conditions. This makes them extremely versatile and, if they do get dusty or dirty, you can simply wash them out and dry them to bring them back to new.
Clear storage bins
The biggest benefit of clear storage bins is an obvious one – you can see what’s inside. This means they can save you a lot of time when looking for something you need, as you can easily spot it instead of having to root through lots of opaque ones.
Closed lockers
While you want most of your inventory and tools on hand and available at all times, some items need to be kept under lock and key. This may include certain hazardous chemicals that need to be stored separately from everything else or speciality tools that can only be used by trained personnel.
Closed lockers are a good solution. They come in all different sizes to fit into workshop spaces and can be used to store large items, bulky items or smaller ones, depending on your needs.
Shelving and racking
Take a look at your space and decide on whether you would benefit from installing shelving or racking in your workshop. These will help you safely store bulkier materials, supplies and tools upwards. Or you could use them to store baskets of organised tools, parts, clothes or PPE.
Just remember to keep heavier items towards the bottom so the unit doesn’t tip over, and all your most commonly used items at a level you can reach without having to bend or stretch!