so why is it when i see other contractors trucks, vans, trailers ect…there like portable dumpsters? 6 weeks of junk on the dash, tools and garbage mixed all over the floor, ect.. they cant even load safely because of disorganization. i dont think 5 % of trades workers rigs are kept half descent. the other day i saw two twits tying 4 5×8 panels to the top of there van on top of a few pieces of trim with twine. TWINE? how stupid are these guys and what jackass hires usless people like this? many years back i helped a guy out from time to time and in his tool box he had about 10 1″ spade bits and none sharper than a bowling ball. his tool belt had weeks and weeks of crap and cigarette butts in it.
i probably sound like im on a rant and i kind of am but in reality im glad because i rollup and people know i take pride in what i do and take care of my stuff so they know ill take care of there houses. i know i get jobs just because of apperance.
im also posting these pics because there are alot of threads about trucks vs vans vs trailers and i have been asked before for pics. so here they are. TRAILERS RULE.
ok so it only took me a year+ to figure out how to post pics. dont click on the 2 huge files. they are way too big of files. i couldnt figure out how to take them off
Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
Replies
A clean and organized trailer is a sign of a sick mind.
I wish I was that sick !
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
I don't like blue.
Why did you feel that you had to describe my pickup in such harsh tones?
well one of us has to be "that" organized and sure as hell ain't gonna be me..
And color coordinated too...geezzz...god blass ya.
If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
I definitely work better, happier, more efficiently when things are organized.
A former boss drilled into everyone that cleanup every day is part of the job. His approach was that you have to clean it up eventually anyway so you might as well do it at the end of each day instead of leaving a disaster and having to do it all at the end. His motiviation included that crap everywhere is a safety hazard and it was his wc mod on the line too.
Can't always follow my own advice, but I think you're right. A disaster area of a truck or jobsite is not a good way to work.
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Looks good. But where is the finish on the floor and crown molding? :-)
If it wasn’t for the Bank Payments,
Interest, Taxes, Wages, and Fuel Costs,
I wouldn’t have to charge you!!
Frankly I would be embarressed to post pictures of a drawer with a missing knob! :-)Seriously, nice set up, good job!
Edited 5/15/2006 2:54 pm ET by KirkG
Thanks for sharing those photos. I, too, love an organized truck, shop and worksite.
Unfortunately, the required work habits simply don't come naturally to me. I think some people are wired to be neat, and others not. It's a constant battle against my own nature to have a place for everything and everything in its place ... a life-long goal yet to be achieved. But when I approach that goal, even in small ways, it really does make a difference in efficiency.
On the other hand, there are extremes on both ends. A study of sloppy-desk people versus neat-desk people showed that the super-neat spent so much time tidying up that they accomplished less on the job than those who organized less frequently.
Allen
> the super-neat spent so much time tidying up that they accomplished less on the job than those who organized less frequently.
There has to be a sweet spot between spending too much time on organizing things and wasting time trying to find stuff in the mess. I know I'm on the messy side of that sweet spot. The thing that pisses me off more than anthing else is wasting time trying to find something that I had in my hand just minutes ago. Especially because I know it's my own damn fault.
-- J.S.
I'm on the same messy side of that sweet spot. Hope I'm not too old to change ... 'casue I'm working on it. Something as simple as using a tool belt has helped a lot. Tape measure always goes back in the front pocket; pencil in the pencil holder; hammer back in its loop.
I'm going back through my old issues of FHB for tips on truck storage, tool caddies, etc.
Allen
"There has to be a sweet spot between spending too much time on organizing things and wasting time trying to find stuff in the mess."
John - You reminded me of a corollary to that thought my 4 friends and I had 30 years ago while sharing a house (and the cleaning). The house motto was "dirty enough to be happy, clean enough to be healthy". Your sweet spot in the middle. Thanks...Buic
What Allen said.
blue
It's funny, I love a clean, well organized truck/site, but it's only clean and well organized maybe 1/3 of the time. Once I start doing something, I don't want to lose momentum by stopping to put things away. When I'm working, I've got a ring of tools around my feet, and just past that, piles of scrap wood/insulation/etc. that I've just ripped out. Once I start cleaning up, I have to keep doing it until I'm satisfied that everything is in it's place, so it can take a while.
I envy the people who automatically put everything away as soon as they are done with it. I can do that ok when I'm working for someone else (discipline plays more of a role), but when I'm working on my own place, there's an ebb and flow of messiness.
zak
"so it goes"
Nice. When's yer first job.....;-)
Hey, you missed a spot with the weed eater right by that nice, blue, clean, neat, organized, waxed chariot of remodeling wonder.
Nope, I ain't at all envious of that kind of anality. I got it too, just in the opposite direction.
Troy Sprout
"Don't forget the screws"
Got to admit that's the strangest something going on up there in his 'above the garage' room.View Image
GUNNER LIKES TO HOLD THE LADDER FOR CONSTRUCTION GUYS IN KILTS
be Maybe he's trying to dry out the insulation from around the window.
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
.........so I wasn't the only one.
Seems the trailer may be getting a wee bit too much attention.........[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Nice, I was half expecting to see the trailer walls lined with speakers or some kinda hydraulics and lights neon lights. LOL
The only thing that I see is no cases... Do you load all the stuff you need in a bucket to haul it around? 'cause if I make three trips to the truck(trailer) while working on one task, I'm doing something wrong.
I totally agree. My truck gets cleaned out at least once a week. I try to keep it as clean as possible. It looks better and is easier to fiind stuff. I used to work at a supply house and couldnt believe some of the trucks that rolled in there. i think image is important, and you dont really impress much pulling up to a job and having junk fall out of your truck.
Nice set up in your trailer. I like the custom drawers.
Many years ago, I read a study that was done by the American Plywood Association. They had done a time study of carpenters on work sites and found the average carpenter spent some 30% of his time looking for some tool that he needed. That's when I started to think about tool organization, and now there are many who think I am obsessive about it all. Yet, it seems like whenever somebody on a site can't find something they come to me, just because I know where all my stuff is stashed. On the other hand, I've worked with a few guys that were the picture of tool disorganization, yet they managed to work fast and efficiently.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Hello Friend--what ever you do don't show them the shop downstairs. Yull get more grief then I do for my van.Back from N.O. and looking to get in the game. Catch ya some time this week O.K.Puttin' some winders in tomorrow and free after. If you have time.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
> you dont really impress much pulling up to a job and having junk fall out of your truck.
True, but maybe it can go too far the other way. If a sub's stuff looks like it has never been touched, you might get scared that he doesn't have much experience, no?
-- J.S.
how much out of your pocket and lost production will there be to maintain all of that anal neatness...
kinda like the guy that wants to fix his tools on your clock because there is no baqck up or he didn't do maint on his dime..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Okay, I prefer the clean "beat to hell look". I used to work with a guy that told me I was gonna ruin my shop vac pickin up dirt.
I was refering to debris falling out of the truck. My tools are well worn but that doesnt equal mess.
You obviously have too big of a trailer >;
I'm working out of a 5x10 - got a deal on it that couldn't be beat and have it packed to the gills, yet still just about perfectly organized.
Wish I had room for all them there fancy drawers and stuff... Hell, wouldn't know what to do with all that room.
JT
I take it that is a single axle?
Mind if I ask what was considered a deal on it that couldn't be beat?
Thanks
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
It's a single axle. Here's a picture of it before the plywood and ladder racks and shelves.It's a WellsCargo 5x10 - would have retailed for about $4300.00 - I picked it up for $1700.00.Not a bad deal, and great timing - I was just about to get a truck cap for the winter - I'm glad I found this trailer - it's been great and saved me time and money.Had I been shopping for a trailer - I probably would have bought a 6x14 or something close to that, but I saw this one on the side of the road and it's just big enough to field equipt a one-man operation. Plus, it's easy to move around, tow and store.JT
It's exactly what I want, or a tad bigger with dual axles. Thanks.
be giving me hope
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
thanks for the compliments. i kind of stick out at lmbr yards. i get this same thing when i go to stores. i sometimes work out of town and get marked real fast.
ok! ill try to answer everyones questions
kirkg - im missing a knob because im trying to invent a drawer knob system that works like a door set but only one sided. push to close, turn to open. so i dont need that 2x4 to keep drawers closed. if anyone knows of something let me know.
lemonjello - the trailer does have lights. on the inside i have fog lights that work off truck battery. 3way switches one inside each door. lights up inside nicely and i can do some work at night behind it.
rez - insulation is out of unfinished attic because of big f$%&in bee hive....i won.
juliantracy - the trailer is classified as a 13 ft but because of the nose i can fit 16'moulding inside. thats why theres no bottom drawer.
jeffbuck - all tool holders are modular. so i can unscrew them to upgrade which i do a lot of. a bit of a tool junky i is. didnt take long to do at all. about 1 day originaly and little bits here and there. actually thats the second time i had to do those drawers. first drawer guides held the weight but didnt like to be in a moving vehicle. these new ones are what fire trucks use. pricey buy the whole set up was cheaper than 1 med size snapon box. and WAY more usable.Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
im missing a knob because im trying to invent a drawer knob system that works like a door set but only one sided. push to close, turn to open. so i dont need that 2x4 to keep drawers closed. if anyone knows of something let me know.
I've been thinking of making something similar for my van (but simpler and probably less organized). To keep the drawers closed, I may just use a lip in front of the drawer so that the drawer needs to be lifted 1/4" or so in order to open. Even with all of the bouncing around, 1/4" would probably be enough to keep the drawer from accidentally opening.
-Don
Go to a fancy boat yard and check out the fitted cabinets and hidden locks.
"first drawer guides held the weight but didnt like to be in a moving vehicle. these new ones are what fire trucks use."
Would you mind telling us who makes them, and the name or product number?
What features separate them from the competition?
Thanks,-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
http://www.accuride.com/products/industrial/truckrvemergency.php
take a whack at these.
the previous slides were also accuride and i had a 1x4 holding the drawers closed. the 1x was so light it would bounce out of the holder and the drawers would smash back and forth until they came disconnected and i would find the drawers scambled all over the floor. these heavier guage ones dont seperate and i now use a 2x4. but i have forgot to put that in a few times and the drawers open and close but have never come loose or bent.Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
Thanks for the lead!
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
The proper time, IMHO, to clean up the car/truck is during road construction. Up here, we have two seasons: Winter and Road Construction. While waiting for the flagger, you've got 5 or 20 minutes to get out of the vehicle, open all the doors, clean up, re-sort, and fill up some trash bags. When the line of cars start coming the other way, you close it all up and get ready to go. Sure beats fuming about being late.David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
I heard a guy from northern Maine say "we only have two seasons, this winter and last winter"
If you want an idea about a good drawer setup. Having spent some time on fishing boat on the Pacific I think you may want to look at how drawers are set up on a boat. You basically have to lift up about half an inch and pull to clear a rail that hold the drawer from sliding out when you are rolling through the rough seas. Just an idea.
I remember drawers like that a a little tear drop trailer my Dad had in the 50's. Simple, easy, no special hardware...two wrongs don't make a right, but... three lefts do... :)
have you considered this latch?http://www.richelieu.com/produit/detail.php?id=11299&cat=7532no knob to turn but a button to press
the knob you see is just a handle.
View Image
Edited 5/16/2006 10:25 pm ET by ELoewen
Edited 5/16/2006 10:26 pm ET by ELoewen
yeah i know about those and about boat latches. these drawers are 40" wide and WAY to heavy for any of those kinds of units. i almost have it figured out im just trying options so hopefully i dont have to have anything mfg.Tmaxxx
Urban Workshop Ltd
Vancouver B.C.
cheers. Ill buy.
how about rim latches?
You use that skateboard for drywall ?
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
Wasn't sure what the skateboard reference was - but you must be talking about the small trailer I guess.My sheet goods rack will hold about 7-8" of 4x8 and then I can store more in the middle if I need to.If I'm doing a bunch of drywall - I'd just load it in the truck bed. Nice to have spare sheet goods on hand and out of the way.JT
Wasn't sure what the skateboard reference was - but you must be talking about the small trailer I guess.
Or maybe the top of the Ridgid outfeed stand. Handy tool.
Nice job on the trailer, Julian.
Thanks - it's a sh^^hole now - just finishing up a custom laundry room project. Maybe if it was larger I wouldn't trash it so much...JT
1) why aren't the sawzaw blades in the same drawer as the sawzaw?
2) and what happens when U replace a tool with a new/better/different model?
what if it don't fit no more?
3) How much time off do ya need to build something like that!
looks like that'd take too much time away from my beer drinking hobby ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
>>>>>>>>>>>>>looks like that'd take too much time away from my beer drinking hobby ...That was what I though when I saw pictures of the outside of that rig. You haven't been really working unless you've got some scratches and dirt on ya.
Its never too late to be up to date.
http://grantlogan.net/
drove my new truck to work for the first time yesterday ...
a kitchen install job.
it still has some saw dust in the back from building the shelves.
really broke it in today ... got to swing out of the kitchen early and go check on another job where my digger is running drain lines thru a plowed field.
got back into the truck after checking ... and that nice dealer shined floor mat is now covered in mud! Even got some on the door speaker grill.
Oh well ... it'll get cleaned soon ... going in for an alarm early next week ... I'm sure my buddy will do a quick detail.
That's the only way my old truck got cleaned inside ... he always thot it looked like sh!t so he always throws in a quick interior detail job.
me ... I'm either too busy working or too busy playing.
I did invent a quick way to wash the exterior ... big sponge ... wet it ... pour liquid dish soap into it heavy ....
then hose the van wet ... and wipe down. Once is all it takes ... then hose it off.
take a nice drive for beer and chips ... air dry it on the way.
I could wash/dry the old van in 15 minutes.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
When did you get a new truck???
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
new .... "er" ...
there's a thread in the tavern about it ...
titled something like "new baby in the house" ...
U get tavern access?
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Yeah, I get Tavern access but don't go in often except to check on the discussions marked with "High Interest" (Joke time, limited pol threads, threads that start with *** or ###, etc.)I haven't read it yet but congratulations. I'm hoping it was a good resolution of your Jeep incident but I'll find out in a minute.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
sweet, very sweet....don't worry about these guys, they're just jealous.
I agree with you about the impression. It was the same when I managed apts. You can tell a lot about what a tenant will be like by how they keep themselves and their vehicle. New doesn't matter, or even what...it's how you present it.
Now,what day did you say the maid comes by?
...two wrongs don't make a right, but... three lefts do... :)
It's not easy to stay organized, especially when you're busy. I've had a couple of flat tires from nails or screws picked up at the lumber yard or HD. Some of these guys open the van door and all kinds of sh!t spills out. How can you work like that. I can't stand wasting time looking for something that you should be able to put your hand on. Oh, can't you do something about those dandelions.
My problem is that once I do get organized, I can always remember where the tool used to was, but never where it is... My problem is not finding something initially, it is setting it down on the job site only to have it completely hidden when I go to reach for it again. I could be in a bare room and set my screwdrive down beside me and then spend five minutes finding it again...
I was really impressed........ until I saw the wheels on the trailer don't match the wheels on the truck. Good luck getting work with that mismatched rig!
Ok, I am jealous, looks great despite the mismatched wheels.
what kind of twit organizes his pliers like that? and maybe if he had some paying work his trailor would look like the rest of ours!
So you're saying you have Burger King wrappers from 6 months ago still rolling around in the cab of your truck?
:)
jt8
"The difference between greatness and mediocrity is often how an individual views a mistake..."-- Nelson Boswell
No, I dont eat like that. I have a booster seat and a console/filing cabinet. You would'nt know my truck belonged to a contractor except for the sign on the door
My trailor on the other hand....I just made a delivery yesterday so today you could walk through it AND I know where everything is
What a fantastic set up. I guess you had some extra time on your hands since the Canucks season came to an abrupt end!
I don't know if I cold get used to pulling a trailer all the time but it sure looks like you have organized a great way of being a mobile workshop!
Have a great day
Cliffy