Shop pics. Tool list.

[ggcustoms]

Are you looking, realistically within your budget and needs, for a full-blown shop that you can pull cars/trucks sleds into... or a good shop for small repairs with work and a place to wrench on sleds etc?

An Hi-cube cargo container works pretty darn good for this.
Old insulated refrigerator units work great for this... 9 foot ceilings and ability to have lift beams inside.. makes for a cheap warm place... and you can move it in the future or sell it if needed.
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I looked into these a while ago. I didn't realize you could get them insulated. I'll have to dive into them a little deeper.

A really good workbench and keep everything on wheels. Too much benchspace causes clutter (for me anyway). A guy I work with says everything in the shop must earn its keep haha! Put stuff you dont use up high so floorspace is open. Corners are wasted space so put things there that dont move (compressor). Insulation, heat and cold beer are also important.

You bet, I have a plan in my head for a nice portable workbench.

Also, something I've always wanted to do was, in the offseason, store my sled suspended from the ceiling. 4 points of threaded rod, with u-channel in the front and back. Anyone ever done that? Of course I would make it robust/secure enough.

And a little off topic, but I've always wanted to learn how to weld. What's the easiest method, MIG? I've been looking at taking a class that a tech school near me.

Thanks a bunch fellas. Love the responses/pics.

 

[ggcustoms]

Found these pics. 2nd one is sweet.

 

[Indy_500]

Compressor sound cabinet in the back corner Indy? .... Any details on that?

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That was the idea behind it! Just a plywood cabinet that stores my 21 gallon compressor and a bunch of other miscellaneous things, mostly power tools. I have window screen on the side to keep the air flowing through it, I'd say the noise is almost cut in half when the door is shut versus open, which is surprising because I didn't do any "sound proofing". Plus, the cabinet hides the compressor!

 

[Goinboardin]

I looked into these a while ago. I didn't realize you could get them insulated. I'll have to dive into them a little deeper.



You bet, I have a plan in my head for a nice portable workbench.

Also, something I've always wanted to do was, in the offseason, store my sled suspended from the ceiling. 4 points of threaded rod, with u-channel in the front and back. Anyone ever done that? Of course I would make it robust/secure enough.

And a little off topic, but I've always wanted to learn how to weld. What's the easiest method, MIG? I've been looking at taking a class that a tech school near me.

Thanks a bunch fellas. Love the responses/pics.

I like MIG for steel. For small projects something like a Hobart Handler 140 works pretty well and runs off 120V. It will easily weld 3/16", possibly up to 5/16" (single pass). Set the voltage, wire speed, then pull the trigger and go. TIG is more versatile, overall slower (if throughput is a concern), more difficult to learn but not impossible (I'm pretty lousy at it but can get things to stick together well enough). TIG is the go to machine for aluminum, and in the sledding world that's your main material. I'd probably start with MIG. A class could be great, especially if the instructor knows his stuff.

 

[Pro-8250]

My next plan is to have my compressor outside of the shop. It's quite easy really. At least in my situation. And a lot quieter.

 

[SRXSRULE]

My next plan is to have my compressor outside of the shop. It's quite easy really. At least in my situation. And a lot quieter.

Just an FYI.... If you put the compressor somewhere that isnt heated in the winter, sooner or later your air line or fittings will freeze. I worked at a shop in WY that was set-up that way, PITA!!!

You might be able to make it work with a GOOD dryer system. Eric

 

[AKDoug]

My new shop will have a compressor room and furnace room in one, if code allows it.

 

[Jonce]

Like others said, nice work benches, good lighting, and keep organized. I like having white boards available to scribble notes down. Pics are from my old house.

 

[Pro-8250]

Just an FYI.... If you put the compressor somewhere that isnt heated in the winter, sooner or later your air line or fittings will freeze. I worked at a shop in WY that was set-up that way, PITA!!!

You might be able to make it work with a GOOD dryer system. Eric

You are exactly right!. I am just going to pour a 6'x8' re-enforced concrete slab connected to the building slab and build an attached insulated heated shed and hard pipe air through the wall. Compressor will be controlled by a switch above the work bench. We have no building codes or inspectors here so it's a piece of cake. I over build anyway.

 

[14RMK144]

You are exactly right!. I am just going to pour a 6'x8' re-enforced concrete slab connected to the building slab and build an attached insulated heated shed and hard pipe air through the wall. Compressor will be controlled by a switch above the work bench. We have no building codes or inspectors here so it's a piece of cake. I over build anyway.

Must be nice, I can barely buy a 2x4 without friggin neighborhood watch calling the city. And them Aholes driving up and down the street trying to see what your doing.

 

[joshkoltes]

Dang I didn't even need a building permit for mine