The Garage Computer

[Ryan]

There's lots of reason to have a computer in the shop. I guess the biggest reason is research... There is nothing like have Google at a moment's reach. However, placemen...
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[teletekman]

Hmm...neat idea. Although it looks like it would be a PITA to type on. Do you have an external wireless KB attached to it anywhere?

 

[-Brent-]

I'd prefer an iPad over that, too. And eventually, I'll finally pony up and get one instead of waiting for the next best version to come out. I like keeping things as long as possible and seeing the growth/improvement over the last few years has me in a holding pattern, for sure.

Plus, I'm too worried about my MacBook Pro inhaling some metal dust or getting greasy or worse - dropping it, to bring it into that environment.

 

[pinstripebob]

An old laptop and a stand bolted to a wall that can swing out of the way would probably work pretty well. You could take it off and move it if necessary, swing the stand out of the way when you don't need it, and who cares about an old computer getting dirty?

 

[eastbaysubaru]

Older small-ish form factor PC in a cabinet with an old LCD monitor mounted on an adjustable arm. Add a wireless mouse/keyboard combo and you're done. That's a hell of a lot less money than an iPad and you never have to worry about it getting dropped/spilled on/etc. I can't stand typing on anything other than a full size keyboard so an iPad is out. I know you can get bluetooth keyboards, but where would you set the device itself?

-Brian

 

[DaMaN]

I always relegate my oldest laptop in the house to my small garage. I try to keep it clean but don't feel too bad if i happen to smudge it. =)

I have it hooked up to an external monitor that is mounted to the wall and a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Best tool I have!

 

[Gary S]

I put a computer in my garage. The last time it was powered up and used was the day I installed and tested it.
I'm thinking I wasted my time.

 

[KPSquared]

Desk top computers are really nice for a shop because you can blow the **** out of them quite easily and they can be had used for pennies. I'm currently designing my new shop cabinets and there is space for my tower. It will be in a sealed, filtered cabinet on it's own with an air intake and exhaust using big case fans. Kind of a geek project, but cool none the less. I'm actually considering using the cabinet as the case and just mounting all my components up inside. Once I get some progress made, I'll post pics.

Wi-Fi from the house, a cheap mouse and keyboard combo. I like to use a corded keyboard because they are so cheap that if they mess up at all or get really dirty, you can just throw them out and buy (or find) a new one.

Then just going to mount one of my old 21" LCD monitors in the corner and I have a great garage computer for all my reference material, music, and whatever else I need the machine for.

When I'm working on my vehicles, I am constantly running back to the house to reference something and it will be great to have it right there on my bench.

 

[softailgarage]

I've been using an older Dell PC on the bench with the tower below. Haven't had any problems, but I do open it up once a month and clean it out (twice a month if I'm doing alot of sanding or wood cutting). Picked up a tablet a couple of months ago which I also use, sometimes a little more handy and definitely more portable.

 

[peelman]

Right now I normally just use my iPhone if i need to look something up, but my iPad is usually handy as well. I have an Airport Express hooked up to a receiver in the garage, so I can pipe music wirelessly from either device very simply.

Eventually, if/when I get a true shop, I'll probably have a Mac Mini sealed inside a filtered box, or even an old Macbook that I can tuck away when not in use.

One thing you guys running desktops in your shops might consider is picking up a roll of fiberglass filter material, used for AC filters. Cut it to fit in the air intakes and let it pick up all the **** that gets sucked in. then just replace the filter every couple of months (or more frequent, depending on how dirty your shop is).

 

[buildyourown]

Motorola Xoom in an Otterbox. I use it a lot for looking at docs and watching quick how-to videos. Ive been doing an engine conversion and having all the manuals in one place is pretty nice.
I do have an old XP netbook that I keep around just for data logging on OBD2. There are still a few things that tablets can't do that good 'ol windows can.

 

[Ravenous]

I use my iphone as well. There is something nice about laying under the car and just pulling it out of my pocket to find the information I need. However I do also have a laptop on one of my shelves but I honestly can't remember the last time I've used it.

Also I find the app "Clinometer" (it is a level app with degree measurements) indispensable when trying to get something close to level quickly and with it calibrated you can do pretty damn good alignment adjustments.

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

I like my setup better its enclosed away from all the metal, wood and paint dust!!

 

[bimmerZ5]

i think a tablet like ipad or other brand would be fine for about 70% of what I might need in the garage. but for the other 30%, I would prefer to have a laptop with a decent screen size or one of those "all-in-one" computers.

 

[softailgarage]

Right now I normally just use my iPhone if i need to look something up, but my iPad is usually handy as well. I have an Airport Express hooked up to a receiver in the garage, so I can pipe music wirelessly from either device very simply.

Eventually, if/when I get a true shop, I'll probably have a Mac Mini sealed inside a filtered box, or even an old Macbook that I can tuck away when not in use.

One thing you guys running desktops in your shops might consider is picking up a roll of fiberglass filter material, used for AC filters. Cut it to fit in the air intakes and let it pick up all the **** that gets sucked in. then just replace the filter every couple of months (or more frequent, depending on how dirty your shop is).

That's a good idea, but wont it restrict the air, cause a little more heat?

I like my setup better its enclosed away from all the metal, wood and paint dust!!

Thats awesome, does the keyboard fold up with it?

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

"Thats awesome, does the keyboard fold up with it?"

I have the keyboard Velcro'd to the door so yes it goes up with the door!

 

[djkeev]

iPad, one button, no cooling fan, compact as well.

Dave

 

[shanty shaker]

itronix go book military grade heat cold water resistant great for truck or garage

 

[HOTFR8]

I like my setup better its enclosed away from all the metal, wood and paint dust!!

Very neatly done and the way it folds away and looks like part of the tool area is very clever.

I have my own office space away from the works area and designed it this way for a purpose as well as keeping the computer away from dust and dirt etc. Easy then to have a warm place when it is colder and a cool place when it is hotter. As I am also Solar powered running two systems one is the for want of a better term a UPS system seperate from the grid with its own two small Solar Panels and batteries but can charge from the mains (bigger Solar System) if needed, that small system runs my office space, being phones and answer machine, fax, computer and scanner printer etc. as well as a few lights. The property also runs on Solar started with 12 panels and recently added another 12 panels (yes 24 in all on the bigger system) with battery back up that on a good day it exports to the grid so the location of my computer in the office area in the works in future will be important as I will add a monitor system for the grid power export invertor.

The Computer as well as all the Solar is contained in the Shed / Works (all panels on the roof) and I have no computer in the house.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have also seen a computer set up in a tool box but sorry I can not find the photo at present.

 

[arbadacarba]

I routinely use my laptop in the garrage... Between shop manuals (I even cut the spine off and scanned my Bike manual), parts manuals, and record keeping. I make pretty good use of it out there. I also have a set of speakers mounted and play tunes off my Home Server while I work. And of course Web searching is a regualr use.

I do wipe my hands before I touch it but a little bit of grime won't kill it.

This is One of the brackets I built a few years ago... This one is in my basement, and I have one at a local medical clinic where they don't have a desk in an exam room.

The one in the Garrage has a power supply sitting on the shelf.

It works very well for typing too.

Sorry about the crappy pics, the lighting is low down there. (and I'm too lazy to go out to the garrage)

 

[NUTTSGT]

I like my setup better its enclosed away from all the metal, wood and paint dust!!

Very slick, I like it.

 

[racenutz]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/e722/

These are pricy but would would work great for the keyboard.

 

[HOTFR8]

I have also seen a computer set up in a tool box but sorry I can not find the photo at present.

OK I knew I had a photo to share and just had to find it.

This was taken at the Victorian (Melbourne) Hot Rod Show in January 2010.

 

[bams50]

Check this one out; I like it!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/maintenance/how-to-build-the-perfect-garage-pc

 

[toxiclows]

I have a hf 56" box with the red home built wooden hutch. I hung a 17 inch LCD on the back wall of the pegboard and mounted an old laptop I had with a bad screen. To the back of the tool box. I use a cheap walmart wireless key and mouse. And it is a nice clean setup. Before that I just used my laptop. You can get on eBay and find clear solid Keyboard covers for any laptop. That keep the gunk and grease off of your keys. I think I paid. 4 dollars for mine. I also. Use my iPhone and iPad. But the. Toolbox. Lappy. Is my go to computer.. We use it for Napa TRACKS, Mitchell on demand, car-part.com. And. Lots of Other. Research. Also. Great for lunchtime. Garage journal. I don't think I could function without a tool box computer. Even before I was doing this for a living. I had a laptop in the garage. It's just a great idea..

 

[805gregg]

I use my small HP 14" travel computer in my garage, I'm on it now, when I knew I was going to retire I bought a huge desk top and a nice laptop, custom configured, best thing I ever did.

 

[Jagmandave]

I just take my laptop down to the garage and lay a fender cover on the roof of the car I'm working on, the laptop sits on top of the car and the screen is right at eye level and perfect for typing, plus that keeps it up out of the dust and such.

 

[Mike14k]

couple comments...

The wall mount laptop looks great. simply because air-borne crude can't fall between the keys. On the fold-down design, the cheap-o keyboard can be replaced every so often when it gets crudey. I like both

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

Very neatly done and the way it folds away and looks like part of the tool area is very clever.

I have my own office space away from the works area and designed it this way for a purpose as well as keeping the computer away from dust and dirt etc. Easy then to have a warm place when it is colder and a cool place when it is hotter. As I am also Solar powered running two systems one is the for want of a better term a UPS system seperate from the grid with its own two small Solar Panels and batteries but can charge from the mains (bigger Solar System) if needed, that small system runs my office space, being phones and answer machine, fax, computer and scanner printer etc. as well as a few lights. The property also runs on Solar started with 12 panels and recently added another 12 panels (yes 24 in all on the bigger system) with battery back up that on a good day it exports to the grid so the location of my computer in the office area in the works in future will be important as I will add a monitor system for the grid power export invertor.

The Computer as well as all the Solar is contained in the Shed / Works (all panels on the roof) and I have no computer in the house.

Very slick, I like it.

Thanks! I also did my stereo the same way!

 

[bimmerZ5]

I've always thought having an Ergotron mobile workstation in the garage would be really cool. they aren't cheap, run about $800 new fully configured, but I've seen them used for $200 or so. You just have to find a medical equipment recycler in your area... they are often used in doctor's offices.

 

[SRP]

I recently mounted a desk-based monitor arm to the side of my box utilizing the existing bolts for the handle.

Small form factor pc is mounted to the arm, the monitor is mounted to the pc.
I use a logitech wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad to control it.
Audio out runs to the garage stereo. Internet is delivered via a DD-WRT based wireless repeater as the garage is about 150' from the house. I hard mounted an external wi-fi antenna to ensure proper coverage.

Here it is streaming some pandora...

 

[PRESTONFITZ]

This is my new setup in the shop...

 

[PCO6]

I have a small tool box on top of my bench. The monitor sits on top of it and I have a flexible rubberized key board on the front fold down panel. The tower is on a shelf to the left just out of the picture. I store things you would normally put in a desk (pens, markers, pads, paper, etc.) in the tool box drawers. Since this photo was taken, I have replaced the computer monitor with the TV monitor you see hanging on the slat wall. I now have a 32" flat screen on the wall.

 

[HOTFR8]

Thanks! I also did my stereo the same way!

Again very clever. You should start a topic and just show us all your ideas as not only is it clever it makes for a tidy work place.

 

[Oldbear]

I used some of my old parts to build a shop computer, picked up a Microsoft keyboard/mouse for $20 at Memory Express, found an old radiation cannon monitor that no one wanted... It ran for 5 years, including 3 winters in an unheated shop - I'll be running again as soon as I get the shelves and work bench built in my new garage.

A note on cleaning my computer - I think the dust was blown out once it that time with no issues. And I weld, build hot rods, bikes, wood working, wood smoke from the stove, smoke pipies... so lots of bad for electronics stuff in there.

 

[Zeb]

I have a couple of options for my garage, which I am finishing this week.

One is a old Windows ( and linux ) laptop that isn't really worth more than $100. Basic internet use only.

I also have an iPad, but I wouldn't leave it in the garage....

..and I also have a mac mini, with a Sony monitor. It's obviously really small and I haven't use it in a while....so it might be the way to go.

 

[bts]

I have just upgraded the shed from the old (very old) laptop to the old PC from the house. Yet to position it all properly.
I run my music, TV through it as well as the net.
Just got to figure out how to get it to talk to the one in the house so I don`t have to keep walking back and forth updating files.

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

Again very clever. You should start a topic and just show us all your ideas as not only is it clever it makes for a tidy work place.

I posted some pics back in january!!

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132992

 

[Viriiguy]

I have an iPad for the garage, each bathroom in our home has at least an iPhone in it to surf from.. The Master bath has a dedicated iPad as well. When we upgrade, we generally keep the old gear so.. We decided to just leave them in the bathrooms

Sure beats a stack of magazines!