In the last article I talked about what were the must have tools and accessories that you needed to get started wrenching on your bike. In this article I will explore ideas on how to set up your home workshop/garage space where you will do the work you have the tools for.
Let’s begin with the idea that the shops you see on TV are most probably not in your future. I know for a fact they aren’t in mine! I spent most of my adult life managing and working in aftermarket automotive repair shops and while it is really nice to have lifts, air tools, a professional air supply, heat and light, some of that isn’t really needed. Along the line I have also set up home workshops in everything from an apartment complex parking lot through my current setup where I have a 3-car garage with one stall for my bike, and a walkout unfinished basement workshop. It took me 40+ years to get to this, and it is nice to have, but I’ve done just as well working on bikes in a parking lot. Just not as comfortable.
What Is the Perfect Garage?
Let’s get metaphysical and ask, “What do you feel is the perfect garage?” Most of us immediately imagine something similar to the hangar Carroll Shelby had to work with back in the day, tools everywhere, as well as a few Cobras and a GT40 prototype. Or what you see at the Barber Museum with CRC machines and wide-open spaces. While that’s a great pipe dream, it’s not something most of us are likely to achieve any time soon.
The facts are that most enthusiasts have a single or two-car garage to work with—if they even have a garage at all. What we envision as the basis for the perfect setup is one that allows you to work as efficiently as possible. A space that keeps you in a constant flow from start to finish without becoming overwhelmed by clutter or discouraged about the difficulty level of the job you’ve taken on. Over years of wrenching, you’ll find that a specific setlist of tools takes priority or that some things others love don’t work for you. Our advice is to start small and gradually grind out the perfect garage as your skills and needs develop.
And it’s important to realize that it’ll take some time to find a system that you consider perfect. Even with a limitless budget, you can’t expect to throw all of your money at a shop and expect yourself to immediately take to it.
Everything You’ll Need To Set Up Shop
Trying to tell you what you need to set up the perfect garage is nearly impossible. As I said, the ideal garage is the one that best suits your needs. I have no clue what kind of vehicles you’ll be working on, the kind of work you’re willing to take on, or even the kind of budget you have at your disposal. That does mean you’ll need to dream up your very own list of essential tools and supplies for your garage. But there are still some basics that every garage should have.
Tool List:
Toolboxes/tool chests
Mechanic’s tool set
Work bench….with a vice
Shelving units/Storage cabinets
Small Parts Organizers
Push broom/dust pan
Shop vac
Floor jack
Bike stands
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won’t need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch)
How I’d Start Setting Up My Garage From Scratch
We’ve all dreamt of a garage setup designed to our exact tastes. Here’s how I’d do it.
Space
How much space does my dream garage have? An industrial-size building would be the actual dream, but a two- or three-bay garage would also work just fine. A single bay is excellent for storage, but projects tend to take up quite a bit of room. Having an additional bay to dedicate to an engine rebuild or similar project is a significant convenience that quite honestly propels the project forward to a substantial degree. That’s something I would keep in mind if I were to build a garage from scratch.
The Workbench
A suitable workbench doesn’t need to be the size of Kansas to suffice, but it sure is nice when it is. In my dream garage, a wrap-around workbench would be one of the first things to build. That way, there’s plenty of space to store tools on top and large equipment beneath while giving you plenty of room to tear down whatever you need without having to risk contamination or spilling your cup of joe. Mount a vice and a grinder on them and you’ve got all you need to get started.
Tool Storage
Tool storage is a significant concern for many, but being a minimalist in this area goes a long way. I’ll admit that I’d certainly buy into the idea of a pegboard simply because it saves a good amount of space on the workbench, but I’d use it for little more than keeping the essential hand tools. Other than that, one large chest for miscellaneous tools and a few smaller toolboxes dedicated to specialty tools such as electrical diagnostic tools, pneumatic tools, and so on would be just fine for me.
Parts Storage
If you have a project bike, you have spare parts on hand. That collection, while convenient, takes up more room than anything else in my possession. Multi-tier wire rack shelving systems work wonderfully for parts storage. They do take up some floor space, but when paired with totes, you can quickly organize everything you’ve got on hand. I currently rely on a similar system and would absolutely add something similar to my dream garage as my brain is programmed to work with it. I’d like to see cabinets to separate speed-related parts or those I pick from most frequently, as well.
Specialty Tools
I think a good air compressor is something you can’t afford to overlook when talking about specialty tools. Obviously, pneumatic tools for mechanical projects are a great addition to any shop. I currently don’t lean on compressed air for anything more than filling up tires. However, I’d still like to see a 30-gallon compressor in my dream shop. A pneumatic tire changer would be nice, but it is not absolutely necessary. Last year I bought a tire changer from our friends at NoMar and have it mounted on a large sheet of plywood. Before that I changed tires by hand or took them to my work and used the machines there after hours. But I’ve found that with some practice I can change my tires using the NoMar quickly and easily. I’m happy with it and glad I finally bought one.
What About a Bike Lift?
Everyone’s dream garage has a lift, right? Mine too. If I had a limitless budget and plenty of space, I’d love to have one. I know many people that wouldn’t be without one after they got one. So far, I’ve resisted buying one and still don’t mind sitting on a stool or laying on the ground. But as I’m now pushing 70, the idea of a bike lift is really sounding good! Nomar makes a really nice one too.
Pro Tips to Building Out Your Garage
As I said, I spent many years working in professional shops. Some of those I was involved in as they were being built. Here are a couple of suggestions when starting from scratch:
Check out other shops. I’m not one to say that you should buy the latest greatest gizmos that your buddies are using for the sake of keeping up with the Joneses. I will say that it’s worth dipping into an industry veteran’s shop whenever you can, though. Don’t just look at the big things when you get the chance to, though. Look at how they organize the little things like spare parts or their workbench. This is a great way to pick up little tips that can really boost your efficiency.
Try your hand at projects before you invest in costly systems. Different areas of focus require various specialty tools, and you can spend a ton of money in specific areas. Engine building, painting, bodywork, chassis work, and interior work are all things that require different things from your workspace. It’s best to dabble in those things before you buy all of the gear you’ll need to take them on regularly.
Don’t be ashamed to work with what you have. Who cares if you can’t afford a shop that’s armed to the teeth? Don’t buy into the fact that you need the latest and greatest gear to get the job done. Expensive tools and all-inclusive setups do make work easier, but they aren’t necessary to make it possible. Not only that, there’s a little more pride in completing a job with very little in your corner.
Comfort is Important
I learned over the years that being uncomfortable while working on vehicles often leads to mistakes and even accidents. Having to stop and rub the sweat out of your eyes every few minutes or having to wear several layers just to stay warm enough to move not only demotivates you to work, but often leads to expensive mistakes or sloppy work. IF YOU CAN, find a way to make your workspace cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Do you need central air conditioning and/or heat? No. Often a good fan or a portable heater will work just fine. If you’re setting up a garage, or even a basement, some time and money spent on insulation of the walls can help both things too.
While we are on the subject of being comfortable may I suggest buying some coveralls? You can find inexpensive, long-lasting coveralls on Amazon for under $30. In the summer I wear them over shorts and a t-shirt. In the winter I wear them over some long underwear. They keep me from ruining my other clothes and I just keep them in the workshop. Keeps me from worrying about what I’m wearing in the shop and also offer some protection. I find them comfortable to work in.
Let’s not forget that LIGHT is extremely important. Do yourself a favor and invest a few dollars in good lighting. There are many portable units that will work off of a simple wall plug and still give you a great deal of light. Painting the walls of your shop a light color also helps. You might notice that my basement workshop shown in the pictures above has reflective insulation all around it. Not only does that help with heating and cooling, but it also makes it brighter. It’s cheap to purchase and easy to put up. The top of my workbench has white paneling attached to that further reflects light and also makes it easier to find parts that I drop on it. A nice floor paint is another help in that area. Looks good too.
Don’t forget about creature comforts either. I like to have a radio playing, a pot of coffee ready, and a nice chair to sit in and take a break on. Many times, I also use a roll around stool too. A few pictures/posters on the walls can be good too. If you’re going to spend a lot of time in your workshop, why not enjoy the time?
Last but not least….Some Safety Concerns
Safety should be your top priority in your home workshop. Here are some safety considerations:
Eye and Ear Protection: Wear safety goggles and hearing protection when operating loud tools.
First Aid Kit: Keep a first aid kit handy for minor accidents.
Fire Safety: Have a fire extinguisher and smoke alarm in your workshop. Store flammable materials safely.
Electrical Safety: Use grounded outlets and ensure all wiring is up to code. Avoid overloading circuits.
Dust Collection: Invest in a dust collection system to minimize airborne particles, which can be harmful when inhaled.
Tool Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain your tools to ensure they are in good working condition.
Following these ideas will help you to set up YOUR home workshop. I say that it will “help you” because ultimately it is YOUR workshop and how it is set up should be your choice. Do what works best for you and how you will use it. Invest in the tools and pieces that you want and can afford. The space that you have, the funds that you have, and the type of work that you want to do is going to be yours alone. What works for me won’t necessarily work for you, and vice versa. It your thing, do what you want to do.
Next: I’ll be writing about how to store your bike for winter.