Keeping a clean shop?

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I'm two years into my welding career, and I've had three good jobs so far, and a couple temporary jobs with small shops. I've noticed that the bigger companies are the shops that really keep a cleaner shop, as far as general cleanliness and your own duties keeping your area well kept. All of the smaller shops I've been to, the ones who are owned by one guy are the shops that tend to be a little bit dirtier, as well as not really safety orientated as the bigger shops I've worked at.  If you guys had your own shops, would you stress keeping a clean shop? I mean in my opinion, a welding shop should be pretty clean, as far as general upkeep. But when you let your racks get out of control, and have scrap all over the place, and dust piles everywhere then you know it's time to clean house right? I'm just saying this because the job that I have now, is a great job. I'm learning alot, probably the most out of all my jobs so far. But this shop isn't that clean, the machines are old, and as far as keeping a well supplied shop yes they are doing it but I get the hint that it's at a cost effective doing so (cheaper gloves, old equipment). They also don't have tools, welders are required to have their own tools which I don't mind, I actually like having my own tool box and tools, that way I don't have to use something that's in bad condition or barely working but I've had a good job where they have all the tools required and they're well kept and newer (had their own maintenance department).  I guess this is more of a rant or vent or whatever, but again just wondering what you guys have experienced and what your opinions are on shop upkeep and stuff related to it.
Reply:What is your definition of clean ? Eat off the floor type of clean ? Keeping a clean area makes working a lot easier and safer.When I am working I make a freaking mess, once the job is complete then its clean up time unless I got more work, Cleaning for me includes covering all machinery with poly tarps, sweep floor, vacuum under plasma/ welding table, hang stuff back on the wall in a way that is organized to me.  I do dust my toolboxes often not because I am a clean freak but because I am in a dusty environment, Because I love my tools I do wipe down with grease and wax remover on most of my tools and oil if needed when time permits.The outside doesn't look so hot so I should go do some cleaning .
Reply:I think its fair to say most people would rather work in a clean environment.  But all attitudes to the subject are as different as people are to one and other.
Reply:I figure if I know where what I need is from the last time I used it and I'm not gonna trip getting over there, it's good enough. I may or may not get to that oil slick bout this time next week, or the next.....Not really. I tend to get as much out of the way about once a month and drag a broom though the shop unless I've been running the chop saw or grinding which makes a concentrated mess. I do tend to replace both my hand and shop tools back in their normal storage places once done with them, but clean is probably not what I keep the shop as any longer. Productive, certainly when it's needed. Large shops usually have employees and are subject to many rules a small shop is not. I've been in differing types of businesses and cleanliness has very little to do with profitability unless accidents are waiting to happen because of the operating environment. I will say however a business with a lot of retail traffic will benefit from a clean appearance work atmosphere. Specialty manufacturers; it doesn't have the appeal to the purchaser as it does the mass producer.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:I doubt it has to do as much with the business as it is with the people running the places...some people like things neat and tidy and clean, others don't care. I fit into the very organized category and it annoys me when trying to work in a space that isn't.
Reply:Bigger shops stress clean ups during safety meetings. Tripping hazards usually top the list.
Reply:we have a daily sweep up mainly when each job is finished, But once a week each friday about an hour before going home we have a "Friday Tidy" throughout the workshop its amazing just how much you can clear up in about an hour, so its all nice and clean for Monday
Reply:I am all for clean shop sweep /vac pick up put away mop if you have to. What I can't stand is the AIR BROOM guys who clean up by blowing the dirt someplace else ,then act like they did something great.gxbxc
Reply:i'm 43 year's into my welding career and have worked in all kinds of shops. in every shop that i had any control over the place was immaculate. i hate tripping over stuff laying all over the shop floor. my office is another story, books and dvd's stacked up everywhere. a clean shop is not only safer but can save money. i've worked in my friend's shop which is a wreck. idk how many times we had to order stuff that i know he had but was buried under the mess and clutter. also there's nothing more depressing than walking into a s#!thole on a cold winter morning especially a monday. but that's just me.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by NinjaRayWhat is your definition of clean ? Eat off the floor type of clean ? Keeping a clean area makes working a lot easier and safer.When I am working I make a freaking mess, once the job is complete then its clean up time unless I got more work, Cleaning for me includes covering all machinery with poly tarps, sweep floor, vacuum under plasma/ welding table, hang stuff back on the wall in a way that is organized to me.  I do dust my toolboxes often not because I am a clean freak but because I am in a dusty environment, Because I love my tools I do wipe down with grease and wax remover on most of my tools and oil if needed when time permits.The outside doesn't look so hot so I should go do some cleaning .
Reply:A clean organized shop is the most effective way to work. Not in every case is it true but you can often look at a persons area and tell what sort of work they put out.There are pack rats. People who keep burnt out light bulbs and piles of broken stuff they will never fix. I don't know what they are called but I was digging in a drawer at work and found a box full of broken combination square locking mechanism. How you break them in the first place is interesting but why would you keep them? Fix it or toss it.During our last cleaning session we had a crew in putting in a new ceiling and they asked how often we did this type of cleaning. It was April and the second time of the year. They figured it was a once a decade cleaning. Our floors are painted and usually mopped daily. If we were smarter and realized our grinding and welding operations need to be done differently we could offer birthing classes here.
Reply:Originally Posted by Tat2dHandzOh my god, how did you know? I want to eat my lunch off the floor at work! You nailed it!
Reply:I work in what my coworker calls "organized chaos" We primarily work out of a service bed with a bobcat 250, if he's running the show that day everything that is used for one step goes back in the truck immediatly, and everything is organizedwhen I am at the helm....cables everywhere, 2-3 grinders with extension cords running every which way, pads strewn about, and tools flying, i like to blast through the work, get er done, then worry about the birdsnest Ive created, but i do organize my **** every once in a while, drives the guy nuts!!Miller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:In this work that I am. All is maniacs with cleaning. But they never work. If you are working you dirt.
Reply:My guys keep the shop reasonably clean, and they are very good employees. One thing they do. I can't stand, is spit sunflower seeds everywhere. I have cracked down on it and it returns. They are good enough it's probably something I just need to learn to tolerate. It's certainly not worth replacing them over. They also play sports radio fairly load, which just sounds like arguing to me. I can't concentrate or do accurate math when it's on. Another thing I might just need to tolerate. Maybe I'm becoming grumpier as I get older.
Reply:Mine is a mess, If I wasn't busy doing actual work, it would be clean.
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcWhat I can't stand is the AIR BROOM guys who clean up by blowing the dirt someplace else ,then act like they did something great.gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Did somebody just call my name?  I keep a blower on the truck just for blowing all my dust somewhere else!
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinI have a guy in my shop like that, I'm like thanks bud, you've just moved your mess into MY area, good job
Reply:I am a one man band at my homeshop. I try to keep clean as I go. Sometimes when I have a messy work area and I get slowed down because of looking for things. I stop what I am doing and clean up, sweep, vacuum (Bpt, lathe) put tools away and then re-start with a clean slate. In the long run it makes a more effiecient shop. May sound crazy but it works for me.T.J.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Originally Posted by TJSI am a one man band at my homeshop. I try to keep clean as I go. Sometimes when I have a messy work area and I get slowed down because of looking for things. I stop what I am doing and clean up, sweep, vacuum (Bpt, lathe) put tools away and then re-start with a clean slate. In the long run it makes a more effiecient shop. May sound crazy but it works for me.T.J.
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Did somebody just call my name?  I keep a blower on the truck just for blowing all my dust somewhere else!
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Did somebody just call my name?  I keep a blower on the truck just for blowing all my dust somewhere else!
Reply:I go through and give my shop a good scrubbing about once a week. I have a designated tool catch table that all my tools get piled on after they are used, I know where they are and if it become a problem finding things it all gets cleaned and put where it belongs. Other than big messes or a chaotic day, cleaning once a week dose just fine for me.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550Did somebody just call my name?  I keep a blower on the truck just for blowing all my dust somewhere else!I prefer a clean and organized shop,  by the way those two things are separate things.  Organized is more important than clean to me, I hate not being able to find something. I usually clean up after every job and put everything back in its designated place.   I also wear a respirator when I sweep
Reply:Originally Posted by mikecwikA clean organized shop is the most effective way to work. Not in every case is it true but you can often look at a persons area and tell what sort of work they put out.There are pack rats. People who keep burnt out light bulbs and piles of broken stuff they will never fix. I don't know what they are called but I was digging in a drawer at work and found a box full of broken combination square locking mechanism. How you break them in the first place is interesting but why would you keep them? Fix it or toss it.During our last cleaning session we had a crew in putting in a new ceiling and they asked how often we did this type of cleaning. It was April and the second time of the year. They figured it was a once a decade cleaning. Our floors are painted and usually mopped daily. If we were smarter and realized our grinding and welding operations need to be done differently we could offer birthing classes here.
Reply:I have been thinking about a floor and hand magnet myself. It will probably be another one of those things that I kick myself for not buying years ago.Sent from my SCH-I545 using TapatalkCRIME SCENES, COURT DATES, FUNERALS, RIDING THROUGH THE CITY WITH A BITCH THAT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL IT'S JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAnd the leaves go to one neighbor in the summer, the snow to a different one in the winter - because of the seasonal change in prevailing winds
Reply:Originally Posted by 12345678910And put enough dust into the air to give a horse emphysema
Reply:Originally Posted by tbone550I have a friend who loads the leaves from his small lot up into the bed of his pickup, then drives around 'til they're all gone.
Reply:Sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms.  Give the ship (shop) a clean sweep down fore and aft.I too am a big fan of a clean and organized work area.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99I go through and give my shop a good scrubbing about once a week. I have a designated tool catch table that all my tools get piled on after they are used, I know where they are and if it become a problem finding things it all gets cleaned and put where it belongs. Other than big messes or a chaotic day, cleaning once a week dose just fine for me.