If you’ve got a shed outside doing nothing more than housing a few spiders and gathering dust, you might be wondering what you can do with it.
Right now, it might just be another place where you store a load of old junk, but it has the potential to be so much more. If you’re serious about your DIY and want your own space, why not clear it out and turn it into a workshop?
Building a workshop takes time and money, which is why many people turn to steel building contractors for assistance, but it could be one of the best moves you ever make.
Tools & Storage
Regardless of whether you do the odd bit of restoration or you’re a 24/7 fixer-upper, a good garage starts with its tools. That means you need to invest in a good set of hand tools, power tools and some bigger standalone pieces to get the complete package.
If you’re not sure what makes a good basic toolbox, take a look online. As for the bigger items, a good workshop will feature most, if not all, of these:
- Drill Press: A must for precise drill work, a drill press is simply a fixed version of a hand drill. Utilising an adjustable table and a central hole below a spinning drill bit, the drill press is a versatile essential for any workshop.
- Table Saw: Useful for cutting large pieces of wood quickly and accurately, you can go a for a heavy-duty fixed model, or a portable bench saw.
- Belt Sander: For quickly smoothing and shaping wood, again you can go fixed or portable, with various types available to suit your needs.
- Vice: Whether it’s woodwork, metalwork or anything else you might need to do, a heavy, well-made vice is a foundational block of any workshop.
As for storage, a high-quality tool chest should accompany your tools to keep things safe and organised. Look for one that’s lockable with smooth ball-bearing drawers.
Electrics & Lighting
With all the tools bought and ready, you’d better be able to see what you’re doing and have a source to power them all.
The importance of good lighting in a workshop is often underestimated, and most garages aren’t well lit to begin with. Consider some quality overhead LED lighting with a motion sensor. This will offer an easy-to-use solution for if you have your hands full, plus it’s a practical energy-saver.
Your workshop needs to have enough power outlets to support your various devices. When looking to install these outlets, it’s worth getting in touch with a professional in the industry, and researching for the best electrician bromsgrove has to offer, for example. Ensuring safety when approaching electrics and lighting is a priority. It’s also much better to have too many outlets than too few, so don’t be shy when planning your workshop design.
Finally, think about how you’re going to power your workshop. For quality tools, you’ll need a quality generator. Go for a trusted name like Honda; you can find a full range of their products at SGS Engineering.
A Few Nice Touches
If you’re looking to make your workshop a place you really want to spend time in, consider adding some luxury edits to make life a little bit more comfortable while you’re in there.
Most garages and workshops are poorly insulated, so adding some heating and cooling options is a great idea. This can come in the form of a few space heaters or some floor AC units. For the premium choice, have a look at underfloor heating.
Another thing to think about is entertainment. Most people will have a portable radio going while they work, but you can go a step further with something along the lines of DeWALT’s compact systems. If you’re keen to push your workshop into ‘man cave’ territory, then you could even bring in a TV to stream movies and shows.
If you’re into your DIY, creating an enjoyable space to do it in will make a huge difference to the overall experience. Making the ideal workshop will mean a heavy investment, but it will be one that will be worth it in the long run.