What are the must haves for you're shop?

[rockfla]

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions. @HOOP the last 24hrs have been a discussion of A/C (either a mini split OR a appropriate window unit for the size) for sure SO once "said" shop is built A/C is first, then a lift. I cannot do a toilet Unfortunaetly but a utility sink is a for sure thing. Right now I'm planing a 24 X 36 shop "ONLY" for one project at a time BUT it's not concrete yet!!! NO pun intended!!!!

[deuce5wndw]

If I was designing my shop now I would want a "dirty" room for bead blast cabinet, belt sander with buffer, mig welder and grinders. All of the above make it hard to keep clean for engine assembly or?

[19Fordy]

Storage area.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Storage area.

I'm planning on doing a Conex carport to. Two conex's on each side with a carport between them so I can park the enclosed car trailers and or our dually under it and have both conex's for parts storage!!!

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by deuce5wndw

If I was designing my shop now I would want a "dirty" room for bead blast cabinet, belt sander with buffer, mig welder and grinders. All of the above make it hard to keep clean for engine assembly or?

Excellent advice.

I have my two stage air compressor outside of my shop. It's in its own room that I built on to the rear of the shop to keep noise down.

If your building a shop have an area for all the dirty work and a separate area for final assembly.

[Seth Swoboda]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Don W/Norfolk

Looks like Seth has done his homework. I'd add 4-5 angle grinders with an assortment of cutoff, flap and wire brush wheels. Saves time having to change things out between uses.
Just my 2¢. dw

I have about 90% of what is on my list.

I'll even add that our compact track loader has come in handy for lifting heavy parts or loading and unloading pallets of engines.

[rockfla]

Storage like this

[philipswanson]

Originally Posted by RalphM

I’d be happy just to have a roll up door for getting cars in and out of it easier. Opening and closing the two 8’ x 12’ insulated doors gets old fast.

Yes, that's why you left them open when we were up there visiting. Phil

[Mart]

Two things spring to mind. A good set of taps and dies, with tapping drills, for the threads you expect to encounter. I prefer good quality used rather than new cheapies.

One thing that I find useful is a small compressor, not one for spraying, just one that can be fired up when needed. Mine kicks in when I turn on the lights over my lathe and mill. In my modest shop, by the door I have a retractable air hose reel. I can reach any car inside the shop, and any car parked outside. I can air up the tyres, or use it to blow stuff away when machining, or for instance a little blast around the plug holes before removing the plugs. I can plug further hoses into it to reach the front of the house. It's really a very handy thing to have and being small, airs up quickly and saves running a big one when all you want is a little puff of air.

Mart.

[Hoop]

Aside from hand tools, the first "shop equipment" I bought was a small floor jack from Montgomery Wards and a small Sears air compressor with a tank. As Mart says, that compressor was the handiest ... and the jack was "big time."

I still have the jack and use it. Also have two bigger ones that are indispensable.

BUT ... how many of us have bought shop equipment that we rarely or never use. Like my plasma cutter. Somehow I really thought I had to have one.

Instead of a list of "must haves", how about a list of "didn't have to's?"

[39portlander]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Storage area.

You can never build it big enough it seems, with the two vehicles and equipment I'm maxed out

[Hal Beatty]

Originally Posted by 39portlander

You can never build it big enough it seems, with the two vehicles and equipment I'm maxed out

Yeah... More Square Footage!

[skidmarks]

As for the air compressor, a main shut off valve keeps the tank full and the building is plumb all the way around with drain loops for moisture

[cas3]

tools have been covered, so i'll move on to the building. some small tasks are still done in the driveway by me, so face east for warm sun on cool mornings, and shade in the afternoon. doors on gable end so no gutter needed. no such thing as too much insulation even in florida. the earth under the building stays cool and the insulated shop above it will be at least cooler than outside temps, and a small window AC unit will take out the humidity and keep the place comfortable for cheap. best insulation is spray foam for several reasons. one, it is air tight so no drafts or bugs will be in the shop. mice do not like it, so no nests or other destruction like fiberglass. and it actually gives a building more strength for high winds. 30 x 40 is a good moderate size, not too big to heat or cool, and enough room for some machines and a couple projects. thats a shop size, not mass storage, thats another building. 6" concrete will never give you any trouble cracking. high ceiling if you want a hoist. i have several large eyelets mounted in the ceiling to lift motors and things out of the back of a pickup, and hang stuff for painting. a large rack for the hardware division, i like to have the hardware store at home. enough thoughts for now

[35fordtn]

I work in my shop in early v-8 stuff daily and I have about 85% of what was on Seth’s list. My most used items are a parts washer cabinet (automatic) and my two blast cabinets one has fine and the other coarse, I also use my Sun Machine daily. I’d highly highly recommend a refrigerated air dryer, best investment I’ve made in terms of air lines. Also highly recommend LED lighting and lots of it.

I use my blast cabinets a LOT, and have a 2300 CFM dust collector rigged up to two dust deputy’s, and vented outside. That was a major improvement

[Tinker]

Skip I have a 30x35. They quoted me 14k to sprayfoam it. I know it's the way to go in the north.


I always buy a box of bolts/nuts/washer/screws instead of a handful or what I need. It's cheaper for me to spend the money then on a box (and have it), then drive into town.


Isolating loud equipment is nice.
You guys visited here?
https://www.garagejournal.com/


As far as don'ts. I think the only thing I had was a scissor lift for a bit. Could only really do wheels and brakes. My father-in-law had a driveup ramp he made with concrete. Maybe 3 ft of space under. Very useful. Tools are a different story really. Having a good hub puller is super nice. Don't use it much but when needed it's nice.

[30-9]

Access to Ford Barn and Youtube

[VeryTangled]

I know it's not politically correct these days, but I love a garage with a pit to work under the car. A lift and a pit is what I'd do if I was building a place. Some folks have their pit built into a slope like a bank barn would be, that stops the "danger" from heavier than air explosive gasses collecting in it. With either device, I love standing up while working under a vehicle.

[Terranova]

Originally Posted by 35fordtn

I also use my Sun Machine daily.

Not to hijack the tread, but do you have any pics or video of you using your machine?

[Mart]

If you look for my recent thread with the finding a squeak video you can see me using the taps and dies and the air. It was while doing that job that I thought of this thread. I just used the air a few minutes ago to blow the dust out of a second hand electric motor.

Mart.