New Garage Must-have's?

[Bmast]

I hope to soon be occupying a standard size 2-car garage that I'd like to set up for a general purpose/multi-functional shop. I'd like to be able to use it for welding, some automotive/motorcycle, carpentry and woodwork. I've been browsing this board for a while, and would like to ask your advice. What would you say are must-have's for such a space? My budget will be in the ballpark of 3,000.

Thanks for the help!

 

[matt_i]

Lights are must haves.

Proper electrical ampacity is critical for welding machines.

Heat and insulation go together if you intend to work all 4 seasons.

the rest I would spend on tools

 

[SILVERPLATE]

A nice floor and quality work bench.

 

[Thezapper]

Fresh air and a exhaust system of some kind. I hate being in a dusty or stinky garage.

 

[bdbecker]

Clean and organized from day one. It's a lot easier to get in the habit of keeping things orderly from the start than it is to dig out from under a mess. Trust me...

 

[landlord30]

Somewhere else to park 2 cars other than your 2 car garage.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Enough electrical capacity for your intended use.
After that, lights, ventilation, and heat in that order.
Then you can spend the remaining $6 on beer.

 

[nadogail]

Having reached a certain level of age, I really enjoy that there is a toilet in my garage workshop. It wasn't cheap, hiring a plumber to run the lines and install the porcelain throne, but I am appreciative every time I don't have to make that walk.

 

[DonPowers]

3k will buy a lift

 

[efncrx]

3k will buy a lift

I wouldn't own 5 lifts for free in MN without heat!

1)lights
2)outlets, add some 20amp and at least one 230 outlet
3) ceiling fan, squirrel fan's
4) workbench

That will at least get you started, and as mentioned keep her clean from day 1!

 

[soj]

You have already gotten good advise on the basics. Follow that and get lighting, heat/insulation/ventilation and adequate wiring in place. Then a sturdy workbench (even if it is just basic out of 2X4s). Then start buying your tools based on the jobs/projects that you do. If you do woodworking/carpentry, along with some work on a motorcycle for 6-8 months, that welder you buy now is just sitting idle. OTOH, if you start out with mostly metal fab projects, and you bought a table saw... I think you get the point. Get the basics of a work space in place, then buy what you need, as you need it.
jp

 

[joel]

Absolutely LOVE having a lift. I waited way too long!

 

[JC23]

Sound system. It can be as simple as a speaker in every corner. Today's systems are cheaper and easier than ever. Get a hookup for your own tunes such as iPod, phone or whatever if you use that a lot.

Mebbe a TV as well.

And plan organization into everything you bring in there and use.

 

[drmarkr]

Before I started my shop "remodel" (see the build thread in my sig line)....I spent about 20 or more hours perusing the Garage Gallery forum on here. Look for threads that have lots of views, and take notes or copy pics of ideas that you like into a folder on your computer. Collate, compare, get pricing, whatever, and then use all that good info for your build.

Don't make the mistake of not spending a good chunk of time looking at what others on here have done in their shops!

 

[joecam]

A computer, even an older one with an Internet connection for research, repair videos, music, parts search, etc.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[akdiesel]

I am assuming this is an attached garage to the house. If so ventilation is a must for welding and wood working. The dust and smoke will get in the house and make a mess.
Sound is also a factor if you have a family. Banging on your tools will create an argument with other family members. Not that it is practical to sound deaden the walls for a standard garage but just something to think about.
For that size of garage two 240v breakers should be fine. One for a welder / plasma and the other for an air compressor, placed accordingly.

 

[Hesketh]

I would say the first and best thing to sort out would be to get the floor done, as this is the hardest thing to do once you have fully moved in. I went with tiles on the floor mainly dude to the fact I could do one half then move all the stuff over to do the other side. It has been down a year now and had some fairly heavy use and is holding up well.

Once you have the floor ticked off you can then get the Lighting and heating etc sorted out.

 

[kylefitz]

Paint the walls and ceiling a light reflective color then lighting. I have 14 4' fixtures in my 450 square foot garage. It's very bright.

 

[Whitworth]

Crane, gantry style or other.
Vise, on a heavy workbench.
Storage, lots of it.
3 basic machine tools you want: drill press, bandsaw, and miter saw. You're always going to need to cut something or make a hole in something.

 

[crewchief888]

You have already gotten good advise on the basics.

Then start buying your tools based on the jobs/projects that you do. If you do woodworking/carpentry, along with some work on a motorcycle for 6-8 months, that welder you buy now is just sitting idle. OTOH, if you start out with mostly metal fab projects, and you bought a table saw... I think you get the point. Get the basics of a work space in place, then buy what you need, as you need it.
jp

everyone's idea of basics is vastly different...

myself, i mainly want to be able to find stuff (i know i have) in the garage.

staying organized is a must, especially with a smaller space..

 

[elefan]

Feel free to follow my thread if you want to know what the basics/must have's will be for a diy auto shop.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305066&highlight=elephant

I myself have wrenched on cars as a hobby since i was a kid, employed as a tech, and an employer. I know what is needed and what is not.

-You need good lighting. Your main light source should be fluorescent. And have LED's as auxiliary/extra lighting. The reason why is most LED's cast a light that is different from regular "yellow" fluorescent light source. At least my eyes work better this way!
- Good power sources. Nothing is more annoying that tripping over wires day in and day out because you only have one source in the shop. Every corner should have a source, and several down by the sides of the shop.
- Good air. Place a good compressor outside and pipe the air in. More outlets scattered across the garage is good, but not a must. And you'll be glad the compressor doesn't take up precious space and that you don't have to stand next to it when it kicks in!
- Good workbench and vise. Make it sturdy. Don't cheap out on a vise either. You'll kick yourself in the nuts when it breaks on you one Saturday evening and you cant get a new (good )one until Monday. Depending on what work you are doing having a vise break on you can be very dangerous.
- A lift. And make it a 2 post one. No lift is more versatile than this type of lift. All work on a car becomes so much easier when you have a lift.
- A shop press. 20tonnes. You'll thank yourself you have one each and every day, even if you don't use it that often. When you need it, it is that good. If you intend on working on rear axles you will need one that i standing on it own. Not the one you put on a table and is half size.
-Storage. Keep things of the floor and instead put it on shelves and in cabinets. Makes less of a clutter. Will free up space in the shop and inside your head.
-A crane for pulling engines. Preferably one that folds away.
-A welder. Pick your poison MIG TIG etc. I like MIG as it is easy to work with.
-A (big)jack and at least 2 jackstands. Having a smaller jack as a backup becomes handy when you need to mate an engine and a transmission in the car. The smaller jack can be used to set the angle of the trans, while you wiggle around with the crane until they mate!
-A gearbox lift. Make it a strong one for when replacing various bushings and spring on the car. 2 lifts would be better. Especially for when making custom (dual) exhausts
-A bench grinder
-A drill press.
-Oxygen and gas setup to heat stuff that wont come loose.

Nice to have: A metal lathe. When the day comes that you need it, you be grateful you have it. Also, lathes are fun. You can do all sorts of cool stuff with a lathe.

Aside from various tools these are the things that come to mind when i think about that basics of any good place to be. Sure, there are lots of other stuff im probably forgetting such as venting and decent parking options outside the shop. But the above will get you very far. Not only as a DIY but also as professional.

 

[strada12]

Somewhere else to park 2 cars other than your 2 car garage.

This

 

[nolimits76]

For me, I think the infrastructure is the most important:

- Good lighting. I'm currently doing a remodel for a local community college, and they elected to put some of these LED strip lights in....holy cow batman, they are insanely bright and such a clean white. Love them and plan on putting in my own garage.

http://www.columbialighting.com/content/products/specs/specs_files/lcs.pdf

- Good paint job. I've always dealt with the tan that someone else painted the garage. I want white to brighten it up, and then add some custom color for visual interest.

- HVAC system. It gets hot where I live and is miserable to work in the garage during summer. Winters aren't as brutal for me, but it can still get cold enough so it's not fun working in the garage.

- Electrical. Need plenty of outlets, and also extra circuits & specialty outlets for welders, compressors, etc.

- Water & plumbing. Depends on your situation. My garage doesn't justify a bathroom, although I think it'd be nice. Having a sink would be very handy to wash parts, hands, etc.

- Upgraded attic access. I hate the skinny pull down doors that are rated for 200#. Most guys weigh more, and it limits your ability to easily carry stuff to store above. Wider and heavier rated door/ladder system is a must-have. In an ideal situation, traditional stairs would be awesome. If your attic isn't already decked, now is the time. Use 3/4" tounge & groove and move the "junk" like decorations, suitcases, etc. up above so you can work below.

- Audio/video. I don't watch much TV in the garage, but I like the background noise rather it's an actual TV or just music playing.

- Dust system. If you do any wood working, I'd invest in a dust collection system.

- Flooring. It's a debate of what to do. Love the looks of Race Deck, but don't like the price. Some of the epoxies look really nice, but I worry about them peeling. Epoxy is generally cheaper, but the prep will either make it or break it. For me, I think RD is the answer. I can take that with me when I move.

- Toolboxes. I can hand make benches, etc, but I think the 44" HF toolboxes are some of the best values out there for the normal garage mechanic. They aren't SO or Mac quality by any means, but on a scale of 1-10 they are about a 7 quality and 2 price. The premium boxes are 9's or 10's but with a 10 price.

The rest would be for tools and accessories.

 

[crab]

As you can see everyone has different needs probably based on what they do and how much of that they do. Most of us have limited space, we don't have room for everything we'd like to have. A 2 car can get full fast. I think the first thing to do is wire, insulate, and drywall. Fancy floors look cool but plain old concrete will look the same several years from now and will take a beating. Just depends on what you're going to be doing but if you want a nice floor I'd do it before I put anything in the garage if possible. Good luck.

 

[rburke65]

That's a large menu for a two car garage. Your going to need lots of storage. Good luck.

 

[ochristofferson]

Some items (you've probably got most of these from others already)
- a thick slab 6" or better - in case you get a lift.
- Half bathroom (toilet & laundry sink)! Fan for exhaust (Obviously)
- internet connection (hardwired if possible otherwise a client bridge)
- good, non-slip (when wet), easily cleaned flooring. usually epoxy or tiles.
- good protection from underfloor moisture wicking along the inside perimeter (usually slabs have this celotex material between the slab and the walls which with lots of water underneath will wick water up via capillary action. There are rubber inserts (used on sidewalks and driveways) that prevent this action). Obviously grading, and water control from rain and snow melt are key when constructing.)
- insulated walls and ceiling. Heating and/or AC if needed.
- plenty of electrical service - for supply, voltage (120 & 240) as well as outlets and breakers
- good lighting - recommend LED type workshop lights. Last forever, cheap to operate.

 

[justanengineer]

Much as I hate being vague the answer to your question is 1. Comfort and 2. Capability. First and foremost, if there is anything preventing you from working comfortably you wont enjoy being out there, IOW you WONT be out there so handle the basics of hvac and insulation first. After that I'd suggest any manner of decorating you like, crank up the boombox, stereo, or tv, and do anything else that makes you want to get out to the garage regularly. Beyond that I'd suggest starting with a workbench and organization but keep things in moderation, add too much of any one thing and you lose space for others. A 6' bench in your shop would be great, a 12' OTOH eats into space where you could put a welder, lathe, or project. Along a similar vein, if your shop becomes crammed so much its mostly a warehouse, you wont be comfortable or capable of much.

Realistically, there are folks here into every known hobby and various hobbies and garage uses dictate different setups, as do temporary rental vs starter home vs long term ownership home. Stick around, add to some conversations, ask questions, and read others' threads for good advice.

 

[egnorant]

Don't forget the little things. Fire extinguisher, trash can, extension cord, shop vacuum and such.

 

[soj]

everyone's idea of basics is vastly different...

myself, i mainly want to be able to find stuff (i know i have) in the garage.

staying organized is a must, especially with a smaller space..

I can help you with that. See the cabinet build in my signature.

Also, being disorganized in a large space, makes it a smaller space.
jp

 

[Gidge]

A shop vise.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

I've had good luck with the Rustoleum Epoxy Garage floor paint in both the shop at work, and my fathers three bay shop. Each have about 5-6 years of use and no chipping or peeling at all. Well worth it, looks nice and makes sweeping up much nicer and cuts down on the dust.

 

[JTG]

I would say the first and best thing to sort out would be to get the floor done, as this is the hardest thing to do once you have fully moved in. I went with tiles on the floor mainly dude to the fact I could do one half then move all the stuff over to do the other side. It has been down a year now and had some fairly heavy use and is holding up well.

Once you have the floor ticked off you can then get the Lighting and heating etc sorted out.

+1 I wish I did my floor before I filled it up. Is not really possible to do know. Just way too much in the way!

 

[OccupantRJ]

A rolling workbench with tool and or hardware storage underneath, with locking casters. It can be stored off to the side, then rolled anywhere you feel like working, such as outside on a nice day. With a steel top it can also be used as a welding table. It will serve more uses than you can ever imagine, trust me. A workbench fastened to a wall is a waste and catchall, unless it is used to anchor a vise. Every surface that could be construed as a work surface along my shop walls is mobile.

 

[brownbagg]

heat, cool, vent, lights, electrical, height, pee, cable tv and a stool

 

[frank001]

Got to have a good work bench. Other wise you're working on the floor all the time.









http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284998&highlight=frank001

 

[Dutch01]

This

+1 My cars are parked in front of the garage under a double carport.

Inside lights, hand tools specific to your needs, cupboards/shelves for tools, workbench, vice, compressor as an absolute minimum

 

[kbs2244]

If this is your first house I will assume you are young. (Under 40)
And in Brooklyn I will assume a detached garage with good locks.

Given that I would go in this sequence:
First, white walls and lots of lights.
It just makes things easier when you can see what you are doing.
Second, heat. Good work and shivering do not go together.
Third, a good floor jack and good jack stands. If you are young and auto stuff is not a regular thing you can pass on the lift for a while.
Forth, a chain hoist. Combined with a HD, roll around work table, you can have projects up at a comfortable heights. This includes the MC if the table is strong enough.

After that I would buy as the need arises.

 

[udderlyoffroad]

I'd drop a grand of that on some kind of shed or outbuilding to store all the things that otherwise would live in the garage. Bikes, lawn mowers, outside furniture etc. Preferably a lean-to structure on the main building then you would have somewhere to install your compressor and dust extraction where it can be noisy and not in your shop.

Matt

 

[ambenz]

#1 in the north...natural gas line for cheap 24/7 heat in the winter...having that extra heated squares provides a place to get out of the house during the winter.
It really opens up possibilities when the opportunity arises to work on thing you don't have to put off till spring.
It's really not that expensive to do heat and insulation...you will be glad you did!!!

 

[77Mini]

Sturdy Workbench
Large vise
Heavy steel shelving
Wall cabinets
Good size drill press
Bench grinder