Topic: Shop Solutions.

[BenelliSEI]

I really enjoy expanding YOUR shop photos. Usually note clever repurposing, space saving, smart design, and all kinds of weird construction....... share them here!

Here’s one. This wooden box held two bottles of wine. Has a neat, slide in lid. Couldn’t toss it on the wood pile, so glued in two sticks, full of spark plug sized holes. Now I always know where to find them.

[BenelliSEI]

When I built my shop, we used four 8’ benches, down one wall. Added a shelf that runs end to and, above all the benches. The first one is used for 8-12 small tackle boxes (on sale, $1.00/each). These hold items like hose clamps, zip ties, Allen keys, glues and sealants, etc. When I was racing every weekend, they came down, into a milk crate, and into the trailer, every Thursday night....

The rest of the shelves hold used windshield washer and antifreeze plastic jugs. Slice off one side and they make great tubs. The larger ones are great for extra storage. For each bench, the shelves hold up a 4’ light, nice and close to the work area.

[Kevin]

That's a great idea!

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[Alan F.]

I've been thinking about the individual tool boxes for each aspect/system/task for a long time. I'm thinking of larger boxes at this point but any positive step will help my level of organization at this point.
I can't wait to have my "forever shop".

[Kelly E]

The side extensions on my HF bike lift are made from a twin bed frame with nothing left over. I cut the crossbars in half. That gave me 4 - 16" pieces, two for braces on each side. The butt against the main frame rail on each side and have 2 bolts on each of the crossbars going through the deck. The spot by the vice is a finger hole to open a section up to access the pedal to pump it up, the hinge is just beyond it. You can also see the bed frame legs that I welded nuts onto and put in bolts for adjustable feet so they are supported when down on the floor. It makes it really easy to ride a bike on because there is someplace to put your feet. I'm way too small to push a bike on by myself.

[BenelliSEI]

Kelly..... brilliant, and some extra bench space.
Allan..... we use the “bins” everywhere and whenever I need a few more, the recycling bin at my local gas station is full of free ones!

[Trevor from Warragul]

My garage has a small rear roller door.  I really wanted to put a bench in that space, but then I was faced with dragging a bench out of the way when I needed to use the door.  The solution was to attach castors to the bench legs.  I had to figure out how to attach castors to metal legs.  This is what I came up with.  I added the threaded rod later for additional rigidity:





Trevor

[dave500]

I really enjoy expanding YOUR shop photos. Usually note clever repurposing, space saving, smart design, and all kinds of weird construction....... share them here!

Here’s one. This wooden box held two bottles of wine. Has a neat, slide in lid. Couldn’t toss it on the wood pile, so glued in two sticks, full of spark plug sized holes. Now I always know where to find them.

i keep welding rods in their packs in a wine box like that with sliding lid,also a hand full off those moisture sacks/capsules that come in vitamins etc.

[BenelliSEI]

Dave a buddy uses an old cooler. Good idea with those little sacks. I’ll pass it on.

[Alan F.]

When I put together my current basement workshop I knew I needed a work table to assemble a bike on. There was no point in buying a lift at that point though so I assembled the table described here: http://dropbarscinder.blogspot.com/2011/01/?m=1

It came out well and has been rock solid with lots of screws and glue holding it together. I added a 6' black vinyl runner to the top for looks function and protection.

Total for this was about $75

[Don R]

 I've got a couple engines waiting for their turn to be used and eating up space on a shelf. I think I should re-assemble the big parts but would love to see engine storage ideas.   

[BenelliSEI]

I’ve cut 1/2” plywood into rectangles (covered in a scrap of carpet), that fit into 4X car trolleys I had in the shop. Engines sit in them nicely and are easy to shift around.

[BenelliSEI]

One of my favourite shop additions. A friend’s Dad brought this Myford “Super 7”, from England, over 70 years ago. He started a small machine shop service, behind their home in Toronto, in a garden shed. My friend (and his 45 year old son) have grown the business. It occupies a 20,000 sq.ft. Building, they just built! They fabricate the machines Cadbury uses to make chocolate bars, all over the world. Years ago, I got the “loan” of this, so I’d keep it clean, lubricated and in use. Real prize.

[Prospect]

When I put together my current basement workshop I knew I needed a work table to assemble a bike on. There was no point in buying a lift at that point though so I assembled the table described here: http://dropbarscinder.blogspot.com/2011/01/?m=1

It came out well and has been rock solid with lots of screws and glue holding it together. I added a 6' black vinyl runner to the top for looks function and protection.

Total for this was about $75

How do you get the bike on the work table?

[gpzkat]

In my garage I use a 1 ton chain hoist ($50 at Harbor Freight) a lot, strapped to a supported joist.  A friend lent me his motorcycle lift and I prefer the hoist.  Makes wheel removal easy, and engine removal painless by laying the bike on its side and hoisting the frame off/on. 

[goodtryer]

It ain’t much to look at but I built a carb stand out of some scrap wood. I clamp it to my shop cart (built that too). Later figured out that I could put a piece of PVC pipe on one side and then hang my temporary gas tank. It’s worked well. Easy to level the carbs by shimming under the base where it’s clamped. Last pic is from below where you can see the conduit strap I cut up to hang the carbs.


EDIT: typos

[Alan F.]

How do you get the bike on the work table?

I assembled it there with quite a few custom made parts over a few years time. When it's closer to finished I'll tear it back down for paint and polishing before final assembly outside the basement somewhere.

[Don R]

 I use the Harbor freight lift and a 1/2 ton hoist The table has a plywood and 2x2 tire chock for the rear tire and a scissor jack to lift either end of a bike. I keep thin plywood under the jack as a softener to avoid slippage.
  I'd love to see engine storage solutions, they take up a ton of space. I guess the real question is why do I keep them around? Only one has a frame it belongs in, but there's an 836 in it's spot right now.

[goodtryer]

This doesn’t free up floor space taken up by an engine but it does make it much easier to get it out of the way. Cheap Harbor Freight furniture dolly or similar:

Doh! Sorry the pic is upside down but you get the idea...

[seanbarney41]

+1...Ekpent gifted me one of those harbor freight dollies.  It is perfect size for cb750 engine.  I hear ya Don, I got 4 under my work bench...too heavy and awkward to store anywhere up high.  Plus they consume all the ever useful 2x4 scrap chunks, as they always want to flop forward.

[BenelliSEI]

Goodtryer..... like the “carb stand”. Got me thinking about a box of extra float bowls I have. I should permanently set them up for fuel level measurement and just snap them on when needed. Often thought that just snipping off the overflow tube (in the bottom of the bowl), would speed up the prep.

[goodtryer]

Good idea. I don’t have any spares myself but I like the concept.

Building on your idea, it would be really nice if there was a way to attach your spare bowls with a spring clip or magnets or something that would allow you to snap them on and off. Keeps from messing with those bowl screws and weak threads in the bodies.

Cheers

[BenelliSEI]

Good idea. I don’t have any spares myself but I like the concept.

Building on your idea, it would be really nice if there was a way to attach your spare bowls with a spring clip or magnets or something that would allow you to snap them on and off. Keeps from messing with those bowl screws and weak threads in the bodies.

Cheers

Most of my Honda’s are ‘70-‘76, so the bowls are held on with clips.

[Don R]

 I have made great use of the H/F furniture dollies. I tried four of them under the dragster, the wheels didn't survive the expansion joints in the driveway. I made a really heavy duty one that goes under the tires or under the frame. 
 

[BenelliSEI]

Hoists..... This one came with a few bikes I bought two years ago. Hydraulic foot pump, or can be hooked to shop air (which I never do, to much hose to trip over). It’s a lot bigger than the other one I have, but also very stable, with screw down feet that stop it from rolling around, and level it. Really nice feature is a removable panel, at the back. Rear wheel can be dropped down, when removing from a bike. The pump pedal removes easily. Good feature, it sticks out a mile and hurts. I wonder why none of the manufacturer’s radius the corners of these damn things??!!

[BenelliSEI]

Surprised more of you aren’t sharing your shop tweaks.... Here’s one I copied from someone else.
Removed the outlet plate from a dead compressor. Mounted on my shop wall, with a 6” nipple, out into the main pole barn (unheated storage part of the building). My upright compressor sits out there, next to my homemade blasting cabinet. It’s connected to the wall plate with a flexible/ quick disconnect fitting. I also have a switch in the shop, that turns the compressor ON/OFF when I need it. And, the lines are connected to a hose reel that reaches anywhere in the shop. One outlet is full tank pressure, the top one is regulated, lower pressure.

This arrangement means it’s not banging away in my main work space......

P.S. This photo also high lights another feature I built into my “forever shop”. All the way around, the bottom 4’ of the walls is a 4’ X 8’ sheet of 1/2” plywood (painted grey). Carts, equipment, bikes etc., don’t do any damage when I get too close.

[Kevin]

I did a similar set up with the air compressor (not) in my shop.
I ran pipe to multiple locations, also added inline moisture traps.

The stainless you see in the picture is a fire extinguisher cabinet, kinda nice having it up out of the way and accessible.

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[goodtryer]

Made a handy drop light from a recovered shop light and an old extension cord. Put some tie wraps and lightweight chain to hook it or hang it just about anywhere, most recently from the handlebars on the 750.

 It’s LED and the covers are thick plastic so it has handled a couple of drops and kicks with no problem.

[BenelliSEI]

Kevin..... the moisture trap is a good idea! I should have installed it on the main feed line. As an afterthought, there is one on the wall (under the hoses in my photo). I go through it when I want dry air......

[BenelliSEI]

I’ve shared this once before, but used it yesterday and can’t resist......

Bought a $99, 12 ton press from Princess Auto (Canadian version of  Harbor Freight). On it’s feet, it was too low, and always in the way. I saw this mod in another friend’s shop. Welded on a pair of gate hinges, and fastened it up on a post (my shop is inside a post and beam building). It swings out to use, and hangs back out of the way, when idle. Note: the “L” shaped hinge pins are drilled for split pins. Occasionally, the press will “bounce” when I’m abusing it. Keeps it from coming off the wall.

P.S. the stainless box, on the wall, holds all the spools and blocks I use for pressing. The boxes come off BBQ’s tossed in my local scrap metal bin. I just can’t leave the shiny stuff!

[Don R]

Genius!

[Magpie]

Large pipe wrap or a pool noodle split length wise and cut into shorter pieces. The top pic helps to prevent the ripping of skin and pants. The bottom saves me from a cut forehead and many headaches. I took an orange one and put it in my cargo trailer and hung it just inside the rear door/ramp. I'm tall enough to walk into the top door frame. I did once and the impact drove me to my knees.

[BenelliSEI]

Magpie.... I rescued a Bright Orange “noodle” from my son’s backyard, not long ago. Now I know where it’s going! The split, used hand grips on my hoist are still pretty solid when I run into them.
Good advice.

[BenelliSEI]

Genius!

Thanks, Don! I copied this press mount about 10 years ago. Most guys that see it (or use it once), go home and make their own. These small presses come on sale regularly and honestly one of the most useful addition to any shop.

Side Story.... a neighbour of mine “borrows” it frequently. Whenever he needs it, he slides it in the back of his truck, and returns it a few hours later. I couldn’t understand how he used it, without the feet? The cheap pri*k has a a matching set of gate hooks, screwed to a beam in his barn!

[Kevin]

The press mount is awesome! I am going to have to do that too!

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[BenelliSEI]

Kevin..... if you do, note in the photo, lower left corner of the outside frame. I added a long bolt, with a rubber cane tip jammed on, adjusted to keep the frame parallel to the wall when pushed back. With out it, risked knocking through the pins that hold the adjustable bed. Not a part you want dropping!

[Kevin]

Kevin..... if you do, note in the photo, lower left corner of the outside frame. I added a long bolt, with a rubber cane tip jammed on, adjusted to keep the frame parallel to the wall when pushed back. With out it, risked knocking through the pins that hold the adjustable bed. Not a part you ant dropping!

Thanks for the tip, much appreciated!

[Don R]

 The feet on that press are always in the way. I kept a piece of scrap 8" pipe with a flange welded on one end and a blank flange welded to the top of the pipe to make a heavy weld/vise table. I'll get a picture soon.

[Gurp]

I'm very budgeted.
so needless to say i reuse about everything I can get my hands on.
my work bench is a old red countertop.
My minishop is framed with lumber from a traiker my buddy tore down.
My extra table for storage is a sliding table out of a USPS truck.
welder stand it made from a old bed frame.
starting a wire spool holder out of angle (bedframe) amd some extra rebar.