Must Have Shop Items

[Diggin It]

Jacks, hoists, lifts of one sort or another, either floor based and portable or ceiling mounted.

Clamps of different types to hold or position things.

Punches.

 

[sodamo]

Nice thread and OP got it off to a great start - I don’t have everything on his list .

99% of my tools are from need. If something I want, there must be a need . I will also say my wife is awesomely supportive. The few times she has questioned my need usually involved reexamining that need and getting something better. Can’t begin to tell you how many times even years later I will use something that may have seemed a bit much originally and thanked her.

Some sort of organization/storage. I’m not the best at getting things put away in a timely manner, but I really try to keep groups of like things in the same area so if I don’t find it where it really belongs I can usually find it in a general area. Of course periodically everything gets tidied up.

 

[dragoneggs]

Doofy and BB... you are right on. Lighting and heat in that order. I outfitted my shop with Costco LED shop lights. A bunch of them and put them on a remote switch so I can easily turn them all on. I have 10 ganged together in pairs so I can turn them all on or just some.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CY8RSBF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Heat! Yes, this is my current project. Currently heating with a portable propane heater. Soon I will have a 45Kbtu sealed combustion with thermostat. This should reduce rusting of steel surfaces... I HOPE.

 

[blackd]

I noticed one thing missing -- WATER. Even an outside hose spigot will provide most of your needs instead of trudging over to the house. I built a 30X30 shop with a 15X30 lean to for my out door/yard equipment with 100amp electrical service and water run from the house. After 20 years both the shop and lean to are full.

They're never large enough.

 

[mikester]

I noticed one thing missing -- WATER. Even an outside hose spigot will provide most of your needs instead of trudging over to the house. I built a 30X30 shop with a 15X30 lean to for my out door/yard equipment with 100amp electrical service and water run from the house. After 20 years both the shop and lean to are full.

They're never large enough.

You mind as well add a bed and a beer fridge.

 

[ovrszd]

Up here, heat in the shop is my big deal. No matter how many tools I have, I sure don't feel like doing anything if I am freezing my butt off. I Have a nice Hotblast woodstove very comfortable inside, no matter how cold outside. Also just added 4 new LED light fixtures, what a difference.

I'm finishing my second Winter in my shop with hydronic radiant floor heat. Words can't describe it.

 

[ovrszd]

You mind as well add a bed and a beer fridge.

I have running water, bathroom and beer fridge. Antique Barber Chair that reclines for naps. Didn't put in a shower and don't think I'd use it anyway.

 

[ovrszd]

A good quality multi-drawer tool cabinet on good quality wheels.

 

[TnAndy]

Several quality LED Work lights. The brighter, the better. 10,000 lumens each with stands would be a good start. The older my eyes get, the better the lighting must be. Overhead lights create to many shadows these days.

Helps too if you paint everything white. My overhead lights are 400w HID, but I still find myself using portable LEDs in a lot of situations now days.

 

[ovrszd]

Good point Andy. White interior and good lights.