New Shop - Essential Tools?

[charlese]

I'm throwing my hat into this thread to support the need for WATER in the shop. Once you have running water, you can find many uses for it. In addition for gluing cleanup, I have used mine for soaking end corners of oak that fell on the concrete floor and made a sizeable dent. Some experts recommend water and a hot iron over cloth, but I have found that plain water soaked into and around a dent will bring it back to the original shape.

I've also found the tub is a good place to wash the family dog. Get a drink in glass from the faucet, wash rags, get water for the wild birds, wash stuff for the wife that she doesn't want in the washing machine, and yes, even pee if necessary.

A large wash tub has been a staple in my last two shops. It is a simple matter to make a support stand for the tub. there is storage beneath (around the plumbing) for shop towels, and a large can of mineral spirits.

Thought must be given to the route for water line(s) and drain line. In my old shop in a garage, I went through a wall to reach both water lines and sewer. I this shop, I had to dig a trench for water and a separate one for sewer. The new tub has a sewer vent beneath the tub.

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[fredsheldon]

I'm not sure a computer in my shop would be a wise move
http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showpos ... tcount=196

[robinson46176]

Many here have heard my opinion about power and water etc. to buildings before. Don't direct bury stuff... Run it through larger conduits so you have near total flexibility later. Need to jack up you electric service for some big new piece of equipment? Pull the original wire out and pull in larger... You don't even have to install anything except the conduits to start if you are short of money at the moment. I normally just use 4" solid corrugated drain tile (very inexpensive) here on the farm. As said here, do check your local codes... I have a lot of flexibility here on the farm in a farm state and can mostly do what I want as far as farm buildings etc. but any place where someone sleeps is a whole other game.
I wouldn't try to run water and electric in the same conduit nor would I run gas and electric together.
By running a couple of 4" conduits you can later run bell wires, computer lines, phone lines, TV feeds, intercom, compressed air, hydroponic heat, all sorts of stuff. including stuff that has not even been invented yet.
If stuff becomes obsolete just pull it out to recycle it.
I like small polypropylene rope to pull with and leave it ready for the next time. The best way I have found to get it in the conduit the first time is to tie a light string (fishing line or kite string type) to the loop handles of one of those flimsy Wal-Mart type poly bags and stuff it in the pipe and blow it through with compressed air. Then tie on the pull rope.
It is also a good idea to cover your conduits with about 6" of dirt then put down yellow caution tape in the ditch over the conduits. That way if you need to dig near it you will likely see the tape before you dig into the pipe.


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["Wild Bad Bob"]

FREANEN HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just what I said, thanks Robison!!!!!!

[tnvol]

Yeah, a planer is about the top of my list too. I scored a great deal on a cordless Rigid Jobmax multi tool with a free extra attachment for $69 at HD 2 years ago. That little thing WORKS!

Thanks for the tip on water working dents out. Hadn't thought of that...

Got a good Makita circ saw for breaking sheet goods down, along with a cheapie aluminum track guide. Works pretty well. Just got an email from the Mother Ship yesterday on a track system they're selling for like $170. For a 57" track. You want 8', you pay another $100+. I'm sure very well made, but WOW, that's some major buckage! Maybe someday. But probably not.

Definitely using conduit for the electric feed, but hadn't thought about using a large pipe. Good suggestion!

I have a tablet I figure to use for downloaded plans, etc. I mentioned a flatscreen TV a few posts back, but that was tongue in cheek. The dust on everything post above was exactly why

[idcook]

BTW,

Some smaller tools that I've found nearly invaluable are a Dremel tool with the various heads for cutting and sanding, a Dremel SawMax often comes in handy and a Kreg pocket hole jig set is a reliable and useful time saver.

At times I also find myself using my soldering pen and soldering gun a lot.

I now buy mineral oil by the gallon.

As I'm sure many here might say - You can never have too many clamps.

["Wild Bad Bob"]

Big Screen a must!! To watch "the Pack smash Titans!!!!!!!!!

[tnvol]

I have an office built in one half of my garage, with a TV in there. I will say the door has been open a time or two while woodworking to catch a Titans game. And of course the Vols too.

[tnvol]

BTW,

Some smaller tools that I've found nearly invaluable are a Dremel tool with the various heads for cutting and sanding, a Dremel SawMax often comes in handy and a Kreg pocket hole jig set is a reliable and useful time saver.

At times I also find myself using my soldering pen and soldering gun a lot.

I now buy mineral oil by the gallon.

As I'm sure many here might say - You can never have too many clamps.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I picked up a Dremel-like tool really cheap from the Black and Decker outlet store here before they closed. Haven't really used it much, but hope to more. Picked up a really nice B&D jigsaw there too, the best one I've ever had. Now THAT has seen some use!

Clamp collection is slowly growing. Since this area (Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Smoky Mtns Nat'l Park) is a major tourist area, we have a LOT of factory outlet stores. There is a Workshop Tools store just down the road (by the Coleman outlet and the Lodge outlet.... ) that has good deals on them all the time. Every so often, I'll go pick a few up.

So... I'm guessing you do a lot of food-contact related woodworking to need all that mineral oil ?

["Wild Bad Bob"]

Tom. funny, yes, you cant have enough clamps, and styles!!! I did not go there on your original post, just a given!! You where taken a shop and lay out.
I know 2 people thinking of retiring to TN, did not like the tourist trafffic in that area, so they did not, plus the best state for low lifes on Obama Care Self Employment Program!!!!!!!