13 Easy Ways to Organize a Messy Woodworking Shop

Use these 13 shop organization tips in your woodworking shop or garage to get organized!
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Shop organization is a must for an efficient shop. Having a place for everything and everything in its place will help you get more done with less stress. Wood storage is the first item to tackle and you can use wall mount racks or a mobile lumber storage cart. But most importantly have a rule what scrap wood you will keep. Small parts storage is the next biggest item and you need to have good small parts organizers with great labeling so you can know where everything is at. Cordless power tool storage is next and having a dedicated place for your tools is going to save you a lot of hassle and searching. But the biggest thing you can do to organize your shop is have customized or custom built shop cabinets. This is the game changer and will make your shop storage what you always wanted it to be!
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[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Take your shop to the next level with custom cabinets! GET PLANS HERE: fixthisbuildthat.com/garagecabinets

[@GreyBeard3D]

I see the miter stop T track. I want to do that with mine too but I didn’t see it in the plans. Can I add it as built or do I need to add extra material to the top?

[@NewBeginningNewCreation]

When you're ready to get rid of your wood send it to me!

[@TOXICSHARK35]

Waiting to give these a build til after lumber prices become cheaper than gold again

[@Syberz]

Hi! Are these plans available in metric sizes?

[@austinc124]

Bought the plans, but unfortunately my garage is not the best set up. I'm having trouble figuring out how to set up my 18' miter station. I have a crawl space access door and water supply line on one side, and an outside door on the other, leaving me with limited configuration options. Do you have plans for a rolling table/work bench that could substituted in place of a 60" run of base cabinets to maintain the base cabinet height? That would be ideal.

[@SaltyVibrations]

My shop is not disorganized, tools are 'strategically' laid out on every horizontal surface for accessibility and streamlining

[@williamwalters3796]

I too use the horizontal surface storage technique. Though I made it more efficient by stacking some tools to make space for others, just be careful grabbing stuff by the hand saws...

[@abelcasillas1853]

@@williamwalters3796 I to employ these methods but I also stack things in front of stacks so if I need to get something from the far bottom I have the luxury of reliving my childhood and playing Tetris as I move things around.

[@tbc210]

Pro Tip: Lay a generous coating of sawdust on top of all horizontal surfaces in your shop before you lay your tools out. The sawdust creates just enough friction to keep the piles - I mean, um, stacks of tools from falling onto the floor. Periodically re-apply sawdust on top of the tools as needed.

[@wyattcorreia7396]

Lol same

[@hudsoncraftworks]

Horizontal stacking is great. And naturally, the floor is the biggest shelf in your garage.

[@ModernBuilds]

My life goal is to be half as organized as Brad!! 🔥🔥

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

😂 😂 I'll trade you some design skills for some organization, Mike

[@joeymerrell8585]

I like organizing my tools, but the Toddler Relocation Service that is employed at my house makes it difficult to locate small tools most days.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

hahaha, I remember those days well!

[@olivertan6271]

lmao😂😂😂

[@makeitpay8241]

a lock on the shop door tends to slow that process down a lot.

[@gcp21]

TIME STAMPS! 0:33 Have a scrap wood rule 1:49 Have a dedicated space for offcuts 2:25 Use all of your available space 3:31 Use bench top organizers for small parts 5:32 Use portable organizers for small parts 6:50 Add tray to drawers for extra storage 7:20 Use stackable containers in drawers 8:08 Create a space for cordless tool storage / keep frequently used items accessible, not hidden away 9:50 Think about your needs today and in the future 10:30 Use pegboard storage 11:57 Use a french cleat system 12:45 Customize your cabinets (i.e. cabinet drawers, door cubbies, etc.) 14:09 Build your own custom cabinets I tend to refer back to this video to remind myself of best practices lol

[@nickferrence8593]

Thanks for the timestamps. Very helpful

[@ShopNation]

Big shop organization guy here, nice job 👍🏼

[@williammoore4101]

You might even say Brad achieved shop greatness.

[@tinacufaro5040]

These are amazing tips Brad! I'm cleaning out my single car garage for my first humble but well organized (thanks to your tips) workshop. Thanks and I've learned so much from your channel. Super inspiring!

[@kesa7669]

Whenever I need ideas or help…this is where I go. He is so helpful, specific, and always provides safety tips and extra hints based on experience level. Thanks!

[@MrGrant440]

“I have safety equipment up top” right next to the safety glasses is the bottle opener :) my kind of safety equipment :) great video

[@blakedozier1131]

I keep my bottle opener on the fridge door with an RE magnet.

[@matthysloedolff]

I'm in the process of organising my tools and equipment at the moment. This video could not have come out at a better and more convenient time. Thanks for the tips, Brad!

[@matthewbauer68]

I also like the sliding tray cabinets, so easy to use, been slowly updating my shop as well.

[@chrisl672]

Brad, you are the man! I hope I get to your skill level someday! I just sold my house in New England leaving my basement workshop behind and relocated to Florida where I will be building a whole new workshop in my garage. I will certainly be using a lot of the ideas I watched in this video. Great job man! ...truly!

[@wiseoldfool]

Excellent tips. Brad nailed it! I totally agree with "A place for everything and everything in its place", and "Use labels". A labeler is the first tool you should get for your shop. Well first after the bottle opener, that is.

[@MartinPaulsen87]

Bottle opener - Fridge for the beer - labeler

[@stormchaserkj]

Thanks to Brother...I appreciate you supporting this channel. Brad, i am inspired to organize my shop. My wife just bought a new Ptouch from Brother so I am set!

[@creggfterasa5656]

By far the best "Organize your shop" video I've seen. Most are very Basic and dont have anything amazing. 5his has so many little tips that make a huge difference. Thanks for sharing.

[@slksol]

I get to set up my very first garage shop next month! Big upgrade from the current 30th floor balcony shop. I like your set up and I already have a not so subtle obsession with labeling things.

[@phenmom]

What a dream!! Love love love the organization and labels! Thanks for some great ideas and for sharing!

[@mikegarrett1945]

The "French Cleat Rail" is a great idea!! I need that versatility to build different sized storage boxes as my tool collection gets bigger. The storage unit for extra project wood is great too. I have so many buckets of wood in my shop hogging up all that valuable floor space. THANKS!

[@benyoutube147]

I noticed your sandpaper drawer. One helpful change I've made in the last few years is adding a filing cabinet to organize sandpaper by grit and type. Plus, most sheets are 8-1/2 x 11, so they fit nicely in hanging folders. And over time, it's been a useful way to organize saw blades, manuals, reciepts, etc. It's been a game changer. Great job, and thanks for sharing!

[@suecollins3246]

I made a kind of folder book for my sandpaper.

[@nancyolmsted754]

I’m so impressed and jealous of your amazing organization:). Way to go!

[@xpatches13]

Dude, you're tickling the memories from my old Aircraft maintenance days with labels and container stacking!! Good times lol. That slide out magnetic bit holder is gunius and I can't wait to add one to my shop!

[@mirameejung]

Hey Brad- Thank you so much for this video!!! So many great ideas.

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty fantastic tips, Brad! Thanks a lot! 😃 I'm definitely going to use some of them! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

Excellent tips, Brad! Keep up the awesome videos man!

[@SouthernStyleDIY]

Absolutely awesome tips! Definitely guilty of keeping some worthless scrap wood around that I need to toss. Bookmarking this for when I get around to more shop organization

[@bradslone2409]

I glad i found this video. Im going to be opening my own Gunsmith shop and ice been trying to think ahead on how im gonna set up my tools and all the other things that come with owning a business.

[@DIYMAN]

I don’t have heat in my shop, so I was thinking about building a wood stove to put in there, and only using scrap wood to keep ‘er heated. I figured it would be a lot easier to let go of that scrap wood if I was freezing my bottom off. 😏

[@arth.4196]

Appreciate all you do for Do-It-Yourselfers. 😁😁😁😁

[@vickimontemayor3262]

I’m 75 and getting back to furniture flipping for myself, family and friends. My son and dil are having a creative cottage built for my 75th birthday. I’m still trying to decide how to organize my tools and paint. Thanks for sharing. I got some great ideas👍👍👍

[@MrTradeTradeTrade]

Man I thought I need to organise my garage a little, what you have is level 100+, what a inspiration.

[@sapelesteve]

Excellent video Brad! I use the small pieces of wood for the fireplace. Very nice when starting a fire! Really enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work....... 👍👍😉😉

[@danielbrasch4774]

Love the bottle opener as part of the safety equipment!

[@jeffforbes3772]

Rock on Brad! Love the magnetic drill bit holder. Thanks for posting.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Thanks, Jeff!

[@pebkacz]

Hey Brad....I’ve deployed everything similar to your workshop but on a single small garage. Right down to the P-Touch labels. Took me 10 years but I pinched a lot of ideas from KZbin. I use super magnets 🧲 in steel cupboards and just adore them. French cleats for clamps and so on. Great minds think alike. I’m envious of your cupboards though. All the best from Sydney, Australia. 👍🇦🇺

[@ricochetme]

Nice crisp video! I did all of the above except the drawer inserts (added to my to-do list) and the tool wall (no available wall space). #5 Portable Organizers for small parts works in the shop AND in my office for electronics, office supplies, phones/accessories, etc. I have more than 20 of them with labels! Another tip -> add labels to your cabinet doors, not just your drawers. I have 2 label-makers and I use them often. Label your power supplies. This has saved me big time.

[@shooterspodcast8667]

Great tips, Thank you! I see some useful shop additions.

[@danguzy918]

I love this, I never seen such a well organized space

[@chewar7537]

Awesome shop and video! Thanks for making it!!

[@williamwortman2941]

I think it would be a great video on the basics of how to use the pocket holes. Also, I can't wait to move into my new house so I can start adding these to my garage shop

[@GeorgeCooper_LoneWolf]

Your storage is nothing short of amazing (Respect) So I have only one thing to say "please" come and sort my shop out.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

thanks! and my family has me loaded out on storage jobs already, lol

[@GeorgeCooper_LoneWolf]

@@Fixthisbuildthat 😂

[@josefhemmingsson]

Great solutions! Thank you for the inspiration ❤️‍🔥

[@NoName-zz9ls]

I don't really do woodworking, but with slight adjustments most, if not all these tips are great for me as a hobby mechanic too

[@NOELDIYCRAFT]

this is amazing, thank you for sharing your tips! i really need this in my shop

[@SimplePeppersCookingBaking]

Incredible order! I'm impressed!

[@artvandelay7537]

I'm admiring the cabinets

[@TeoPriceputul]

I love your workshop! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@NirvanaWoodWorksbyJanie]

I know I have a huge wood hoarding problem 🤦🏻‍♀️. I keep cutoffs of my cutoffs 😭. I literally tell myself I will use the cutoff and "picture" what project I may use it on 🤣. The first step to recovery is knowing you have a problem. The 2nd step, I may never get there 🤣🤣🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.

[@corydriver7634]

Me too. 🤣

[@scotttetreault5077]

Wow Beautiful setup...nice job

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

Excellent (and expensive looking) shop organization system, and especially the use of the p-Touch labeling system. I have been using them for maybe 30 years, after it got hard to get Dymo tapes. I can't see the little LCD screens easily, nor use the tiny keyboards, so I use one of Brother's printers that connects to my PC. My shop is never disorganized. However it is haunted by a force that randomly relocates tools and materials immediately after I put them down. Even if I accidentally put on in it's correct location!

[@txmexnittro]

Awesome ideas, great builds and thanks for sharing!!!

[@mikeforster8798]

Great video!. Don't know if you have already done it yet but you should do a shop tour showing how and where things are located and stored. This will be helpful for those of use who are building a shop.Thanks

[@andrizeefoshizee]

Your custom drawers and cabinets are beautiful.

[@jimlow6824]

Great video! It points out something I need to do. My garage hits 100°F in the summer. I need to build a tray for my lithium batteries to keep them in the house when not in use but easily haul them to where I need them.

[@glencrandall7051]

A lot of good ideas here. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@rickmunroe4159]

That piece of wood was still usable, make friends with some pen turners. I'm on my second Brother P-Touch in 25 years, I love them. Had a P-touch-PC until they quit supporting it so had to replace it when I went to Win10. Replaced it with a P-Touch 700. They aren't as portable as yours but they use all of the fonts and sizes on my computer. For all of the little plastic drawers I prefer White on Clear tape. It seems less garish and is still easy to read with the natural dark background. Please keep bringing the GREAT videos !!! Thanks, Rickster

[@jimcooney9019]

really enjoyed your video thanks for sharing

[@milosgrujic9118]

Love the horor music with the 1st bench 😂 Great organisation! Picked up many things from u! Thank you!

[@BDL090754]

Some excellent ideas there, Thank you very much

[@chrishayes6057]

Great video as always!

[@julieanncheshire9960]

This is a thing of beauty!

[@amirvelsua2180]

Gracias amigo por compartir los conocimientos de carpintería maestro saludos desde México y recibe un fuerte abrazo y gracias por todo.

[@hassanal-mosawi4235]

Thanks for sharing those tips and the make!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

You bet!

[@brianakins83]

wasn't mentioned but love the placement of allen wrenches with the adjustable cordless tool holder

[@kevinetheridge6153]

French cleats for clamps... dang... great idea. Wish I had thought of that (or watched this video before I made the clamp board I currently use). Thanks!

[@RussThacher]

I purchased my house 4 years ago now and it has 2 detached garages. The 1 stall already had cabinets in it and that's what I've turned into my shop but I've often questioned it I should remodel the entire thing. All the floor cabinets are stationary and take up a good 1/2 of the garage. I've customized it to my liking for now but your ideas have really gotten me thinking about making some new adjustments. Great video and thanks for the inspiration.

[@garynoggle6136]

Dude! Great video. I have a one car garage shop with one and a half wall. Storage is my biggest challenge. You had just a few ideas applicable to me but they were very good ideas. Thanks.

[@KMF3]

Love the rolling carts ideas

[@sarahbrazell8606]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

You're welcome!

[@sddiymakeitworthit7512]

Amazing presentation

[@86Sando]

Some awesome tips thanks mate.

[@cr4nkk623]

super inspiring shop!

[@blue900]

Nice work, thanks 🙏🏻

[@maurolimaok]

This space is awesome!

[@projectE4]

Love that the bottle opener is with the safety gear. :)

[@joshmize5646]

I too keep my bottle opener among my “safety equipment”. Well played.

[@danwilliams4089]

Love this man Great ideas

[@zaratgreen2095]

Thanks, I really need this. My shop is a mess, but not for long!

[@Yusufmasron]

Very organised Brad. Like yr miter station

[@MuseLeathercraft]

Thank You Sir! 😊 Awesome ideas! G

[@skippylippy547]

Great ideas and handy tidbits, thank you! 👍 I love videos like this. ❤️

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

You are welcome!

[@Ding_Bat]

Personally, my #1 rule is to not share your workshop space with your significant other. 75% of the stuff in my workshop is my wife's-stuff-that-she-does-no-know-what-to-do-with.

[@36736fps]

Lots of good ideas here. Instead of labels I fasten a sample of the contents to the small parts drawers. Much quicker to find than reading labels. I can recognize sizes of screws and nuts by sight.

[@anthonysmith9410]

Really nice cabinets

[@bkipad]

Good advice and nice clean shop

[@steved2927]

Great job

[@knoell3]

Nice job! Nice shop.

[@thomgray8565]

well done, I'm pleased that I have done some of the things you suggested. Labels, Labels, Labels the only way to go. I do think I will update my out dated brother label maker to the one you used. thanks again for making sense

[@elitelawn9547]

Nice setup. Great tips.😎👍

[@gsaats2500]

Very good thank you.

[@rushja]

I've got some serious workshop envy . I need to up my game!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Hey Brad, I like that slide out tray with magnetic bars. I may have to make myself one.

[@joblo574]

Excellent ideas!

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Glad you like them!

[@andrewbrown8148]

Great video, Brad~!

[@ObsessiveAboutCats]

Thank you; this is an excellent and useful video. I have been needing a solution for my various brad nails, and I will probably adapt your idea.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

That little tray is one of my favorite easy projects

[@ObsessiveAboutCats]

@@Fixthisbuildthat I built it! It works great. I actually built 4 of these that run on drawer slides; I had a nice little spot beneath one of my workbenches where this worked perfectly. I'm using one for long bolts, one for staples, and the other two are TBD. THANK YOU for this idea!!!

[@moogoomoogoo5990]

I love that there’s a picture of Norm Abrams on the wall. I want one. Love me some Norm.

[@Nemesisdba]

Great tips. I bought your plans and have 2 of the 3 drawer done and the 2 five drawer cut out. I’m going to be using the 4 cabinets as part of my Bosch (GCM12SD) dual bevel sliding compound miter saw station.Once that is done I’ll be building 3 upper cabinets. I’ll send you pictures of the finished stuff. Thanks for the plans.

[@Fixthisbuildthat]

Awesome! Can't wait to see it 💪

[@rayarnold8275]

Awesome video thanks for sharing love layouts of you’re shop new subscriber enjoy you’re videos well done god bless

[@jwall62]

Bought the label maker, looked great.

[@abelcasillas1853]

Awesome video! A step up from labels are QR code labels. You can take pictures of each item and put it in a folder linked to a QR code to see what’s in each drawer while your anywhere. You can also take a picture of your idea set up and print it out so you or helpers know how everything fits like the nesting carpenter squares

[@Tensquaremetreworkshop]

Different rule for offcuts- save everything until dedicated space is full. Then replace pieces with better pieces as they happen. So the parts you keep are the best you could keep. Optimum. Little drawers means that, even if they are labelled, you need to check exactly what they are (e.g. brass, domed countersunk, slot head, 25mm, dual thread, full length thread, no 8 screw is a long label...) Having trays in a drawer means you can see them all at once. And still lift out the tray. You want slim drawers as wide as possible- nothing stacked in drawers! Agree that open storage and pegboard is the best primary storage.