Things to Make Workshop More Enjoyable

[ItsNemo]

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

I could work in that

 

[npp]

Meh, to each their own I guess.

I guess some of us are just rebels. I take the guard off my grinders, I don't always wear safety glasses, and I own three vehicle without neutral safety switches. I like to live on the edge!

I like how you roll.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Twice as many electric receptacles as you think you'll need. I just added 3 more in the last couple months.

Twice as many air taps as you think you'll need, even if you only set a lot of plugged tees in the main line. Just got bit here, too.

And lots of good grade anti fatigue mats. I use the interlocking commercial kitchen rubber mats with holes in them from Restaurant Depot. I've got about 15, and have found I need a few more.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

And lots of good grade anti fatigue mats. I use the interlocking commercial kitchen rubber mats with holes in them from Restaurant Depot. I've got about 15, and have found I need a few more.

I go cheap on these and got a bunch of the foam play mats. Even picked them up at yard sales! The downside of mats though is that I also try and put much of my stuff on casters so I can move them out of the way. Even with larger casters, they don't like to roll over mats. So the mat placement needs to be thought out or you have to keep moving them around so you can wheel your carts/tools around.

 

[ParkerVise]

I have Sirius/XM satellite radio in my car. If you have that subscription, you get free access via your phone or internet as well. So, I run the Sirius/XM through my vintage stereo (1974 Kenwood receiver (made in Chicago!) and Klipsch Heresy speakers) via a Bluetooth receiver connected to the receiver. Works great and I have a huge selection of music styles to listen to.

 

[ItsNemo]

I really need to up my anti-fatigue mat game it sounds like.

 

[ybnormal]

Pole dancers and strippers.

are you hiring?

 

[ambenz]

BIG 3..
heat/AC
tunes
drinks

 

[jimj580]

Organization, cold beverage, music at a moderate level and being left alone.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Time! Just need more time, most of my work is far from the shop & really don't get much shop time. That & a door to the house, would be so much more convenient.

 

[jeep63]

Time! Just need more time, most of my work is far from the shop & really don't get much shop time. That & a door to the house, would be so much more convenient.

This is my story at the moment. We just moved in and I get sporadic time in the shop, but it has been limited of late, and with the onslaught of spring and landscaping duties this will only get worse...

 

[67CarGuy]

Organization, cold beverage, music at a moderate level and being left alone.

I'm mostly with you on this, although there are plenty of times where I think "This would be so much easier if I had a helper here!"

I've been reading all the lift/hoist/etc. threads looking for the right solution... I think an engine lift/cherry picker is in my future...

 

[liliysdad]

I have Sirius/XM satellite radio in my car. If you have that subscription, you get free access via your phone or internet as well. So, I run the Sirius/XM through my vintage stereo (1974 Kenwood receiver (made in Chicago!) and Klipsch Heresy speakers) via a Bluetooth receiver connected to the receiver. Works great and I have a huge selection of music styles to listen to.

Or, you can stream from anyone of a million services, with many of them free...and listen to what you what, when you want.

I actually kind of thought Sirius/XM had died by now.

 

[niget2002]

Or, you can stream from anyone of a million services, with many of them free...and listen to what you what, when you want.

I actually kind of thought Sirius/XM had died by now.

There's still a few times traveling where I lose data, but my Sirius still works in the truck.

 

[CSRPenFab]

Having the DVR in the house full of sappy Hallmark channel movies greatly improves workshop enjoyment. The wife gets so wrapped up watching them, I don't get requests for projects or needless errands!

 

[liliysdad]

There's still a few times traveling where I lose data, but my Sirius still works in the truck.

I travel a lot in areas with zero cell reception. I keep a pretty good selection of music and podcast downloaded on my.phone for just those times.

 

[ParkerVise]

Or, you can stream from anyone of a million services, with many of them free...and listen to what you what, when you want.

I actually kind of thought Sirius/XM had died by now.

Yes, there are numerous options. While I have over a thousand CDs and that many LPs, I like when someone else is making the selections in the chosen genre.

 

[smackey05]

1. It's the right temperature for you
2. Good Music
3. Cold Beer
4. Company

 

[Glemon]

Climate control depends a bit on where you live and how well insulated your shop is. I can work in the heat if needed, but hate the cold (Midwest, we get plenty of both) so I have a good electric heater.

A sink is great, don't need a toilet, but my shop/garage has always been attached to the house, so no big deal.

Don't have any interest in a TV, don't need beer in the shop, beer is for after, a small fridge with cold drinks is nice, but zi can bring a large 32 oz. cup filled with ice water or tea or whatever, and that will get me through most of the day.

Seating when you can or it makes sense helps the back.

I like light when I need it, and I need more as I get older, but when I don't a little dim is much more relaxing than glaring light all the time. I have motion lights to give me a minimal level of light instantly if I need to go in the garage and grab something.

Clutter/organization. I used to have a really good memory, didn't need to be organized because I remembered where everything was. As my tool collection has grown and my memory has shrunk, I find organization more important, but I make a godawful mess when working on a project, the focus is on completing the task and everything else is secondary. Clean up comes after.

That said, a good sized trash can in the garage is very helpful.

Phone and a quality Bluetooth speaker gives me all the sound/entertainment I need.

Plenty of workbench space, plenty of accessible power outlets.

Mostly covering already covered ground here. I will add that one thing I don't have room for that I would like is an old comfy chair. If I am knee deep in an all day project and pretty grungy all over, would be nice to have a place to sit down, eat, and relax for a minute without worrying about getting it dirty.

 

[Steveodle]

HVAC,TELE, BOSE,HOTNCOLDH2O, LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT!!
COMFORTABLE SEATING, cold storage of drinks.
1 helper max.
and a shop dog

 

[Steveodle]

Meh, to each their own I guess.

I guess some of us are just rebels. I take the guard off my grinders, I don't always wear safety glasses, and I own three vehicle without neutral safety switches. I like to live on the edge!

BOO, SCARY STUFF!!