A fairly common question: “What tools should I buy?”
The best answer I can come up with: “The ones that you need for the job at hand.”
But here’s the real secret: Many of the things that make your time in the shop better, more productive and more fun aren’t too…
My short list: lights, lights and lights. They have gotten so easy to purchase and hang. And like JG says, they don’t have to be confined to the ceiling.
Yah, I always have my LED head lamp on during all hours of wrenching. I don't think I could give up my lift though....
Lights, lift, air compressor, ceiling fan(helps both summer and winter) and parts washer. For my small one-man fab shop, I couldn't do without my set-up table.
In reply to lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) :
That is a neat little setup table, what are the dimensions?
The zeroth requirement would be a solid concrete floor. Jackstands on gravel? Bad idea.
Fire extinguisher. Came in handy when the previous owner of a Triumph wired it under the hood with lamp cord and wire nuts.
Protection from the elements. I have done an oil and filter change in snow before, but would prefer not to repeat that.
Heat that isn't some portable device with an open flame. I resisted heating my garage for waaaay too long. Being able to push a button and come back in 30 minutes in the dead of winter is a joy I didn't think I'd ever experience. Sure, it cost money, but I work out there a whole lot more now. Next will be a/c, but so far the industrial fan on wheels I bought at an auction works pretty well.
One of the items I use all the time is a 36" roll of red rosin paper. Any hardware, home improvement or paint store has this. Although I have an epoxy painted garage floor (easily 15 years ago, still holding up well, thank you Griot) I roll this out every time I work on my vintage race or street cars. I also usually have a sheet on my workbench.
Why? Well, it is somewhat absorbent, so the inevitable oil, brake fluid or even some coolant is absorbed and doesn't need to be wiped up, if the quantities are small. As I'm refurbishing parts - whether it's rebuilding an engine, brake calipers, differential, you name it - inevitably there is some dirt and grime, even from a well maintained race car or garaged vintage car. When you are done with the project, it's super easy to roll up the paper and get back to a clean surface. Red rosin is pretty durable, does not bunch up, you can roll a floor jack or dolly accross it, and when parts drop it's easy to see them on the smooth, somewhat light-reflective surface. Paper is usually good for a couple of weeks of project work - except when I put an engine on the stand, invert it to take the pan off, and 1/2 a quart of oil runs out somewhere! Even then, easy clean-up!
Enough said!
You'll need to log in to post.
