I have bins of "parts". Stuff I think I may "need" someday. But every so often I clean them out, avoiding becoming a hoarder.

But it never fails, a week or two later I start a project and realize I just thew out something that would be PERFECT for this job! Happened to me Sunday. Ugggg.

It’s the eternal struggle. My dad was bad about keeping a ton of “might be useful” stuff. On the flip side, it seemed like whenever someone needed something he responded with, “I’ve got one of those, hold on a minute.”

I freaking hate that. Save it forever, finally give it up, then boom...

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur:
It’s the eternal struggle. My dad was bad about keeping a ton of “might be useful” stuff. On the flip side, it seemed like whenever someone needed something he responded with, “I’ve got one of those, hold on a minute.”

My dad’s response is “in what color?”

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:

quote:

Originally posted by Leemur:
It’s the eternal struggle. My dad was bad about keeping a ton of “might be useful” stuff. On the flip side, it seemed like whenever someone needed something he responded with, “I’ve got one of those, hold on a minute.”

My dad’s response is “in what color?”

That would be me. Not only that, but 90% of the time, I can tell you exactly where it is. Garage. Mechanical bay. Black parts cabinet next to the drill press. Bottom drawer, front, right hand side.

Did that to a kid that needed a particular type of fastener for his 4 wheeler. He looked at me like I was from Mars or something, went to where I told him it was, found it and just walked away shaking his head.

Getting back to the OP, about the only thing I go through with an eye towards throwing stuff away is my scrap steel pile. In the process of building something, virtually ALL the cutoffs get thrown in a bucket. Once a year or so, I'll dump it all out on the floor and sort out the stuff that's not worth saving. IE, a 1 inch long piece of 1" square tubing isn't worth holding onto when I have a 10 foot stick of it elsewhere. I might (might, I say...) come up with a 5 gallon bucket full once a year.

This is ALWAYS the case for me. I sit on a part for 2 years, then decide to toss it and the very next week, need it.

 
My problem is I will toss old stuff I think I may never need, then a year or so later need it, forget I tossed it, and spend a bunch of wasted time looking for where I might have stashed it.

I've gotten rid of most of that stuff. I finally figured theist of storage often exceeds the cost of storage. I'm down to a footlocker full, and I won't look back.

It's usually quicker to get in the car and drive 2hrs to the store to buy amother one. Even though I know I have 10 somewhere in the garage.

One of my goals when I was married some 30+ years ago was to have a workshop. When I or the wife wanted something I wanted to be able to go into the shop and build it. No trips to Lowe’s or the hardware store, etc.
Well, I’m finally there. Have done this several times this past year and it is pretty nice.
Have a friend that is a Blacksmith. We decided he needed a power drop hammer. Used a variable speed, gear reduced motor and assorted steel. Also a 1100 pound block of concrete for a solid, below ground base. Hammer head is solid steel, about 4” dia. and 10” long. Anvil will be the same stock but longer. We have yet to cough up anything for the project. Works well. It would mash a finger dime thin on the first stroke.
So yes, it is really nice to have a stash of stuff as a resource. And the tools and skills as needed. Two workshops is better than one by the way.

Problem is I am beginning to forget what I have...

I used a bumper jack I saved from the 70's to pull some old fence posts out of the ground.I started to throw it away multiple times ,but that little voice told me I might need it one day.

I have a "problem" with not throwing away useful things. If I need it once, and I have some left over, I find a place to stow it.

now, when I need something, I remember that I have one somewhere, just got to find it!

usually it is not exactly what I need, or I may need 2 and all I have is 1. I am finding that I waste more time looking, for something I don't have, than if I just went to the store to start with.

I am finally taking a second look at left overs. do I really need to keep the odd bolt, nut or bracket? I just toss it and walk away, no regrets.

tymll

If I even think I might need something, I keep it. I have never regretted doing that either.

Just recently pitched a ton of stuff and of course threw away a power adapter I knew I would never need again...

Just spent $12 on a new one last week

My wife is the type that doesn't want to throw anything out. I am trying to break her of that and when she says "what if we need it some day" I tell her "just buy another one". Of course that does not mean throw everything out but so far it is pretty unusual that I need something I tossed. Luckily I have Home Depot within 5 minutes from here and a 24 HR Meijer about the same drive. I am pretty organized and usually know exactly where to go to find something of mine unless wife or daughter "borrowed" it and did not put back. Both of them can never find much of anything. Scotch tape always seems to be missing LOL.

swing by , when you are up this way ,
I have about 300 sq feet of stuff you are going to be needing ....eventually .

I have not touched any of it for 14 months , so
its gotta go

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:
My wife is the type that doesn't want to throw anything out. I am trying to break her of that and when she says "what if we need it some day" I tell her "just buy another one".

Same here.
I think my wife is trying to get on an episode of "Hoarders".

I usually realize I needed that part just as the garbage truck is pulling away.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:
My wife is the type that doesn't want to throw anything out. I am trying to break her of that and when she says "what if we need it some day" I tell her "just buy another one".

Same here.
I think my wife is trying to get on an episode of "Hoarders".

I feel your pain.

This seemed apropos: ***not mine, stolen from the internet:

Evil villain: I’ll destroy the world unless you give me 32,000 used gift bags you kept in the closet just in case! Muahaha!

Everyone: Oh no we’re doomed!

My wife: Here, hold my wine.