Organization and storage Tools and supplies should be at your fingertips/Bob Walker T
here is a new show on the Sci- ence Channel called Through the Wormhole, which covers some re-
ally “out there” subject matter. Recent- ly, one topic discussed was the theory of the existence of a parallel universe. Some very well known and respected physicists actually consider the reality of such a thing, and they make a sur- prisingly good case for it. Knowing that an atom is 99 percent nothing, it is the- orized that it may well exist. Honestly, all of the highly sophisticated (and very, very expensive) experimentation that has been done in this arena could have been spared had they just sat down and talked to any real model rail- roader—you know, RMC readers! Most of us could have set them straight without all that fuss and cost- ly research. Practical experience in this end of the hobby involving an al- ternative universe is in abundance. We have all set a tool down on the work- bench only to have it travel to some al- ternative universe, then later have it magically return when we didn’t need it any more or have purchased a re- placement. I don't think anyone has ac- tually seen a tool reappear, though. They are sneaky that way.
How's that for an introductory para- graph? I always like to start off a month’s column on a light and interest- grabbing note in an effort to con you into reading further. This month was no different, and a lot of hackneyed and trite sayings ran through my head, like: “If you can't find it you might as well not own it” and “a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind.” The latter was obviously coined by an individual with a hopelessly messy desk. In all honesty, and all kidding aside, it all boils down to the fact that the more organized you are, the more you will get done. Truth be told, I am close to the last person that should be preaching to you fine folks about organization. When I have an open house, host a gathering of any kind, or are otherwise prepared for some visitors, my work area is pristine, and tidy, a virtual showplace of organi- zation. Believe me, it’s a ruse. Any oth- er time, the entire basement would be a candidate to be declared a federal disaster area.
I am in the process of building
benchwork for my new adventure into the world of Sn3 (Chama to Durango in the 1950’s). All my On3 buddies claim I
68 OCTOBER 2012
Scratchbuilder’s Corner
have gone over to the dark side, and all my Sn3 buddies said welcome to the dark side! Last Saturday Donna and I spent an hour looking for my screw gun. In that hour much more reward- ing and useful tasks could have been accomplished by either of us. The dog- gone thing had been set down on an unstable surface and slipped into a trash can. I glanced in there on a hunch, having almost lost a rather ex- pensive implement. Lesson learned. In the massive rearrangement of the
Walker basement, railroads and shop facilities taking the brunt of the effort, storage and organization bubbled its way to the surface of my thoughts again. Now, I like to think of myself as a fairly-organized individual. I also like to think that I’m good looking and 30! We all know I am neither, and I probably would get a C+ for organiza- tion. Earlier in my career, a D- would have been more likely, so what little I’ve learned I will share here. During said rearrangement, I was of- ten heard to lament “I have entirely too much stuff!” Finding a place for it all and arranging it in a logical manner be- comes more and more of a challenge as the volume of stuff swells to ridiculous proportions. I have every tool known to man, mostly in unnecessary multiples,
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