My garage 'workshop' update

[jkristia]

I just want to share a couple of pictures of what I have been working on overthe last couple of weekends. Last weekend I build and painted the cabinet in the corner and last night I finished painting the second half of the garage. Next I will build a clamp rack to hang on the wall and a base/cabinet on casters for the miter saw. Since I have to share the garage with wifes car everything has to be movable... unfortunately. Or maybe I should first install the lights so I can actually work in the evening ... hmmm..


Jesper

[crokett]

Install lights first. Everything else will go so much easier. I have been working on my shop at night for the last several weeks and use a halogen work light. The only reason I don't have the lights hung yet is I don't want to take them back down when I finish the ceiling.

[Ed62]

It would be a shame to park a car in a nice workspace like that. I agree......install the lights first.

Ed

[jkristia]

It would be a shame to park a car in a nice workspace like that. I agree......install the lights first.

Ed

ha ha ha - I'm not sure my wife agree with that ... ok, that makes sense, Light is next then.

[cabinetman]

Looking good so far. I also agree that the lights should go up first. But take a moment and figure out your layout of tools and work stations while working in the garage to place the lights strategically.
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[pacwind3]

I also back up the vote on lights. My three car garage has a whopping three 75 watt bulb in a 12' cealing. Rediculously dim. I only use one bay as my shop: but I've had to put in two 4' fixtures with flourescent, 3 fixtures with compact flourescent and one 250 watt flood; results, still need more light.
Go lights first, everything else will seem much easier when properly lit.

[thestinker]

Lights are a must. But like cabinetman says...lights in the right place

[dbhost]

I know this may sound like an odd question, but do you have a plan for your shop layout? Where you put your lights will be most effective if you know where you are going to want specific tools. Make sure you have plenty of light over machines that don't lend themselves well to task lighting such as the table saw, router table etc... Machines that are better served by flexible neck task lights should be set up as such if you can. Those are things like the lathe, band saw, drill press etc...

[jkristia]

No I dont really have any plan for what goes where. I know the router table is up against the wall, the table saw will be moved into the open area when used, the miter saw stand will be on casters so it can be moved around, but besides from that I dont know yet what goes where. I have added 2 2' florecent lights over workbench (under the shelf) and I think for the rest of the space I will just add 3 or 4 4' light fixtures trying to get an even light and plan it so the light is in front of you and the tool to minimize any shadows. But nothing is decided yet.

Jesper