Monster racks hanging from the ceiling for material, then the hand drill rack (you can see in my project list, many out there), then the Kreg mobile work table with clamping T track.
Tools aside, best improvements for the shop was to replace the 32 fluorescent bulbs in my lights with LEDs (even though it cost slightly over $200), second was adding heat for winter woodworking.
Well, I think the goals for me are to go to Leds, get a mini split, run 220 and an additional 110 line out to the workshop and get a mini split. Wood flooring would be nice, I have a work bench and a tool wall and use foam pads in several spots and most tools are on casters( just need to fix the driveway to floor transition. My old 3 hp Oneida needs to be hooked up. I went from about 550 sq ft to 200 sq ft and 11 ft ceilings to 7. Thank you for all the comments and suggestions.
Hvac
Led lighting
Good shoes/boots vs mats/wood floor
Windows
Hand planes instead of sandpaper
Planer, TS, router table
Dust collection
Air compressor
Excellent spray gun
Spray booth
Getting EVERYTHING out of the shop that did not belong in the shop. Examples are paint cans, drop cloths, and mechanics tools. Also putting a limit on scrap wood storage
Getting EVERYTHING out of the shop that did not belong in the shop. Examples are paint cans, drop cloths, and mechanics tools. Also putting a limit on scrap wood storage
1) Mini Split
2) Added a subpanel and rewired the whole shop and installed new lighting. Have outlets all over the place and 100+ lumens psf
3) Scrap wood storage cart
Outlets out the a…. uh…. lots of outlets. Both 110V and 220V and several different circuits. Compressed air piping with several hose connection points (with water drains). Extension cords mounted in the ceiling on cable sliders so you can have power right where you need it for hand sanders and the like. Deep sink. Micro fiber dust collection canister. All tools on wheels (except drill press. Too top heavy). Garage door insulation. LED lighting. LOTS of LED lighting. Wall storage (slat wall??)
I must admit that I don't have all of the above, but I would like to have the things I don't have. I could probably add a few things too.
Getting EVERYTHING out of the shop that did not belong in the shop. Examples are paint cans, drop cloths, and mechanics tools. Also putting a limit on scrap wood storage
If sweating for bucks, this would be almost at the top.
I don't do custom so I have a ton of shorts that I have a hard time letting go of. I usually save them and throw them out in the end. I always have to remind myself that I figure 25% waste, pitch it!
A year ago I replaced four 4 tube T12 light fixtures with eight 2 tube LED fixtures and the difference is remarkable.
I want to add four more fixtures too.
In the past few months I did a complete overhaul of the two car garage that included a merciless removal of 95+% of all non woodworking related material, a subpanel, new paint, portable AC unit, rolling clamp rack, rolling wood cart, and 'permanent' machine locations.
Since I can't work without light I will put that as #1.
Clearing out the non-woodworking stuff and a pile of wood scraps is probably #2 because that just made everything better.
I have no idea how I survived for 30 years without the new electricity and the new electricity has allowed me to run a portable AC so the subpanel is #3 and the AC is #4.
200 amp service. I never have to worry about tripping a breaker. I can use any 110/220 appliance , many at the same time, like a 3 hp saw, DC, air conditioning, lighting, welding, etc. Sometimes my son will be working in my shop doing his own project, so many machines can be running at the same time. Also lots of electrical outlets.
I work out of a 1 1/2 car garage that also has to house garden equipment. Two things I have done which have made a HUGE difference in the space available and the ease of getting work done. 1. Clean out ALL the crap that gets relegated to the space (often by the wife) or is busted, rusted or otherwise out of commission. (Vintage wood working tools or machinery awaiting restoration exempted of course.) Throw out, donate, dispose of EVERYTHING that is of no use to you. If you can't mill some of those old nasty looking wood pieces into something useful, throw them in the burn pile. The dump IS your friend. 2. Organize your work space. This doesn't have to take up all your shop time. Pick one area and spend one hour a couple of afternoons or evenings a week sorting it out. I purged the pegboard over my general work bench last February, and hung ONLY those tools I might need on it. No need to hang EVERY screwdriver and pair of pliers I own, just the few that I may use there. Relocate the surplus tools to OTHER areas of the shop where you WILL need them. Saves time, space and a hell of a lot of steps.. Place the tools and items you use with a specific machine with or near that machine. These two simple, but often overlooked "upgrades" have made a MAJOR difference in using the shop space.
This is a great thread. I'm just getting my shop set up and so far 'borrowing' an AC vent from the rest of the house is my next upgrade, especially because in the attic the HVAC unit is about 8 feet from the garage. I've already insulated the garage door and that made about a 20 degree difference (TX). Once I have 72 degree air circulating it will really be nice.
And the brand new 3 HP Grizzly G0651 and new subpanel (3 new 110V, 1 220V) aren't too shabby either.
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