If you were starting a shop...

[bindernut]

paint booth!
locker room w/ shower
LOTS of fire extinguishers
nice rollback
forktruck
a couple screw type railroad jacks and plenty of heavy timbers to support stuff(i like to work on old tractors, I think big)

 

[iamhomeless]

The one thing that I have always wanted in every shop I have worked in or ran was, MORE SPACE.

If you have the space, and tall ceilings get some industrial racking and cover a wall with it, it will change your life. Get a forklift to access the top stuff. You will also be amazed at how oven the forktruck comes in handy.

A gantry crane

Others have said it but get an iron worker.

A computer with a water proof keyboad loaded with FSM's, AllData, and part lookup programs.

A CNC plasma table.

A shower

a shop cat

A really old retired Fab guy who will stand around and tell you that you are doing every thing wrong.

 

[Hawk321]

You must hire me!


What I've missed in EVERY shop...proper adapters,bushings etc. for the hydraulic press...it makes the job so much easier while you change wheel bearing etc.

 

[dolfans]

If it is a automotive shop then need a machine to turn rotors/drums

 

[arkangel06]

Chainfalls, a nice big horizontal band saw, belt sander, surface grinder, black oxide system, burning table.

 

[poprockcrusher]

If it is a automotive shop then need a machine to turn rotors/drums

replace - don't reface

 

[Griff93]

I think everybody else covered almost all of it. The only things I could think of to add would be a good set of layout tools for doing fab work, rivet nut setup, and transfer punches(regular, blind, and threaded).

 

[travisd]

A good security system with video monitoring of all areas - not just for theft, but to help protect you from false injury claims by customers or employees.

 

[bobadame]

A computer with a good CAD program and internet hookup. Storage space, maybe a mezzanine. A bathroom with a big sink. Racks for metal storage. Good music. An office to have a place to hang out with clients and a place to keep records. Art on the walls.

 

[rsanter]

mill
lathe
brake
shear
mig
tig
plasma
4 post lift
2 post lift
mobile steel work tables
E wheel
P-hammer
streacher-shrinker
bead roller

bob

 

[stricht8]

Beverly shear.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy would recommend an inventory of invoice paying customers.

 

[poprockcrusher]

auto shop ? a hot dog stand is a better bet