If you were starting a shop...

[the spyder]

Lets play a game.

Your starting a small Fabrication and Automotive shop.
The building is empty. Good lights are hung, floors are sealed, walls have paint, and 3phase is available. But what do you need to bring in?

What tools would you want? What automotive specialty tools would you want? If not tool related, what should every shop have?



There are basics: (Just so we dont get 20 posts repeating)
Lifts
Air compressor
20 ton Press
Mig/Tig welders
Welding table, vise.
Bandsaw, bench grinders, drill press.
Engine Hoists/Stands
Jacks/Stands
ect.


(There is a slight possibility of me actually doing this, but its also fun to see what you guys recommend/ learn about new tools.)

 

[welderwink]

maybe a old bridgeport or equivalent.

 

[mikevango]

beer fridge

 

[welderwink]

the fab shop im currently working in has a pretty good ventilation system one of those miller exhaust systems works great. but we do a lot of welding so, its good for us. its real nice to work in a place that you dont see the smoke in the air. but that is def just a bonus

 

[alex211]

A nice stereo

 

[welderwink]

a giant air conditioner the heat can really ****

 

[Scout Driver]

A big couch for taking breaks. Plus the shop-dog needs a place to stretch out.

Scott

 

[crewchief888]

maybe a old bridgeport or equivalent.

the fab shop im currently working in has a pretty good ventilation system one of those miller exhaust systems works great. but we do a lot of welding so, its good for us. its real nice to work in a place that you dont see the smoke in the air. but that is def just a bonus

beer fridge

i think i'd add
a tubing bender/ notcher
tire machine
welding screen (s)
general storage shelves or wall mounted cabinets to keep floor space clear

something i liked having in my shop was a grill. no need to close up and go someplace to grab lunch if i got hungry. toss a couple burgers, dogs, brats on the grill.

 

[bayou985]

a-frame on wheels, oxy/act bottle cart, chain come-a-longs, chainfalls, shackles, steel chokes, nylon slings, plasma cutter, parts washer, porta-power jack and duckbill type... Try and buy American Made Tools

 

[the spyder]

I like the way you guys think!

 

[welderwink]

what about a tram-crane (jib crane whatever) or gantry crane. that would be sweet.

 

[speed bump]

It really depends on the ditection you want to take the shop.

For fabrication work some things I would want (depending on the fab level)
-Big inverter welders and then you just run feeders or HF boxes where you are welding
-If you do much custom fab work a CNC plasma CAM is worth a lot.
-Oxy-fuel rig wasn't mentioned but every shop should have at least one.
-benders preferably hydraulic.
-brakes, shears, planishing hammer
-lathe and maybe a mill for a lot of fab work CNC type.
-overhead crane.
-forklift

For automotive work.
-scan tools
-3/4" drive impact gun and sockets
-on car brake lathe
-parts washer

 

[wellstig1]

I'm surprised no one has added bead blaster or sturdy work benches

 

[UncleJoe]

A crane and a hottie in a thong to bring me cold beers and tell me she thinks I am cool, Hey a fellar can dream can't he.

 

[Merkava_4]

With 3-phase power available, all I can think of is the sweet-*** welding machine I'd put in there.

 

[Paullew]

I call this the Snap on cash cow...

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Suitcase full cash, for all the things you didnt think of,,....that would be my first and foremost. Lots of reference materials. Ive managed to get hacked copies of the all three domestics repair catalogs..as well as parts, and one othere repair suite that I wont mention, because they will literally hunt you down... Scantools, a scope, Fluke 88 DVOM, pc, laptop..

 

[DannyG]

Cool stuff everyones listing! Maybe an english wheel and planishing hammer if theres bodywork, a bandsaw and a tire changer & balancer. Would really like to have a wheel alignment rack too.

 

[selohssa]

A blasting cabinet

 

[atlinwi202]

Good techs. And good service writers. I guess this would also depend if you are going big or going to be a one man show.

 

[Nuit Damnant]

Quality cabinets and metal/material racks, things get messy quick when there's no place to put anything. Oh and FULLY STOCKED BOLT BINS. Nothing worse than hunting for 4 stupid elusive bolts you need to finish something and all you can find is one size up or down or 1/4 inch too short.

 

[Scout Driver]

Oh and FULLY STOCKED BOLT BINS. Nothing worse than hunting for 4 stupid elusive bolts you need to finish something and all you can find is one size up or down or 1/4 inch too short.

This essential to maintaining sanity!!! Get on Fastenal's route!
I have gotten very used to being able to grab about any fasterer I need right in the farm shop.

Scott

 

[AV8OR]

I would start off with $10 million bucks! That way when I retired I would at least be a millionaire.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I call this the Snap on cash cow...

 

[the spyder]

Keep it coming!

I keep thinking of small scale items too-
Gloves, hand cleaner, shop towels.
Coolant system tester.
Timing Light.
Oil and Coolant storage drums for recycling.
Ect,ect.

 

[Bolster]

I would start off with $10 million bucks! That way when I retired I would at least be a millionaire.

Ha ha..."The way to make a small fortune owning a shop, is to start out with a very large fortune."

 

[quneur]

business license
liability insurance

 

[Hawk321]

A container for all the old metal scrap.
A couch for relaxing.
First Aid stuff and simple drugs like asperine.
Oven and microwave.
A shower.
******* girls calender.
Big posters on the wall with a Motronic diagramm, also hints like "reconsider your work steps" or "my boot will kick your **** if you look at my wifes *** again".
If you start a bigger shop...a beef box would be usefull to handle your social problems.
And realy important....problem solving tools and some special tools!
Appz like Autodata CD.

 

[peter_x]

No one mentioned a strut compressor yet.

 

[ZRX61]

Brass pole....

 

[flyingvette]

Cheerleaders. Duh.

 

[ukvauxtech]

fuel pressure tester
as many timing tools as poss
compression testers
dial gauge

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Brass pole....

Two brass poles..

 

[the spyder]

Two brass poles..

I dont think my business license would cover that type of "full service"

 

[Ign]

Quality cabinets and metal/material racks, things get messy quick when there's no place to put anything. Oh and FULLY STOCKED BOLT BINS. Nothing worse than hunting for 4 stupid elusive bolts you need to finish something and all you can find is one size up or down or 1/4 inch too short.

x3

more characters to allow post............

 

[slopecarver]

a security system decked out with cameras everywhere and a recording system. maybe a monitoring company like ADT, this should also decrease that insurance that should be able to cover theft of anything and everything. also don't tell anyone you have the shop and hide it in the woods.

 

[John Timmins]

Put a roll of butcher paper at the end of your work bench. Make up some kind of bracket to hold on the side so you can spread clean paper across the work bench. You can write on the paper as you disassemble something too. Then after parts are cleaned the new paper can be rolled out for reassembly.

You might get a roll of butcher paper. Nothing beats a clean work bench with a good light over it. You might want to pick up one of those magnifying glass lighted things you can swing into place when you need it.

I had 20-20 vision till I was 40 now I need reading glasses (and so will you someday!)

 

[dr_clyde]

Well, definitely a fully stocked rollaway, but there are some pieces of equipment that i have become accustomed to and don't want to go without.

Bridgeport
toolroom lathe
oxy-acetylene torch
plasma cutter
belt sander
hydraulic shear
iron worker
layout table

some of these are nicer than others, but fab work goes much better with these.

 

[azotto]

A well outfitted ironworker is worth it's weight in gold.
2 post lift

 

[ZRX61]

Two brass poles..

AND a trapeze