New Shop - Essential Tools?

[BuckeyeDennis]

[quote="rbursek"]I will take them in order
B4 I start a glue up I know I will need water for clean up, so it is there ahead of the glue up.
I have the water for sharping there B4 the belt/grinder gets turned on.
Thirsty, I just make up another Martini, now ice is another matter.
Just learn how to clean a brush neatly.
And yes Ed, I do know how to enjoy life and all of the creature comforts]

Bob, I've gotta agree with Ed 150% on this one. As I posted in this thread way back when, running water is a wonderful luxury to have in the shop, for all the obvious reasons. And later yet, I discovered yet another highly valuable benefit, which accounts for the bonus 50%.

Sometimes nature calls at inconvenient times. Blood pressure pill kicking in? Wife entertaining upstairs? Knees feeling too creaky for unnecessary stair-climbing? Got a utility sink in the shop? Then utilize it!

But hey, mine is well equipped with not just a utility faucet, but also a down-low shower head, plus a handheld shower head on an industrial-strength flex hose. Makes an old-fashioned urinal seem positively primitive!

["Wild Bad Bob"]

I totally agree too, I use a 1 gallon jug in the summer shop or just water the plants. In the original post I think there was a mention of not "busting the bank".
Not knowing the bank, were do you start and stop from the original idea of a shop?
I have gone to the site of some of the most elaborate "shops", I wonder how much work gets done in them or was all the fun in the design and building? All relative to the bank account!!!
Just playing the devils advocate tonight.

[tnvol]

Interesting night of comments

As to running water out there, yes, I do plan to run a 3/4" pvc line out to the shop when I trench for the power. That will be pretty inexpensive, plus already have the sink and cabinet. Water isn't as critical as power, but it's sure a handy thing to have, and can be cheaply done. Plus, Dennis is onto something re: the 50% bonus. Heh.

Skylights and fireplace? Are you nuts? This is a SHOP! Now a place for a nap on the other hand.....

["Wild Bad Bob"]

Bob, I've gotta agree with Ed 150% on this one. As I posted in this thread way back when, running water is a wonderful luxury to have in the shop, for all the obvious reasons. And later yet, I discovered yet another highly valuable benefit, which accounts for the bonus 50%.

Sometimes nature calls at inconvenient times. Blood pressure pill kicking in? Wife entertaining upstairs? Knees feeling too creaky for unnecessary stair-climbing? Got a utility sink in the shop? Then utilize it!

But hey, mine is well equipped with not just a utility faucet, but also a down-low shower head, plus a handheld shower head on an industrial-strength flex hose. Makes an old-fashioned urinal seem positively primitive!

BD, maybe time to make an appointment with an Urologist!!!!!!!!LOL:eek:

[idcook]

Bob, I've gotta agree with Ed 150% on this one. As I posted in this thread way back when, running water is a wonderful luxury to have in the shop, for all the obvious reasons. And later yet, I discovered yet another highly valuable benefit, which accounts for the bonus 50%.

Sometimes nature calls at inconvenient times. Blood pressure pill kicking in? Wife entertaining upstairs? Knees feeling too creaky for unnecessary stair-climbing? Got a utility sink in the shop? Then utilize it!

But hey, mine is well equipped with not just a utility faucet, but also a down-low shower head, plus a handheld shower head on an industrial-strength flex hose. Makes an old-fashioned urinal seem positively primitive!

Water? BY ALL MEANS!!!!

When I got started I found myself with a basement area that didn’t even have drainage available.

The first thing I did was locate a means to add drainage; then a utility sink, washer and dryer.

My future plans include a toilet and perhaps a shower stall. My nearest bathroom being three floors above is urging me in this direction. Nothing is more annoying than feeling the need to visit the porcelain palace as an arduous bother… A bother that can’t be put off forever. So … a commode’s a comin’ to my shop asap. Got a spot picked out for it and everything.

[tnvol]

Of course, there's always the ol' peanut butter jar or the top cut off of a gallon milk jug

....but back to my original question:
Are there any particular power or hand tools that you have found to be indispensable in your shop? Something that you wish you had bought sooner? Or conversely, something you thought you had to have but it turned out to be of not much use?

[wa2crk]

Again, check your local building codes!!! Some localities do not permit water and power in the same trench.
Bill V

[beeg]

How about a Corded Circular Saw for breaking down large hard to handle goods?

[idcook]

Of course, there's always the ol' peanut butter jar or the top cut off of a gallon milk jug

....but back to my original question:
Are there any particular power or hand tools that you have found to be indispensable in your shop? Something that you wish you had bought sooner? Or conversely, something you thought you had to have but it turned out to be of not much use?

I’m too new at this game to have gotten to that point just yet. I don’t use most of what I have most of the time, but it pains me to be without some things.

What I’m drooling after these days is a good thickness planer.

I can’t actually say that I have found any tool I’ve acquired to not be of much use. Though many may sit idle for months at a time.

[roy_okc]

....but back to my original question:
Are there any particular power or hand tools that you have found to be indispensable in your shop? Something that you wish you had bought sooner? Or conversely, something you thought you had to have but it turned out to be of not much use?

Tom,

I never knew how bad I needed an oscillating tool until after I got one. I don't use it that often, but boy it's great when I need it. The Harbor Freight one is pretty inexpensive and is holding up well enough for me; $20 for a starter to see if you need a better one.

One of these days I'll get a reciprocating saw, probably same story of how much I didn't know I needed one.

You might consider putting a computer in your shop if you can get a network connection. I put one out there to run my CNC, but also use it for research, play music, whatever else.