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What's On Your Workbench?

#7,101
What are you guys using for hardware/parts organization? I've got a massive pile of random parts I've bene collecting and it's really getting out of control.
I know, horrible problem to have. 🤣
Currently I've got about 7 guitar bridges, 5 tremolo setups, 7 bass bridges, 10 guitar pickups, 2 bass pickup sets, about 5 sets of neck ferrules, 2 neck plates, 3 different string nuts, strap buttons, jack plates and sockets, knobs, the list goes on and on. How are you guys storing all that stuff? I've been looking at something similar to the DeWalt "ToughSystem", Milwaukee "Packout", Bauer modular bins, etc. Everyone has a version. Or are you guys doing something different?
 
#7,103
TerribleTim68 said:
What are you guys using for hardware/parts organization? I've got a massive pile of random parts I've bene collecting and it's really getting out of control.
I know, horrible problem to have. 🤣
Currently I've got about 7 guitar bridges, 5 tremolo setups, 7 bass bridges, 10 guitar pickups, 2 bass pickup sets, about 5 sets of neck ferrules, 2 neck plates, 3 different string nuts, strap buttons, jack plates and sockets, knobs, the list goes on and on. How are you guys storing all that stuff? I've been looking at something similar to the DeWalt "ToughSystem", Milwaukee "Packout", Bauer modular bins, etc. Everyone has a version. Or are you guys doing something different?
Click to expand...
Yes.

inside workbench.jpg
 
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#7,105
TerribleTim68 said:
What are you guys using for hardware/parts organization?
Click to expand...
Welcome to my parts nightmare:
IMG_9627.jpeg

Pickups^
IMG_9628.jpeg

Pick guards & pickup foam^
IMG_9629.jpeg

God only knows what…. The drawers are full but not in any organized way
IMG_9630.jpeg

Highly miscellaneous ^
IMG_9631.jpeg

Equally miscellaneous ^
IMG_9632.jpeg

I’m not sure what those tuners are doing there but I do remember what they’re for
IMG_9633.jpeg

There are some parts strewn throughout this pile but I’m afraid of this pile so I try to stay away from it.

If you look closely you can see remnants of past attempts to organize things. Mostly failed.
 
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#7,106
I do not have that much. And what I have I can't remember. Or can but cannot find. So this should be relevant for me as well.

I use the Ikea plastic storage boxes for a lot of things. They come in different sizes and can all be piled even with mixed sizes on the same pile. They are not the best for small parts though.
 
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#7,109
Okay, the frets are in and the edges beveled.
IMG_9645.jpeg

Those blocks that are slotted to hold a file at a designated angle are pretty neat but I’ve always just used a trio of single-cut mill files that I smoothed the edges on and epoxy puttied to wood beam “handles”. They’ve worked for me for a long time.
IMG_9646.jpeg

At this point the fret work is done until I get the rest of the neck refinished.
 
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#7,110
TerribleTim68 said:
What are you guys using for hardware/parts organization? I've got a massive pile of random parts I've bene collecting and it's really getting out of control.
I know, horrible problem to have. 🤣
Currently I've got about 7 guitar bridges, 5 tremolo setups, 7 bass bridges, 10 guitar pickups, 2 bass pickup sets, about 5 sets of neck ferrules, 2 neck plates, 3 different string nuts, strap buttons, jack plates and sockets, knobs, the list goes on and on. How are you guys storing all that stuff? I've been looking at something similar to the DeWalt "ToughSystem", Milwaukee "Packout", Bauer modular bins, etc. Everyone has a version. Or are you guys doing something different?
Click to expand...
Old filing cabinet. Tall, roomy, cheap.
Can compartmentalize. 🤔
Neal had a bunch. (..like a bunch 🤦)
Rob hates em...we gave most back to the thrift store...in the move.
I don't, I kinda like em... I kept one. 🤷.
 
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#7,111
TerribleTim68 said:
What are you guys using for hardware/parts organization? I've got a massive pile of random parts I've bene collecting and it's really getting out of control.
I know, horrible problem to have. 🤣
Currently I've got about 7 guitar bridges, 5 tremolo setups, 7 bass bridges, 10 guitar pickups, 2 bass pickup sets, about 5 sets of neck ferrules, 2 neck plates, 3 different string nuts, strap buttons, jack plates and sockets, knobs, the list goes on and on. How are you guys storing all that stuff? I've been looking at something similar to the DeWalt "ToughSystem", Milwaukee "Packout", Bauer modular bins, etc. Everyone has a version. Or are you guys doing something different?
Click to expand...
If you don't want to spend money on storage, look at your recycle stream for likely candidates. For the bigger stuff you're describing, ye olde takeout container backlog and/or ye olde quart yogurt-container backlog work pretty well if you believe in "reuse before recycle" - put some labels on them. Consistent sizes and stackable, shelfable, etc. If your own house does not produce those things, consider requesting from the neighbors. The Talenti containers @BishopJP shows are very nice, clear enough and sturdy, I just keep filling them up with my own home-made frozen desserts after we eat what they came with, so I don't use those for parts storage usually.

Small stuff, pill-bottles or takeout sauce containers with lids. Or envelopes for really small stuff. Can then go in a bigger container of related items for less clutter on the shelves.

Filing cabinets, particularly the "lateral" ones, are delightful as a place to store the accumulated containers of stuff, and frequently cheap at thrift stores. Look for nice ball-bearing action, not chintzy home-market steel on steel with no bearings at all.

If you do want to spend money on storage you can pretty well get rid of all the guitar and racecar money on that so you don't have any left to use the parts you've stored away.
 
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#7,112
The parts for this pedal board have been sitting in an out-of-the-way corner for over a year. I designed it to fit a custom leather briefcase my brother made for me several years ago. I pulled them out the other day and assembled, then sponged on a HEAVY coat of Rit clothing dye (denim blue). Once dry, I sanded back for a semi-distressed look. Kinda interested to see how it is going to look under some water-based clear!

PXL_20260201_034534776.jpg
PXL_20260201_034530715.jpg
 
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#7,113
The third time’s a charm, or so they say. After refinishing the back of the P-bass AGAIN, this third attempt seems to have done the trick. As I’ve said from the beginning, I’m not after perfection. Finishing is hard and I’m a beginner and, besides, this is a 50-year-old, well-used bass. Perfection would look a little out of place in this context.

While not anywhere near perfection, it really looks a lot better than my last attempt and I’m pretty satisfied with it.
IMG_9648.jpeg

Now that I’ve found a more workable procedure I’ll do the same to the tummy cut and then the top.

Meanwhile, I applied and sanded back the first coat on the headstock face.
IMG_9649.jpeg

That’s all I’m doing today. It’s cold outside and my wife asked me to build a fire in the fireplace and sit on the couch with her.
 
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#7,114
Just been messing around with this project while waiting for parts and more confidence to finish up on my other projects
IMG_8630.jpeg
cut a block to glue in so I can mount a p90 in the bridge position
IMG_8784.jpeg
Put some dowels in the neck spot for a tele style neck pickup
IMG_8703.jpeg

Cut up an old strat guard
IMG_8790.jpeg

Started some of the assembly

I plan to use a spare all maple tele neck I have.. I still need to shape the heel and maybe the back of the neck.. and fill a bunch of holes from previous tuners and trees..

Just trying to keep busy! And learn a little every day
 
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#7,115
fatmarris said:
Just been messing around with this project while waiting for parts and more confidence to finish up on my other projects View attachment 7423509cut a block to glue in so I can mount a p90 in the bridge position
View attachment 7423510Put some dowels in the neck spot for a tele style neck pickup
View attachment 7423511
Cut up an old strat guard
View attachment 7423514
Started some of the assembly

I plan to use a spare all maple tele neck I have.. I still need to shape the heel and maybe the back of the neck.. and fill a bunch of holes from previous tuners and trees..

Just trying to keep busy! And learn a little every day
Click to expand...
That is a paint job….
 
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#7,120
fatmarris said:
It’s been kinda entertaining.. my kids have been painting on it and adding stickers from dad’s stash.. it’s getting it’s own personality pretty quickly View attachment 7424594
Click to expand...

Letting your kids participate in your Luthier projects is a wonderful way to teach them Art and Craftsmanship, and the relationship between them. Whatever direction they choose to go in life, that's a strong foundation. And it's a wonderful permanent bonding between you and them.
 
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