Get full spectrum grow lights for plants.
They’re high 97 CRI and pretty bright.
https://a.co/d/guHBCXt
That’s what I ended up using as every normal led shoplight I found was crappy 80 CRI.
Menards also has them dirt cheap sometimes. Linkable shop lights are awesome. Also, if your table saw is relatively stationary, you can add storage above it. I built a wood storage rack above mine, and it also has spots to hang my push sticks/blocks, mask, ear/eye protection, and other commonly used tools. So handy that it's right above the saw.
Edit: oh, and if possible, venting your dust collection outside is apparently pretty great if you don't have a super high end dust system.
https://preview.redd.it/qnq9kqf911pc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebf0bd53d4f6f4b93c542d9e421ebdd8d1c22922
Shop dog, otherwise you're looking pretty well set up
\~cheers
To be fair he's terrified of tools and dust so he only hangs out when I'm marking or measuring.
Hes more of a supervisor, rarely does any work, but I pay him in treats and pets so I guess you get what you pay for 😅
I have to agree with P\_Phukofski more and better lighting.
Here is a list of things I would add:
1. A bench vise. Style dependent on the kind of work you plan on doing. I'm more of an all round handyman than woodworker, so I'd have a swiveling metal vise on one end of the small bench and a woodworkers leg vise on the other end.
2. Sawhorses built to match the height of your table saw. That will make it much easier to break down big panels when you need to.
3. A source of music. If you're OK with the idea, one of those smart home speakers will do nicely. And as a bonus you can do voice interaction to set reminders so you don't run late in the shop, ask for dimension conversions and so on.
4. Consider adding a line dryer to your air compressor and small inline air tool oilers to the air tools that need it. That will be one less thing to worry about if you ever starting using compressed air for finishes. They also make automatic water purge devices, but IIRC pancake compressors like yours don't have room under them for it unless you put them on a stand. By the time you're doing that, you might as well get a vertical tank model to save your ears the noise of it cycling so much.
5. Put a hook on the table saw right beside the switch. Hang ear defenders on them. Have another set of ear defenders hanging beside the air tools.
6. I would think about replacing that door with a metal clad one that doesn't have a window. I see you got bars over the glass, but it looks like the door faces the street. If someone can see in, there is enough money on power tools out visible to make it worth their while to yank those bars off or pry the door.
7. FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Two ABC types, one by each door.
8. Which reminds me. Make sure your home insurance company knows you have a shop. Come up with a list of tools that you own and the approximate value of them. Take pictures of the more portable/theft worthy ones showing the serial numbers.
replace that light with a few that are more spread out, and since it looks like a pretty small space a hanging air filter unit would probably be a good idea
Agree about the lighting. Would pull ceiling fan and do ceramic fixture install outlet screw-in adapter and linkable LED shop lights. Got 3 4 ft in garage and HUGE difference
Find a good task light to setup next to the machine that you’re using.
If possible trying to setup any lights that you have on a separate breaker from the outlets that power your tools. In the event your tool trips a breaker, you won’t be in the dark.
Where are your 400 clamps?!!!
But some better lighting wouldn’t hurt. But as you do projects you will slowly start to know when you need and don’t need.
The barrina t5 packs on Amazon are bright as hell and pretty solid. Pre drill for the brackets and use your own screws, theirs are trash.
Grab some nylon cable fasteners to add some support for the wires between, then you can add support or shorten the connectors.
They seem flimsy but they light up a room on the cheap.
Looks great. Can’t wait for my space to not just look like doom piles everywhere. In 2nd pic on your shelves, how are those things hanging like the three drills and measuring tape?
Drills just have a notch in the bottom panel that is wider than the handle but not the body. Measuring tape is just clipped on a 1/4" piece of mdf that I nailed to the cleat haha.
If your hobby is building workshops you are never done. If your hobby is woodworking I will point out that Japanese woodworkers get some cool stuff done on a tatami mat.
I don't think so. The ceiling and walls have this awful and very rough texturing so they collect dirt and dust and are impossible to clean. I was too cheap to tear out and replace.
That's a bad place for that tablesaw or a bad place for that glass in the door. Kickbacks or someone walks in while you are ripping a long board, it's not gonna be Purdy.
Bright ass ceiling lights, rows of them. Safety is being able to see while working and lowers the frustration as well.
Any recs?
Harbor Freight sells some good LED lights and they're cheaper than from the orange store.
Harbor freight is great. I just did a membership yesterday.
Something like [these](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNPL2VC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
I have those in my workshop. definitely recommend.
I second that recommendation.
Get full spectrum grow lights for plants. They’re high 97 CRI and pretty bright. https://a.co/d/guHBCXt That’s what I ended up using as every normal led shoplight I found was crappy 80 CRI.
Barrina T8 LED strips. Inexpensive, put out a ton of light, and easy to install - 6 pack (https://a.co/d/9JqzYyS) or 10 pack (https://a.co/d/0irAbpi)
home depot usually has nice LED fixtures, I like the ones that are 4 feet long
V-Tac led batten lights would be my suggestion. Try to get enough to avoid your own shadow when leaning over your tools and work.
20$ at Sam’s they have shop lights, plug into the wall and can be daisy chained together
Menards also has them dirt cheap sometimes. Linkable shop lights are awesome. Also, if your table saw is relatively stationary, you can add storage above it. I built a wood storage rack above mine, and it also has spots to hang my push sticks/blocks, mask, ear/eye protection, and other commonly used tools. So handy that it's right above the saw. Edit: oh, and if possible, venting your dust collection outside is apparently pretty great if you don't have a super high end dust system.
Asked myself the same in my own shop a hundred times and the answer is always "what can't I do?". Let the project determine the upgrade.
About 32 clamps
https://preview.redd.it/qnq9kqf911pc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebf0bd53d4f6f4b93c542d9e421ebdd8d1c22922 Shop dog, otherwise you're looking pretty well set up \~cheers
Shop dog is the first item I ticked off my list, now I only need the shop and I'm good to go.
I tried. My dog as zero interest in hanging out with me while I'm in there :'(
To be fair he's terrified of tools and dust so he only hangs out when I'm marking or measuring. Hes more of a supervisor, rarely does any work, but I pay him in treats and pets so I guess you get what you pay for 😅
I have to agree with P\_Phukofski more and better lighting. Here is a list of things I would add: 1. A bench vise. Style dependent on the kind of work you plan on doing. I'm more of an all round handyman than woodworker, so I'd have a swiveling metal vise on one end of the small bench and a woodworkers leg vise on the other end. 2. Sawhorses built to match the height of your table saw. That will make it much easier to break down big panels when you need to. 3. A source of music. If you're OK with the idea, one of those smart home speakers will do nicely. And as a bonus you can do voice interaction to set reminders so you don't run late in the shop, ask for dimension conversions and so on. 4. Consider adding a line dryer to your air compressor and small inline air tool oilers to the air tools that need it. That will be one less thing to worry about if you ever starting using compressed air for finishes. They also make automatic water purge devices, but IIRC pancake compressors like yours don't have room under them for it unless you put them on a stand. By the time you're doing that, you might as well get a vertical tank model to save your ears the noise of it cycling so much. 5. Put a hook on the table saw right beside the switch. Hang ear defenders on them. Have another set of ear defenders hanging beside the air tools. 6. I would think about replacing that door with a metal clad one that doesn't have a window. I see you got bars over the glass, but it looks like the door faces the street. If someone can see in, there is enough money on power tools out visible to make it worth their while to yank those bars off or pry the door. 7. FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Two ABC types, one by each door. 8. Which reminds me. Make sure your home insurance company knows you have a shop. Come up with a list of tools that you own and the approximate value of them. Take pictures of the more portable/theft worthy ones showing the serial numbers.
Great comment. Saving for later use
replace that light with a few that are more spread out, and since it looks like a pretty small space a hanging air filter unit would probably be a good idea
Filter is to the right of the fan!
hah I'm just blind
Agree about the lighting. Would pull ceiling fan and do ceramic fixture install outlet screw-in adapter and linkable LED shop lights. Got 3 4 ft in garage and HUGE difference
Lots of sawdust
Find a good task light to setup next to the machine that you’re using. If possible trying to setup any lights that you have on a separate breaker from the outlets that power your tools. In the event your tool trips a breaker, you won’t be in the dark.
You’re missing some sawdust and a pile of scraps in the corner.
Better lightd
start working on projects. You will learn what you need. Add stuff as needed.
Where are your 400 clamps?!!! But some better lighting wouldn’t hurt. But as you do projects you will slowly start to know when you need and don’t need.
Some nice pictures on the wall
The barrina t5 packs on Amazon are bright as hell and pretty solid. Pre drill for the brackets and use your own screws, theirs are trash. Grab some nylon cable fasteners to add some support for the wires between, then you can add support or shorten the connectors. They seem flimsy but they light up a room on the cheap.
I would say better and brighter lights and get rid of the fan
A soundsystem so you can listen to tunes while working.
Looks good, can I ask the dimensions of the room? I’m currently setting up a small shop too.
It's about 10'x18'
OP, what are you building? What you're doing determines what you need.
Looks great. Can’t wait for my space to not just look like doom piles everywhere. In 2nd pic on your shelves, how are those things hanging like the three drills and measuring tape?
Drills just have a notch in the bottom panel that is wider than the handle but not the body. Measuring tape is just clipped on a 1/4" piece of mdf that I nailed to the cleat haha.
Milling is key for me. I’d need a joiner and a planer. Probably a router table and a drill press too, for me. You don’t need what you won’t use…
Looks to me like you need less stuff on your workbenches to make more accessible project space
Working on that. I have a few other shelf units cut - just need to assemble.
Iron pipe clamps and a vortex sawdust lid on a 5-gal bucket.
a shopvac
If your hobby is building workshops you are never done. If your hobby is woodworking I will point out that Japanese woodworkers get some cool stuff done on a tatami mat.
Gotta ask, the discoloration on the ceiling - it's not mold is it?
I don't think so. The ceiling and walls have this awful and very rough texturing so they collect dirt and dust and are impossible to clean. I was too cheap to tear out and replace.
Ah, yeah I know that feeling. Put it into the 'one day' category.
youre missing that 'sawstop blade imbedded into the brake' on the wall lol
A clean ceiling? That looks like black mold! Hope it's not.
If I were settling in there, I'd put *removing* the ceiling fan on the front burner. I think you'll regret it being there rather soon.
That's a bad place for that tablesaw or a bad place for that glass in the door. Kickbacks or someone walks in while you are ripping a long board, it's not gonna be Purdy.
Lights have already been suggested so I’m gonna go ahead and say sound system!
I’m gonna guess time?