SHOP vs Man Cave

[Steve from Socal]

I am amazed at how may have TV in their shop/garage. Using a shop for gatherings is fine as is games and such if that is your thing. Myself, I prefer a shop to be primarily work focused. I would rather have a dedicated den/lounge perhaps attached to the shop but not part of it.

Steve

 

[kaymccampbell]

No men here, so it can't be a man cave. Guess it's a shop. Besides, there's no room for gatherings or games or TV in a place that'll cut off a limb or two if you're incautious. It's strictly been focused as a place of work, because that is what I like to do. It's my entertainment. If I want a gathering, then we'll go sit in the nearby, screened in gazebo, by the pool.

 

[pbon]

My shop is a shop but it’s a pretty clean and nicely done one for a DIYer. I did put a big TV on a wall so I can watch part of a game while doing a car project. I don’t watch TV in the shop just to watch TV. I have no need for a man cave. A nice shop was all I wanted.

 

[niget2002]

I am amazed at how may have TV in their shop/garage. Using a shop for gatherings is fine as is games and such if that is your thing. Myself, I prefer a shop to be primarily work focused. I would rather have a dedicated den/lounge perhaps attached to the shop but not part of it.

Steve

I use the TV mostly for spotify for music. It's nice to look up and see the name of the song if I can't remember it.

I also use it during Football season to have games on in the background while doing work in the shop.

BTW... The recliner makes a good thinking spot when I'm stuck on an issue and having to research on the laptop. It's also a great place to do regular maintenance on the back-side of my eyelids.

 

[orangeblood]

there is another category in the shop, garage, man-cave taxonomy....

some guys have a barrage, which isnt a disco type thing but place where stuff gets worked on but feels like ******-tonk or beer joint when you pop some tops in the afternoon and sit around to shoot-the-sh#t when work is over.

no frills. a lot of guys just like the way it feels being there and knocking back a cold one.

 

[Trapps]

My 'space' has been called a garage, shop, man cave, hideout, lounge, office, and a few others.

I work in it. I store and maintain motorcycles in it. I drink in it. I watch games in it. I surf GJ in it. Sometimes I surf GJ on the 32" TV in it. I listen to tunes in it - on a converted car stereo. Occasionally I open a lawn chair and sit in it with the door open during a rainstorm, while drinking a scotch, listening to music, thinking about my 37 ongoing DIY projects.

If I had more space I might find a way to separate activities, like having a Scotch while the game is on, perhaps with a friend or 2 and sanding shelving units I've made.

To be honest, many of the 'work' things happen just outside, on the driveway on a sawhorse table I lug back and forth. Again, it's a relatively small space.

It's a place that can be super organized and a complete disaster area, even on the same day.

The key is it's MY space and it works for me on many levels. If it works for you, great; if not, that's ok too. Go enjoy your own space, no matter how it functions or what others may think.

 

[Ancient Iron]

i never had the desire to have a "mancave". I have a lot of curiosities, antique tools and general garage paraphernalia covering the walls but no creature comforts such as padded chairs, refrigerator, tv, games. Nothing but what is needed to tackle the task at hand, whatever that may be. Just equipment and build tables. The only cars i've had in the garage were either projects or being stored temporarily. Other than a phone and a cheap radio there is nothing there except work waiting to get done and the tools needed to do so.
No storage of any kind other than tools and materials destined for current projects. No lawn furniture, bikes, toys, etc. If i want to relax, zone out, socialize. It will be elsewhere, not the shop/garage.
Most women wouldn't step inside. Most guys are intrigued on how much stuff you can fit and keep organized in a small garage.

^^^^^^this !!!!!

 

[lis2323]

The key is it's MY space and it works for me on many levels. If it works for you, great; if not, that's ok too. Go enjoy your own space, no matter how it functions or what others may think.

This is key[emoji481]

 

[ArcticGabe]

I don't get the idea that working in a garage and socializing have to be two distinct concepts, unless that's how you're making a living.

My friends and I often gather in each other's garages/shops/caves/workspaces or whatever other label you want to give it to work on projects together. In the fall, we will often bring our snowmobiles to a single garage and work on them together, preparing them for the upcoming season. It makes the job a whole lot more fun and we often find ourselves teaching each other something in the process. It is not always the most efficient way of getting the job done because we do a fair amount of socializing, but the jobs do get done and we have a great time in the process.

What ever the task (woodworking, rebuilding the mower engine, maintenance on the trailer, etc) are all easier and funner with a friend. Oh yeah, and we all have TVs and kick-*** stereos in our garages.

 

[ronr80]

Mine is a shop , man caves are for ����****��, I'll catch hell for this, but no tv, no couch , only stools to sit on while I repair old cars for fun, and I have a beer fridge , girls are welcome , any one is welcome, come in have a beer and relax. NOT A MAN. CAVE. ������

 

[ed_v]

As long as it's a place where I can go to get away from my wife, I really don't care what you call it!!!!

Mine is definitely a shop btw. It's so dirty and nasty that the spiders, snakes, and rodents won't even go in there!


Ed

 

[StormcrowAz]

So what "accessory" do you have in your garage that gives you pause making you think you too have crossed the line?

My upstairs “cave” above the shop, to some perhaps. I keep the skylight shroud in place most of the time (keeps the glare off the TV) so it’s dark and cave-ish most times. Don’t really feel like it’s crossing any lines, though. It’s a nice place to place to take a break and relax while out in the shop working on stuff.
20200821_163257

I did place on of these men’s room signs on the outside of the door, just to poke fun of the whole “Man Cave” controversy.
men

 

[fartymarty]

My upstairs “cave” above the shop, to some perhaps. I keep the skylight shroud in place most of the time (keeps the glare off the TV) so it’s dark and cave-ish most times. Don’t really feel like it’s crossing any lines, though. It’s a nice place to place to take a break and relax while out in the shop working on stuff.
20200821_163257

I did place on of these men’s room signs on the outside of the door, just to poke fun of the whole “Man Cave” controversy.
men

Yeah, this is what I'd do if I had the room. As the OP I think I have the right to say there is no crossing the line if you have room for both.

 

[harley jim]

I dont think there is a problem with a Man surrounding himself with what makes him happy. If your into restoring old vehicles then you would expect to see parts on the walls and bench, if you are a wood worker then sawdust is your smile inducer, some like a gameroom to test there skills if it is a mix of a couple of things so be it. How a Man or a Woman wants to surround themselves at home is intended to help them relax and recharge. I myself enjoy seeing how many different ways that a space is transformed to fit the needs of the person who bought it and invested there hard earned cash into making it there ideal spot.

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[Raymond_B]

My little two car garage is 95% work space and maybe 5% play space if you can call a TV, fridge, and ashtray that. It's the place I go to work on my vehicles. **But at the end of the day I can pop open a beer, smoke a cigar, and watch TV for a bit.

These new sayings like man cave or she shed are just real estate agent terms if you ask me. The space and its name is up to the person who uses it, hell look at all the cool names people have when putting up build threads!

 

[CoogarXR]

I am amazed at how may have TV in their shop/garage. Using a shop for gatherings is fine as is games and such if that is your thing. Myself, I prefer a shop to be primarily work focused. I would rather have a dedicated den/lounge perhaps attached to the shop but not part of it.

Steve

Funny thing is, I thought I would use the TV in the garage more than I actually do. I keep a fitted bed sheet over it to keep the dust out. I don't think I have uncovered it and turned it on in about a year and a half. Usually I just use my computer monitor anymore. Because most of the time, I just want something on in the background. No sense firing up a 500w electric-hog TV that I am not actually gonna watch.

I thought about selling it, but it took 3 of us guys to get it up on the custom mount. It's a older 60" plasma, and it weighs probably 150lbs. I couldn't find a bracket that would fit it, so my friend who is a welder made me a custom mount out of angle iron. It will probably be up there forever.

 

[4 FN 27]

I cringe when I here the word Man Cave.

I picture a guy in Flip Flops, Shorts and a Bowling Shirt with a full set of Snappies, a new sports car...and does know anything about either one.

My thoughts...

I have a shop...period!!! It comes with the sights, sounds and smells of a Shop where things get dirty and then cleaned up.

The Skunkworks is preferred. The Office is the Design Center...lots of trinkets here and there, a couch, a Bathroom with a Urinal for the weekend Beer Drinking contests...and lots of things on the walls.

Call it a Man Cave and you will be corrected once. Say it again you'll be asked to leave...

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I cringe when I here the word Man Cave.



I picture a guy in Flip Flops, Shorts and a Bowling Shirt with a full set of Snappies, a new sports car...and does know anything about either one.



My thoughts...



I have a shop...period!!! It comes with the sights, sounds and smells of a Shop where things get dirty and then cleaned up.



The Skunkworks is preferred. The Office is the Design Center...lots of trinkets here and there, a couch, a Bathroom with a Urinal for the weekend Beer Drinking contests...and lots of things on the walls.



Call it a Man Cave and you will be corrected once. Say it again you'll be asked to leave...

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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[lis2323]

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[LeonardY]

In the 60's and 70's it was called the rumpus room. That's where mom sent dad and his friend's so they wouldn't mess up the living room.
The garage had a boat in it and fishing gear...

 

[aggie113]

I built my garage so the majority of the floor would be used for shop space. It has 18' to the rafters so mine will be a combo garage/man cave when I put in the loft space above the part of the floor not above the lift. As time/funding permits.

 

[mepstein]

I'm rehabbing my workshop from a musty moldy storage place to a working shop. I will mount an LED tv on the wall. It comes in handy to stream youtube videos or DIY forums for when I need help or advice on doing something. These days tv's are so cheap that people give away their old ones as they upgrade to bigger and newer.

 

[Rod N]

I thought Man Cave referred to a basement hangout with maybe a couple of casement windows?
My garage is all nice with music, TV, bar fridge and porcelain floors.
It's nice when my buds come over especially snowmobiling.
With a lift I do all my work on the toys and you would never know it.
Makes projects more enjoyable having a nice surrounding.

 

[eastbaysubaru]

I don't get the idea that working in a garage and socializing have to be two distinct concepts, unless that's how you're making a living.

My friends and I often gather in each other's garages/shops/caves/workspaces or whatever other label you want to give it to work on projects together. In the fall, we will often bring our snowmobiles to a single garage and work on them together, preparing them for the upcoming season. It makes the job a whole lot more fun and we often find ourselves teaching each other something in the process. It is not always the most efficient way of getting the job done because we do a fair amount of socializing, but the jobs do get done and we have a great time in the process.

What ever the task (woodworking, rebuilding the mower engine, maintenance on the trailer, etc) are all easier and funner with a friend. Oh yeah, and we all have TVs and kick-*** stereos in our garages.

This guy gets it. My garage has to serve many different functions: car storage/parking, metal/woodworking shop, car/motorcycle/bicycle repairs/maintenance/upgrades, storage (no basement), etc.

Additionally, I've got a dartboard and ping pong table (stored upright) for dad fun time with family/friends. Mini fridge is usually stocked with beer and drinks for the kiddos.

And just like someone else mentioned, I usually just throw a sheet of plywood on some sawhorses and work in the driveway when I can. Makes cleanup a hell of a lot easier.

-Brian

 

[don long]

I have a shop to work in and a game room to play in and a garage to keep all my collectables in.
In my shop there is a fridge, big screen T.V. with surround sound a computer for research 3 hoists and 7 work areas each filled with a different project in progress.

The game room has full bar big screen T.V. video games shuffleboard, pool table, jukebox and card game table it also has 3 couches.

When we have a party in the party garage the game room is open but all the guys gather in my shop if it is open. So does that mean that my shop is really the man cave?

 

[fartymarty]

I have a shop to work in and a game room to play in and a garage to keep all my collectables in.
In my shop there is a fridge, big screen T.V. with surround sound a computer for research 3 hoists and 7 work areas each filled with a different project in progress.

The game room has full bar big screen T.V. video games shuffleboard, pool table, jukebox and card game table it also has 3 couches.

When we have a party in the party garage the game room is open but all the guys gather in my shop if it is open. So does that mean that my shop is really the man cave?

Thanks for complicating the question. But no, if your friends want to congregate there instead of the game room just because they are more interested in the projects in the shop than in playing games, that would not make it a Man Cave (IMO), just a very popular shop.

 

[buzzworth]

The difference between a mancave and a shop is the lock on the door. Mine is both, plus my office and, yes, it has a lock.

My wife calls to the "He-Man Woman Hater's Club". (Little Rascals/Our Gang reference for those of you too young to know)

 

[chuck356]

Both of my buildings are set up primarily to get work done, but I require some creature comforts such as refrigerators, stereos, and a place to sit with a desk. My new building (30 x 63) will have a full blown mancave in one end eventually but I have to earn the money to pay for that, the important stuff is first. The work bay and storage is almost ready to go.

 

[Don1357]

This is what I say at work when the subject comes up: As an extremely happy divorced man my 'man cave' extends from the property line on one side to the next. Hence my man cave also happens to have a shop in it.

Heck I don't know if I could commit ever again. 100% of my closet is that, mine. The bathroom is as I like it, very spartan with no jars of random stuff crowing the space. Life is good.

 

[dffay]

Currently in transition from my one-car industrial complex that was at maximum density with my welders, shop tools, hand tools, more tools, car project(s) and so much more. Settling the estate for my folks then on to a much more custom space....a newly acquired industrial complex hoping for 1500-plus square feet of space to move and lift and make and create. Beer reefer and music, it will be furnished in neo-classic surplus. Not very particular as to what others call it, the access criteria will be like the old small crib where I was: whether I like them or not. And never will be heard a discouraging word.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I'll probably be called a hater, but I think the man cave thing has gone a bit too far in recent times. I have no problem with an immaculate clean shop or wanting hanging out in the garage, but it should remain a garage and have garage stuff. When too much "in the house" **** ends up out in the garage, then it becomes a museum. If you legitimately "work" on cars, then leave the garage for tools and greasy stuff and keep the lounge in the house. I got no problem with buddies hanging in a garage and having some brews and bullshitting about cars, but when you have a lounge and a full bar, pool tables, etc then it's not a garage or shop anymore. it's just a play room that you happen to park your car in.

That said, I'm poor and have a small garage I can't comfortably fit all my garage **** in, so maybe I'm just jaded LOL

 

[Ries]

So I thought long and hard on my garage/shop layout before building. It’s effectively a 7-1/2 stall garage. The front half has 4 full stalls with 10’ ceilings. The back half is roughly 3-1/2 stalls with 18’ ceilings. I say 3-1/2 because the back corner is roughed in for a bathroom. The back left is setup for a 2 post lift. The back half is the “shop”. The front half is the “garage”. I then put a loft above the garage. The loft is setup with cable/Ethernet. The loft will be the hangout space. It will have a bar, stools, a couple of couches and a mini fridge. I may swap the couches for a pool table. It’s a work in progress though. However the point is the entire space is planned and has dedicated space for each purpose. One doesn’t infringe on the other. I feel this is the best way to do it if you can. I had 20yrs to think about it lol.

 

[sberry]

No one likes me enuf to hang out, it must look like work. A free beer fridge might help but i really dont care. I dont got to deal with other peoples junk. I remember doing first buildings, had a couple with some idea they were gonna bring junk, aint gonna happen. Not gonna store their 150$ boat they drop off and forget. I limit my own.

 

[brownbagg]

my shop has grease on the floor, if i torch something the scrap may lay on the floor for week, need to spray paint something, just do it on the slab. its a shop , it suppose to be dirty, picture on wall, oil filter tabs stabled to wall so i remember what filter per car. need to remember a number, write it on the wall, its a shop. the football tv, is only a 28
turn on lights, circuit breaker box

 

[Binger]

I have a lounge in my workshop. A stereo, a few seats and a working Glasco coke machine that fits bottles of beer nicely. I don’t like the term man cave much. I think of that as a bar to watch tv in. My garage has a man cave look with signs and things hanging up but it is fully functional for fabrication and mechanic work. I have been known to clean the shop up and have a party.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have a lounge in my workshop. A stereo, a few seats and a working Glasco coke machine that fits bottles of beer nicely. I don’t like the term man cave much. I think of that as a bar to watch tv in. My garage has a man cave look with signs and things hanging up but it is fully functional for fabrication and mechanic work. I have been known to clean the shop up and have a party.

Looks awesome like a man cave should. I especially like the license plates since I am a collector of them as well.


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[Don1357]

I think everybody is coming with their own biases as to what they think should be a man cave and what shouldn't. I would think your man cave would be what makes you happy. If that looks like an expensive Vegas cigar lounge or a cluttered metal working shop with an industrial lathe smack in the middle well that's all there is to it.

 

[Ries]

I think everybody is coming with their own biases as to what they think should be a man cave and what shouldn't. I would think your man cave would be what makes you happy. If that looks like an expensive Vegas cigar lounge or a cluttered metal working shop with an industrial lathe smack in the middle well that's all there is to it.

Ditto.

 

[CJGLLY]

awesome view brother

 

[lis2323]

awesome view brother

X2[emoji106]

Edit. Or X3