Things to Make Workshop More Enjoyable

[Frushlorton]

Amen to the music. Also prefer to have the dog hanging out with me.

 

[ed_v]

1. Good lighting
2. Heat/air - mini split
3. Organization and storage
4. Running water - in process of having installed
5. Toilet - these camping toilets are a great alternative
6. A lift
7. Windows
8. A computer
9. A radio
10. A refrigerator

 

[ItsNemo]

Amen to the music. Also prefer to have the dog hanging out with me.

Not worried about the doggo getting hurt?

 

[Dogmeat]

ed_v: Your "link" to camping toilets duzzn't do a damn thing....only takes you to the Lowe's site, NO direct
pic or anything relating to the "camping toilet"....
It's just as well....cuz I have my trusty urinal outside of my party room but still inside the building (pvc pipe
to the outside)....IF I hafta do the BIG MOVE, I'll just drag my azz into the house...don't need/want any
schtinkin' "Camping Toilet".....geez!!

 

[niget2002]

Not worried about the doggo getting hurt?

Not sure about his, but mine trots back out into the yard when the loud tools come out.

I do have a TV and a recliner in the shop. I usually use it for music, but will have football games on while working out there during the fall. I get a little less done those days as I'll stop more often to watch a play or two, but I never have a real deadline with anything I do out there.

 

[Frushlorton]

Not worried about the doggo getting hurt?

No, most of the time just tinkering or small jobs. He's in and out, just making sure I'm staying on task.

 

[isb cornbinder]

The neighbour's renter used to stop at the shop. She made the shop environment more interesting. Sadly, she got dressed and moved to Ontario.

 

[ed_v]

ed_v: Your "link" to camping toilets duzzn't do a damn thing....only takes you to the Lowe's site, NO direct
pic or anything relating to the "camping toilet"....
It's just as well....cuz I have my trusty urinal outside of my party room but still inside the building (pvc pipe
to the outside)....IF I hafta do the BIG MOVE, I'll just drag my azz into the house...don't need/want any
schtinkin' "Camping Toilet".....geez!!

yeah, the link doesn't work. It was at lowe's. Just search camping toilets

 

[fsae0607]

This works for me!

 

[ItsNemo]

Are those potatos or lemons in the bottom? lol

 

[OGJordan]

This guy helps

 

[Dogmeat]

yeah, the link doesn't work. It was at lowe's. Just search camping toilets

NO, I hardly stink so....why wood I want a hot damn camping toilet??!! Go search it YERSELF!!

 

[Blackbyrd]

@OGJordan that is a gorgeous Shepard look at the size of those paws!!!!

 

[67carl]

I watched the video on the OP... I don't think he has enough drill drivers!

Seriously, how many can you possibly use at once? Not that I'm saying you could ever have too many tools. I do want to keep my Man Card.

 

[Jagmandave]

A stocked beer fridge with copious amounts of Jack Daniels stacked on top.

I can't imagine drinking copious amounts of liquor helping to get things done (and done right) in the shop?

I agree with getting things organized and keeping them that way.

Music can be a distraction or a pleasant mood maker - depends on what's on. I don't understand guys who keep metalhead music screaming in their shop tho....

I think keeping the noise down to a reasonable level is important, , and if you can - get the air compressor outside or in a different room.

Bathroom is a must for us older guys, especially if we keep hydrated!

I also agree with working on something you want to do vs have to do, but either, once finished, gives a nice sense of accomplishment.

For me, I work for a couple of hours or to a good stopping point, then sit down and do something that has nothing to do with what I'm working on.....cruise the net, read a book, watch TV, just anything to break the cycle. Then when I go back to it I feel fresher and more focused.

 

[mrb1]

All great ideas and must haves. Pretty much have all already listed. A few I would add the the list....automatic, retractable reels with power cord and air lines mounted to the ceiling. I have one power and one air each mounted at the front, near the workbench, and also near the overhead door at the rear. So much easier and less cluttered reaching up for power or air from overhead as opposed to cords and lines strewn across the floor. Another not listed is a good rack for all the fishing poles if you enjoy such a hobby. Same kind of thing for the various brooms, dustpans and extension poles.
Finally, pin-up girls/calendars. Just doesn't seem like a shop without some scantily clad girls hanging on the wall. I have almost 30 years worth of nice looking wall calendars from every past year (old ******* mostly) and also some of Dad's old Easyrider magazine artwork.

 

[charbar]

I can't imagine drinking copious amounts of liquor helping to get things done (and done right) in the shop?

No, that's for when the work is done for the day. I'd never work on someone else's car while drinking. I'll sip on a beer or two if Im tinkering with my own vehicles though.

 

[fsae0607]

Are those potatos or lemons in the bottom? lol

Haha they're white grapefruits from my last harvest.

White grapefruits are sacred in Tiki and I'm blessed to have a tree. If you're interested in Tiki drinks, my sig has my Insta for my Tiki hobby.

 

[fsae0607]

All great ideas and must haves. Pretty much have all already listed. A few I would add the the list....automatic, retractable reels with power cord and air lines mounted to the ceiling. I have one power and one air each mounted at the front, near the workbench, and also near the overhead door at the rear. So much easier and less cluttered reaching up for power or air from overhead as opposed to cords and lines strewn across the floor. Another not listed is a good rack for all the fishing poles if you enjoy such a hobby. Same kind of thing for the various brooms, dustpans and extension poles.
Finally, pin-up girls/calendars. Just doesn't seem like a shop without some scantily clad girls hanging on the wall. I have almost 30 years worth of nice looking wall calendars from every past year (old ******* mostly) and also some of Dad's old Easyrider magazine artwork.

Love David Mann's art! My favorite is the one where the two bikes are at a stop light next to a green station wagon with Mr. Milquetoast driving, looking scared and his nagging wife. The kids are in the back seat breaking balls and flipping off the guys on the bikes

 

[ItsNemo]

I watched the video on the OP... I don't think he has enough drill drivers!

Seriously, how many can you possibly use at once? Not that I'm saying you could ever have too many tools. I do want to keep my Man Card.

Left to right, all 20v brushless
- Jigsaw (I guess not brushless here though)
- 1/2" high torque impact
- 1/2" mid torque impact
- 3/8" compact impact old
- 1/4" impact driver #1
- 1/2" hammer drill
- 1/4" impact driver #2 (yes, doubles, saves bit changes or when I've got someone helping me)
- 3/8" compact atomic impact new
- 1/2" compact atomic drill
- Batteries

Up above are the 12 volt screwdriver and drill for lighter duty work indoors. Also not pictured but I do have another of the 1/2" hammer drills but it's in a separate hard case with two batts and charger, I won that one in a contest

I make use of all of them at some point or another, each has its purposes...it's not like they're all just plain drivers.

 

[mrb1]

Love David Mann's art! My favorite is the one where the two bikes are at a stop light next to a green station wagon with Mr. Milquetoast driving, looking scared and his nagging wife. The kids are in the back seat breaking balls and flipping off the guys on the bikes

 

[nadogail]

I'm a weirdo, sensitive to noise. Constant noise (ex: radio) or instantaneous noise that I generate myself (ex: impact) are not a big deal. But sudden unexpected noise (compressor kicking on) causes me to spill coffee or jerk and bang my head on something. If this happens more than a couple times in an hour it starts to sour my mood. So I put my compressor on a VFD with a gentle ramp. Now instead of screaming to life from 0 to 100% in 0.194 S, it gently accelerates with a bit of zen "whoooooooos-whoooooos-whoooos-whooos-whoos." The max speed it goes up to is proportional to the difference between current pressure and max pressure, so if it's just recovering from a slow leak it never even reaches max, it just plays its slow dance whoos whoos song for a bit and turns back off. This is the second most significant change I made apart from adding a 36k mini split for heating and cooling, as far as making the place more enjoyable.

Also I added a "pisstube" to the back corner so I can take a leak behind the shop without walking behind the shop.

A garage toilet is very useful and I am very proud to have one

 

[DuluthMachineWorks]

In line with the music- bluetooth hearing protection. I use a pair of bluetooth earplugs. 30 NRR, and the music never stops. I don't have to crank it up to hear it over the tools, and I'm a lot more likely to wear earplugs if they're also my headphones. You can also get muffs too, but the plugs are so unobtrusive that I almost forget that I'm wearing them.

Link?

I use ISOTunes and have been very happy with them. I replace the ear tips with these, which are a lot more comfortable and feel like they have even better noise isolation than the stock ones.

 

[OGJordan]

Thank you ! He’s 8 weeks in that pic. 11 weeks now and growing quickly!

@OGJordan that is a gorgeous Shepard look at the size of those paws!!!!

 

[Blackbyrd]

He is gonna be a beast! I have an almost 2 years Siberian husky that hangs in the garage with me but it's hard to get things done cause if I lay on the floor to get under a car she is on top of me!

 

[Magnum440d100]

One thing I ran into today that made me think of this thread.

A decent trash receptacle lol

As I was doing a little bit of work today, and throwing something away, I realized that I did not have a decent trash can at my last place. I had regular trash service, so anything big went directly into the trash can. In the shop, I had a grocery bag sized can that mostly got wrappers and paper towels lol.

Here, I have a 32 gallon can with a 33 gallon bag in it. I don’t have trash service, so the larger bag comes in handy, as it takes longer to fill.

Having a clean shop is definitely enjoyable!

 

[niget2002]

One thing I ran into today that made me think of this thread.

A decent trash receptacle lol

As I was doing a little bit of work today, and throwing something away, I realized that I did not have a decent trash can at my last place. I had regular trash service, so anything big went directly into the trash can. In the shop, I had a grocery bag sized can that mostly got wrappers and paper towels lol.

Here, I have a 32 gallon can with a 33 gallon bag in it. I don’t have trash service, so the larger bag comes in handy, as it takes longer to fill.

Having a clean shop is definitely enjoyable!

Good call.

We have a trash service too. I ordered a second can through them and have it at the front of the shop. That way we have one for the house and one for the shop. The shop can doesn't get taken to the street every week, but it makes it so much easier to get stuff into it.

I still have a few smaller cans with bag liners around the shop so that trash makes it into a can instead of just sitting on a counter.

I have 2 drills and 2 drivers. One of the drivers is an older 18v that I bought the lithium adapter for. It is nice to be able to have two different drivers, a drill, and a countersink all within easy reach sometimes.

 

[jmdirk]

I am a big fan of anti-fatigue mats anywhere that you have to stand for a long time. One of those things you may have to experience to really understand what you were missing.

I also think staying organized and leaving a clean shop when you're done go hand in hand. It's never fun searching for or replacing things, least of all when you absolutely need them. Funny enough, this is one thing I hugely differ on from my old man. He could operate just fine in a chaotic shop, but for me it's a huge distraction and it takes away from the enjoyment of working on a project.

in another thread, someone had talked about first impressions setting the tone for the day, and I think that applies here as well. If you walk into the shop/garage and it's a total **** show or a hoarder's paradise, you're likely to lower your expectations before you even get started. If you have to spend half an hour rearranging your **** before you can begin a project, that eats into your energy and motivation, not just your time.

Beyond that, I think having good tools that actually work properly is important. I fondly remember a few incidents of "hulk rage" in my old man's shop when I was growing up. I watched more than one finicky power tool meet a very violent demise when it was flung against the block wall and then eulogized with creative profanity. Good entertainment, of course, but fair to say that my dad was not enjoying his time in the shop at that particular moment.

Son? Is that you?

Seriously so much of how you describe your dad sounds like me.

I actually really envy people who have the discipline to get and stay organized. But I am my own worst enemy. So often I get done with something, or stop for the dat and the tools just lay where they were. I'm usually pretty good at remember where stuff is, but it does happen where I spend way too much time wondering, "where the hell is that ..." Probably happens more often than I'd like to admit. My biggest mental roadblock right now is that I have no idea how to organize it all logically.

And the other part. Having good tools available. I'm sometimes a bit of a cheapskate and will happily buy something used. Only to realize later than there's a good reason someone else was getting rid of it. Then end up spending way too much time fixing the tool so that I can get back to the main project at hand.

 

[ItsNemo]

Son? Is that you?

Seriously so much of how you describe your dad sounds like me.

I actually really envy people who have the discipline to get and stay organized. But I am my own worst enemy. So often I get done with something, or stop for the dat and the tools just lay where they were. I'm usually pretty good at remember where stuff is, but it does happen where I spend way too much time wondering, "where the hell is that ..." Probably happens more often than I'd like to admit. My biggest mental roadblock right now is that I have no idea how to organize it all logically.

And the other part. Having good tools available. I'm sometimes a bit of a cheapskate and will happily buy something used. Only to realize later than there's a good reason someone else was getting rid of it. Then end up spending way too much time fixing the tool so that I can get back to the main project at hand.

It's not hard to put things away at the end of the day, can take as little as 5-10 minutes and makes the next day so much better. I don't necessarily mean put everything away, but all the easy sockets/wrenches/screwdrivers should go away.

Also ya, my used tool buying experience has been hit or miss. I really prefer new unless it's an obvious deal, where the seller lets something good go for a song. Only happens once in a while though, maybe 1 time a year I pick up a truly good used deal. Otherwise, anything decent they're asking basically retail for them..."save the tax" isn't a deal to me.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Good clear highs take the metalhead music to another level.

we had the biggest baddest Roomba, but it didn't do that well.

 

[Mike65]

A lift
Music
lots of LED lights
air compressor
welder
toolboxes w/plenty of tools
work bench w/a good heavy vise
heat for the colder days
cold water to stay hydrated on hot days &
my reading glasses so I can read the small print
The beer comes out after the work is done.

 

[cpttuna]

I used to do that as well and loved it. Now I'm older and the opposite happens. My motivation fades after a few beers and I start eyeing the couch.

what model of Jeep?

 

[ItsNemo]

Good clear highs take the metalhead music to another level.

we had the biggest baddest Roomba, but it didn't do that well.

Those Funktion One's I see and some QSC amps in the racks...?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Yeah, but we are pretty well switched over to MC2 amps.

 

[Dogmeat]

Mike65....U did NOT mention a good A/C unit....my 48 sq. ft. has a 10k btu A/C....as well as a ceiling mounted
45k btu furnace, fridge, pool table, surround sound, & 3.5' wide x 6' deep x 22' (YES, 22 ft. long) pit with
separate covers for easy coverage for safety!

 

[ItsNemo]

Yeah, but we are pretty well switched over to MC2 amps.

That's a pretty potent setup...even if a little dated. Cool stuff

I have a PLX3102 and a pair of K12.2's and pair of K8.2's here, bit of a QSC fan.

 

[Alchase]

OK I will play!

I love working wood. Starting with something plain, and making something special out of it.
But I hate sawdust and the whole cleanup.
If I could invent a whole garage/shop sucker, that completely ***** the sawdust and wood scrap out after a day of cutting and sanding, I would be in heaven.
I love Working on vehicles, especially addons or mods that do not need to be done but are just for fun. I like repairing vehicles when I have all the parts and fluids on hand and do not have to make late minute runs to pick something up, I hate the really nasty old greasy crud and the rust stuck ****! I always come out wearing most of it.
If I could invent a grease/rust/crud cleaner offer, that totally cleans everything before I have to fix it I would be in heaven.

And I love a good glass of Irish Whiskey, Jamison or Propper No. 12, etc..., on the rocks. Especially after a good day in the garage/shop.

 

[joey1320]

So what does everyone do to make time in the workshop more enjoyable?

Here's my list of ideas...

Some are a little just "best practices" but I find when following these I don't hurt as much at the end of the day lol

Organization - A shop that's a total mess, like my Dad used to keep his, gives me anxiety. I instantly get angry and just not in a productive mindset. Love my pops but man, it was a disaster.

Lighting - Good lights and visibility is a must.

Temperature Control - Winters in Ohio are brutal and summers can be troublesome. A good climate makes me enjoy the work more.

White Noise / Audio - I listen to two things mostly while in the shop, white noise music, just old tunes I know that I want to play in the background, or more interesting audio like lectures and important info podcasts.

Drink/Snacks - I sometimes have a beer but a super cold glass of water in the middle of July hits the spot like nothing else. Same with snacks. A little bag of peanut M&M's to grab in between jobs is a little escape from the moment.

Safety gear.

Olfactory Inputs - Believe it or not, I have a wax heater with "midnight leather" scented wax cubes that I keep by my workbench. When I know I'm about to be spending a good amount of time at the bench, I turn it on before I do anything else which allows the wax to melt and the smell to spread.

This is just like music, lighting and the food/drinks, its all about supplying calming inputs to your senses.

 

[Uncle murph]

A garage toilet is very useful and I am very proud to have one

I actually use a bucket so I can save it for my neighbor.

 

[Bulldog13]

Got this for $350 bucks…sold my old craftsman small box…gonna dedicate it to boat/fishing gear and my knife building supplies …