AndyG's work trailer #2

[AndyG]

After having a bad head on in a loaded van in 2013 I began looking for better work ideas and found contractor Ron Paulk out of Anacortes, Washington on line- he had a video on a great trailer set up so I decided to go that direction-

Here is where I am today :

Image one is during a typical work day - everything is designed for easy access and fast set up- the miter saw is cordless and stays put -

First thing was multiple coats of spar varnish inside the trailer, and a traction additive in the final tailgate coat - then added screws to the floor from underneath and screws all in the interior plywood to unify it better -

Tool compartments- all tools are out of the case- I want the tool in my hand -

Marking tools by the back door for a fast grab - the red toolbox in the first image is behind these with all gun nails

Ladders are in the front - things we do not use as frequently are toward the front, or things you only grab once a day like tool belts.

The hoses and cords go out the side door, compressor is behind the air tool mounted in, tank dranks out the floor. This 10 gauge 100 foot cord is the shore cord that runs everything.

The air is plumbed and the big hole is to drain the tank-It has a hose and goes out the floor of the trailer.

Stains are are all readable

Anything that needs to stay out of the way has a retractable tether

This led light has a built in battery that is plugged in to the trailer for light 24/7

All the chargers are wired in - we have 2 main platforms- Dewalt and Milwaukee.

Clamps act as fences for tools during transport and stay handy

Caulk is below the miter saw outfeed

The hot batteries stay handy above the saw , first aid kit is docked below it

The miter saw has an extruded x track with adjustable stops

Cords are real rubber for pliability and hoses polyurethane- the paslode below may be on the way out- the red bin below them is screws to the table and has all the common screws we use-

The trailer is based on lean principles- construction is just manufacturing- done remotely, with lots of variation- so you have to save time where you can to give the challenges you run into the time they need.

Our main rule is nothing has to be moved to get to anything else- this creates shuffling which leads to chaos.

Secondly is we keep complimentary tools together.

Third is frequency of use dictates the layout.

We carry tools to work on tools.

The black boxes have all the hand tools and supplies and although they lock they have neobendium magnets that pull them shut. More magnets are on order- so handy.

I started this at 47 and have learned more in the last 8 years about tool and supply management than all the years before- the trailer stays this neat all the time.

Another truth I’ve learned is the better the system you have is the less you notice it-

Once it is working, your system will tell you if something is missing- it really will.

Another thing this does is prevents frustration- it makes work a joy. This is huge, because mood affects productivity.

In my opinion the average tradesperson works far harder and earns less than they are capable of.

Every day I go to work and know exactly what I have and what I don’t have- which is just as important.

All of this pays for itself- and the only downside is I practically can’t install a light switch cover without it- I simply no longer want to work any other way. It makes it that much easier.

Thanks for reading my thread, and please share any workshop or worksite tips you have - I’m always looking for new ideas.

 

[NWPA Jeepy T]

As a 25 year contractor, this is beautiful!! What is your trailer size? Does your miter saw have a dust mgmt system?
Mine does NOT look like this, but I am inspired!!
Absolutely beautiful!!!

 

[Mhass]

Wow! That's beautiful! I got a little chubby lusting over your trailer!

Damn, had to come back and look again. I tell ya what, seeing that makes me wish I lived closer so I could hire you for some projects I'm gonna end up doing myself because I won't be able to find someone that cares about my project enough to earn my business.
Just awesome!

 

[ColoJeep]

Nice work Andy !

A question and 2 thoughts, Do the hand power tools stay put in the cubbies? Maybe your roads are much smoother down south .
I hope this set-up makes your business more profitable ! it looks like it will !
Go overboard to protect this trailer from POS thieves ! Some meth head that wanders by the site will go out of his way to steal
this rolling jackpot! May God add blessings to you and your family this season.

 

[Sea Cot]

This thread has satisfied, and triggered, my OCD tendencies.

 

[AndyG]

As a 25 year contractor, this is beautiful!! What is your trailer size? Does your miter saw have a dust mgmt system?
Mine does NOT look like this, but I am inspired!!
Absolutely beautiful!!!

7x12 , 6’4 entry height. My prior was 7x14.

We bag it sometimes, but just blow it mostly - sawdust is a problem without it too- comes in in tools mostly. The platform is sealed to the wall so the dust blows out and every compartment has cutouts at the floor so we can blow it out.

My festool kapex does have a good extraction system.

And Thanks- what I found out was I was clueless to my own inefficiency- just worked harder, more hours, more guys. Gave up my “hunting license” when I did this- we are so efficient. That was the big surprise- we weren’t sloppy to start with, but the gain of small advantages is unbelievable really.

I never intended to use a small (71/4”) saw or cut in the trailer- and once I started it we loved it. Perfect for fast cuts, normal trim and blocking, etc.


I have 2 more of the saws in storage as back ups, but one is yet to fail. Large crown gets cut on the Kapex, I ‘ll try to show that set up later.

 

[AndyG]

Nice work Andy !

A question and 2 thoughts, Do the hand power tools stay put in the cubbies? Maybe your roads are much smoother down south .
I hope this set-up makes your business more profitable ! it looks like it will !
Go overboard to protect this trailer from POS thieves ! Some meth head that wanders by the site will go out of his way to steal
this rolling jackpot! May God add blessings to you and your family this season.

They do- the cubbies have lips- Gravity and careful driving is your friend - hitting speed bumps is not. The tools go in heavy end first.

I have 4 of these, but this is my own - had one stolen by a crack head employee. I need to do the Milwaukee “Tick” tracker and yes I am really careful where it sleeps- we have had people try to run in and grab tools as we worked.

Thanks sir. It has more than doubled my income- it put me in a different league-the first job my first one brought in was around $300,000 - I knew we had made a breakthrough. have been very blessed.

For a guy who was $200,000 upside down 10 years ago I am pretty amazed.

 

[AndyG]

As a 25 year contractor, this is beautiful!! What is your trailer size? Does your miter saw have a dust mgmt system?
Mine does NOT look like this, but I am inspired!!
Absolutely beautiful!!!

Just emptying my head ( small job)

I will add you can do this with any vehicle - I’m pretty spastic by nature and struggled with organization for years- we would tear down the rigs and say “ We are going to get organized and stay organized” And two weeks later you could not recognize the thing or find a hammer.

I would say the first thing you have to do is look at your essential tool volume and make sure what you’re getting is large enough- pickups are the hardest-It can be done with the pick up truck but you really have to pay attention and the slide out inserts are very good.

Secondly you have to really really be careful that you spread them out - What ever you do do not layer tools un less it’s something that you use rarely- I keep a water turn tool behind my Burke bar on the same hook because I only have to turn water off occasionally. We also use really big magnets that screwed to the wall to keep Tools from beating the trailer to death or beating each other up. You can do more damage to your tools transporting them than you ever will using them.

My next task is to label the bins and drawers, most of my labels are printed and ready - this builds memory and it makes it where even a 12-year-old can find something or put it back.

Basically if the system will not stay the way it is set up something is wrong- I understand that behavior plays a part in that but If you look around you people will do this in areas of their lives for instance some fly fisherman will have everything laid out perfectly in his workshop but his desk at work will be a mess- A good example is the trail rig threads on here you’ll see guys with very very well done Trail tool set ups-

So what I’m getting at is people can figure this out in any area of their lives-but often will only do it selectively.

Most of us know where our toothbrush is every morning- You just have to expand on that and it does get little bit different when everybody is grabbing the same toothbrush-If a guy does not know how to work out of the trailer then I’ll tell him to lay the tools on the tailgate and I’ll put them up...But people respect order- At the same time the exact same person that will treat that trailer with respect will just throw tools in a trailer that is a mess because they don’t care if you don’t care.

What this is really about controlling what is within your locus of control-You can’t control the way the structure was built Or the shingles are old and crusty if you’re trying to put a vent boot on properly-but wasting time looking for your tools is not going to make it go any better.

To give you an idea of the impact this has had I went from setting tile and doing bathrooms to becoming a residential remodeler that keeps a front log for up to a year and we charge $10,000-$50,000 just to develop a project-This does not go all to development cost-Anything left over from the rendering cost and designs is applied to material purchases-And we sign work constantly. Of course a trailer does not do all that but it is the foundation for our field service and the experience we give the client and attention to detail carries it the rest of the way.

 

[Mike_H]

Nice trailer Andy. One nit-picky observation I made, is that your drills and drivers are taking up unnecessary space in the cubbies...5s principles says the same tool goes in the same spot every time you put it away, so having compartments that are too big for the tool is waste.

This is how I hang my drills and drivers...

Its funny how you mention once you get the 5s in place you don't want it any other way. I've been trying with my personal shop for years...I think I'm starting to turn the corner. There is something so nice about not having to interrupt what you're working on to go look for that missing item you need. SUCH a time saver too.

 

[AndyG]

Wow! That's beautiful! I got a little chubby lusting over your trailer!

Damn, had to come back and look again. I tell ya what, seeing that makes me wish I lived closer so I could hire you for some projects I'm gonna end up doing myself because I won't be able to find someone that cares about my project enough to earn my business.
Just awesome!

Thanks for saying that- what I wanted to create was a a demand us, not for people that just wanted “somebody”- clients that want a clean jobsite, timely service, and no detail unattended- work done beyond code- clients that are building for life- people need to be able to trust us to do what isn’t seen correctly as well, so we do- and send pictures.

It has worked massively. A lot if is Huntsville, Alabama is an incredible market- high incomes, professional people, and they don’t own tools-and don’t want to.

 

[AndyG]

Nice trailer Andy. One observation I made, is that your drills are taking up unnecessary space in the cubbies...5s principles says the same tool goes in the same spot every time you put it away, so having compartments that are too big for the tool is waste.

This is how I hang my drills and drivers...

View attachment 297164


Its funny how you mention once you get the 5s in place you don't want it any other way. I've been trying with my personal shop for years...I think I'm starting to turn the corner. There is something so nice about not having to interrupt what you're working on to go look for that missing item you need. SUCH a time saver too.

Good eye and Yes, you are correct- several reasons

- this one is just getting put in use so we are still fleshing out a few details-

- the idea at first was adjustable cubby width but hand access dictates about 5”, so the wasted volume is more vertical than depth- we may divide them horizontally-

- overall flexibility -if we decide to store a larger tool there we can

- the drills may hang with batteries below or relocate- I’m not thrilled about them even being in there they are used so much- I can see the trim guns being closer and the drills hanging elsewhere for sure because they all look alike in bins- not good- a 12 volt impact is not an 18 volt hammer drill, so we need to dial that in.

Thanks, good post. Reminds me to keep after it - the next thing that often happens is work calls and we leave things less than than optimal. I may just notch the cabinet and eliminate those cubbies and and let the drills hang. Before I do that I may copy yours so i can hang them and use the volume above better. Going to evaluate that today.

I spent yesterday making a better left side saw outfeed, making sure the caulk rides better, tweaking door closure and making sure my tool transfer was complete , then did a service call.

The old trailer it replaced will store bakers scaffolds, concrete tools and field tools once we refit it -things we don’t need mobile all the time- and it stays wherever needed most.

You are spot on- It takes a little bit to grasp it, and you know when you do- work starts to feel effortless. Honestly this one is so much better than its’ predecessor it told me I had adapted my habits more so than improve the system- of course that one was a big step forward from a cluttered van so I was ecstatic.

Another thing this does is after 20 plus years I go to work fired up, excited- people taking walks ask for cards, get pics, clients ask “wheres the trailer?!!” I think it speaks volumes about our passion for what we do.

Next we are making roll around site storage with shelved bakers scaffolds so parts don’t get lost.

Thank you for that post. Good approach.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

That is one great set up. Considerably more than I would have come up with even before my accident.

Once in a while I still give another glass guy a hand when it comes to him needing help with the heavy stuff. Usually large 1/2 thick tempered shower panels or large commercial insulated units when his only employee isn't enough. It drives me nuts that every time I'm there to help we're spending time just digging around the van, tool bag, 5 gallon buckets, etc. to find the right screws, drill bits, the right color silicone, you name it. On a couple of different jobs that would be more than one day I've decided where to put something so it would be found the next time. Unfortunately most of that stuff gets lost sometime between me leaving and returning even if he drives me home in his van and picks me back up the next morning.

I have no idea when the next time he'll need help but even it's not for several years the pictures in this thread will be going through my mind while doing his standard searching for stuff routine.

Never mind me. I'm going back to looking at the pictures and descriptions again.

 

[AndyG]

That is one great set up. Considerably more than I would have come up with even before my accident.

Once in a while I still give another glass guy a hand when it comes to him needing help with the heavy stuff. Usually large 1/2 thick tempered shower panels or large commercial insulated units when his only employee isn't enough. It drives me nuts that every time I'm there to help we're spending time just digging around the van, tool bag, 5 gallon buckets, etc. to find the right screws, drill bits, the right color silicone, you name it. On a couple of different jobs that would be more than one day I've decided where to put something so it would be found the next time. Unfortunately most of that stuff gets lost sometime between me leaving and returning even if he drives me home in his van and picks me back up the next morning.

I have no idea when the next time he'll need help but even it's not for several years the pictures in this thread will be going through my mind while doing his standard searching for stuff routine.

Never mind me. I'm going back to looking at the pictures and descriptions again.

Excellent post - that is exactly the disease- and he is a specialist- of all people to work in chaos- especially when a big piece of glass is in the air and you need a shim, etc. I would almost bet he struggled to execute work and doesn’t make as much as he thinks he should.

Glass work is ultra dangerous- a person needs a calm mindset and good flow.

 

[AndyG]

This is the new left side outfeed-stands up with telescopic poles and drywall sanding heads and attaches with a slide lock and is indexed to the fence and has an x track stop system for repeat cuts.

 

[jgaz]

Fantastic trailer! My OCD self is in love with it.
I have no experience setting up a job site trailer but can appreciate your organization as I try many of the same ideas in my small, multipurpose work space.

And I thought your original gorilla ladder outfeed work support was pretty slick.

 

[AndyG]

Fantastic trailer! My OCD self is in love with it.
I have no experience setting up a job site trailer but can appreciate your organization as I try many of the same ideas in my small, multipurpose work space.
View attachment 297853


And I thought your original gorilla ladder outfeed work support was pretty slick.

Man you have it going on- mine is just less space with wheels- nice, nice shop sir. Love it.

 

[Sea Cot]

Thanks to this thread, I finally dealt with a project I have been putting off building shelves inside the lockers. Currently shopping for Arko bins to optimize fastener/hardware storage and replace the odd-gray bins. Thanks again for triggering me AndyG.

 

[AndyG]

Thanks to this thread, I finally dealt with a project I have been putting off building shelves inside the lockers. Currently shopping for Arko bins to optimize fastener/hardware storage and replace the odd-gray bins. Thanks again for triggering me AndyG.

View attachment 297955

Nice job.

Absolutely- someone did the same for me.

One thing that people miss is they think it is too much work, trouble, etc.

Then they end up being annoyed, frustrated and unproductive- this can go on for years.

Tonight I got velcro to keep the pencil sharpener closed and everything organized for my roofing tool kit for exhaust vent installs-

“ Fix what bugs ya” is Paul Akers maxim- he owns a manufacturing company that excels with Lean- has a ton of videos on YouTube.

For me it has all been about not fighting it - less stress, more productivity.

All the best, good post -

Andy

 

[John Cooper]

I am not gonna lie, my shop is a disaster. @AndyG has inspired me to clean and straighten it up and to keep it that way!!!!!!!

 

[Mike_H]

Nice job.

Absolutely- someone did the same for me.

One thing that people miss is they think it is too much work, trouble, etc.

Then they end up being annoyed, frustrated and unproductive- this can go on for years.

Tonight I got velcro to keep the pencil sharpener closed and everything organized for my roofing tool kit for exhaust vent installs-

“ Fix what bugs ya” is Paul Akers maxim- he owns a manufacturing company that excels with Lean- has a ton of videos on YouTube.

For me it has all been about not fighting it - less stress, more productivity.

All the best, good post -

Andy

Paul Akers used to put out good videos... Some of his newer stuff... He kinda turned into an arrogant prick.

The biggest thing to remember about continuous improvement is that it's continuous... You're never done. The goal isn't perfection. It's to be better today than you were yesterday.