I hate the phrase 'man cave' so I'm calling it a workshop. I've started building version 2.0 in the new gaff, and have the following set of things going in it from version 1.0. I'd be interested in anything I've missed, however obscure or odd it may be.
- tools, obviously, on a tool wall
- tool chests (big, medium, small and tiny little plastic drawers for tiny little things)
- compressor
- small lathe
- music
- vice
- bike stand
- wheel truing stand
- hooks and wheel holders for the bikes
- disco ball
Anything else?
Pillar drill, even a cheap one makes life so much easier.
Also personally; Mig, Tig, Oxy Acetylene, but that may be overkill for most. (Plasma cutter next for me)
Kettle. Beer fridge. Chair...
dremel. decent lighting. magnetic tool holder (flat, dish and also on wall - IKEA knife ones are excellent.
tubs for rags, chain and other washes - keep oil and dirt wash tubs separate.
trail maintenance tools
breaker bar for really hard to shift cassettes or freewheels.
pin board / white board for reminders, instructions - book shelf / box files.
tool boxes - the small ones - for subject specific bits and pieces..
* trophy cabinet *
Selection of hammers in varying sizes so that you always have the right one to reflect your level of determination/frustration with the given situation.
I've had two mates lose all their toys in their large workshops because the beer fridge caught fire. One lost 35 years of high end radio control gliders, the other his, his wife's and the kids bikes plus a couple of motorbikes, surfboards and general stuff.
Cardboard box for beer
random pieces of wood and pipe to clamp, strike and persuade other tools to move
Ipad (other tablets are available) stand so you can watch the how to videos and PDF for service instructions
Syringes, tubs, funnels and tubing for fluid jobs
Industrial size gaffer tape dispenser
Nitirile / latex gloves, goggles, hi-viz tabard, depending on danger level of job
... smoke alarm.
Actually, burglar alarm & locks to satisfy insurance.
Wi-Fi.
Photos of you being gnarr on bikes.
Heater for the depths of winter & Halfords foam floor mats if the floors concrete.
Ipad (other tablets are available) stand so you can watch the how to videos and PDF for service instructions
I was about to say several clean, accessible places to put a phone / tablet while following online tutorials. Decent wifi for the same reason.
A cheap radio.
a bike?
All the obvious stuff and:
- Mech hanger tool
- Brake bleeding paraphernalia
- Chain splitter
- Heavy duty cable cutters
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">- Chainring bolt tool</span>
- 1/2'' drive BB sockets/tools (assuming you have a wrench)
- 1/2'' drive cassette removal socket
- long pedal wrench (thinks it's 15 mm)
- Punches/drifts and paraphernalia for press fit bearings and headset cups
- Sockets and propitiatory tools for suspension components
If you have cup and cone hubs decent cone spanners!
good stuff
- I have a pillar drill (forgot to list that one)
- I have a rag basket (forgot to list that one) - I use an old wicker cat basket, on its side...
Dremel sounds good. Not got one of those.
Smoke alarm sounds good.
Beer is in the utility fridge, in the room next door, so that's covered.
Parts washer / degreaser - for chains, cassettes and chainrings
Bench grinder/sander
Tap/die set, thread gauge
Depends what general tools you already have? Also how far are you going in terms of repair/modification for bike work? Do you do general fab as well?
If you keep some aluminium stock on hand you can make a lot of tools on the lathe (though I sometimes find its faster to modify something thats close than make something from scratch)
- I have a bench grinder (forgot to list that)
I'm good for all the individual tools themselves (sockets, presses, spanners etc.). It's really just setting the room itself up, and what I might have missed. Or would benefit from.
Really good lighting.
Flooring that is easy to keep clean and intact.
Chair / stool.
Compartmented bin - recyclable materials and then landfill.
Biscuit tin.
Tea / coffee making facilities.
Lots of power sockets (properly protected).
Drying area / machine for soggy shoes and kit?
Si