What are you doing to maximize ?

I just did a complete overhaul in my shop

- Everything went on casters
- Everything is hooked up to air and or electrical ( no more haul it out and plug it in )
- Bench got cut doown and re-worked
- POS ground terminals on bench for ground clamps
- MIG / Plasma got a complete re-work to maximize storage
- Drill press now in line with bench ( for those long items )

Everything is also now on extendy hoses and extension cords !!!!!

Yes I know my Air compressor sux balls...

ground terminal for bench

Nice. Are there times you would want yer main bench on wheels for practicality or isn't that practical? I am sure you are aware of locking wheels like on the Snap-On rollaways.
My teardown bench is on wheels and wish I had done it moons ago. Just needs a 5" jaw vise mounted on it to make it a wee bit more friendly when doing stubborn u-joints=especially when a hot wrench is needed.
Thanks for sharing.

...
- Drill press now in line with bench ( for those long items )

Provided that you only need to drill a hole a couple feet from the end of said long items.

not to change topic, but is that a jet horizontal, vertical bandsaw,(not liquid cooled) if so how do you like it? im looking at buying one,,,$350. Are they worth the money, i have a chop saw,

NICE work space. i dig the side car for the bottle, i may need to use that idea for my welder.
is that the HF compressor?
my main work bench is on 5in casters with no locks, it usualy stays put but theres no vise on it so i dont need to push it around much.

thanks in advance, cool workspace...

Where did you get the fan? I like the way it mounts.

Looks very nice. Is it practical to have your bandsaw stashed under the bench? If you dont use it much it should be fine. Oh and put that compessor on carpet in the attic or outside. Just my .02

not to change topic, but is that a jet horizontal, vertical bandsaw,(not liquid cooled) if so how do you like it? im looking at buying one,,,$350. Are they worth the money, i have a chop saw,

I like it. I paid 299 on sale at post tool assembled.

It's a bit on the cheapo side, but for a 300 band saw, you cant go wrong. Cuts nice and straight and no issues so far.

I would recommend throwing down for good blades. The 10.00 blades suck balls.

I have cut miles of pipe and tube with it and it's all good. I bought it because I HATE chop saws and a nice cold saw was north of 800.00.

Where did you get the fan? I like the way it mounts.

Hunter shop fan. Rotates and pivots 360* and up and down:mr-t:

Looks very nice. Is it practical to have your bandsaw stashed under the bench? If you dont use it much it should be fine. Oh and put that compessor on carpet in the attic or outside. Just my .02

Band saw under the bench works OK. When I need it, its on wheels so it isnt bad.

Ideall I would like to have a nice cold saw on the bench though.

i do need a big ass compressor ( outside ) and a dust collector for the blas cabinet.

Everything on casters.
Multi-Purpose carts with mounting 'systems' for stuff, etc.

Having everything on casters is 101256 x better alone!

Has anyone ever made a hollow bench top that would double as the tank for the air compressor?

I know a lot of people make bumpers and roll cages that are air tanks, so this shouldn't be to far fetched of an idea. The top would have to be 8 to 10 inches thick to get decent volume. This could be a down side, but you could also mount the tank vertically aginst the wall under the bench top. I don't many people use that space anyway.

I have never done this or know anyone who has, just trying to come up with space saving ideas.

Luke

Hey Chopperman,
Nice shop. I'm working to get mine in order like yours but I've got a ways to go. I love that everything moves around easy on casters. That's a big plus.
I do have a question. I've got a little bandsaw similar in size to yours. I just got it last week and I've used it a couple of times on some 2x4x3/16 tubing and I can't get the dang thing to cut straight. As it comes down thru the metal, it wants to turn in. I've looked at that adjustment points and it just seems there arent any to remedy this issue. I'm sure it's not the best saw (I got it from Northern tool by that name) but it can't be that bad. It has the swivel to 45 degrees as optional which I really needed to build my frame but it's not cutting square. What can I do? Help!

Has anyone ever made a hollow bench top that would double as the tank for the air compressor?

I know a lot of people make bumpers and roll cages that are air tanks, so this shouldn't be to far fetched of an idea. The top would have to be 8 to 10 inches thick to get decent volume. This could be a down side, but you could also mount the tank vertically aginst the wall under the bench top. I don't many people use that space anyway.

I have never done this or know anyone who has, just trying to come up with space saving ideas.

Luke

It would be a decent way to save space but not worth the risk in my opinion. If you actually use the bench then it will be beat on and welded on. That is not something I want to be doing to a bench holding pressure. Hey it might work great and never be an issue but why risk it to save a little space.

It would be a decent way to save space but not worth the risk in my opinion. If you actually use the bench then it will be beat on and welded on. That is not something I want to be doing to a bench holding pressure. Hey it might work great and never be an issue but why risk it to save a little space.

Yeah, it would suck if it exploded in your face. Vertically against the wall as the rear bench support would be better.

Luke

i'm in the process of my garage, but i have about 50lbs of shit in a 5lb bag...i'm a carpenter by trade and think i'm a welder/fabricator...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/tkrrox/tools/DSCN1320.jpg

i'm in the process of my garage, but i have about 50lbs of shit in a 5lb bag...i'm a carpenter by trade and think i'm a welder/fabricator...]

One look at that glossy wood work table and it was OBVIOUS you worked with wood :p :laughing:






On another note - sometimes I am jealous of you guys with smaller shops and garages... I think the bigger the shop is, the harder it is to keep it neat, clean, and organized.

And I suck at it, too :(

One look at that glossy wood work table and it was OBVIOUS you worked with wood :p :laughing:






On another note - sometimes I am jealous of you guys with smaller shops and garages... I think the bigger the shop is, the harder it is to keep it neat, clean, and organized.

And I suck at it, too :(

it's a two part epoxy...i'm curious to how it will hold up....if it doesn't i will just put a SS sheetmetal top on it. it i more for breakdown...i have a solid metal table for welding.

side note....chopper, what brand is your belt/disc and how do you like it? i have been eyeballing them just not sure i want to part with the money
i have a little rigid oscillating belt sander that works great.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/tkrrox/tools/DSCN1320.jpg

cool looking little mill, what is that?

not trying to hyjack, but here is the thread on the little mill....i need to take it apart and see if i can't tighten up the l-r but it's the first i've ever used so it's perfect for figuring out what i'm doing...plus the size is perfect for my little garage

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=711769&highlight=index+mill

I think the bigger the shop is, the harder it is to keep it neat, clean, and organized.


And so much easier to lose things like tools in!

The pictures of spotless shops really make me wonder just how much real-world work gets done in some of these shops.

I hardly have enough time to clean my tools up in between jobs, much less clean the floor and put bigger tools away.

And so much easier to lose things like tools in!

The pictures of spotless shops really make me wonder just how much real-world work gets done in some of these shops.

I hardly have enough time to clean my tools up in between jobs, much less clean the floor and put bigger tools away.

x2, no time wasted lookin for tools, cause their on the floor:laughing:

x2, no time wasted lookin for tools, cause their on the floor:laughing:

I have a lot of floor and a lot of highly sought after and valuable parts lying around!

The pictures of spotless shops really make me wonder just how much real-world work gets done in some of these shops.

I hardly have enough time to clean my tools up in between jobs, much less clean the floor and put bigger tools away.


No shit right! I do however try to grab every tool laying around on my way to put a tool away. My goal this weekend is to rediscover my workbench which is 4'x8'! :laughing:

I'm going to have to start thinking about how to layout my new garage/shop, with 12 foot ceilings I need some ideas on how to use that space. Maybe I'll even get a project now that I'll have the space to work on it.

Everything on wheels looks like a good way to go.

I'm going to have to start thinking about how to layout my new garage/shop, with 12 foot ceilings I need some ideas on how to use that space. Maybe I'll even get a project now that I'll have the space to work on it.

Everything on wheels looks like a good way to go.

Think of it..... the roof of your project NOT being wedged against the ceiling of your garage. :flipoff2: I bet Jeff has a Scout he'd sell ya. :laughing:

Think of it..... the roof of your project NOT being wedged against the ceiling of your garage. :flipoff2: I bet Jeff has a Scout he'd sell ya. :laughing:

It wasn't wedged that bad. :flipoff2: It was a little odd that I had a bunch of cracks appear in the walls upstairs after you guys left. :confused::D

here's what i have been doing in my shop/garage.

it nice and long, but the door is only 7' tall.

looking out

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001009.jpg

welding table. weighs in at close to 800 lbs.


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001006.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001005.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001004.jpg

looking in
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001003.jpg

here's what i have been doing in my shop/garage.

it nice and long, but the door is only 7' tall.

looking out

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001009.jpg

welding table. weighs in at close to 800 lbs.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001008.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001007.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001006.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001005.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001004.jpg

looking in
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/0001003.jpg

Scale: 1" = 1"




:flipoff2:

Bigger pictures please.

i just need to build a nice steel rack next. since steel is going down in price, i can probably afford to build one next year. i need tax breaks. equipment is a nice write off.

usually photobucket shrinks them.... i'll shrink them.

just a moment please.

delete those picture links and they will be normal sized!

i just need to build a nice steel rack next. since steel is going down in price, i can probably afford to build one next year. i need tax breaks. equipment is a nice write off.



I'm working on designing a rack to store axles, housing and halfshafts. I'm so freaking tired of having them in the way and having to wait until someone can come over and give me a hand moving them out of the way so I can work on whatever they are on top of. I'm thinking of bolting some 2" square tube to a back corner wall and welding brackets to it to hold axles horizontally against the wall.

Driveshafts and halfshafts on the top, axle housings on the bottom.

i use a lot of tubing. square and round. it really sucks having it laying on the floor and having to dig through it to get the piece i need. i'm going to attach mine to the wall with lag bolts into the studs. i live in and work out of a converted barn. so the posts within the walls are large enough to put some weight on.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k216/miniyota/HOUSE001.jpg

i live in and work out of a converted barn. so the posts within the walls are large enough to put some weight on.



LOL, the barn I'm working ou of was built around 1860, the beams are 12" X 12" rough hewn, probably harvested from the field behind. The only problem I have is that drilling a hole for a lag screw will require a hammer drill and driving the lags requires an impact, the wood is so damned hard!

pictures of your barn!

we livel upstairs. we rent the place. but it works pretty good, it would be nicer to have more room upstairs.

LOL, the barn I'm working ou of was built around 1860, the beams are 12" X 12" rough hewn, probably harvested from the field behind. The only problem I have is that drilling a hole for a lag screw will require a hammer drill and driving the lags requires an impact, the wood is so damned hard!

I'm working on designing a rack to store axles, housing and halfshafts. I'm so freaking tired of having them in the way and having to wait until someone can come over and give me a hand moving them out of the way so I can work on whatever they are on top of. I'm thinking of bolting some 2" square tube to a back corner wall and welding brackets to it to hold axles horizontally against the wall.

Driveshafts and halfshafts on the top, axle housings on the bottom.

An engine hoist works great for moving around axle housings and lifting them onto a axle stand, or truck for that matter.

An engine hoist works great for moving around axle housings and lifting them onto a axle stand, or truck for that matter.

No? I never would have thought of that! Just like I'd never think of taking a folding engine hoist, removing the folding legs and chaining differentials to it as a counter-weight so it can be used in tight quarters:flipoff2:

That is the first ground that I have seen that was actually a real lead battery ground LOL. I just have some angle iron welded to my table..

Actually those ground magnets work fine too.

Big shop air was a major thing for me, I love not having to worry about waiting for air (80 gallon)..