What would you get?

teebo

teebo

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Say you were just starting and wanted to upgrade your shop game. What would you get first? What has proved most useful?

I was thinking my air compressor really isn't up to much more than airing up tires. I also don't have a HVLP sprayer. I was thinking a 20 gallon with enough CFM.

I've thought about a small welder. But then, I'm not a welder and wouldn't weld anything of importance (like a frame). In the cases I wanted one, it was for a spot weld. So maybe not an overall useful thing.

What else?
 
I think a really nice rolling tool chest would be my upgrade. I'm in the "I have more tools than I have good storage" group. I hate not having an organized place for the new JIS screwdrivers, 1/4 in torque wrench, impact driver, compression tester, ignition test light and such that I've acquired since picking up working on old bikes.
 
Juneaudave said:
I think a really nice rolling tool chest would be my upgrade. I'm in the "I have more tools than I have good storage" group. I hate not having an organized place for the new JIS screwdrivers, 1/4 in torque wrench, impact driver, compression tester, ignition test light and such that I've acquired since picking up working on old bikes.
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Solid idea. I have a small rolling vintage tool chest. But it's maxed out. Along with that... workbench space. I have one bench, and it gets maxed out pretty quick.
 
I have two benches on different walls, but one of them has my garage computer and sound system on it as well as the grinder I use for polishing at the other end, along with my small vise for light work. The benches were there when we bought the place so I can't complain, and there are storage drawers under the one and cabinets under the other (of course, full of lesser-used tools inherited from my father). I really don't have any room to add much, but if I were to splurge on something it would probably be one big toolbox to eliminate at least 2 of my existing boxes. I currently have 3 boxes total, 2 stacked sets left me by my father full of tools (a lot of them body tools) and my cheapie lower box I downgraded to after leaving the mechanical field. Replace that one and the lesser of the two of my Dad's old stuff and I could free up some room.
 
I would add a motorcycle lift. I’m getting old enough that working on the floor is starting to suck.
 
I started working with tools in 1957 and still have all the tools I have bought since then. in 67 years thats a lot of tools. Wont bore you with a list. As far as my shop goes I use mostly hand tools or did dont do much any more. The one tool I couldnt do with out is my air compressor . I have three for different work. powder coating , light work and my sand blaster.
If I could only have one I would go with at least 150 PSI. I built an air handling system on the wall with a pressure reducer , air water separator and particle filter. I also put in a bypass and ran a line into the house for my wood shop.

Bill H
 
^^^Yep, gotta have a decent compressor, wish mine had more CFM but it's adequate for everything else I do.

2wheel, I bought a lift almost 6 years ago when I first got my 26x36 garage, best money I've ever spent. Working off the floor sucks bigtime.
 
I was a mechanic the first 2 years out of high school then got offered a job as a cabinetmaker and have been at that for 34 years so I have a garage full of mechanics and woodworking tools. Storage is the most important thing in the garage. I figured I could put the lift in the center of a bay and just park over it with my truck.
 
You could, except for the height of the wheel clamp at the front of it. Unless you have a lifted 4x4.
 
Good compressor (5cfm @ 90psi,or better), a good solid workbench, a vice, plenty of organized tool storage, a bike lift, and plenty of lighting. I also have a refrigerator in my shop for "beverages" and snacks ( helps with the creative part). If I could I would add a dishwasher and deep sink (to clean parts), and an oven to heat parts, cure paint
 
2wheel said:
F350 super duty stock height.
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Maybe, but this will help. Just went out to the garage and took this, never really thought about it until now. This is from the floor up. Of course, you could remove the wheel clamp and put it on when you use the lift, but that would be a PITA

Rba3dqT.jpg
 
ancientdad said:
Maybe, but this will help. Just went out to the garage and took this, never really thought about it until now. This is from the floor up. Of course, you could remove the wheel clamp and put it on when you use the lift, but that would be a PITA
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dang, much taller than I thought.
 
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I have been thinking about a 10' x 12' shed for my lawn tools, generator, bicycle to get them out of my half garage, which was walled off to add a small room before I moved in. Then, I'd need a bigger tool box. I have a consumer level two tier rolling box I picked up for $40 used when I moved here 7 years ago, but it's full now, and I keep buying tools. I need a lift, too, my arthritis is so bad now.

A man can dream, can't he?
 
Good replies.

Lighting. I've thought that more than once. That should be an easy fix. I need a lot more. Especially discovered that while painting. Shadows are insidious.

My one bench can't be described as solid. It's OK to do table top work. I need something sturdy enough for a solid vice. And heavier work.

I do all my home repairs and some woodwork. Maybe some way to organize or split that up a bit. More shelves too.
 
Getting a lift had the most impact to me. It was a complete game changer and makes working on a bike so much easier and enjoyable.
 
I'm another to echo the value of a good motorcycle lift.

I regret taking the cheap way out and buying a simple 'roll on roll off' model. Makes loading heavier bikes so much more difficult, plus there is the added disadvantage of not being able to adjust working height. Therefore, a hydraulic or electric is preferred. Always a good investment too, because their resale value remains high!
 
12ozPBR said:
Getting a lift had the most impact to me. It was a complete game changer and makes working on a bike so much easier and enjoyable.
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DO you mind me asking what type or brand lift??? I have been thinking about a lift and watch Craigslist and Facebook in my area closely......nothing has popped up to date.
 
At some undetermined point in the near future I'll find myself back in a shop space of my own. I've enjoyed my little harbor freight mill and lathe but I think it's time to upgrade to something a bit larger. Cost and availability will be key though. I'm thankful for the compressor specs that have been posted, but I'm not much for air tools or paint guns yet. I've got a small pancake compressor that's fine for inflation tasks but probably not much more. For a lift cost and availability will be key again. I've got my plywood build table for mockups and initial assembly, it was cheap and light, has casters and can stand in a corner when not needed. It's not much good for maintenance though. https://tinyurl.com/yw6secat
Good quality steel shelving is important to me, a chainfall or cherry picker might be useful too.

And a separate area to park cars and bikes is important to me.
 
Alan F. said:
At some undetermined point in the near future I'll find myself back in a shop space of my own. I've enjoyed my little harbor freight mill and lathe but I think it's time to upgrade to something a bit larger. Cost and availability will be key though. I'm thankful for the compressor specs that have been posted, but I'm not much for air tools or paint guns yet. I've got a small pancake compressor that's fine for inflation tasks but probably not much more. For a lift cost and availability will be key again. I've got my plywood build table for mockups and initial assembly, it was cheap and light, has casters and can stand in a corner when not needed. It's not much good for maintenance though. https://tinyurl.com/yw6secat
Good quality steel shelving is important to me, a chainfall or cherry picker might be useful too.

And a separate area to park cars and bikes is important to me.
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Check Grizzly for lathes and mills https://www.grizzly.com/metal-lathes
I spent the money to buy some commercial shelving rather than the big box offerings. Then set the bottom shelf high enough that when/if I don't need the HF bike lift I can remove the tire stop/clamp and roll it under out of the way
GEDC2462.jpg
 
Yakeye said:
DO you mind me asking what type or brand lift??? I have been thinking about a lift and watch Craigslist and Facebook in my area closely......nothing has popped up to date.
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I went with HF which is foot operated hydraulic. Key to keeping the hydraulic jack from leaking is always use one of the two bar lock positions so the jack isn't holding pressure. Might check the ads on a regular basis since it's gone up in price @$100 since last year https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-steel-motorcycle-lift-68892.html
 
LongDistanceRider said:
I need more light, currently using four 4' fluorescents with LED tubes.
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I'm about the same. Fluorescent though. When I painted, I setup several clip-on work lights to have adequate lighting.

I may solve that this weekend. Figure out a good arrangement and put 'em up. That's an afternoon at most.
 
I'd really like to build a hot-tank, maybe 2. One for degreasing and another for de-rusting. Big enough to submerge a whole frame would be perfect.
I'm sure I could cobble something together from old bed frames, galvanized ductwork and spent bbq grilles... An electric chain fall overhead would be really nice too.
 
teebo said:
Ultrasonic cleaner? I do need that.
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He might have talking about a parts washing tank. I bought the HF washer and they told me at time of purchase that it couldn't be used with petroleum-based solvents, so I bought a couple containers of the water-based stuff... even at double strength it was useless, except for cleaning the driveway when I drained it all out. So I first bought a 5 gallon pail of solvent from Advance Auto, talked the guy into their wholesale price (about $75) and it worked well but as it slowly evaporated I wanted to add some and found that Tractor Supply sells something similar for around $45 for 5 gallons. I bought 2 more pails a few months back when my original mix got really dirty after the red 450 build and saved the initial pour-off to run through a filter and add back to it once my drag bike engine parts are all clean and ready for assembly, then I'll have a combined total of around 12 gallons or so. HF says the washer tank would hold 20 gallons and it's easier with a higher level than 5 gallons gives, in fact I had to block up one end of it for the 5 gallons to reach the pump pickup. And BTW, the petroleum-based solvent has been in it for nearly 5 years and the pump still works just fine.
 
teebo said:
I'm about the same. Fluorescent though. When I painted, I setup several clip-on work lights to have adequate lighting.

I may solve that this weekend. Figure out a good arrangement and put 'em up. That's an afternoon at most.
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I'm on my 3rd pack of 6 now, replacing all fluorescents. Twice the light and half the draw. Cheap too. I didn't realize how much more I need light as I age.

hykolity 6 Pack LED Shop Light 4FT, T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 22W, 2200lm, 6500K Super Bright White, Linkable Shop Light, Utility Shop Lights, Corded Electric W/ Built-in ON/Off Switc - - Amazon.com
 
The things one learns on this forum !

I had no idea that LED replacements for fluorescent tubes existed. I have two old ones in the kitchen, I now know what I'll be replacing them with. Already replaced most of our old 'energy saving' fluorescent light bulbs with LED equivalents.
 
Couple of things to keep in mind.
- think about the future. Example, get an air compressor big enough to handle future purchases.
- can guarantee that once friends & family see your shop/garage; you’ll be asked to do some work.

Shop needs vary on your focus & passion. Motorcycles and cars are mine.
Heres a list of shop equipment. Listed in priority (for me)
- lighting, LED throughout the shop. The older I get, better lighting is huge.
- air compressor, 7.5hp, two stage, 13.5scfm
- hand tools to include “special tools” specific for certain vehicles and repairs.
- lifts, automotive primary, motorcycle secondary
- drill press, floor model
- belt sander(s)
- MiG welder, 255amp to cover the big jobs
- solvent tank
- ultrasonic cleaner

Good luck with your shop, exciting times!
 
Richard Pitman said:
The things one learns on this forum !

I had no idea that LED replacements for fluorescent tubes existed. I have two old ones in the kitchen, I now know what I'll be replacing them with. Already replaced most of our old 'energy saving' fluorescent light bulbs with LED equivalents.
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I refused to jump on the fluorescent bandwagon when incandescent became a "bad thing". Terrible color rendition. Nothing looks right under most fluorescents. You can find high CRI fluorescents if you look hard enough though.

I just waited for LED to get cheaper.

I even found LED replacements for my Halogen under-cabinet lighting. And my landscape lighting.
 
2wheel said:
I would add a motorcycle lift. I’m getting old enough that working on the floor is starting to suck.
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I Fully agree.
I live in an upstairs apt. and I'm working out in the parking lot,again.. I need a shop with a lift,bench,sufficient size CFM air compressor,a couple tool chests And a glass bead cabinet,etc. Oh and Plenty of bench and shelf space :)
 
teebo said:
I refused to jump on the fluorescent bandwagon when incandescent became a "bad thing". Terrible color rendition. Nothing looks right under most fluorescents. You can find high CRI fluorescents if you look hard enough though.

I just waited for LED to get cheaper.

I even found LED replacements for my Halogen under-cabinet lighting. And my landscape lighting.
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I had a small shop in the 90's and installed an 8' flourescent over my lift using 'Day lighter' GE bulbs:they weren't bad;they certainly weren't and match for today's LED's though :cool::cool::cool:
 
If you are just planning to do motorcycle work, you really don't need a lot of air compressor capacity, invest in good cordless tools instead. Even an air powered lift table does not require a lot of air, a 3 horse 20 gal would be sufficient. Same thing with welder capacity. Nothing on a bike requires more than 150 amps. Extra capability is nice, but if you don't need/won't use it there is no sense in paying for it. You may have difficulty rationalizing a $2000 welder, but $600 is easier to spend. If you plan on doing metal fab besides bike work, then the bigger stuff is necessary (and worth the price).

I refit my shop with at least 20 led fixtures in a 26x32 space. When I read on the package how much money I would save annually by converting to led, I figured I would just keep adding fixtures and saving money until the electric company would start paying me to turn on the lights.;)
 
My tool priority list:

1. JIS screwdrivers/bits
2. Impact driver
3. 3/8 cordless ratchet (Dewalt or better)
4. QUALITY sockets and combination wrenches. Maybe this should be number 3.
5. Good lift table, or a low table and a ramp if a lift is not in your budget.
6. Quality multimeter. Learn how to use it.
7. 4 or 5 inch angle grinder (handy when you absolutely must "de-tab" your frame for that custom bobber you will build). Also, cutting discs are super handy.
8. Ultrasonic cleaner.
9. Scissor jack that fits under your bike, even if you have a center stand on your bike.
9. Mig welder, (or Tig if you must....
Now you can go fill your toolbox with all the goodies like precision measuring devices (rulers, calipers, feeler gauges, angle finder, protractor), good chain breaker/riveter, gear pullers, pneumatic pop rivet gun, quality set of twist drills.

The best part of any hobby is collecting all the goodies you need:)
 
Yakeye said:
DO you mind me asking what type or brand lift??? I have been thinking about a lift and watch Craigslist and Facebook in my area closely......nothing has popped up to date.
Click to expand...

I went with the Harbor Freight hydraulic lift table. It has worked well and is plenty sturdy for a Honda twin. Definitely worth the money when I bought it several years ago. As Jim mentioned the price has gone up but it still is the most affordable one to buy new.
 
12ozPBR said:
I went with the Harbor Freight hydraulic lift table. . .
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I'm beginning to wish we had Harbor Freight in UK. Sounds like a mechanical enthusiasts' paradise. Sure, we have hardware, etc, but nothing with the breadth of stock that members talk out.:sad:
 
LongDistanceRider said:
I need more light, currently using four 4' fluorescents with LED tubes.
Click to expand...

When I looked the cost of LED tubes that fit the fluorescent fixtures was twice what self contained LED 4' were and then if the ballasts go bad you have to deal with that. I'm retiring my old fixtures, the new ones are very light, bright and literally plug and play. See below amazon link and figure what 6 T12 (4') LED equivalents cost. The 6 pack costs about $45 and they draw less.
 
12ozPBR said:
I went with the Harbor Freight hydraulic lift table. It has worked well and is plenty sturdy for a Honda twin. Definitely worth the money when I bought it several years ago. As Jim mentioned the price has gone up but it still is the most affordable one to buy new.
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One thing is for sure, it will keep your legs in shape.
 
Hondaholic said:
I'm beginning to wish we had Harbor Freight in UK. Sounds like a mechanical enthusiasts' paradise. Sure, we have hardware, etc, but nothing with the breadth of stock that members talk out.:sad:
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Their stuff is 'okay', adequate most of the time but a fair amount of it is for the quite casual user. I bought some polishing (cloth) wheels for my grinder there and they came apart in mere minutes, pieces flying off while I was in my first 3 minutes of polishing. Took that junk back, no issues (they know the level of stuff they sell). I use their Scotchbrite-style discs for the hand-held air grinder (and when my old friend Mike's CP air grinder died I bought the HF equivalent) and both work well, though you can tell the air grinder isn't top flight but it does what I need it to do for half the money or less. As mentioned earlier, I have their parts washing tank and it's going on 5 years old with petroleum-based solvent in it (which they said would damage the pump) and it's been great. Just like any other seller, you have to pick and choose from their stuff to get decent for less money. Been considering their mid-priced torque wrench as I've borrowed my buddy's Snap-On piece a few times in the last 5 years or so, just not convinced it would be as accurate as I'd like.
 
I would have liked to have a lift but just didnt have room for it. I have an overhead hoist and would lift the bike then go to the wood shop and build a stand to support the bike where I needed it. When done I would take the stand apart for storage. I have a work bench on one side of the shop and built a portable work bench to use where I needed it. My shop is 33 feet deep but only 11 feet wide. With work benches and shelves on the sides you have to get creative with the center space. My powder coating ovens, sand blaster and welders take up the back wall.
When and or if I finish Tonys CA 95 I am going start selling my equipment. None of the family is interested in the tools. Probably wont get a few cents on the dollar.

Bill H
 
ancientdad said:
Their stuff is 'okay', adequate most of the time but a fair amount of it is for the quite casual user. I bought some polishing (cloth) wheels for my grinder there and they came apart in mere minutes, pieces flying off while I was in my first 3 minutes of polishing. Took that junk back, no issues (they know the level of stuff they sell). I use their Scotchbrite-style discs for the hand-held air grinder (and when my old friend Mike's CP air grinder died I bought the HF equivalent) and both work well, though you can tell the air grinder isn't top flight but it does what I need it to do for half the money or less. As mentioned earlier, I have their parts washing tank and it's going on 5 years old with petroleum-based solvent in it (which they said would damage the pump) and it's been great. Just like any other seller, you have to pick and choose from their stuff to get decent for less money. Been considering their mid-priced torque wrench as I've borrowed my buddy's Snap-On piece a few times in the last 5 years or so, just not convinced it would be as accurate as I'd like.
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This is a fair review. I go there for "staple" type stuff. Or stuff that is seldom used but will work.

For stuff I expect to use often, and I want it to work, I try to find the better stuff.

I did end up springing for a Snap-on torque wrench. I had tried a wrench from Amazon (that got great reviews) and when I tried it at 40 foot lbs, it never even signaled me. Multiple tries. Returned it. I mean I should trust that or not even use one, right?
 
I use an old craftsman beam and scale type, not even a clicker. I did buy the HF deluxe drill bit set (numbered, letter, decimal) off the sale rack that was a jumble for $20. The $90 MIG and auto dark helmet have gotten a lot of use. Still use the $8 meters (I check one against the others). The X/Y drill press vice gets used for other noisy machinery projects.
 
ballbearian said:
I use an old craftsman beam and scale type, not even a clicker. I did buy the HF deluxe drill bit set (numbered, letter, decimal) off the sale rack that was a jumble for $20. The $90 MIG and auto dark helmet have gotten a lot of use. Still use the $8 meters (I check one against the others). The X/Y drill press vice gets used for other noisy machinery projects.
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I have so many tools from between what I had and what my father left me that in general, I'm okay with most everyday needs but I lack some specialty stuff, and I wish I still had my Craftsman beam style torque wrench. I hate losing (or missing) stuff that got away somehow without knowing where it went. Used it all through high school and well beyond, then along the way over a couple decades of non-use it just disappeared. I'd imagine they get out of calibration after years of use too, but when you read accounts like teebo's above about a new clicker type from Amazon that doesn't work right you tend to lose some confidence in the more modern stuff, especially the bargain versions. That's why I can't bring myself to buy a mid-priced torque wrench from HF.
 
Craftsman beam style like this?

IMG_20220213_100355.jpg

I'm keeping this since I need it for my 140 foot lbs lug nuts on my truck. Not about to buy a new high end torque wrench for that. No idea how accurate this one is. Probably close enough.
 
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