Problem at hand

We are taking a look at reorganizing the shop to provide better access to commonly used resources and more effective storage of used parts.

We need to give a home to the following things:

We would like to improve the storage of the following:

Background

See the page on dealing with small and medium parts .

Proposed Solution

Small parts

We can get new containers that are stackable/hanging with a place for labels, can be looked into and come in different colors. We would like to remove the white wood shelf (containing lubricants, etc.) and put the small parts storage in that space. This will free up the shelf that is currently holding the small parts (white metal shelf).

Color coding

Colors will be assigned used to distinguish between categories of parts.

Categories based on location on the bike:

  1. Brakes
    1. Cantilever
    2. Center-pull
    3. V-Brakes
    4. Mountain
    5. Road
  2. Cabling
    1. Brakes
    2. Shifting
  3. Drivetrain
    1. Bottom Bracket
      1. 3 piece
      2. Single piece
    2. Dérailleur
      1. Front Dérailleur
      2. Rear Dérailleur
    3. Shifters
      1. Grip Shifters
  4. Other
    1. General Hardware
    2. Suspension
    3. Accessories
  5. Seats
  6. Steering
    1. Headset
  7. Wheels
    1. Hubs

We can have a total of 6 different colors for the bins, but may realistically only be able to order 3 different colors, so we may need to combine a couple of categories or put more into the “Other” category. There is a minimum number of bins we can buy for any given color (24 bins).

To differentiate between category, we probably should not rely on bin color, so we should find a way to label bin colors ourselves. The color electrical tape used on the card catalogs seems pretty good and is simple.

To differentiate sub-categories, we can have different colored labels for each bin. We then can have a nice sign that will act as a legend to indicate what the color stands for.

Bin sizes and numbers

See the dealing with small parts page for details. A very rough initial estimate shows we may want as many as 150 bins. They could take up a shelf that is 4 feet wide and 7 feet tall. If this is too much space, then there are options to reduce the number of bins used and the amount of space used by the bins.

Bin Storage (Shelves for the bins)

We could keep our existing white shelf and maybe modify it to have more shelves that are not as tall. The end result could look something like the following (See the comparison between using shelves vs. hanging bins on the dealing with small parts page for rationale.):

Enhancements to the bin shelving

Estimated Cost

Specific Selection

Quantum Economy Recycled Shelf Bins

Bins

(example image)

Model No Outside Dimensions Carton Qty. Price Each Order Qty Cost
QSB101BR 11 5/8"L x 4 1/8"W x 4"H 36 $1.12 72 (2 ctns) $80.64
Dividers

(example image)

Model No For Bin Model No. Carton Qty. Price Each Order Qty Cost
DSB101 QSB101 50 $0.31 100 (2 ctns) $31.00
Shelf space?

Space Needed:

Actions:

What to do with the old parts storage

Library catalogs

We want to keep the library catalogs since they are fairly sturdy and certainly useful to us. We can put generic nuts and bolts into them, and store them on top of the filing cabinets. We may need to clean out some stuff on the top of the cabinets. We also need to check whether the filing cabinets are able to support the extra weight of the library catalogs and their contents.

We will need to seal off the library catalogs if they are going to be used for nuts and bolts. That can be done by making new bottoms.

Plastic bins

We can consolidate the bins and see how intact they are or how broken down they are. If they are still good, we can also use them for sorting generic nuts and bolts. We may use the library catalog drawers for large general categories of rather unsorted hardware, and then the smaller plastic drawers for more carefully sorted hardware in more specific categories. Also, rare hardware will not need large drawers and common hardware will need larger drawers. If we don’t find a good use for the plastic bins, we can just give them away to somebody.

The plastic bins may be better than the card catalogs for holding hardware since they are sealed off, but each individual bin may be too small for how we want to use them.

We might also consider providing for “overflow” drawers in case we temporarily have excess amounts of a given part. One problem with the current arrangement is overstuffed drawers that don’t close, with nowhere else for the parts to go.

Computer

The computer can be put under the desk at the front, right above where we keep the toolboxes. There was nothing in the space except for an empty box and some spray paint cans, so it is now available to use.

This might require drilling a small hole for cable routing in the back of the surface of the desk — check to see if there is any pre-existing opening at the back first though.

Drinking Water

We are concerned that leaking water would damage the computer. Also, the computer monitor would likely go where the water is now. Additionally, there is no good spot to store the bottles. We propose making a stand to put between the work benches and the shelving/bins area.

Cranks

Storage for the single piece cranks and the three piece cranks can be done separately.

Single-piece cranks

We can make “trees” that are similar to post-card displays in stores that rotate. The cranks would insert into a holder and the holder would rotate about a central column. A prototype holder has been made from wheels and a stem bolt and it looks like it could have a decent capacity for cranks.

Three piece cranks

We can make a rack for storing cranks with chainrings attached. Matching sets should be paired and tied together. Cranks without chainrings can be stored in a box.

The rack will be constructed from 2×4 and cut-up aluminum 26" rims that are no good. I’ll upload a sketch if I get time to make one. We could use steel rims too, but the process will be more difficult. The rack construction will be rather labor intensive and may not be completed by March. We may have the rack be an on-going project that will be completed by the summer.


Cable and Housing

Change the current storage system with new storage that will be space efficient and help to sort parts. The new storage will be based on using PVC piping.

Large diameter PVC piping with a closed bottom and open top. The diameter is large enough to put your hand into. We can have three pipes of short, medium and long lengths. Parts of corresponding lengths will go into each pipe. We will build supports for the tubes so they can be free-standing in some manner (individually or more likely as a set)

We will have a set of pipes for:

Possible issues & solutions:

These new tubes will not take much space. One good place we could put them would be with the stand that we will make for the drinking water.

Making space for these changes

In the process of finding homes for those items, the following may be displaced and will also need to find new homes:

Items we may not address

Resulting benefits

Access to resources

Effective storage

Better viewing, and storage for used parts