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Items you feel are a must, for a good garage

Hillbilly Steaks

Hillbilly Steaks

Dr. BBQ
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,481
Location
North Carolina
I'm in the process of purchasing a new house. Its in the beginning stages, but hopefully everything will work out etc, and we'll have it soon. This will be the first house I've actually owned that has a decent garage. So of course lately my mind has been doing all kinds of brainstorming on all the neat things I can do with the garage when we get the house. I was hoping maybe some of you seasoned garage veterans can lend me some ideas of thing to have in the garage that you feel you can't live with out.

The purpose of the garage.
The garage will be of multi-use. We plan to park our vehicles in it, as well as my motorcycle. But it will also act as a workshop. For everything from working on the cars to my motorcycle.

Idea's so far of things I'd like to see in my garage.
(trying to keep this kinda general, obvoiusly there are thousands of things you can keep in a garage)

Hanger and shelf. to keep the leathers, helmet and coats outside.
Television. Gotta be able to watch the MotoGP races while busy in the garage.
Stereo of Some sort.
Rolling chair for working on car's/bike
Shop light with extension cord.
Shop Vac.
Work bench
cabinent or shelving for various things. Oil, cleaners, wd-40 etc etc
Box of shop towels

this kinda gives you an idea what I'm looking for. So what other items do you guys find necessary for a good garage! Pics of your set up are more then welcome!!
 
How big?

My main suggestion is more shelving and storage cabinets than you'll ever think you'll need. If your like most, you'll find yourself putting a lot more stuff out there than you thought you would.

I'd also think about a phone. Faster to dial 911 when you cut off your finger tip working on your bike! :D
 
UHHH fire extinguisher a few of them. A copy of Family Handyman great magazine with tons of helpful info.

One thing is lights, you can never have enough shop lights and overhead lights. Depending you mght also want some type of fan for those hot summer days when you are playing shade tree mechanic. Extension cords for sure. Five gallon buckets, always come come in handy.
 
Hmmmmm....well, most of this is probably not what you're lookin' for but based on the contents of my garage...
  • Gun safe
  • Reloading bench -- Okay, it's like half of my 96" x 30" workbench where I keep my presses, tumbler, and accessories
  • Filing cabinet -- a couple of drawers are for general, non-filing use (like parts boxes) but I do have files for things like power and lawn tool manuals...and it's also a darn convenient way to store sandpaper, circular sawblades, and such.
  • Old steel gun cabinet converted for use as a flammables locker
  • Drop cord reel
  • Shelving -- lots of it
What I don't have but would like...
  • Small parts washer
  • Air compressor
  • More lights -- on my home improvement "to do" list
  • More cabinetry -- off-the-floor style would be nice, with a small countertop work surface next to the freezer for the vacuum sealer
  • Stainless utility sink -- to replace the plastic one I now have, preferably a wall-mount (I hate sweeping around those damn legs)
Damn! How could I forget the beer fridge...gotta get a beer fridge.
 
Fridge

All the walls lined with peg board

Ceiling Fan in both bays

Fire extinguishers

And if your doing the work yourself or the contractor is willing to do it for a good price... a full length walk under car inspection bay with lighting is a must!

Also an I-beam lift master if you have the money to spare.
 
I like the phone idea best, I always hated going back inside with dirty hands and crap to answer the phone.

Just get one out there you can trash up.
 
Hey HS,
Ok, here's something to suggest that may not sound as fun as the other stuff people have suggested, but it IS as important.

I have an external fuse box with a plug so that, should your power go out, then you can fire up the generator (gotta get one of those too for this plan to work) and still power the sum pump, lights, A/C (if you have it), fridge... you know, the essentials.

Trust me, its not part of the bigger plan for working on bikes, but you definitely want to think about this.

Being cautious as always,
Darren :blush:
 
get an old fridge and line it with cedar! you know the rest. :D :cool:
 
We still need to know the dimensions of the garage.

Rollaway tool chest.
Air conditioner.
Furnace.
Hydraulic floor jack.
Acetylene torches.
Big vise on the workbench.
If you work on cars, you should think about getting a lift.

I would NOT line the walls with peg boards. Peg boards usually wind up with all kinds of crap hanging on them. I also would limit the number of shelves for the same reason. The idea of a "pit" is not a good one either. In many states, those are illegal.
 
coventrycat86 said:
We still need to know the dimensions of the garage.

Rollaway tool chest.
Air conditioner.
Furnace.
Hydraulic floor jack.
Acetylene torches.
Big vise on the workbench.
If you work on cars, you should think about getting a lift.

I would NOT line the walls with peg boards. Peg boards usually wind up with all kinds of crap hanging on them. I also would limit the number of shelves for the same reason. The idea of a "pit" is not a good one either. In many states, those are illegal.
Click to expand...

Why are they illegal, Bill? They are legal over here in Germany and this is the most anal retentive country I know.
 
The very first thing I would do in my new garage would be to paint the floor with some really nice garage floor paint. If you don't do it now, you never will. It makes clean up so much easier....

Also automatic garage door opener if there isn't one.

I agree with the lighting...double your guess and it's just barely enough.

I like having some of the stuff on wheels...it makes it easier to re-arrange the available space.

I'd kill for one of those industrial, overhead winches.

If I could only pick one .... paint the floor.
 
Great idea, I am very particular about my garage to. I really liked the ceiling mounted shelf. It keeps stuff off of the ground and out of the way. I look at a lot of stuff from Home Depot. I get ideas from them. :laugh:
Make sure you have enough outlets, I put GFCI outlets in the garage so if I am trying to do to much it just trips the outlet. I would like to see some pics when it is all done. Good luck Smokyballs
 
Air compressor and compatible tools!

Neon Beer signs are always cool in a garage.

Secret stashing areas...

A nice sit down work bench/area

Another bonus with some garages is if you can get one with a window.
 
I would learn to home brew beer and then set up a 20 gallon All grain set up for the garage. :D
 
Like a few other people said, an Air Compressor makes life so easy. Also what I have that I love and have gotten props for is an over head extension cord reel and overhead air hose reel. Basic hand tools and a toolbox. Torch, even if it’s a chepie propane its always useful. Floor jacks. Sawdust (your gonna spill eventually) If its going to be a total workshop perhaps a table saw or powermider box/ sawzall and a cordless drill. Those a basically the main tools I use.
 
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