What’s in your shop (tools)?

[willis]

I am about to move to a new house and have to build a new workshop from scratch. I’m curious what tools outside of your toolbox do you find invaluable? I’ll be setting up a new workbench, but the shop comes with some cabinetry already in place. With a recent sale of my 72 project I have a little spare cash to spend on some upgrades. I have basic hand tools, a pancake compressor, drill press and a puny bench grinder. On my short list is definitely an ultrasonic cleaner, shop vac, and possibly another tool box. I thought about a parts washer but am second guessing as I don’t think I would use it that much. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?

 

[Niels B]

Besides from what you already got I find a vapor honing machine super useful combined with the ultra sonic cleaner, that way you can avoid the parts cleaner all together. On top of that a Mc-lift and a and an engine stand ( there is an new one that allow you to split the engine while in the stand - it’s awesome and you can find it here https://www.xs650.com/threads/chop-source-deluxe-xs650-engine-stand-brackets.64533/

 

[willis]

A new lift is also on my list. I have a crappy one now with a bottle jack. It gets the job done but I don’t like it. A vapor hone would be nice, but I don’t have that kind of spare change in the budget.

 

[atom4488]

In some ways, you are asking a difficult question unless you have a clear idea what you are planning on doing; basic bike maintenance or more extensive builds, parts fabrication or not, etc...

If you have hand tools, a bench grinder, drill press and small compressor, I would add a decent vise, a few die grinders (straight and angled heads, from HF), a few carbide burrs and Roloc discs, a torque wrench, and so on.

Try this as an exercise; imagine what you plan on doing in the shop and then list the tools/machinery etc that you would need to accomplish what you plan on doing. Then take a walk through your local HF store and FB Marketplace and source what you think you'll need, budget permitting.

 

[John Regular]

Does anyone make a device that locates the tool or part that I just had in my hand a minute ago? That's what I really need, and air tools

 

[Downeaster]

As mentioned, what you plan to do determines what you need.

I do a fair bit of metal fab, mostly small stuff. As part of that, I find my home made 2x72 belt sander and porta-band saw stand VERY valuable.

 

[jetmechmarty]

To me, it all starts with an air compressor.

 

[willis]

Belt sander is a good one. My buddy made one out of a 4” grinder and wired it to a light switch. It was pretty clever but he’s also a great fabricator. I suppose it would be nice to build a spot away from my work bench for “dirty” work like drilling, grinding and sanding. In the long term I am hoping to build out a secondary shop in my basement that would be a “clean” shop where I could sit in comfort and work on small projects in when it’s blazing hot or freezing temps outside.

 

[motormike]

A good solid work bench.... twin axle grinder with wire wheel. A well build vise... upright drill press.. either free standing or bench... depending on shop space... shelfs .... for chemicals, parts... cleaning material... a separate shelf dedicated to the project... with various sized plastic tubs to keep parts for the project.... .... a small radio... " rock on ! "... get the biggest tool box-chest you can afford.... Photo is my workspace I share with 6 other guys. It's a 3 level basement.... My fellow basement dwellers are work'n on a T500, H2 750, both proper restorations.... 53' Chief...

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

The best air compressor you can find. And horizontal space. Lots of it. I am constantly looking for a place to put something down but all my work benches and work tops are full of "stuff". Put everything you can on wheels so it can be wheeled around. Oh, and enough storage to keep stuff off the floor.

 

[Jan_P]

The bench vice but you have it covered
May I Suggest a small weld .. A Stick transformer don't cost much and is rarely used but can be used for making special tool solutions as well as other fabrication.

Multi meter and test wires also cheap.
Hand tools for electrical wires and some wires in house
Soldering iron and solder
All thread different diameter perhaps stainless
Some most used nuts and screws in the garage .
Even here it is not always easy to buy a few at a time. And saves time in transport getting replacement for the one dropped.

Good solid JIS Bits and screwdrivers.

 

[Mailman]

Ok Rob, here are a few of my favorite garage additions, in no particular order……

I like a clean looking garage, so I tend to go for enclosed cabinets, built on site and usually pretty affordable and a great way to store your stuff out of sight,


A four foot power strip mounts under the front edge of my work bench, I also paid an electrician to add a few extra outlets in my garage. Someone told me you can never have enough power outlets and they were right!


Adjustable track storage gets stuff off the floor and hangs it on the wall,


Pegboard! I love my pegboard, all my most used tools right over my work bench!


Inexpensive LED shop lighting, I added a bunch. Two of them have motion detectors built in and it’s great! Drive your car in the garage on a dark night and they automatically come on, likewise if I walk out of the house into the garage to take some garbage out ( or whatever ) I don’t even have to hit the light switch, it automatically comes on.


My shop sink! Love it! It’s just too handy. My wife likes it too.


My Harbor Freight roll around mechanics cart,


These wire shelving units can support a ton of weight and they don’t take up much space,


And last but not least, my chain hoist, inexpensive and makes pulling the motor a piece of cake! This required some steel strapping in the attic to brace up the trusses, but works like a champ. You don’t even have to set your beer down!


Be sure to show us what you eventually do!

 

[gggGary]

Does anyone make a device that locates the tool or part that I just had in my hand a minute ago?

Commonly known as a wife. The smirk as she hands it to you comes at no extra charge.
Mine is so good just her entry into the garage usually forces the tool out of hiding.
How does she do that?

 

[46th Georgia]

I am about to move to a new house and have to build a new workshop from scratch. I’m curious what tools outside of your toolbox do you find invaluable? I’ll be setting up a new workbench, but the shop comes with some cabinetry already in place. With a recent sale of my 72 project I have a little spare cash to spend on some upgrades. I have basic hand tools, a pancake compressor, drill press and a puny bench grinder. On my short list is definitely an ultrasonic cleaner, shop vac, and possibly another tool box. I thought about a parts washer but am second guessing as I don’t think I would use it that much. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?

If you know any cabinet makers that do remodels you can offer to pay them a little to not destroy cabinets that they are removing. It's way cheaper than buying "shop" cabinets, and with a nice coat of an "industrial" color and some industrial knobs, etc.,they look great.

 

[DogBunny]

My shop sink! Love it! It’s just too handy. My wife likes it too.
View attachment 337753

Good one! Yeah, a shop sink, or deep sink, or laundry sink, or utility sink is indispensable. The inexpensive ones are always too low, make longer legs for them. And add some adjacent counter space.

 

[Downeaster]

@ThatXS650Guy - what is that car back against the wall with the hood up?

 

[ThatXS650Guy]

@ThatXS650Guy - what is that car back against the wall with the hood up?

A 1968 Triumph Spitfire

 

[willis]

Right now on my short list of supplies to buy are a shop vac, bike lift, ultrasonic cleaner and a belt grinder. Would like to get another lower tool box, but not sure it is in the budget at this time.

 

[Downeaster]

A 1968 Triumph Spitfire

Thanks

 

[Commuter]

Yeah yeah. everyone has a shopping list of nice to haves. Here are some things which you soon realise that you might be missing: Warmth, dryness, skill, spatial ability, health, knowledge. A cold, wet workshop is worse than useless.