Do y'all make check lists for your big projects?

66 BLAKE 96 · Feb 20, 2004

I know I do. Most recently for the interior color change/restoration (last year) and now for the body work and prep for paint. I can't imagine how I'd keep things straight without one, and maybe even more importantly, it serves as a great motivator because I need to know if I'm getting close to the home stretch so I don't get burned out on it.

So far the system is to type it up on the computer, check things off by hand while I'm working, and update the list on the computer with a Zapf Dingbats check mark.

Anyone have any other methodologies for keeping your info straight and the project going in the right direction?

jesserose17 · Feb 20, 2004

No, I don't make check list - just a mental note.. what I do is just to focus on safety first, relibility second, then appearance last.

1. Upgrade/replace brakes, suspension, steering and tires
2. Upgrade/replace drivetrain (engine, trans, axle)
3. Body work/ paint prep
4. Interior work

66 BLAKE 96 · Feb 20, 2004

jesserose17 said:
No, I don't make check list - just a mental note.. what I do is just to focus on safety first, relibility second, then appearance last.

1. Upgrade/replace brakes, suspension, steering and tires
2. Upgrade/replace drivetrain (engine, trans, axle)
3. Body work/ paint prep
4. Interior work

I didn't mean an overall plan for your car, I mean an itemized list of jobs that are included under the umbrella of a specific, large project. Here's an example:

Prep
Front Valance
Stone Guard
Headlight bucket/door
Hood
Driver Fender
Pass. Fender
Drivers Door
Pass. Door
Roof
Vents (body)
Vents (Bezel)
Driver 1/4
Pass 1/4
Trunk
Tail Light Panel
Rear Valance

Inner Fender Resto (Pass)
Clean panels (grind, scrape, sand)
Prep with Metal Ready
Por-15
Seam Seal Corners, Cowl Side

Inner Fender Resto (Driver’s)
Clean panels (grind, scrape, sand)
Prep with Metal Ready
Por-15
Seam Seal Corners, Cowl Side

Jobs
Straighten Drip Rail, Pass Side
Clean Rear Glass Gutter
Paint/Coat inside of Cowl

Trim
Clean
Restore
Polish
Install

electricgreen · Feb 20, 2004

No, but we should. Now that we will be getting into more complex parts (not that replacing the entire pass side inner fender aprons & shock tower werent complex enough!), I think we might have to. It's just that every time I start making a list, it makes it seem SOOO much more overwhelming!!!

66 BLAKE 96 · Feb 20, 2004

electricgreen said:
It's just that every time I start making a list, it makes it seem SOOO much more overwhelming!!!

Heheh, good point!

I guess for me, the fear of the unknown amount is more intimidating than a long to-do list.

akd67 · Feb 20, 2004

66 BLAKE 96 said:
So far the system is to type it up on the computer, check things off by hand while I'm working, and update the list on the computer with a Zapf Dingbats check mark.

I do the same except for the dingbats font! Maybe I'll try that.

I get a sense of satisfaction from checking the stuff off.

geegee · Feb 20, 2004

I made notes as I disassembled the car and that helped me remember the sequence of disassembly. When reassembling, I used the Jim Osborn "Body Assembly Manual" for my model year car. During assembly I occasionally referred to my notes as a confidence measure in using the JO publication.

Swiftone · Feb 20, 2004

I make lists and sort of scheduled order and generally off to the side an idea of price. The problem is that as I make the list I start thinking, "well I should do this too since I am right there and it will be harder to do later".
Thus, my list is always revised and keeps getting bigger and the target price keeps sky-rocketing. Then I feel overwhelmed and I still dont have anything done.

6Stang7 · Feb 20, 2004

Funny you should bring this up. Not more then 2 mins ago I finished making mine for the current engine, tranny, and diff work I have been doing. It not only gives you an idea of what needs to be done, but this way I won't forget to bleed and adjust the rear brakes!!!

-Shaun

gp001 · Feb 20, 2004

Yep, make attack lists for everything we do. We use the local coffee shop as our R&D department to think through any projects and make lists of steps and parts needed. These are often added to etc once we begin working. I used to have a big grease board in the garage until it became the canvas space for drunken, retarded wanna be artists. Too many X-rated drawings and sayings were getting in the way of the important stuff. Now I have a big corkboard that we post stuff on in addition to the computer terminal out there

Realmongo · Feb 20, 2004

Sure do! I find the to-do list an essetial tool for keeping track of a project before, during and after the job. Only way I can remember what to get, what has to be done, and what's needed for the clean-up to tie up all the loose ends.

dolfan87 · Feb 20, 2004

I mostly walk out into the garage, look at everything that still needs to be done, cry, trun around walk back into the house, and sit at the computer wondering if anything good is on Stangnet.

Check Stangnet, nothing really has changed, so head back out into the garage.

Turn on radio.

Stare at the new GT-40 poster on the wall.

Stare at the pretty engine on the stand.

Pick up sand paper, and find the smallest part I can find to finish up.

Put it down and go check my e mail.

'68StangGT · Feb 20, 2004

definately make a list

68converted · Feb 20, 2004

From Telco Project management experience. Nothing beats a good plan. I use Project 98. That way I can allocate the "bitchy looks" project and the "wasn't already running" dialogue to my wonderful wife.

sparkey67 · Feb 20, 2004

If it wasn't for my schedual i would still be in the dissasembly stage with my stang. Deadlines are also a must or I would just put it off every weekend.

66 BLAKE 96 · Feb 21, 2004

First of all, let me say that I'm amazed this hasn't come up before. In my long time here at SN, I just don't recall a time where we pooled our great collective know-how to streamline the process that is The To-Do list.

I'm glad to hear that others have found themselves on the "what have I gotten myself in to" end of a big project, and I constantly remind myself how much of my free time is spent thinking about this hunk of metal, glass and rubber that holds down the floor of my garage. I might as well organize my thoughts while I'm at it.

Tangent: there was a time, not so long ago, that my poor car was holding down a patch of pavement next to the boats at an apartment complex (the first year that I was registered here) while I dreamed of getting this in-depth with my passion, this scrap of history, that I get to make my own. Oh how I appreciate what it is to be a home (and garage) owner.

Thank you all very much for the insight. I feel at once vindicated, for not being at least a little bit crazy, and relieved that a hand full of respected peers organize, obsess, and conduct themselves in an MO similar to my own. Its a good thing for our cars that we are so methodical. While I try to remind myself that its all about the process, I still can't help but dwell on how wonderful it will be to reach another plateau in the quest for the elusive concept of "done".

Thanks again.

HistoricMustang · Feb 21, 2004

Yes, I use one and I have one I go through before each performance event. If I can ever get around to it I will put it up at "Budget Performance" on the site.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

Do y'all make check lists for your big projects?

66 BLAKE 96

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