The things you don't realise you need...

**andrewr79** · 3rd May 2011, 07:39 PM

I just spent a couple of hours pottering around the corner of the garage I like to call my workshop. It's amazing how such a small space can get so messy!

I started looking at the multitude of 'things' that were there, as most of my tools are now on my pegboard. I'd expected the shelves to be empty once that was done but it wasn't to be. It got me started thinking about all the 'non-woodworking' gear that's part and parcel of having a workshop, and yet never seems to rate a mention. Here goes a list to help anyone starting out!

#1 - Dustpan and Broom or a good shopvac. You will make a mess. You should clean it up occasionally. If you can mount a hardwood strip with some magnets in it on the head, all the better as it can pick up stray nails before they end up in your foot or tyre!

#2 - A decent stool. All this woodwork stuff is hard work and hard on your legs, feet and back. And it makes a good spot to stick your cuppa when you're actually working rather than taking in the surroundings

#3 - Writing implements. Yes, you probably bought a carpenters pencil, but you'll find it's too thick for fine work, and until I made a holder I lost one at least twice a day. Get a cheap box of 2B pencils instead, and make them a nice container. Add a thick and a thin black sharpie and a white tailors pencil as well, and you should be set.

#4 - Good Lighting. I get to 6pm now and find it's too dark to see properly in the garage. The one overhead light isn't enough. Get a swinging desk lamp or somethign you can swing over your workbench when needed, it will help your work and your eyes.

#5 - Labels or a labelmaker - after the initial setup, an organised workspace means you spend less time setting up or finding things and more time working.

#6 - Tv or Radio. It can get lonely out there, sometimes a bit of company can be nice!

#7 - Postit's - for labelling parts that are done without marking the finish

#8 - Notepad - for those all important idea's, todo lists and shopping lists for your next trip to the hardware store or timber yard

#9 - Jars -start saving them, because you'll fill them up with nails and whatnot before you know it.

#10 - paper towel. It's not just useful for those kitchen spills!

#11 - a bin. Otherwise all your scraps of sandpaper and whatever else will end up sitting in piles or on shelves until you clean it out. Better to throw it out as you go!

Feel free to add to the list!

Cheers
Andrew

**duncang** · 3rd May 2011, 08:46 PM

That's a pretty good list - I like the idea of the magnets in the broom to pick up the nails. I've been trying to be religious about sweeping out after ever days/weekends work in the shed, just like my high school shop teacher taught - yesterday I found a little grub screw which I didn't realise I'd lost the day before thanks to this process.

I'd add a bag-o-rags (aka. all my old torn up clothes and jocks) - always handy for cleaning up, wiping down, polishing etc. Oh, and PPE - a couple of pairs of safety glasses so that they're always straight to hand, rubber gloves, dust mask, safety-thongs.

**Christos** · 3rd May 2011, 09:11 PM

Slight variation to number 5, white masking tape used with marker as labels.

**Chesand** · 3rd May 2011, 09:18 PM

Slight variation to #9

I have replaced all glass jars with plastic jars from honey and peanut butter. They bounce a bit better than glass.

**A Duke** · 3rd May 2011, 09:59 PM

Hi,
Empty tin cans. Fruit cans for soaking brushes. little tuna can for that little bit of finish so you don't pollute the whole lot or if you want to dilute or colour a little and some of those plastic lids for them. They get dumped after a use or two.
As for #10 I have a triple dispenser, paper towel, grease proof paper and cling wrap.
Regards

**andrewr79** · 3rd May 2011, 10:08 PM

Duke

Is the cling wrap for sealing finishes or for clamping odd shapes?. If it's the latter then thats the second time today I've run across that idea after never having seen it before!

I'm also thinking that some sort of wood storage rack is a must. Workbenches and toolboxes always get a mention, but the woodrack doesn't always and I the amount of stock I've picked up in just 4 months is overwhelming without something to manage it

- bookshelf/bookends - for storing all your woodworking books and magazines close at hand

- easel/bookstand - for making the above readable while you're following the plans

**A Duke** · 3rd May 2011, 10:26 PM

Hi,
Cling wrap has many uses like wrapping a wet paint brush until the next coat instead of cleaning it just don't leave it too long, keeping glue off things although the greaseproof is better at that. I have heard of clamping with it but have not tried it yet.
I moved my wood rack (a Triton) to it's own shed which it now has t shear with another and the dusty.
Regards

**cookie48** · 3rd May 2011, 11:20 PM

Those foam type mats from Bunnings etc by you work bench. SSSSooooooooooo much easier on your fett and do not take much to pick up and sweep around etc.

**BobL** · 4th May 2011, 01:19 AM

One of THE most useful things I have is a set of trigger bottles with various liquids in them.

1) Water: for general cooling things that can't be easily dunked, eg grinding something that's being held in a vice.
2) Metho: for squirting on Ally while its being cut, drilled or tapped
3) Turps: for cleaning etc
4) Cutting lube, for tapping steel, and inevitably the bottle on the DP runs out and I just need another squirt or two to complete the job.
5) Kero: Cleaning machine parts
6) Degreaser solution: Cleaning

CAVEAT; Make sure the bottles are well labelled so you are not squirting a flammable liquid onto the wrong place. I use a different shaped and size bottle for water compared to all the other bottles.

**RETIRED** · 4th May 2011, 08:03 AM

CAVEAT; Make sure the bottles are well labelled so you are not squirting a flammable liquid onto the wrong place. I use a different shaped and size bottle for water compared to all the other bottles.

You're no fun.

**billym** · 4th May 2011, 08:26 AM

beer frige

**NCArcher** · 4th May 2011, 08:43 AM

A Tea Lady

Well at least one forum member has found one to be handy around the shed.

**metester** · 4th May 2011, 09:13 AM

I find myself using my conversion calculator quite often. I grew up with metric and imperial sometimes does not come naturally!

**andrewr79** · 4th May 2011, 07:44 PM

Liking the ideas guys!

I never thought of a calculator, but I generally work from my head not plans so that could be why!

I don't have the spray bottles set up the way Bob does, but I do have a bottle of white vinegar with steel wool in it and a bottle of strong black tea kicking around for finishing!

Anyone got a PC in their shed/garage? I'm seriously considering building a fold down shelf with one of the old lappies in it with wifi so I can look stuff up without coming upstairs. If they get dust in them and die, well they did their 10 years so no complaints!

**Sawdust Maker** · 4th May 2011, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by andrewr79

...
Anyone got a PC in their shed/garage? I'm seriously considering building a fold down shelf with one of the old lappies in it with wifi so I can look stuff up without coming upstairs. If they get dust in them and die, well they did their 10 years so no complaints!

Nah

But I've been thinking of taking one of those portable DVD players and setting up next to the lathe to practice technique a la taming the skew, etc

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