Joel OF Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 Just curious whether anyone's got any workshop "must haves" that aren't essential for a workshop? E.g a punch bag? A newspaper? A lucky mascot? When I finally get a water tight shop with electricity a radio will be one of the first things in there, I always have BBC radio 4 on in the background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 A roof sounds nice, so does heat. Kinda need walls too...Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I tend to have lincs fm on when I am working its a local radio so you keep up with local events Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 My wife has a bunch of stuff stored in a corner of my shop, doe's that count? Truth is I have a lot of stuff around not directly smithing related but it's there to stay, mostly anyhow. No good luck charms but I'm pretty careful NOT to tempt the fates with silly challenges say commenting on what I THINK tomorrow's weather will be. That one can REALLY backfire on you! I keep a comfy stool handy, especially when teaching. I demo a procedure and take up position on my stool and kibitz as the "student" takes a lash at it. So, comfy stool is one, does a coffee pot count? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I have a boxer's speed bag hanging up - or all those frustrating "creative" moments...LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 A work table would be my first choice. A 55 gallon drum will work. Then 2 each 32 ounce glasses of iced tea within arms reach. A roof is nice Side walls from whatever you can scrounge, cardboard, tarps, plastic, etc. Anything to stop the wind when it turns cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingmaker3 Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 I consider good lighting to be vital. I also insist on a place to "go." A cooler for the beer is nice, but I can do without the cooler if I have to. A player and stack of Celtic Rock or older Heavy Metal CDs is most helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel OF Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share Posted January 6, 2013 A stool - good one! Thankfully i have an old drumming stool that's sacrificial & it's headed for my "workshack". I've always suffered with a bad back so somewhere to take the weight off for a few minutes will probably help my patience/frustration levels too. For me it sounds like more of an essential than a non-essential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old N Rusty Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Water piped in from the mains. Adjust a hose to just a tiny trickle dripping on the ends of work you want to be kept cool in the gas forge. Works great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzer Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 In my current small shop I have a radio (set to shortwave, some wonderfully wierd shows come around that are fun to listen to) and a small air conditioner. A mini fridge would be nice, and I will have to forego the AC in the big shop, but I won't really miss it, I hardly use it. I would love to put a water line inside the new shop, but the new regulations in Florida/my county would make it economically unfeasable. Nothing stops me from running a line to the outside of the shop at a convenient spot, so at least I won't have to go far for water. Another 6 inches, to the inside of the wall and they get crazy with it. The regulations and permit requirements are also why I am building a new shop rather than just overhauling and adding on to the old one. It would have cost twice as much, and given me a less open space. One thing that is really a non-essential I am putting into the new shop is dutch doors for the walk-throughs. It will be nice to open them up as wanted and still keep the dogs out from underfoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zahg Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Cigarettes, Chair of some kind(using an old drafting stool right now, just the right height for my workbench), RC Cola and either a radio or my android tablet with BUZZ Player installed so I can stream my entire music collection from my main PC in the house. Also like to keep a sketchbook in the bench for something to do while taking breaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razzputin Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 An emu and a few chickens running around my feet. That and my frozen 5l water bottle for the thirsty moments. Also some loud electronica/dubstep or some good classical music depending on my mood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Foreigner Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Radio Punch bag - my sons but I use it (more NOW due to number 4) Dart board Fridge - unused as I'm now on the wagon...and hating every minute of it Arrrrhhhhhh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McCoy Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 Pocket knife, kleenex, headbands, solar powered/windup radio, folding chair, stash of screws and nails, and Vicks in a jar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel OF Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Vicks? As in the stuff that unblocks your nose? A box of latex gloves will be my next non-essential addition. I don't have a tap in my "workshack" and I'm getting bored of walking back to the house to clean my hands when I want to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric sprado Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 A fifty gallon drum catching rainwater from your gutter and plumbed through the wall gives LOTS of water.. I live in Western Oregon with lots of rain... A LARGE tank waters garden with soaker hose. No bill from the utility board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshua.M Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 i have a mini fridge, radio, about 4 box fans to circulate air, a baseball bat and punching bag (creative moments aswell), and last but not least..... LUNCH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptree Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I am fond of my wood burning furnace just now, highs in the 20'sF and low tonight 0F I also like a radio, fans and good light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DistinctKnocks Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 My dog. Mason likes to hang out with me while I'm banging metal. Its funny to watch him when the "fireflies" start to fall on him. He'll get up, snort, then move to a safer area. Seeing that I've only had 3 forging sessions so far on my makeshift rig, a shop would be nice...along with a cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Truck to haul all your nifty finds home in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 First aid kit, comfy chair, chalk board! Outhouse... shop cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Tong rein clips, medium and large. Presto brand correction pen (the white marks last into an orange heat). Lufkin spring steel yardstick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel OF Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 Hurrah, I'm getting electricity soon! No more of that *insert a chain of swear words* 50 meter electricity extension cable that I swear is designed to tangle, especially when it's raining. A CD/mp3 player will be top of my list of non-essentials. Can't wait to be able to use my welder in the workshop too, at the minute I have to go back over to the house and plug in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Music, good chair, heat or a/c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dabbsterinn Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Decent speakers i guess would be on the top of the non-essential stuff, I need metal in my ears to work the metal in my hands, also makes for a nice way of keeping rhythm when hammering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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