Must Have Shop Items

[grsthegreat]

Yep. That's why I used him. I took him a stubby pencil drawing/layout of my shop. We stood at the counter for 30 minutes going over it. I had forgotten many things that involved the electrical of the building. He pointed them out. He also laid out my lighting arrangement. I used exposed conduit for everything at his suggestion. He said to wire duplex outlets on the ceiling where the lights would hang. Then put a 6ft pigtail on each 4ft LED fixture that is hanging from the ceiling. That way I have the ability to easily move these fixtures to enhance their lighting ability. I would have never thought to do that.

I also used him when I wired our new house. He was an invaluable asset with that project. Taught me how to wire 4 way dimmable switching to light circuits. Suggested putting switched duplex outlets in the Soffit along the front of our porch. Guess what those are for?

Oh oh.... that sounds like my shop and house. Love my xmas outlets in eves. Mine are hooked into solar time adjusting digital timer switches so they only turn on 15 min before sundown and off at 11 pm.

My shop is 100% EMT piped to prevent rodent issues. My shop lights are all plug in style. The only issue nowdays is if you plug in shop lights instead of hardwiring them, the circuit has to be GFCI protected. Hardwired lights do not.

 

[ovrszd]

Oh oh.... that sounds like my shop and house. Love my xmas outlets in eves. Mine are hooked into solar time adjusting digital timer switches so they only turn on 15 min before sundown and off at 11 pm.

My shop is 100% EMT piped to prevent rodent issues. My shop lights are all plug in style. The only issue nowdays is if you plug in shop lights instead of hardwiring them, the circuit has to be GFCI protected. Hardwired lights do not.

Yep on the xmas light circuit. I wouldn't have thought of doing that at all.

I've got a Binzebo out by the road that I built a few years ago. We decorate it seasonally. Have xmas lights on it that are on a dusk/dawn timer. I have them set to turn off at 10p.m.

 

[Diggin It]

One thing I don't think I've seen mentioned is a washing machine for shop rags and clothes. Might not be a thing for most of us, but those with serious shops could make use of it instead of dragging the nasties into the house. I don't have plumbing in my shed ... or even a floor, so no go for me.

 

[ericm979]

I learned as a teenager that washing oily rags in the regular family clothes washer is not a good idea.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Probably posted this long ago but here is a reminder. Rained yesterday so no outside work and back to the shop, used all these:

Drill Press w/lots of accessories

Metal cutting horizontal band saw

Air compressor

Welders, O/A & SMAW

Ron

 

[i7win7]

If you don't have it, you need it. Guys with tools are like women with shoes. If you buy a tool and use it 10 years later you'll be glad you had the foresight to buy it. magnetic pickup tools and long reach tools aren't daily use tools, super handy when needed.

 

[Xfaxman]

Must have a hydraulic press:

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I have that one, or one very similar (HF 12 Ton). Used it recently to press spindles out of bearings that need to be replaced. Will be using it again as soon as I get the new bearings.

 

[jmc]

...magnetic pickup tools and long reach tools aren't daily use tools, super handy when needed.

Those compound hinged pliers might be a nice concept for a manual post hole digger...

 

[ericm979]

Those compound hinged pliers might be a nice concept for a manual post hole digger...

Not looking forwards to lifting that in and out of a deep hole though.

I have the common flexy cable long reach grabber with little fingers on the end. I've had it for at least 30 years and finally needed it the other day when I dropped a nut into my PTO chipper. I taped the grabber to a coat hanger along with a cheap PC borescope. Worked pretty well.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Well, get with the program. In Alaska, a Shop is a necessity. It took me some 25 years of working in the ice, snow, rain,mud and gravel to finally get fed up enough and build one. Sure makes life easier.

I'd love to have a shop, the problem is a lack of money--which is why I'm envious of everybody who has a shop.

 

[Doofy]

I'd love to have a shop, the problem is a lack of money--which is why I'm envious of everybody who has a shop.

Doesn't need to be fancy, large or expensive. Even salvaged materials can be used and and then "spruced up" at a later date. Anything is better than nothing.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Doesn't need to be fancy, large or expensive. Even salvaged materials can be used and then "spruced up" at a later date. Anything is better than nothing.

Part of my problem is the $32,000 need just to bring in power. The other part of the problem is the $48,000 just to put up an insolated building with a roof strong enough to support 160 pounds per square foot to support our snow loads.

 

[dragoneggs]

Part of my problem is the $32,000 need just to bring in power. The other part of the problem is the $48,000 just to put up an insolated building with a roof strong enough to support 160 pounds per square foot to support our snow loads.

This is the sort of building costs that convinced me I didn't really need a new construction with all the hassles of permits, building on a slope, etc. I settled on converting my 2 car detached garage and less than half the floor space. Now the cars will never have a chance to be garaged. Compromises.

 

[ovrszd]

I'd love to have a shop, the problem is a lack of money--which is why I'm envious of everybody who has a shop.

Eric, of my many Blessings my shop is in the top 5. My wish/prayer for you is that you someday have a shop that meets your needs/wants.

 

[Xfaxman]

Must have a place to hang chains:

 

[ovrszd]

Part of my problem is the $32,000 need just to bring in power. The other part of the problem is the $48,000 just to put up an insolated building with a roof strong enough to support 160 pounds per square foot to support our snow loads.

I helped my youngest Son add on his shop last Summer. He added 30x40. Hired the pole building shell addition. We prepped the floor and then he hired the concrete poured. We did all the rest. He had $30K invested. Alarmingly high priced!!!!! Fully functional addition, insulated sheathed inside, small bathroom, well lit, one overhead one walkin.

So I fully understand the wall you are up against. Again, hoping for resolution for you!!!! You NEED a shop!!!!

 

[ovrszd]

X, nice chain hanger. Mine ain't nearly that well organized. Hope the wheelchair is for a past need.

 

[Doofy]

Part of my problem is the $32,000 need just to bring in power. The other part of the problem is the $48,000 just to put up an insolated building with a roof strong enough to support 160 pounds per square foot to support our snow loads.

I'd be moving. I complain about our measley 60" of snow per year and even that is fairly dry snow. I feel your pain.

 

[Big Barn]

Must have a place to hang chains:

View attachment 655355

Ooh. Way too neat