Supplies???

[GMC driving SPARTAN]

I was wondering what are some of the supplies that you guys keep on hand in the garage at all times? Stuff like nails, screws, zip ties, wire nuts, electrical tape, etc.. I haven't seen a post about this kind of stuff yet and was just wondering what all I need to start stocking up on. I'm trying to transform my garage back to a garage instead of storage space. I realize that this might change considering the different jobs you do in your own garage, just wondering.

 

[TONE]

Duct tape and a fire extinguisher

 

[hilld]

I have a collection of a whole bunch of stuff. Full SAE Gr 8 hardware, full metric hardware collection in both grades 8.8 and 10.8. Stainless Steel hardware in both SAE and Metric, oils and other lubricants, wiring supplies, cleaning supplies, grinding and welding supplies, zip ties and a few normal maintenance parts such as filters, brake pads, etc.

But then again, I do more than just use a garage for storing a car.

 

[sberry]

Bought 2 cases of Brake-clean yesterday if thats a hint,, ha,, stock as much of everything I think I might need as I can. Collect a lot and file it if it has potential, kind of process things into stock or usable items.
How much stuff can one get on 3 or 4 thousand sq ft of shelf space?

 

[sasquach]

Beer..............

 

[GMC driving SPARTAN]

That's a given! lol

 

[Dale B]

How about you come over and take half of what I have , I have coffee cans full of most every kind of fastener you'd ever need. I have to walk sideways to move around in there.......And if I throw out any of them , I'll need them that week .......

 

[spaceghost]

LIke my dad and grandfather...baby food jars and coffee cans held many "supplies" for me over the years...I always have the staples on hand, zip ties, soda an drip connectors,do not crimp anything any more always solder, shrink tubing... full set of tools for each project speciality, pumping, electrical, and general tool bag for field trips and the rollaway loaded for all work done in the shop...

besides wrenching on my cars, I spend a good deal of time building props and repairing...currently getting the Lionel train layout ready for under the Christmas tree...but I digress...

yes I keep supplies on hand...

SP

 

[OccupantRJ]

My hardware and materials collection is almost as important to me as my tool collection, if that answers the OP's question.

 

[bb1970]

I use brake cleaner or cheap laquer thinner to clean nearly every thing. Don't get thinner at the auto parts store. I went to O'rielly's to get a gallon. They want $25 for a gallon. At the paint store it's $30 for 5 gal.

 

[GMC driving SPARTAN]

That is one of the things I'm trying to avoid. I want to be stocked up, but not to the point of being a horder like my dad. he still has some of the left over screws from an Entertainment Center we put together when I was 14.

 

[Busted Bolts]

It really depends on what you fix or tinker with. If your into auto, you would want to make shure you have a good, organized set of misc hardware like nuts, bolts, washers, cotter pins, hose clamps. specialty items, like heater hose and fuel line. If your into fabrication things like stock, scrap ends, welding supplies, gases, extra blades, bits, lubricants would be needed. It can be addicting. The way I look at it is, how many times do you want to run down the store to buy 1 brake line fitting, burn $5 in gas, only to do it again the next weekend because you didn't by a box of 3/16 line nuts for not much more, knowing your going to use them in the future. You can't have every thing, but if you have the space cater to your hobby or profession.

 

[Keep]

Well its a tough question. I guess it depends on what you do in the garage. I have a little bit of everything.

When oil/filters go on sale I grab enough for 2 oil changes on each car.
Gasket maker, tubes of all different types
Brake, carb, sensor cleaner.
Lubricants of all types, oil, wheel bearing grease, white lithium grease, 3in1 oil, air tool oil, compressor oil, hydraulic oil.
Brake fluid, trans fluid, power steering fluid.
Anti-freeze.

Zipties
Wiring supplies, connectors, wire, tape, I am lacking in the shrink tube stock but its on the list.
Welding supplies, grinder supplies.
Sand paper, touch up paint, primer.
Waxes, polishing compounds,

Hardware - currently all grade 5 with grade 8 picked up as needed, I am waiting for the g8 package to go back on sale at graingers, then I will be picking it up.

For hardware I have sizes from 1/4 at 1/2 length to 5/8 by 4inches with nuts and washers to match.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head. Of course thats just the garage.

In the house you have all manners of screws, glue, sandpaper, paint, stains, sealers.

Man that adds up fast!

 

[dansmurf]

My thought on supplies is when you make a run for something buy at least 2. And if you can get them cheaper in bulk buy the bulk pack. Example would be electrical outlets and switches. I never buy the single. I always get the 10 pack. If I make a run to the parts store I always check to see whats on sale. If any fluids or sprays are on sale I pick some up. I also make sure I have filters on hand. Biggest thing is being organized enough to find them later.

 

[scott37300]

I have always stocked up on whatever I have used in the past, figure I will most likely need it again sometime. I do a lot of remodeling, some woodworking, metal work, auto, etc, basically a little of everything. So keeping supplies on hand adds up quick for me. I find that I have to or it's cheaper to order a lot of things online so I will order extra or different sizes to keep on hand. I think it all comes with time, you find out what you need from past trips to the store and stock up depending on how often you use it. Also I always seem to buy extra and have left overs.

I have stuff for remodeling, glue, nails, nails for all the nail guns, staples for all the different staplers and guns, screws of all sorts and sizes for drywall, decks, wood working, kreg jig screws. Plumbing supplies, copper fittings and pipe, pvc fittings for all sizes and pipe, glues and soldering supplies, wax rings, shut off valves, supply lines. Electrical supplies, outlets, switches, romex, metal and plastic boxes, staples, wire nuts, breakers, plug ends, etc. I got sick of running to the hardware store all the time needing a fitting or electrical box so just decided one day to spend around 400 bucks and buy all sorts of plumbing and electrical supplies which has saved a ton of trips to the store. If I want an outlet put in or need to fix a shut of valve I just walk out into the garage and grab what I need. Also has saved lots of trips because you always forget at least one thing when you run to the store to get all the supplies for a project.

For metalworking I keep grinding and cutting wheels, sanding discs, welding tips, cutting fluid, and a good supply of nuts and bolts in different sizes. Also have a bunch of different pneumatic fittings for projects I have built and lots of different air compressor and pipe fittings and accessories.

For wood working I keep tons of sand paper and nails and screws, replacement blades for just about every saw I own.

For auto, hose clamps, fluids, filters, shrink wrap, wire ties, nuts and bolts of all sizes, trim screws, electric connectors, loctite, gasket sealant, greases, brake and carb cleaner, etc.

There is way to many things to list or even remeber. Best advice is to just buy what you have needed in the past or think you will need in the future. Then if there is different sizes or kinds of something you need pick up a couple of each to keep around. If you need 5 of something, buy some extra depending on price.

The most important thing I can say from experience is to have some way to keep everything organized! Otherwise before you know it you will have stuff all over and not be able to find anything and just have one big mess. Shelfs and bolt bins of some sort are a must. I kept buying stuff and just set it places and before you knew it I couldn't find anything and the garage was a mess. Doesn't make a difference how much stuff you have if you can't find it. Then you have to go buy extra when you can't find the stuff you stocked up on.

 

[derosa]

Lots of spare car parts that I used or intend to use, paints, hazardous chemicals, and recently added 55k nails. More nails then usual but the local woodcrafter had boxes of porter-cable nailgun nails for 5.00 a box. I'll stock the garage with deals like that and use them, sell them or dole them out to friends as needed.

 

[ZRX61]

That is one of the things I'm trying to avoid. I want to be stocked up, but not to the point of being a horder like my dad. he still has some of the left over screws from an Entertainment Center we put together when I was 14.

I have a small tin of fasteners for a motorcycle I sold in 1977.... on another continent...

As for stuff to stock:

BandAids! LOTS of BandAids....

An aerosol of burn spray on the welding bench...

Magnifying glass & tweezers

 

[Jack Olsen]

Let me ask a very basic question: do you have an old house, an old car, or an old soul? Because the kind of hardware you keep on hand will generally depend on whether the work you do it car-related, house-related or I'm-just-a-guy-who-likes-to-make-stuff related.

Plus, get an eye wash kit.

 

[Scout Driver]

Hmmmm.....more grade 8 hardware than most hardware stores. A ton of grade 5 hardware. Machine screws, wood screws, sheetmetal screws. Filters by the case. Brakeclean and SeaFoam a couple cases each. Oil and grease. Electrical connections and auto wiring. etc. etc. etc.

Are supplies easily accessible to you when you need them? This is a big consideration. My hometown small. After 5:30 on a weekday or noon on Saturday, I better have what I need for my projects. If you have well stocked hardware stores, home centers and auto parts stores nearby (and open when needed), your in-house supply doesn't have to be very large or extensive. Myself, I hate to stop what I'm doing to go to a store for a few bolts or the like. If you are the same way, stock up!

Scott

 

[rvr6000]

Yep, really depends on what you like to do. I do more woodworking than anything so powertools, squares, clamps, glue, etc are what I keep in the garage. I actually keep very few fasteners (nails - screws) in the garage. Anything bulk like that I keep sorted and in the shed. Will just grab what I need until I'm done with it then back to the shed it goes.

Ever since I finished insulating and finishing the garage I have become very picky about what I keep in there.

 

[Ceezer]

My favorite general "supply" to keep stocked in the garage is probably the blue shop towels.

 

[Arne73]

That is one of the things I'm trying to avoid. I want to be stocked up, but not to the point of being a horder like my dad. he still has some of the left over screws from an Entertainment Center we put together when I was 14.

Agreed-
There's a fine line between prepared and hoader. I moved into my parent's old house a few years ago and inherited all the nuts, bolts, screws, nails, hasps, furniture glides, string, etc accumulated by my father, both grandfathers, great grandfather and a great uncle. It's cool stuff to sift thru but overwhelming when it comes to organizing.
In my own experience, I stock what I use: Filters for my cars/tractors etc, oil, coolant, washer fluid. I've recently loaded up on grade 5 nuts & bolts but they are still in the bags, stuffed in an old tool box.

What ever you stock, it's worthless if you can't find it when you need it. I'm at that point more often than I like. If you are just starting to accumulate stuff, my advice is to organize from the start.

If I was going to chose a set up and organization style, Jack Olsen's garage would be my inspiration.

 

[atari]

The difference between hoarding and being prepared is organization. If it takes more time to dig something out of your pile then it would be to drive to the hardware store to buy it, your a hoarder.

 

[toytech40]

Alot of good advice given here on this subject, and i agree with it all, keep supplies that pertain to what you do the most in your garage/shop, and also distance and availability of supplies on a as needed basis.

For me I have a neighbor who is a plumber/handyman and is well stocked on those lines and his shop is always open with a note pad to write down what you took(small town) I have an oilfield suppy store in town that stocks nuts bolts, welding supplies, plumbing fittings, some tools and some misc. But small auto parts stores are 10 miles away along with a small lumberyard hardware store. larger hardware stores(True value, Ace) 35 miles away, and big hardware/lumber stores(HD, Lowes) 100 miles away, oh yea and the internet.

So for me I have to plan my projects very well, and keep alot of different things in stock so to speak. I had the opportunity a couple years ago as a friend bought the inventories form a lumberyard and an auto parts store after both were destroyed by a tornado. Then sold the items off, i was one of the first he allowed into the building he put it all into, and I was back again again, and again getting all kinds of things for stock in my garage for pennies on the dollar and has been very nice since then. This was on top of what i had already in my own inventory collected over 20+ years and still adding to.

So when you run into a good deal on something you use or will use buy it or several of it. look at store closings or reduction sales for good deals. Estate, garage sales and auctions is a good source of assorted hardware collected by others that sell cheap sometimes. When you buy for a project buy extra, in case you misfigured or to put in to stock for another day.

I have a pretty large assortment of alot different kinds of hardware/supplies for just a home garage, but I do work on cars for others on my days off, and just love working with my hands, and also own our home so there is always something needing fixed or updated. I really do enjoy being able to walk out to my garage and want to do a small project and have enough to do it with out having to go somewhaere(which could take from30 mins to a day to go to and back) to get things for those little projects or emergencies. Yea a draw back to living in a small town(250 pop) in the sticks(100 miles to nearest metropolis of 300,000+).

Oh yea organization is a big key to stocking supplies, an unorganized mess is almost worthless and a well organized inventory is priceless. Also don't try to get everything all at once, unless you have alot of disposable cash or it is an excellent deal, a little at a time adds up over time to a nice stock of misc.

 

[crewchief888]

i live in town, within a 10 minute drive, i have all the big box stores, 6-8 auto parts stores, and 5 liquor stores.

i keep small stuff on hand
self tapping sheet metal screws
pop rivets
wire tires
fender washers
misc 1/4" & 3/8" hardware, nuts, washers, locknuts
air hose couplers
pipe reducers,
AN hose ends & adapters
brake clean, pb blaster, kroil

i end up with a lot of unused, OEM heavy eq parts, latches, hinges, heavy washers, spacer bushings.

grinding wheels 4 1/2"
cutoff wheels 3" & 4 1/2"
sanding disks 5"
sawzall blades
hose clamps

spare cover plates and filter shades for welding hoods
extra spool of mig wire.

i can usually run out and get anything i need, so i dont stock up on a lot of stuff.

 

[Concrete B]

I mess with old cars and bikes, and metalwork. I stock up on 12v wiring supplies, connectors, wire, fuses, etc and associated tools. I keep spark plugs and filters on hand for everything.
I also keep items like gussets, horseshoes, brackets and a large assortment of steel material for making items. Usually I round off my steel order. If I need 6 ft I get 10. If I need 10ft or more i get the whole piece (20-24ft). There comes a point where you're going to the store less, and you have what you need at 11pm and can keep working. I value that point.

 

[xcgates]

2 oil changes worth of stuff per vehicle. (Need to get that back up, just did all three vehicles)
shop rags/brake cleaner, penetrating oil, anti-seize, brake lube, all the stuff for vehicle maintenance. Heck, I use disposable shop rags in the house over paper towels.
Bolts/nut/etc are extras of what I have needed to make runs for. I buy a couple more than needed, and keep them in those fishing tackle boxes.

Get what you need for a job, then the next, and soon enough you get a feel for what you don't want to run out of. Unfortunately that is like gaining experience, it comes from screwing up.

Oh, and do you work on motorcycles? Then lock-tite. By the gallon.

 

[GMC driving SPARTAN]

Thank's for all of the advice. I'm doing the best I know to do as far the organization goes. I totally agree that is the most important part of staying stocked up. I have a lot more shelving in my near future. Again thanks for all the feed back, I'm still pretty new to this site and the garage stuff.