Tom you nailed a point I knew would make me more productive in the shop but was unable to fully realize until I retired,sorry old guy.
Create a zero set up work space. Don't forget its partner ,a zero tear down work space as well!
Being able to go out and just start is as great as it sounds,but being able to walk away after turning things off and unplugging others is what really makes it.
How many times do we hear, "let's grab lunch",or "how about we go out?" The time saved just being able to drop it and go helps with the other important part of a project car,not being married to it!
Im very bad about that because I set progress goals that are frequently over ambitious leaving me feeling behind so I dig in with doors closed until I catch up,when I should just drop it and take my wife out.
Being able to "drop it and walk out" has other benefits ,if you happen to be doing sheet metal rust repair on a 64 Comet that you're doing a 3 link on (see build section) sometimes those welds need to cool...just step out.
Now I'm not saying the space doesn't need a reset from time to time,all that cutting dust gets everywhere you know,but not having to create a space for the wife's daily saves a tone of time!
I don't have the ability to leave it for long periods of time, but getting quickjacks reduced the operational inertia to get working on something a ton of me. The thought of manually jacking up the car to do something simple was enough to stop me before. Next is operation split mini heat pump I think. Making the garage comfortable is the other biggest barrier. I didn't want to work half the summer.
Loaded question.................space, time, budget, end goal, are all factors.
I've quit doing project cars (even though I want another), because I'm the "while I'm in there" type of person. So my scope ends up going way overboard.
For example, years ago, the headgasket popped in my '88 325is. That turned into an OBD-I S52 swap with a BBK up front.
My number one rule is put your tools away and sweep up.
When you are wrapping up with the work you just did, put your tools away.
If you were too tired to put them up when you finished late last night, spend 5 minutes putting your tools away and sweep up after work or whatever the next day.
The amount of work I get done from that simple task is monumental. Having a clean workspace with tools you can find is awesome. It's inspiring in a weird way.
Honestly, keeping your project in scope is probably more important than many of us realize. Know what winning looks like before you start off. I've seen too many body-off restorations fail because the initial scope was "changing the gummed up carburetor" and it ballooned from there when the owner realized there was a bit of rust under the floor, and then next-thing-you-know the body is dangling from an engine hoist and the owner has all-but given up. That 1975 Porsche has been rusty for 25 years, and it's perfectly-willing to keep on keeping on like that for many more years. Replace your carb and get it back on the road.
In reply to confuZion3 :
Agreed. The best thing about a car is driving it.
