What tools / equipment would you have in your dream shop?

Out of curiosity, I wanted to know what the fine folks on TW would want in their dream shop!

Now, I'm going to break it up into 3 categories:

• Auto Shop
• Metal Fabrication Shop
• WoodShop

If you could, list tools for each category (I realize there may be some overlap).

 

House hunting at the moment and trying to determine the garage size I need.

I'd say:

Air compressor with plumbing to all 4 corners of the garage along with 110AC service and maybe a 220 on both sides
welder on cart
Workbench with vise
decent size toolbox
Maybe a small band saw
Bike repair stand and tools

and heated floors
and a center drain to wash the truck in the winter

and lets throw in a HAAS CNC machine as well since it is a dream shop



and a laser table



All in about 10,000 sq ft would be about right

Edit: plus a bunch of stuff I forgot about that people below will list...like a tube bender...and a 4 post lift

 

Pretty much what's in your pictures, in 3 seperate bays would be nice.

Auto shop - A lift, big toolboxes full of standard and SST tools, paint booth, automatic parts cleaner, sandblaster, powered hydraulic press
Metal shop - Plasma cutter, CNC plasma table, mill, lathe, humongous press brake, band saw, tube bender
Wood Shop - wide belt sander, widest jointer I could find with a very long bed, table saw with big outfeed table, panel saw, radial arm saw, router table, dust collection system

For all - lots of outlets, central compressed air system, good lighting, HVAC, lots of workbench area and organized storage

 

Hell, I just want a shop at this point.. Wrenching outside on a dirt driveway gets old fast

Most of what has been listed would be nice. Maybe a full wash bay for the winter time if its a dream shop. Id drop the heated floors though, dont really see the need as long as the shop itself is heated to 50-60F and insulated. Also, FOR SURE add a 2 post lift to that list. Thats the big one in my mind, no more rolling around on creepers

Edit: and of course a nice couch or 2 and at least one kegerator, but that goes without saying

 

Plus this integrated into the back corner:

 

welders
welding table
tube bender with all dies needed
press brake
tube notcher
plasma cutter
oxy acetylene for the harder to reach or really dirty/ thick stuff

normal mechanics tools

2 post lift

 

I've pretty much got it how I want it. A workbench would be nice. There's no room for it in my garage w/ the extra fridge in there and I have a workbench in the basement. I don't know how to use welding stuff, pipe benders, etc so that wuld be worthless to me. I wouldn't mind a low rise lift, heat, and A/C though.

 

I've been mentally planning for a garage build hopefully in the next year or two.

My plan is a 28 wide x 34 deep
Ideal tools:
2 post lift in center bay
4 post lift in side bay (mostly to be able to park 2 cars inside)
Rolling tool box and metal bench
hard mounted bench
All hand tools
60-80 gallon 220v compressor
Tig welder
Mig welder
Plasma cutter
Oxy-ace torch
Upright band saw
Wet chop saw (for metal)
tubing bender
tubing notcher
30-40 ton brake
50 ton press
tire machine
professional spring compressor
Lathe
Milling machine
Media blasting cabinet
Parts washer
ceiling mounted hoist that can move on x-y axis to span the majority of the shop
motorcycle bench
Heat, fridge and small oven, bathroom w/ shower

Might be a tight squeeze to get everything to fit but with some creativity and maybe a loft I think its doable.
I would imagine I could accomplish more or less anything I could think up with this set up.

I am sure I've missed a few important items but that should be the most of it..

 

looks awesome
but missing a very important item in any shop !!!
@Cooktop86 @WBF610 what say you ?














all crap aside …….

 

Stereo, couches, tv, and kegerator are top priority! After that- heat, lift, fans, work bench, engine hoist, transmission jack, tool box loaded to the gills.

Aside from that stuff an angle grinder and sledge hammer is all you need for 90% of the projects.

 

I do motorcycle stuff to, so I would need things like a ABBA skylift, and maybe a lift for my bikes. Vehicle lift for the truck. Metal shop would have an EDM Wire cutter for sure...

 

Both a 4 post, and 2 post.
60 gal compressor(minimal air needs at this point, I dont know how to shoot paint).
Typical tools.
200amp service
Ability to heat the slab as well as the air(seperate or combined), and humidity control

Not really a carpenter, so, 40x40ish shop, with a heavy canvas curtain to separate fab from work would be perfect.

 

Yes that’s the most important thing in any garage.

 

I'd just love to have a shop.

 

thanks for all the responses!!!!!

 

5,000 sq ft for helicopters hangar space and garage downstairs complete with lift.

5,000 sq ft upstairs for living space.
3,000 sq ft of patio.

 

I like the way you think!

 

When we move back to Texas, we have literally discussed building something just like this.

Able to convert the lower space for entertaining, etc.

 

Thats mint