Tip of the day.

[JethroB]

Add a light timer switch in the shop/barn. hit the 5 min button for feeding the cats and leaving by the back door. Or select any 1 hour time frame or constant on... never leave the lights on when not needed again. hopefully

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0184PH9TM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I put in motion dectector light switches in walk-in closets and the utility room. They can be set to ‘auto-off‘ in a minute or up to 10 minutes. Handy and about $25 each.

 

[jmc]

I keep finding new uses for my hydraulic lift, roll-around shop cart. Discount tool outlets sell them.

Heavy items in your pickup truck can be slid onto it at tailgate height, rolled elsewhere, and then eased almost to the ground where you can deal with it. Or reverse that process to load your truck.

If you have a portable vise, you can stabilize it on your cart table, clamp your workpiece, and adjust the height to comfortably drill it, grind it, paint it...

It can be an improvised table extension for cutting long pieces, or as an outfeed table. Matching the heights is easy. Matching higher table heights, like my radial arm saw, requires some blocks on the cart table.

500 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Amazing deals on this 500Lb Hydraulic Table Cart at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Avenger]

I put in motion dectector light switches in walk-in closets and the utility room. They can be set to ‘auto-off‘ in a minute or up to 10 minutes. Handy and about $25 each.

I do something similar around the outside of my home, in the darker areas. I use these

https://www.amazon.com/4-Pack-Outdoor-Solar-Lights-Waterproof/dp/B08VMTQ84G/ref=sr_1_24?crid=27UAD6BN08LXI&keywords=litom&qid=1667702707&sprefix=litom%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-24

They are outdoor solar powered motion sensor lights. Mine stay dim at night and turn bright when motion is detected. Great for paths, the back side of the shop, etc. Not blinding, but just enough to be able to see while watering the tree at night

 

[BravoXray]

Not blinding, but just enough to be able to see while watering the tree at night

You water your trees at night too?

 

[JethroB]

I have bought several used old style heavy steel filing cabinets at surplus stores. Usually for $40-50 each. They are compact standing upright but have an amazing amount of storage. I use some drawers for all of my equipment owners manuals and service guides, and others for tools and miscellaneous.

And two drawer file cabinets make great pedestals for a low workbench or desk. Just add plywood or my favorite, a piece of Formica countertop.

 

[ponytug]

And two drawer file cabinets make great pedestals for a low workbench or desk. Just add plywood or my favorite, a piece of Formica countertop.

I have used a door on top of filing cabinets as a desk since I was a kid. I love the acreage.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I keep finding new uses for my hydraulic lift, roll-around shop cart. Discount tool outlets sell them.

Heavy items in your pickup truck can be slid onto it at tailgate height, rolled elsewhere, and then eased almost to the ground where you can deal with it. Or reverse that process to load your truck.

If you have a portable vise, you can stabilize it on your cart table, clamp your workpiece, and adjust the height to comfortably drill it, grind it, paint it...

It can be an improvised table extension for cutting long pieces, or as an outfeed table. Matching the heights is easy. Matching higher table heights, like my radial arm saw, requires some blocks on the cart table.

500 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

Amazing deals on this 500Lb Hydraulic Table Cart at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I want one of these BAD!

 

[newbury]

Add a light timer switch in the shop/barn. hit the 5 min button for feeding the cats and leaving by the back door. Or select any 1 hour time frame or constant on... never leave the lights on when not needed again. hopefully

Along the "let there be light" ideas:
I've about 4 areas in my shops that could be as dark as hades for all I care 95% of the time. One shop is 30x60 with no windows and I've about 30 four foot overhead LED lights, that originally were controlled by 2 switches near the entrances.
But for the last five years or so it's been mostly storage.
I found I often had to go in there, flip on a bank of lights, then paw around for some of the stored stuff - bolts, plumbing fixtures, etc. And usually find what I need quickly, leave and not need the light anymore.
I disliked turning on and off an entire bank of lights for brief usage, so I've got several motion detector lights from Amazon that act as spot lights, sort of "under cabinet" lights.

 

[newbury]

There are good, steel, American made cans out there that are durable and don't leak. I own three of them and used and abused them for years. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQO15I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 768950

I've bought about 6 of those and the Justrite AccuFlow 5 Gallon over the last 10 years. I think I've had to replace one of the gaskets IIRC. They take a lickin and keep on tick'n.

$114 per can! They better be good. I keep 5 cans at home, but dont have that kind of budget.

Yeah, when I bought mine they were going normally for ~$65, on sale for $45 or less.

 

[jyoutz]

And two drawer file cabinets make great pedestals for a low workbench or desk. Just add plywood or my favorite, a piece of Formica countertop.

I made those desks for my sons when they were in grade school. Worked well and were cheap.