Workshop Storage and Organization - Progress Check

Last year, my workshop was a total disaster! I vowed to focus on better workshop storage and organization, to create a more functional space that lets me build more in less time. See how far my small workshop space has come, and how I'm going to improve it even more!

At the beginning of 2017, my New Year's resolution was to get my workshop storage functional so I could get more done in my limited time. I outlined my workshop organization ideas here to keep myself on task. To share my progress, I started a series dubbed "Workshop Wednesday," which turned out to be quite a hit with readers.  Now that a year has gone by, let's see how I did!

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Workshop Storage and Organization - One Year Ago

Looking at these photos now, I can't believe I ever got anything done in this space! Piles of sawdust and clutter were everywhere, making it difficult to find tools or room for my projects.

By the time I finished up my fireplace remodel around Christmas 2016, it was downright scary in there! (Yes, that's an old TV under the workbench. A "gift" from the previous owner that I finally got rid of.)

There were three things I wanted to accomplish in this small workshop:

• Get those tools organized! I can get so much more done when I know where my tools are.
• Create more work surfaces. If there's nowhere to work, no work gets done!
• Sawdust control! Not only is it better for my lungs, but I feel more creative and productive in a clean environment.

Let's see how I did!

Workshop Storage and Organization - Today

New Miter Saw Stand - Check!

Here's my miter saw stand before. The saw wasn't even secured to the stand, which didn't have any additional storage or work space.

So I created a stand with loads of storage and functionality!

I built the miter saw station with custom shelves to fit each tool underneath perfectly. When I'm not using the saw, the sides double as small work surfaces. Now that I upgraded to a dust collector, I'll switch out the shop vac for even more shelves!

Even the miter saw fence got an upgrade, with this amazing stop track system. Measure twice, cut once, unless you have this baby!

Miter saw dust collection is tricky, but I stumbled across a simple solution. I created my own miter saw dust hood, so piles of sawdust on the floor are a thing of the past!

Rolling Workbench with Storage - Check!

The whole door-on-sawhorses set up just wasn't doing it for me anymore. I needed a rolling workbench that could move out of the way, with storage underneath.

The Kreg workbench provides me with a sturdy, mobile work surface that doubles as an outfeed table for my table saw.

To prevent paint drips from ruining the work surface, I made a paper roll dispenser to mount on one end.

But my favorite part of the workbench is the triple sander and sandpaper storage box that fits perfectly underneath. I never have to hunt for the next grit again!

The space next to the sandpaper shelves is still a magnet for clutter. I need to come up with a storage solution for all the random tools that get dumped there. There's always room for improvement!

Tool Storage and Organization - In Progress

Tool organization is a never-ending task! I've managed to create a home for a few of my tools, such as my circular saw stand.

I also created a special spot just for my Kreg K5 pocket hole jig. This tool gets used on almost every project, and screwing it down to its own stand makes the process go so much faster! Pocket hole screws go into the organizer below, so I never have to hunt for the right size.

Unfortunately, not all the tools are optimally organized. My clamps are still a haphazard mess on the pegboard.

And don't even get me started on the drill bits! I just dump them in a bin when I'm done with them. When I need them for another project, I spend too much time searching for the right one.

My goal for 2018:  More small parts storage!

Wood Storage Rack - Half Done

My Jenga tower of a wood rack is finally gone...

and was replaced with a new, sturdier lumber rack on a whiteboard wall.

But my scrap wood situation is still out of control! I've actually added a second bin, just to hold them all.

At the very least, I need to sort them by size so I don't get splinters as I scrounge around for the piece I need. Stay tuned for lots of scrap wood projects in the future!

Paint Storage

Oh boy. Here's one area that definitely needs improvement! My spray paint is currently housed in one of the bins of my Kallax desk, but I'd love something like this from Reality Daydream.

I scored a TON of free paint from our local reuse store this summer. They're all stacked up behind my miter saw stand, but I can't see the colors. I plan to build a storage tower like this one from Bower Power for easy access to all the cans.

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Overall, I'd say I stuck to my New Year's resolution! Which workshop storage solution are you planning to implement this year?  Stay tuned for more Workshop Wednesday posts this year!