New Workshop - Ideas Needed

[Staniam]

Hey guys so I've been away for the most part since I moved to Arkansas from California last month. I've had a chance to settle in and now I need some ideas on how to fill up my new workshop area.

It's a single car garage so it's not a huge space but it's all mine and it's about empty save for the minimum I've needed for the couple projects I've already had.

So, I'm open for any and all ideas!

 

[Droc7683]

My first project would be to put some better lighting in. I do a lot of my projects in the evening and have found a well lit garage makes things much easier.

 

[Staniam]

I spent a couple weeks mulling on how to do that and yesterday I actually put in two extra overhead light bulbs. 60 watt day light LED and also replaced the existing bulb near the garage motor with a 3rd daylight LED. Doesn't show in these pictures but the garage is beautifully lit with "daylight" now.

 

[bkharman]

You could look into one of these...

Pricey. Yes.
Bright as 7734. YES!
http://www.bigasslight.com/homes-shops/

 

[John Beauchamp]

Build a workbench with mft type top and legs with holes for clamping like MFTC, put on heavy locking wheels, and drawers for storage. Add a 3/4 emt boom arm on back with ct under. Or just build a MFTC with the added tables everything folds up for easy storage.

 

[elfick]

You could look into one of these...

Pricey. Yes.
Bright as 7734. YES!

http://www.bigasslight.com/homes-shops/

Kinda looks like a light at the dentist office.

 

[bkharman]

You could look into one of these...

Pricey. Yes.
Bright as 7734. YES!

http://www.bigasslight.com/homes-shops/

Kinda looks like a light at the dentist office.

At the Senco plant near my house they have a bunch of them and it is amazing the amount of light they put out.

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[Staniam]

Build a workbench with mft type top and legs with holes for clamping like MFTC, put on heavy locking wheels, and drawers for storage. Add a 3/4 emt boom arm on back with ct under. Or just build a MFTC with the added tables everything folds up for easy storage.

Movable worktop definitely is a must with my space, you're right. I never thought of the boom arm, that's a great idea.

 

[bkharman]

Build a workbench with mft type top and legs with holes for clamping like MFTC, put on heavy locking wheels, and drawers for storage. Add a 3/4 emt boom arm on back with ct under. Or just build a MFTC with the added tables everything folds up for easy storage.

Movable worktop definitely is a must with my space, you're right. I never thought of the boom arm, that's a great idea.

One option that I thought about before I built my shop was to mount a piano hinge to the wall and connect it to one profile on an MFT. Then swing the legs down and fold it against the wall when you don't need it.

Hope this helps. Bryan.

 

[Staniam]

That coupled with a movable worktop would be a nice set up. Like attach the two MDF slabs I already have made to the wall and work on the movable top.

I'm thinking about having one wall open for long wood boards storage and even sheet storage.

 

[rvieceli]

Before you do anything else, pull stuff away from the walls and paint all the walls white. It will make a world of difference in the space.

 

[rvieceli]

do you need to keep those plastic tubs in the garage?

What are the dimensions of the space?

 

[Staniam]

Before you do anything else, pull stuff away from the walls and paint all the walls white. It will make a world of difference in the space.

I hate painting! That would definitely help though but... Again, I hate painting and since I may transfer in another year I'm only renting and I'm not sure how the owner would feel about painting even though I'm sure white would be preferable.

 

[Staniam]

do you need to keep those plastic tubs in the garage?

They will have to stay but I only had that setup because I didn't have another stand for the MDF top. Now that I have more stands I'll be stacking all the totes in a corner.

What are the dimensions of the space?

 

[rljatl]

Wood storage cart/shelves for panels, cutoffs, rough lumber, etc.  Also, clamp storage.  Everything on quality locking casters.

 

[Cheese]

Before you do anything else, pull stuff away from the walls and paint all the walls white. It will make a world of difference in the space.

I second this suggestion. The white painted walls will make a huge improvement. Plus you could talk with the owner and maybe work out a deal where he pays for some/all of the materials and you do the work. Win-win

 

[NHSP759]

I spent a couple weeks mulling on how to do that and yesterday I actually put in two extra overhead light bulbs. 60 watt day light LED and also replaced the existing bulb near the garage motor with a 3rd daylight LED. Doesn't show in these pictures but the garage is beautifully lit with "daylight" now.

It'd be nothing to wire in some fluorescent lights off of those existing lights. It could be done for about thirty to fifty bucks each however that is not counting the costs of wiring. Also remember you'll have to wire in pull switches on most of those lights but I'm sure the landlord wouldn't mind if you asked him. It really depends on how much work you want to put into a place that you don't own. You could simply get some cheap floor lamps from Walmart too and there is no spending cash on a system that you'll end up losing when you move. And you end up with more lighting to boot!

 

[Staniam]

The lighting is good now with the three LED bulbs I added. It might even be too bright, I haven't been working late enough to have to use them yet since it doesn't get dark until late right now.

The paint I'm thinking about now. Not only would it not hurt my brain looking at white j noted of that awful peach but the lighting would improve too.

I just haaaate painting. I'll have to get some alcohol to help.

 

[NHSP759]

Well I'm not a fan myself but sometimes a cold Sam Adams and a brush and it's therapeutic

 

[them700project]

You could look into one of these...

Pricey. Yes.
Bright as 7734. YES!

http://www.bigasslight.com/homes-shops/

Kinda looks like a light at the dentist office.

At the Senco plant near my house they have a bunch of them and it is amazing the amount of light they put out.

Cheers. Bryan.

Might i recommend one of their fans maybe a 20'? I have put some of them in and they are solid equipment I havent seen their lighting in person though.