Okay, so as some of you may know, I recently bought a new house. Since this is the first house of my own I don't have a lot of tools that weren't easily stored in my apartment or stashed at my brother's place. Now as I gear up for my Tri-Magnum and Ground-Hugger project I've been thinking about the things that I really need for a decent workshop.

What I already have:

• Of course, various screwdrivers, sockets and wrenches
• Circular Saw
• Drill
• Jig saw
• Orbital sander
• Car Ramps
• Jack Stands
• Shop Vac (Got as Christmas/Housewarming gift 12/16)
• Floor Jack (Got as Christmas/Housewarming gift 12/16)

What I need/want:

• Rolling Tool box
• Welder (Mig, based on all the suggestions I've received)
• Bench Grinder
• Drill Press
• Table Saw (May DIY myself up one)
• Air Compressor and air tool set
• Hoist and rails (suggested by Mordeth)
• Router (suggested by computercowboy)
• Dust collector (suggested by Mordeth)
• Saw horses (suggested by tameone)
• Vise (suggested by tameone)

Any suggestions?

I was going to DIY a table saw, but ended up buying a Firestorm (Black n decker) it has done me good so far, will put it to the real test when I put walls up in the basement and build my PJ box.

And one thing I would have in my workshop, safety glasses.. Can't tell ya how many times they have saved me pain.

As for tools and such... I will be adding an electric wench to mine soon, with rails to roll on. Just to make things a bit easier.

Ah yes, the electric wench. Been thinking about gettin' me one of them too!

Click to view attachment

Seriously, a hoist and rail system is a great idea. Added to the list.

Router

Ahh, great suggestion. I'll add it to the list. Thanks!

yea you gotta have a router

heh, one of those days.. I can't even manage to spell my name right today.

oh and, another thing to add if ya have the time to build or money to buy.
A dust collector.
right now i'm just using a shop vac (heh, need those everywhere) to suck up my sawdust while i'm cutting.

Cool, added! Thanks!

breaker bar, saw horses, vise, clamps.

FWIW looking at your future project and the metal work involved, you might try to stomach the purchase of something like this so that you can cut the radii in the pipes for good mating and welding. Also it lends more flexibility to your manufacturing options when trying to rig up mounts and the like.



Also you will definately need a die-grinder, a steel workbench top, and a good set of vise-grips of the welding variety.



Some other ideas... here here here here



Now that I have spend 20K of your money...

Some things I often use are. Angle grinder, shop lights (the dual 500w lamp set), Magnetic bowls(for holding screws and such while ya work), A good level (be it laser or normal), ear plugs, space heater (work in winter often), dremel, metal files, and a good tap & die set.. I'll think of some more things in the morning.


Edit: Those Quick Release Drill Press Clamps that the guy above me listed are also a very nice thing to have around.

if your new house is really an old house, and you're interested in doing some improvement, here are a few things I have used to death over the years.

work lights
blow torch
pipe cutter
monkey wrench
industrial dust mask
heat gun
caulking gun
putty knife
paint scrapers
mallet & chisel
square
level

Pipe clamps are a must. Seems like there is always a time when I can use them...

Never underestimate the power of a good set of chisels. Well sharpened chisels can square things very nicely as long as you are patient.

A 20 or 10 gallon fish tank. Seriously. My dad and I used to keep hardwood scraps in one and it makes for super easy browsing for just the right size.

Coffee Cans! Yes folks thats right! Standard coffee cans now come with a plastic sleeve because its cheaper than printing metal. It comes off easily and you are left with a fine modular container which fits perfectly on a shallow shelf. Need a lot in a hurry? Go to your local recycling plant. You can take 30 out of the bins and no one will bat an eye..

Make a cut light. Its a light outside your shop door that indicates you are cutting or working with heavy tools. Like a Dark Room light. Keeps people from barging in and you loosing a hand, finger, eye...etc...

Build a custom workbench thats tuned to your height. Mine is about 9 inches higher than a standard workbench. Keeps backaches away and makes it easier to build. The more fun you have in your shop, the more likely you are to be satisfied with your investment.

Carpet or Foam for the floors. Can stress this enough. Its a bitch to clean, but padding for your immediate work area can really take the strain off your ankles and knees for long stand up seassions. It also keeps the cold from seeping through to your joints in cold weather.

An extendable shop vac ( and this is important!) with an on off switch located at the head. Its SOOO much easier to keep a clean shop if you just grab the hose and whoosh it away. You would be surprised how often I dont vacuum when I have to go over, turn it on, walk back over, vacuum, then go over, turn it off, then go back to work...

Also...get to know your neighbor's kids. Cleaning a shop is easy to do for young folks and they seem to really like to do it, especially for cash! Plus, you become the "cool neighbor" who, by default, enjoys the privelege of not getting his house egged on cabbagestalk night and offers from young men to mow lawns, clean gutters and generally do all your stuff for you for 1/4 the price...
GOOD to be the cool neighbor...

and last but not least...

Music! Get an old receiver and a pair of old speakers and outfit with tunes. Tunes will help in all kinds of ways. Loud music for cleaning, gametime away from the wife, classical for small delicate cuts, jazz for creativity, country for when you have screwed it up...

and the best peice of advice Left...

Dont skimp on your table saw! Dont DIY it. Get a precision table with some rollers and plenty of space to move. Some can even be swapped for a router. Trust me on this one. Its worth the extra few bucks the first time you want to make a good cut on a piece more than 36 inches long.

Consider a chop/miter saw too. They can be awfully handy sometimes.

I could write a book...

Jointer- if your stock isn't dead square/true - rarely is
Planer - to make it parallel and the thickness you want

there goes another grand

Consider going DIY for a dust collector. A "cyclone" type is best. And you may want to buy a good book on dust collection. You'd be surprised how technical one can get regarding dust collection. Nah, you probably wouldn't be surprised.

Good gloves, hearing protection, and eye protection. All with spares. And USE them.

A really good fence on your tablesaw and the best blade(s) you can afford. The best blades make awesome cuts.

Plenty of good lighting. The older you get the dimmer everything seems.

Hope you wind up with a kick-butt shop.

Wow, you guys have given me a lot to think about (and spend money on!)

Just FYI, although I didn't list it, between being a flightline tech for the AF and my days working in the machine shop I have plenty of PPE. Safety glasses (perscription even), Ear-defenders, light mechanix gloves and heavy work gloves, steel-toe boots etc...

PPE is good (and should go without saying) but there is no substitute for actually planning out what you are going to do. A little thinking goes a long way in the shop...especially when cutting!

On that note:

1. fire extinguisher
2. very accessible main cut off switch to your tool area
3. phone
4. good ventilation
5. emergency face and hand wash basin

SIM

you forgot the real number 1 item,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and the most important one.........

0. complete common sense.....

I THINK thats covered under "a little thinking"....

Not to sure about that.. I did "a little thinking" once with a hack-saw, and ended up cutting 1/4" into my thumb.. Thinking all things through before you do them sure does save you time/money and pain in the long run..

I had a friend a long time ago, when I was in my teens who wanted to restore a beautuful car. A 1967 Camaro SS ( might have been 68...). I went and got speakers from a defunct dept store and the amp that went with them and put them in his garage.

We played AC/DC and the soundtrack to heavy Metal until we were blue in the face while we worked on that girl. Music is everything to a project. I find it focuses me in key ways.

Anyway on day John puts on Billy Joel glass Houses and promptly cut off the end of his thumb with cutter...

Lesson here?
1 project, 1 playlist....

Just got a floorjack and shopvac given to me as a housewarming/Christmas gift! Yeah!

More info than you've ever wanted:

www.garagejournal.com

Check out my place the "Garage Mahal"

Router.. I have the table as well but rarely use it..
TableSaw - easier and safer to buy a $100 job.
Air tools & compressor is a must.. I actually got a set of HOTROD air tools in Sept that was reg $179 on clearance for $34!! (½" impact wrench, 3/8" air ratchet, and air hammer & acc)

Another tool I couldnt do without is my bandsaw..

The one thing that has helped me out above all others. And I am a carpenter by trade is a drafting table. I have most of the tools that everyone has mentioned but the place I end up at the most is my drafting table, I have placed a old P3 computer underneath it and when I get stumped by a problem I do drawings and then mock ups on the PC. Safety should be your number one concern. After that I would recommend engineers squares they are accuraite to with in .001- .003 or the japanese squares. All the power tools that cut plane or route are not any good if they are not square and true. Don't go with low end tools or the top of the line. Remember this, a tool bought for the honey do list is easier to get than hearing her say, " You bought what!!!!!, for that"

Very true.... you always need to make sure they understand the tools will be useful to them as well

Example: Daughter wanted a tea party table for her bedroom.. so of course, I needed a new biscuit joiner for putting the tabletop together..

Soon to be CNC Router - for cupboard doors and stuff on the house I am building this summer....

Being a carpenter, I agree fully about having a good square and level. I went in and fixed some messed up jobs in the past from carpenters that prob dont know how to read a square or level

One of these days I'm gonna make all this stuff.

From scrap!

I don't think apartment living is condusive to such things though.

Now THAT'S cool!

Man I got a catalog from them and started looking at all the stuff they offer. I looked up and like 2 hours had gone by and I had read through the entire thing lookin at descriptions. I would waste so much money on that company it's not even funny. It's a good thing I'm poor.

"I went in and fixed some messed up jobs in the past from carpenters that prob dont know how to read a square or level"


LOL Ain't dat Da truff


OKFly,
Best of luck with the shop. I have enjoyed your plogs. I'll have to start one after I finish testing different styles and setups.


Joe
I guess I'll have dust of the the camera too

For some tools, I wouldn't be afraid to look at Harbor Freight. I just bought a nice belt/disc sander from them and yes it's made in China, but it is a lot of tool for what I spent. I also have a brother-in-law that bought a full size table saw from them and the table extensions are cast iron and the rip fence is nicer than the one on my Delta cabinet saw.

FYI, both my sander and his table saw have very few moving parts and are belt driven from the motor so it really isn't too big of a risk. Some of the bench top table saws are gear driven and the small gear is part of the armature in the motor. If it goes bad, you throw the thing away because the armature costs more than the whole saw did.

I agree on a very good fence for a table saw and it's something I need to get some day.

Ken