New Garage for the Esprit

[cweeden]

Hi All,

I have recently decided to treat the Esprit to a new home and we are having a garage built onto the side of the house.

I was thinking of which non essential (but nice to have) tools should I consider buying to fit it out?

I must have a compressor along with plumbed in air lines since I have a few air tools to use you see. Then I thought about my wish list, a pillar drill, a bench polishing/grinding wheel, bench top sand blaster, lathe, welding equipment (I have an oxyacetelene system already but might like a TIG system too although I have no idea how to use it ), etc. There won't be enough headroom for a lift so hat is out, but anyway you get the picture.

I started looking aimlessly at ebay for inspiration and then I though of this great think tank on whose experience I should call upon. I expect many of you have an impressive array of tools and others just do impressive things with a handful of old faithful tools.

What would you recommend I need in order of importance, or usefulness?

Unfortunately I don't have much (read any) spare cash at the moment, it is in the garage already so it would be great if you have any suggestions for good value suppliers as well. I will probably get to pick one major item for my wife to get me for my birthday once I have written the cheque for it.

I look forward to some interesting ideas.

cheers

-Chris

[slewthy]

Hi, well I'm new to this game but when I joined and was preparing for ownership, I asked the same question.

I currently use

Axle stands & trolley jack

Air tools but I'd like a more powerful compressor

The usual tools

Various vices - engineers with soft faces and leg vice

Pillar drill with decent drills.

At the moment, I miss and need,

More bench top space. Much more

Better direct lighting

More storage for removed bits/oldbits/new bits

A proper tool cabinbet

I would like

A bearing press

Winch for engine or long reach hoist and engine stand

Scissor lift or similar.

I newly painted floor.

Garage vacuum.

If I was to redo my garage, The main thing I would concentrate on is the storage and bench space issue.

[Mr_John111]

Thnking laterally - If you can't go up and fit a lift how about a 'pit' - given the low ground clearance I find I jack it up for even the smallest jobs eg draining the oil. would be nice to work standing up.....

For engine removal how about an RSJ girder set into the roof level - I'm not a civil engineer so need to take advice re safe working loads etc and I suppose you'd need to take some measurements to make sure you could lift high enough.

Sure you'll get more suggestions

John

[cweeden]

I wasn't allowed a pit due to Josh and Daisy and their ability to find danger everywhere (plus it was an extra

[Simon350S]

[Iconic Ride]

[dodgy]

Simon/Graham, what type of lift has he/have you got??

[esprits4de]

An Air dehydrator.... amazing what that thing pulls off the air. Especially handy once the car got wet. Just leathering it does a good job, but then dehydrating takes the last bit out of the tyniest corners....

A heater, to keep it cosy in the winter.

An 18 year old brazillian lady for the cheers when the car comes home......

:-)

[Bibs]

Hammers, lots of hammers.

[cweeden]

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses, while interesting ideas I am not sure I have found a winner yet.

Hmm, chair and beer machine.

I am sure I can find space for a beer fridge. I have also been looking at the space as it grows and wondered where I should put a projector, screen and row of chairs.

I am not sure how much a de-humidified would cost to buy and to run. I did consider popping a radiator in there for good measure but I can't really justify it (yet), but I am working much harder on a reason to install said Brazillian cheer leader. The downside I imagine would be the sports film crew with the slow motion capture feature following her every move.

The quote for the pit shocked me too but since I wasn't allowed one I didn't bother questioning it. I have battled hard on the pricing for the rest of it though. There was a little more involved with the pit than I originally though too. The deeper foundations and drainage were the main problem I think.

I would like a press but I am not sure how much use it would get. In the past I have always managed with a good vice and some large sockets.

That then leads me on to Bib's suggestion. I was going to be offended by the many hammers when coupled with someones tag line (sorry can't remember whose) which describes it as the tool of the Pikey. However using a vice and sockets for a press doesn't help my case.

I used to think all you needed was a hammer, a hacksaw and some WD40.

Anyone have a good suggestion for where to look online for a good selection of tools at sensible prices?

cheers

-Chris

[Advantage]

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/

(Oh and the hammer quote is a James May-ism)

[esprit350]

as an electrician I am very fussy about good quality screwdrivers I use and reccomend Whia, top quality german stuff, I am constantly amazed at the number of sparks I come across who think CK and Draper are quality tools, I disagree!

I alos use Knipex pliers and cutters, Lindstrom piano wire cutters for fine work and Britool spanners.

[Quicker]

if you are looking to build up a tool box - this has been one of the best tools I bought - http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P6...amp;dir=catalog

[peteyg]

Hi Chris,

I too am in the process of trying to get a larger garage built so that I can fit a car lift in. Getting fed up with trying to work under the Esprit but with my nose 2 inches from the oily underside!

Am looking at fitting this lift which only has a post height of 2.15m. It'll allow you to get the car a good couple of feet off the ground. Cost is

[tinywillyuk]

Simple idea maybe but Id get the floor coated in nice bright white epoxy. Nice, light, reflective, smooth and easy to clean.

I have a catalogue sitting on my work desk from the makers of epoxy floors. Looks relatively cheap and easy.

[Bibs]

http://www.carguygarage.com/

^ Go shopping there, expect to bankrupt yourself as it's all too cool for school

[Rick Edwards]

Oh wow ...a bbq in the garage... now that is the way forward !!

Edited July 7, 2009 by Rick Edwards

[Bibs]

Bits of car in the office works for me too!

The brake caliper sellotape dispenser is a must

http://www.carguygarage.com/carguyofsu.html