The Man's Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

[jlbota]

The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

Well we just moved to our new place a few months back and I have a nice Garage/Pole building 30X36 12ft high. I have ideas swirling through the old noggin on how to equip the garage. Thinking of a lift and a welder and some torches and a nice big tool box....maybe some kind of cool storage cabinets???

Just wondering if you guys could post some pictures of the inside of your garages and some of things you couldn't live without. Hoping to get some ideas...Plus it would just be cool to see where you guys brainstorm when your not on your tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif...... Ahh the man's garage a place where real work is done. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobertN]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

A couple ideas...
-Plumb it for compressed air, so you can hook in easily anywhere. Put a outlet or two by the doors so you can reach outside easy.
-Put plugs, both 110v and 220v in convienant places. You can never have a plug too close to where you are working.
-Make your tools and benches the same height. If you need to cut longer lumber or something, it is nice to have the table saw and the compound miter saw at the same height as the benchtop, drillpress height, ect.
=run a pipe or something up high, so you can use a plastic tarp as a curtian, to section off the barn. If you are sanding or painting, you won't want all that dust or over spray all over the barn and contents.
-Make sure you have light where you will work. Drop lights are great, but do not make up for a well lit work area(mine is not /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif)

 

[srs]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

I'm assuming that the garage already has concrete in it otherwise I would suggest a toilet, wash room (or slop sink). Also having a hose bib inside to wash the floor, equipment, etc. into a floor drain would be great. My old garage had a floor drain and after I would snow plow I would pull my truck into the HEATED garage and let the snow melt off onto the sloped floor toward the drain. Did I mention heat? A neighbor who works for a HVAC company hooked up a ceiling mounted heater (propane) for me and I usually would set it at the bare minimum to keep everything inside from freezing. If I had work to do in there I would kick the heat on and in 15 minutes I was down to my work shirt. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I also had electric garage door openers on both doors (9 X 8). Sure do miss that garage. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif sorry no photos.

 

[jlbota]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

I guess I could have been more descriptive of what mine already has......I need to take a few pics of it to post.

It already has outlets clear around the perimeter of the inside about every 4 ft or so. And I already have one 220 box at the back the building. The floors are finished smooth in concrete with a floor drain on one side. I have natural gas run right up to the building but not used for anything yet. I have water outside also which I need to finish plumbing into the building.
It is completely insulated and ready for winter.

Just needs some finishing touches.

I also need to know about lighting....anyone have some really good lighting that they like? It has lights now but they are just 4 ft flourescents and don't throw off much light. Any ideas are appreciated for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[jlbota]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

Good idea on the air ...and the bench height would be a great idea.....Never thought of that. The curtain idea is great too...I am planning on maybe doing some woodwork and also some metal work in the future...Maybe a car restoration???

The possibilties are endless. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

You don't want pictures of the inside of mine or Junkman's garage /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jlbota]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

I have seen Junkmans garage...Thats a treasure spot for sure. Lots of good stuff in there . All pictures are good. Its neat to see what other people are into.
You don't lose any points for messes or extreme collecting. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[NSBound]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

For more general lighting I have a twin 8-foot fluorescent fixture, and bought commercial-grade tubes from a heating and plumbing place that said they were good for outside use. I have found they give great light even in the dead of winter with no heat on in the garage. I also put in some standard track-lighting with some odd-shaped Phillips "Superlux" bulbs for over the workbench area - gives good close-up light for working.

As my garage has a dirt floor, I mounted a big (400-lb) anvil and a heavy-duty vice on about 6 8X10's, nailed together and dug 3 feet into the dirt floor. They are sure stable! When I build my new garage when I move east, I'm semi-planning to leave a couple of spots in the poured concrete floor to do the same thing there, it has worked so well.

 

[NSBound]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

And another thought, on your point about a welder - I had a separate panel put in the garage, and had an electician wire in 2 220V quite long cords, so I could plug in my welder AND my 220V stall heater at the same time and not trip any breakers. The cords with the plug-in for the welder and the heater are the same, and reach right out the garage door, so I can also work in the driveway in front of the garage.

 

[RobertN]

Re: The Man\'s Garage...Ideas??? Pictures???

Good, two 220v setups. In my dreams though, for the compresser and the welder. I run a 60gal 6hp upright, which really wants 220v. I do not think it would run on 110v... If you are using one, you're usually using the other too /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif