grumpyvette
retired mech engineer
theres lots of very impressive garages out there that could double a recreation rooms or dens, but a real garage in my opinion needs enought room to work on a car or two and enought space for storage all the tools that requires.(AND THOSE TOOLS) IM constantly cleaning mine and putting tools away, or Id never find a darn thing, but its never going to look like some places I see on line that appear to be advertizements for expensive cabinetry, more than a working repair or performance shop.
Im always impressed with those garages that have the expensive stainless or wood cabinets, and tile floors, they look spectacular, but a decent shop has several tool boxes and a lift of some kind even if its just a kwiklift
http://www.kwiklift.com/Options.htm
or on the low end several good jack stands and a couple floor jacks
now IM not about to say any garage is better or worse than the next one, we all build, buy, or use the best we can afford, but a real SHOP, will look WORKED IN, not sloppy or dirty, but there sure will be signs that theres been a few cars in and out of it and at least a trash container full of parts packaging and busted/worn components some place near bye, and indications the tools got used and the floor jacks have been rolled across the floor.
an epoxy coated floor and great lighting are a huge advantage to getting the shop looking clean and bright, and a clean bright shop makes things easier to work on, but don,t let JUST a shops appearance alone be your only indication of the quality of work that gets done,the MECHANICS SKILLS DO COME INTO PLAY HERE AS WELL AS THE SHOPS APPEARANCE, if its a dumpster you can be reasonably sure you don,t want work done there, but if you can eat off the floor and shelfs Id doubt theres much actual work going on either. and shop tools like welders,grinders,drill presses, and jobs like engine assembly and radiator repairs, and tune ups generally leave some indication that work was done recently!
keep in mind guys generally do the best they can,and are proud of thier shops, but thier budget may not allow some of the nicer touches, like tile, or cabinetry.
what you need
as much floor space as possiable, that can be securely locked up
decent tool storage
a flat dry floor
protection from weather
as many quality tools as you can buy, beg, or borrow
decent referance materials and safety equipment
hopefully a lift
good lighting
almost everything else is optional
these pictures were taken of my shop as we were just stuffing crap from the storage into the new shop to get it in out of the rain the first day we had electric, I worked and saved and planed for 35 years to get my dream shop!
naturally its a bit neater now but theres alot more tools and shelves also,plus motion sensors , alot more lights ,phones,cameras, redundant alarm systems and intercom etc, pictures give you some idea of size if nothing else
Im always impressed with those garages that have the expensive stainless or wood cabinets, and tile floors, they look spectacular, but a decent shop has several tool boxes and a lift of some kind even if its just a kwiklift
http://www.kwiklift.com/Options.htm
or on the low end several good jack stands and a couple floor jacks
now IM not about to say any garage is better or worse than the next one, we all build, buy, or use the best we can afford, but a real SHOP, will look WORKED IN, not sloppy or dirty, but there sure will be signs that theres been a few cars in and out of it and at least a trash container full of parts packaging and busted/worn components some place near bye, and indications the tools got used and the floor jacks have been rolled across the floor.
an epoxy coated floor and great lighting are a huge advantage to getting the shop looking clean and bright, and a clean bright shop makes things easier to work on, but don,t let JUST a shops appearance alone be your only indication of the quality of work that gets done,the MECHANICS SKILLS DO COME INTO PLAY HERE AS WELL AS THE SHOPS APPEARANCE, if its a dumpster you can be reasonably sure you don,t want work done there, but if you can eat off the floor and shelfs Id doubt theres much actual work going on either. and shop tools like welders,grinders,drill presses, and jobs like engine assembly and radiator repairs, and tune ups generally leave some indication that work was done recently!
keep in mind guys generally do the best they can,and are proud of thier shops, but thier budget may not allow some of the nicer touches, like tile, or cabinetry.
what you need
as much floor space as possiable, that can be securely locked up
decent tool storage
a flat dry floor
protection from weather
as many quality tools as you can buy, beg, or borrow
decent referance materials and safety equipment
hopefully a lift
good lighting
almost everything else is optional
these pictures were taken of my shop as we were just stuffing crap from the storage into the new shop to get it in out of the rain the first day we had electric, I worked and saved and planed for 35 years to get my dream shop!
naturally its a bit neater now but theres alot more tools and shelves also,plus motion sensors , alot more lights ,phones,cameras, redundant alarm systems and intercom etc, pictures give you some idea of size if nothing else
