I have stuff at the shop area at my house (about 1000SF of an 2000SF area dedicated to shop/shelves, etc.). And stuff in the shed (another 1800SF). And stuff in the old shop area at the house that my brother abandoned 25 years ago (2000SF). And stuff in the old shop area at the house my father vacated when he passed away in 2022 (about 500SF of the 2000SF available). So if I’m adding correctly in my head (questionable) that’s 5300SF of storage of all manner of stuff saved by me, stuff my brother left here when he moved including several thousand dollars worth of various electrical wire, and stuff my father had kept. Each area is organized, but there’s no unified organization as it’s been organically compiled based on who all was living on “the compound” at the time.
I have parts for tractors, cars, trucks, and equipment no one has had for years, decades even. I have some weird tools such as a reamer for something or other on a 1956 Plymouth car of some sort. I know the car was brown, had a push button transmission, and my father sold it when I was 3. I’m thoroughly convinced the day after I trash it will be the first day I’ve ever needed it. I have bigger stuff such as a two bottom moldboard plow converted from one point hitch to three point hitch. Last person to use it was me when I was 17. I’m 59 and no one has ever had a use for it at our current place, but I’m sure the day after I get rid of it, I’ll need it.
I have tools at all three shop areas; parts, lumber, and various raw materials everywhere. When I need to work on something, I make a list either in my head or on paper depending on complexity, then make the rounds as needed with either the Mule or pickup (depending on volume of stuff needed) and take it all to whatever shop area is best suited to the job. Afterward, make the rounds again to put everything back where it came from. I know where it all is, but it’s crazy.
At some point in the next year or two we have to decide if we’re staying here or not. If we stay, I really should get some sort of unified organization set up. We threw away some things that were absolute trash after Dad passed. I don’t see throwing anything else away. Never know when we’ll need one of the four perfectly functional washing machines no one uses, two of which I have no idea why they’re here.
