My recent article for PopMech just went live – check it out at 8 Essentials for Every Garage. Here’s what the article briefly covers:
- Workbenches
- Lighting
- Flooring
- Vises & Work Holding
- Tool Chests
- General Storage
- Power Strips & Extension Cords
- Safety Gear
Is there anything else you would add to the list?
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The above photo is by RaceDeck, a highly recommended modular tile garage flooring manufacturer.
Chip
Gotta have a quality air compressor on hand in your decked out garage. Besides its usefulness, the air tools just sound cool.
Mac
Great article. The safety gear should be first priority IMO.
Stuart
The essentials are in no particular order, otherwise I would agree. Chip, good point about a good compressor, but not all DIYers could benefit as much from air tools, IMHO.
Kevin
why do all these fancy garages look like Johnny Rockets?
albert
a shop without a comp is, well, kinda useless. same without a grinder and wire wheel setup. also i can’t imagine one without a oxy/acetylene setup.
Phil G
The “Johnny Rockets” comment made my day. X-D
Alex M.
Depending on where you live: Insulation and Air Conditioning.
fred
Well thought out piece. Good lighting seems to be a big part of the garage in the picture . When I redid mine – I went for Whirlpool’s Gladiator brand cabinetry
http://www.amazon.com/Gladiator-GarageWorks-GAGB272DRG-Premier-Modular/dp/B0015IYS86/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1307671740&sr=8-32
Couldn’t justify the Lista stuff that we have in the commercial shop and succumbed to last years’s sale price on Gladiator at Amazon. I only wish they had the full line at Lowes for pickup – because the flimsy packaging resulted in damage during shipping. Still in all a very nice product when available at a discounted price.
Brian
FRIDGE!!!
Stuart
Those are great suggestions as well! +1 on the Gladiator cabinets, especially the premium welded ones which I hear are even more superbly built.
A grinder w/ wire wheel setup and oxy/acetylene torch is a good suggestion as well, but I made a point of not mentioning tools at all, otherwise it would have been “101 Garage Essentials” instead if just 8 core suggestions.
A mini-fridge? Absolutely!
fred
For those of us in northern climes – with unheated garages – a modern fridge will not work – the new freon can’t handle the sub-freezing conditions and will void the warranty
Stuart
Wow, that’s good to know, thanks! I wonder if Gladiator’s fridge is okay in such an environment…
Then again, if you have a garage with sub-zero temps, do you really need a refrigerator in there?
MrMiz
Cleanup area, and a massive first aid kit 😉