What 2 things would you add to, or change in your shop?

[dbhost]

I have asked this question elsehwere, and don't think I worded it correctly, so let's try it here, with better verbage...

What 2 things, within the realm of your physical / financial ability would you like to change about your shop? Are you actually likely to do it, and if so what sort of time frame are you looking at?

Mine are somewhat related, and they are on the agenda for this fall. I want to finish paying off 2 debts first, but those projects are...

#1. Finish insulating the shop.
#2. Run sub panel and circuits for my equipment...

I honestly see #1 as part of #2, as much as re-rocking the walls as that is all sort of the proper completion of the electrical project, so how about I phrase it this way...

#1. Electrical / insulation / sheet rock project completion...
#2. Epoxy coat the floor, with some sort of traction enhancing texture.

I am not wanting to see neccesarily folks pipe dreams, but rather what realistic projects and goals they are working toward... Mostly curious...

So what are your top 2 upgrades that you are reaching for?

[leehljp]

1. Paint the panel walls and ceiling and paint White or Light Gray. It really brightens the place up. I did this in my shop in Japan, but have not had the opportunity here yet.

The first thing I did in getting my current shop set up was add lots of fluorescent lights. I now have 6 double 4ft lights in a space 10 ft by 20. I will probably add one or two more. I place lights above or over major work and layout spots.

2. The next item is add more outlets (120 and a 240) and hook into 4 unused circuit spots in the breaker panel.

2b. I have a "rough" concrete floor (intentionally poured that way), but I sure would like to smooth it out somewhat. I am thinking of laying a barrier over it and adding pressure treated 3/4 Ply over it. Not sure it would work but I wish I could move wheeled machines around easier. 4 inch and larger wheels roll OK but 2 1/2 and 3 inch don't roll well at all.

[pelligrini]

#1 Make my storage add on taller than me! It's not going to happen soon, but it should. It's going to be a pain, as it is put togeather with screws which are now painted over. Adding pipe insulation aound the rafters has certainly reduced head injuries... Saving some money on lumber and siding and not cutting into the existing roof for the storage add on has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever done.

#2 Redo the interior floor framing level and stronger and make a bigger deck space in front. Preferably with a concrete pad for the deck. The shed and addition really ought to be raised so drainage on the front deck would work.

[jussi]

Fix the wavy concrete floor. Add sub panel and 220. I'm hoping to do both this summer.

[JR]

Wiring is definitely at the top of my list, too.

I wired my shop a couple of years ago, doing the work myself. SWMBO is now taking an insurance license course, the result of which is that my non-permitted wiring had to be disconnected. Fortunately, I think I have found a friendly electrician who will steer me in the right direction.

JR

[Cochese]

Out of the realm: power, double the length.

In the realm: Holzapffel bench, new interior (finish OSB walls, new doors, new window)

Pretty much when this is done, along with my current project, and my shop will be as done as it's ever going to get.

[cwsmith]

Move it out of the basement and to the garage... but that looks like a "maybe" for next year now.

At present my shop is in two connected rooms in the basement with a total of about 12 x 20 ft, not counting the partitioning wall and doorway.

Out in the garage, I actually have a 20 x 8 ft room on the left side that was poorly done by the previous owner. The outside wall doesn't sit properly on the slab and I've been seriously planning on taking that completely out and adding an addition 8 ft wide "pour" to both the side and then across the front, giving me a total slab area of 16 x 28... in addition to the actual garage which I'd leave to the car and house maintenance stuff like lawnmoyer, trash bins, ladders, etc.

I'm actually hoping to get a bid on the slab within the next week or two, and then go from there. I have got to talk to the building code folks too.

I can't afford to have anything beyond the concrete slab done, but I've been saving for the material cost and unless "the market" totally collapses, that's still a go.

I'm looking at this as a project that I CAN DO. It's been a number of years but I like the carpentry and can do the electrical myself. When I start, I'll take lots of pictures.

CWS

[Bruce Cohen]

A much bigger garage and a few spare fingers/body parts

Bruce

[BobSch]

I added a subpanel a couple of years ago and the walls are sheetrocked. What I really need is...

MORE SPACE!!

[Pappy]

1. Get the slab poured and put up my steel shop.

2. Convert the present Playpen to a dedicated finishing booth.

[chopnhack]

Having accomplished the lumber rack wall, subpanel and electrical project last year, this year has in store:

1. Shop cleaning and condensing, removal of old/rotted non functioning cabinetry
- to date mostly finished, plywood cart built for storage, racks re-organized, most lumber off of floor, one set of cabs to remove still.

2. Build 10' of upper cabinetry with lower counter high enough to accommodate dark sider wide mobile cart.
- planning stage

3. Finish said mobile cart.
- base has been welded up with wheels attached
- planning stage on cabinetry for cart.

4. Shop air filtration project
- planning stage

As always, these would be best done by yesterday, but if done at all, I will settle for year end. Most of the times I am stopped by either work, extra time at work, 2nd job or children so you will forgive my tardiness

[JoeyGee]

I'm also hoping to get a sub panel and additional circuits installed. As it stands now, I have one circuit in my garage and 2 plain light bulbs along with minimal light from two garage door openers.

Once I get the additional circuits, lighting is obviously next and then work on dust control and air filtration. Sorry, that's more than 2 .

[Relative]

1. Sheetrock the ceiling - it's insulated and really shouldn't be exposed as it is. Would need help with this.

2. Physically remove one of the two countertops (approximately 28" deep and 8' long) that is mostly a catch-all. One smaller storage cabinet would hold all the 'stuff' that's on/in it and I would gain back some badly needed floor space.

Mike

[bigstick509]

I'm also hoping to get a sub panel and additional circuits installed. As it stands now, I have one circuit in my garage and 2 plain light bulbs along with minimal light from two garage door openers.

Once I get the additional circuits, lighting is obviously next and then work on dust control and air filtration. Sorry, that's more than 2 .

I have the same electrical conditions in my shop/garage. I think I will be able to sell the idea of a sub with 220 for future electric/hybrid car charger to LOML.
The second on the list would be HVAC, not likely but it would be nice.

[tommyt654]

GO-GO Dancers and music