Smart Shop tips!

[Doofy]

Also, you can never have to many electrical outlets. Spend a little extra and install 20 amp receptacles, better built and tighter. My opinion is to surface mount all electrical in conduit. Much easier to deal with, less air intrusion and easier to add circuits where needed.

 

[PILOON]

When I built my shop (had to call it a garage to meet code) I did all wiring with 12 gauge and all outlets at about 4 ft for easy access.
My outlets are about 4 ft between each to always have one close by.

Another feature I copied was a wall mounted swinging arm that centers over my work area c/w hanging outlet and light so that I never trip over extensions and power cords.
I simply reach up and plug in any power tools that I need for the task on hand.

It is just so handy to grab dedicated tools vs changing drill bits or driver ends for each operation.
One example is grinder #1 with wire brush and #2 with grinding disk. (and no cords to trip over!)

 

[Doofy]

Hanging receptacle cords are very handy. I need to add just a couple more.

 

[radios1]

did anyone mention to only use plain paper rags?. cloth or reinforced paper rags can pull your hands into machinery, not good at all!.. even gloves can do this!..

 

[Fuddy1952]

did anyone mention to only use plain paper rags?. cloth or reinforced paper rags can pull your hands into machinery, not good at all!.. even gloves can do this!..

That's a good one. I wear gloves a lot except around things that they could snag on! Same with not wearing my wedding ring or wrist watch. (I've never worn a necklace or ear rings either...no offence to guys who do).

 

[Sberry]

I try to gp around once in a while and give stuff I fab up, brackets and pullers a zip of yellow and get them tossed aside where I got a chance of finding them. I need to take an hour or so as it is and shoot a few things I am behind on. Good idea about the chains and rigging.
Here is another shop tip for the day, re mark the old 19/32 in old sets 15MM. I keep the forklift in the storage building and hang a bunch of chains and rigging on the back as additional counter weight.

 

[buck12]

When I built my shop (had to call it a garage to meet code) I did all wiring with 12 gauge and all outlets at about 4 ft for easy access.
My outlets are about 4 ft between each to always have one close by.

Another feature I copied was a wall mounted swinging arm that centers over my work area c/w hanging outlet and light so that I never trip over extensions and power cords.
I simply reach up and plug in any power tools that I need for the task on hand.

It is just so handy to grab dedicated tools vs changing drill bits or driver ends for each operation.
One example is grinder #1 with wire brush and #2 with grinding disk. (and no cords to trip over!)

I did a similar thing with outlets except over my workbench. I spaced them every 24 inches over my workbench.

 

[GeneV]

Homemade heavy duty hinge A.K.A. Mother of Piano Hinges

Bought 1/4" spring steel piano wire from hobby shop, 12 hinges from Menards. Removed hinge pins, ran 1/4" drill thru hinge parts, reassembled on 4' piano wires.
View attachment 682025 View attachment 682026

96 wood screws later, have large under stairs door for chemical storage. No problems in 16 years.

This is real smart!

 

[stuckmotor]

did anyone mention to only use plain paper rags?. cloth or reinforced paper rags can pull your hands into machinery, not good at all!.. even gloves can do this!..

I don't want to say how many times I've wrapped the fingertip of a nitrile glove around a drill bit.

 

[sea2summit]

I don't want to say how many times I've wrapped the fingertip of a nitrile glove around a drill bit.

Always buy another box of nitrile gloves as soon as you open one...especially during the last 12 months.