Garage Must Have's !!

[Lowhound]

Forgot this from earlier. I also placed several outlets every 6 feet all the way around shop. I cant stand extention cords. Dang Photon440 what the hell you plan on building? Another planet?

 

[HT413]

Forgot this from earlier. I also placed several outlets every 6 feet all the way around shop. I cant stand extention cords. Dang Photon440 what the hell you plan on building? Another planet?

Yeah, great point, that's one thing i plan on doing as well. Another idea is to make sure you set it up so you have access to multiple circuits from every point in the shop. No point in having tons of outlets around if your fridge kicking on when using the bench grinder will trip the circuit.

I'd say, lights on their own circuit is a must (so popping the breaker while welding wont put you n darkness with a hot, freshly welded piece of metal in your hand while on your back under the car). Compressor should have its own, welder (if possible) and at least 2 general use circuits so available so you always have 30 to 40 amps at your finger tips. That way, simply minding where you plug things in will help you totally avoid having to flip a breaker in the middle of working on something. If you use electric space heaters or an A/C, try to put those on their own.

at least size everything so you can combine things intelligently so as to keep the circuits to a minimum while maximizing 'spreading the load'. Top 4 causes of house fires are cooking equipment, heating equipment, careless smoking and electrical equipment. You can eliminate 3 of the 4 with proper circuit planning.

 

[gdrill]

I also put outlets every 8 feet. Lots of circuits and all outlets are 20 amp except in the office. I did it all exposed in conduit but that was because my shop is a steel building.

 

[tallhair]

Yeah, great point, that's one thing i plan on doing as well. Another idea is to make sure you set it up so you have access to multiple circuits from every point in the shop. No point in having tons of outlets around if your fridge kicking on when using the bench grinder will trip the circuit.

I'd say, lights on their own circuit is a must (so popping the breaker while welding wont put you n darkness with a hot, freshly welded piece of metal in your hand while on your back under the car). Compressor should have its own, welder (if possible) and at least 2 general use circuits so available so you always have 30 to 40 amps at your finger tips. That way, simply minding where you plug things in will help you totally avoid having to flip a breaker in the middle of working on something. If you use electric space heaters or an A/C, try to put those on their own.

at least size everything so you can combine things intelligently so as to keep the circuits to a minimum while maximizing 'spreading the load'. Top 4 causes of house fires are cooking equipment, heating equipment, careless smoking and electrical equipment. You can eliminate 3 of the 4 with proper circuit planning.

Excellent post HT413

 

[Adam Nathan]

My second home

 

[747mopar]

Nice garage Adam, that's something I really need "a blast cabinet".

 

[themechanic]

A buffer on a stand for polishing all those shiny bits.

A laptop for shop manuals, FBBO and other useful sites.

 

[Richard Cranium]

A must for every garage............

 

[gdrill]

I don't have a hoist, yet, so this gantry was an awesome investment. It has a 1 ton capacity and it raises and lowers depending on space. It probably goes as low as 8' and as high as 12' but I haven't measured. I think I got it for $400 +/- on sale. I have used it to drop k-members, pull engines, load and unload my trailer. I even picked up the back end of a 99 Tahoe to change the diff. I would not have thought it before, but now it is invaluable.

 

[Budnicks]

A must for every garage............

Amen to that brother RC/DH

 

[tallhair]

Can you post the brand name/where you bought it? That's cool as hell and if you got it for $400 that sounds like a deal

I don't have a hoist, yet, so this gantry was an awesome investment. It has a 1 ton capacity and it raises and lowers depending on space. It probably goes as low as 8' and as high as 12' but I haven't measured. I think I got it for $400 +/- on sale. I have used it to drop k-members, pull engines, load and unload my trailer. I even picked up the back end of a 99 Tahoe to change the diff. I would not have thought it before, but now it is invaluable.

View attachment 120931

 

[gdrill]

I got it at Princess Auto a couple years ago. It was on sale at the time. Regular is $499. I'm not sure if they still have them though. At least not at my store, and it doesn't look like they have them online either. Here is a link....


http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Shop-Cranes/1-Ton-Gantry-Crane/8303091.p




- - - Updated - - -

I just spoke to Edmonton Alberta, North Store, they have three available @ $499.99 Cdn.

 

[Nick2317]

Ill say a must is good lighting .....for anytime you drop a wrench,nut,bolt,socket etc

Andddd also a bag of kitty litter for any unexpected leaks

 

[Budnicks]

Ill say a must is good lighting .....for anytime you drop a wrench,nut,bolt,socket etc

Andddd also a bag a kitty litter for any unexpected leaks

yeah the older I get the more lighting is even more important... kitty litter is a great idea too

 

[scotts74birds]

Thanks HT for the useful post. Yes, size the circuits accordingly, but be smart. Alot of things are "non-coincidental" loads. Understand that you wont be running both of them at the same time. So they can share a circuit. Lighting, always use "cool white". It has better color rendition than warm-white. Use the new T-8 fixtures and lamps. They have better cold temp abilities than the older T-12 fluorescents. You won't need an HO, or VHO ballast and lamps. FRP board, (fiberglass reinforced panel) behind things like grinders and other stuff that sprays (glues right to the wall). Use white paint, gloss or semi, to reflect light. Use "Bug Juice", an non-toxic paint additive that kills spiders and other garage bugs. Ceiling mounted cord and hose reels are not just slick, but they promote SAFETY! So don't forget ceiling plugs. Properly size the service panel for your garage. Always go with a copper-bus panel. Cheap ones are tin-plated aluminum. Fine for a house, but short for high-current draw equipment. Copper is best. I prefer Square D, QO line panels. Bolt-on breakers, QOB panels are even better. I say this because of the large inrush of current to some items. Large compressors and welders over 60 amps. Finally, a good de-humidifier! In the northern areas, during certain conditions, you will open your garage door, and almost immediately, everything will become dew-covered.
HT, thanks for the dock-light advice! I walk by them every day, but never thought about the usefulness of one of them in the garage!

 

[mr. b]

a radio,fridge,heater and a tv I have all four life is great thanks.BOB