For those of us who lucky enough to have single/double garages or workshops..what are some of the things you have done to make yours more user friendly, efficent or comfortable?

We just closed on this house (single car garage) and I havent had time yet to do much but I do have an old home stereo system in there, complete with CD, big old home speakers in the loft, sounds OK for a shop. Still using the freezer for a workbench (gotta plan projects carefully LOL) several big sheets of cardboard for standing comfort, a few of those cheap chrome clamp lights with 100w bulbs and a small radiant heater.

future plans are a real workbench...better lighting, maybe paint the floor, and a roll around toolbox

Paint the floor with an epoxy-based paint after degreasing. Buy shoplights now. Dual tube flourescents are VERY inexpensive if you shop around. Lighting is the key. Put in more than you think you'll need, and you won't regret it. More lights means fewer shadows.

Get a vise too, comes in handy when holding and beating on parts

Y'all keep talking, becuase this is one of my many projects for spring. Part of our rent si a 1 1/2 car garage. It will be a workshop by the time summer is over (with the landlord'* blessing. He'* such a cool guy!).

One thing I got to use while I had my Malibu torn down...was an ultrasonic cleaner. (Dads) I am looking for one of those, air compressor is also in the plans as well as engine stand (had one, sold it, long story) engine hoist (had one, sold it same long story)

The vise is a GREAT idea, forgot that one

Basc Stuff First.
1/ Floor, clean and paint the floor
2/ Lighting, count up how many lights you think you'll need then add 6 more
3/ Work bench, 8' min 12' is even better
4/ Bench Vice 10"
5/ Bench Grinder w/wire wheel
6/ Air Compresser
7/ Radio
8/ Heat
9/ Shelves
10/ Coffee pot

You can do a lot with just this, then add as you go and as money becomes available

ken

yeah Coffepot a MUST lol...I actually have a spare one and I just thought of pegboards for the tools...maybe even draw the outlines of the tools on it...ROFL

Well:

1) Bring all your friends over to re-roof your 1 1/2 car garage.
2) Take a sawzall and totally destroy your existing garage by cuting it into four foot sections of wall, roof, etc.
3) Bonfire time--for the next two weeks have a bonfire every night after work.
4) Make friends with a general contractor.
5) Convince contractor friend to help you set up your new garage (layout, digging, setting of frame posts)
6) Purchase materials based on your friend'* materials list
7) Erect 3 car garage using all available free time. Don't be shy about working in rain, snow, or single digit weather--the good weather will only last until you get out of work.
8 ) Convince your wife'* sister to marry someone that will work for a Wendy'* Resturant that will some day be torn down--preferably in the very near future.
9) Convince said brother-in-law that you are desirous of aquiring stainless steel prep tables, wheeled trash recepticals formerly used as salad containers, greese buckets that say "Greese" on the side (wheeled for easy placement under oil pan), Steel storage racks, etc.
10) Run electrical capable of lighting the 'Titanic'--you never know what you will pull down in electrical needs.
11) Install spare 9000 BTW window air condition (salvage from previous house that didn't have Central Air)
12) Purchase a quality wall mounted propane heater when they go on sail in mid winter--don't bother installing it until spring--after the concrete is poured.
13) Use stainless steel prep table as a work-bench for grinder, vise, etc.
14) Keep reasuring the wife that all of this is necessary so that the old roof doesn't leak anymore
15) When spring comes (and your tax return), Pour concrete floor, install windows, install overhead door openers, and epoxy floor. Now is a good time to install the exterior lighting as well--make sure that the motion detector lighing is not so sensitive that a leaf will activate a chain reaction ending in you locking yourself out of the house at 3:00 am on a rainy, windy night.

From here, the sky is the limit. Yeah, a compressor is good, a sink isn't a bad idea, etc.

Electrical is the key. Absolutely. If you have an electic water heater and range, change them to gas. I ran both of those circuits to my shop for the welder and compressor. That left the pre-existing circuits solely for the smaller tools and lighting.

If you ever will need a compound miter saw, pick the one you want now, and build your workbench with a lower section for it. You want the table of the saw to be about 1/8 of an inch above the workbench top. Invaluable setup.

i built a nice workbench with a vise , wall mounted cabinets run the full width of the garage on the back wall over bench. 60 gallon 7hp air compressor (220v), extra cabinets and shelves on side walls. stereo with speakers mounted to the ceiling to save space, drywalled and insulated the walls, insulated the ceiling. lots of lights, reinforced two joists in ceiling- one for pulling motors and the other for pulling body off car. use 2x6'* for poles to support joists when using them. i also have two 24 drawer units for organizing the nuts and bolts and other odds and ends. and a very nice parts washer i got from a guy for $20.........all i had to do was clean it up and paint it !! mig welder under the bench has paid for itself a few times already. quality hangers for the garden tools on one wall........at least till i get my shed this spring. a coated floor would be awesome , but to many other thing to spend $$$ on now. i use a 100,000 btu propane bullit heater to heat thing up and then switch to small heater on top of propane tank #2 to keeps things warm.