The garage

[shugnshay]

Not sure if this is considered off-topic, but what kind of tools, storage, organizers, etc. do you guys recommend? I started looking at Craftsman first, but there's a lot to choose from. Not sure which brand name is known as the "toughest". As of now, the shop is expected to be 28'X28'. My dad's also trying to decide which type of lift he should put in it. Any recommendations or warnings would be great. There's just way too much to choose from, and I need to narrow it down. I'm pretty much looking for a list of "must have" stuff, as well as anything that I should avoid.

Shay

Expert Daddy's Girl
Louisiana
1950 Commander

[StudeRich]

Well it is pretty much understood among mechanics that Snap-On is the best, but there are other good tools for about the same price some a little less. There is Mac Tools and other Snap-On copycats all are sold from private dealers who have a schedule to show up at all the professional garages, and they will sell to individuals just ask one for their card or reach them on-line or in the yellow pages.

Craftsman is OK, but the quality has been getting worse and prices going way higher, BUT you break it, they replace it and they are easy to find.

It gets down to: do you want to spend 80-$100,000.00 for a full Snap-On shop, or something less?


StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

Well it is pretty much understood among mechanics that Snap-On is the best, but there are other good tools for about the same price some a little less. There is Mac Tools and other Snap-On copycats all are sold from private dealers who have a schedule to show up at all the professional garages, and they will sell to individuals just ask one for their card or reach them on-line or in the yellow pages.

Craftsman is OK, but the quality has been getting worse and prices going way higher, BUT you break it, they replace it and they are easy to find.

It gets down to: do you want to spend 80-$100,000.00 for a full Snap-On shop, or something less?


StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[dennyscars]

Shay:
I have spent literally hours recently on line, researching two-post lifts for my garage. They all say theirs are the best, so about all you can do is check the specs on the size lift you want and compare, and don't forget to check the shipping cost! You will have to have a fork lift or some-such apparatus on site to unload the lift, most shippers do not offer a tailgate lift to unload it. Again, that's something you need to check beforehand. I only found ONE brand of lift so far that is US-made (and very expensive), all others are from China. Many brand names are really the same lift, only re-badged with each seller's logo.
If you have a high enough ceiling I recommend an overhead beam type that will leave you a clear floor. The asymmetrical type of lifting arms seem to be the most versatile. I would try to get a lift with two lift cylinders instead of one. They don't cost much more. Some vendors will supply U.S.-made lift cylinders at additional cost although they might not mention it in their ads. It would help to find a company that has a distributor within driving distance so you can go look at their products.
The only brand names I have noticed while visiting various auto repair shops are Bend-Pak, Danmar and Rotary. Bend-Pak is sold by various dealers and the price seems to be about $2500 which is more than some but that includes shipping. Remember all these lifts require 220V electrical hookup.
I'm looking forward to seeing what other SDCers are using, I haven't made my mind up, just getting more confused. Let's hear some recommendations from others!

Dennis Napier
San Diego

[dennyscars]

Shay:
I have spent literally hours recently on line, researching two-post lifts for my garage. They all say theirs are the best, so about all you can do is check the specs on the size lift you want and compare, and don't forget to check the shipping cost! You will have to have a fork lift or some-such apparatus on site to unload the lift, most shippers do not offer a tailgate lift to unload it. Again, that's something you need to check beforehand. I only found ONE brand of lift so far that is US-made (and very expensive), all others are from China. Many brand names are really the same lift, only re-badged with each seller's logo.
If you have a high enough ceiling I recommend an overhead beam type that will leave you a clear floor. The asymmetrical type of lifting arms seem to be the most versatile. I would try to get a lift with two lift cylinders instead of one. They don't cost much more. Some vendors will supply U.S.-made lift cylinders at additional cost although they might not mention it in their ads. It would help to find a company that has a distributor within driving distance so you can go look at their products.
The only brand names I have noticed while visiting various auto repair shops are Bend-Pak, Danmar and Rotary. Bend-Pak is sold by various dealers and the price seems to be about $2500 which is more than some but that includes shipping. Remember all these lifts require 220V electrical hookup.
I'm looking forward to seeing what other SDCers are using, I haven't made my mind up, just getting more confused. Let's hear some recommendations from others!

Dennis Napier
San Diego

[bams50]

If you are building a new building, take it from me: There's no such thing as too big! Go as big as you can afford; you'll always find use for the space. More depth is especially valuable, for benches and equipment storage.



Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

[bams50]

If you are building a new building, take it from me: There's no such thing as too big! Go as big as you can afford; you'll always find use for the space. More depth is especially valuable, for benches and equipment storage.



Robert (Bob) Andrews Owner- IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys!)
Parish, central NY 13131

[Guido]

I used to subscribe to Progressive Farmer and about 15 years ago they did a piece on building farm shops. Their recommendation was to build it 1 1/2 times larger than the size you thought you needed.

[Guido]

I used to subscribe to Progressive Farmer and about 15 years ago they did a piece on building farm shops. Their recommendation was to build it 1 1/2 times larger than the size you thought you needed.

[cjsteak]

That is absolutely true. My mom thought my dad was nuts when he built a Morton building big enough to hold 15 (total)cars / trucks / tractors mixed when they only had a Jeep, an old F100 and a little 8N Ford tractor at the time.

Fast forward 15 years.... they're building a second barn.

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[cjsteak]

That is absolutely true. My mom thought my dad was nuts when he built a Morton building big enough to hold 15 (total)cars / trucks / tractors mixed when they only had a Jeep, an old F100 and a little 8N Ford tractor at the time.

Fast forward 15 years.... they're building a second barn.

Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[studeski]

Well, 28x28 ain't big enough. Mine is 30x30 and is too small. I do need to add on a tool room. That would help a lot. I have a 10 year old Autolifters hoist. It has a plate on the floor but is only 1" high. My transmission jack will go over it with a transmission on it. When I bought mine the ceiling was 12' high. All the overhead cable/chain lifts were 12' 2". Now they all within the 12' ceiling range. I don't know the prices. I only buy U.S. made. My neighbor bought a China made. It lifted the car 8 times and he had to replace the pump unit. If I was to install another one I would look at Eagle. All my tools are Snap-on, Mac or Matco. But I used to do that for a living. Good tools are expensive.

Shipping weight is at least 600 lbs?

Good Luck.........

Claude Chmielewski
Studeski

http://www.studeski.com

Fillmore, Wisconsin
47 M-16 Truck
62 GT Hawk
63 Lark
64 Commander Wagonaire
50 Champion Regal (parts car)
[img=left]http://www.studeski.com/62hawk/dakota01.jpg[/img=left]
"One after another they volunteered how in their families and in their
communities they were expected to be responsible for their behavior, how
honesty was assumed to be the rule, not the exception. They also talked
matter-of-factly about the sense of duty to their country, a sentiment not
much in fashion anymore."

[studeski]

Well, 28x28 ain't big enough. Mine is 30x30 and is too small. I do need to add on a tool room. That would help a lot. I have a 10 year old Autolifters hoist. It has a plate on the floor but is only 1" high. My transmission jack will go over it with a transmission on it. When I bought mine the ceiling was 12' high. All the overhead cable/chain lifts were 12' 2". Now they all within the 12' ceiling range. I don't know the prices. I only buy U.S. made. My neighbor bought a China made. It lifted the car 8 times and he had to replace the pump unit. If I was to install another one I would look at Eagle. All my tools are Snap-on, Mac or Matco. But I used to do that for a living. Good tools are expensive.

Shipping weight is at least 600 lbs?

Good Luck.........

Claude Chmielewski
Studeski

http://www.studeski.com

Fillmore, Wisconsin
47 M-16 Truck
62 GT Hawk
63 Lark
64 Commander Wagonaire
50 Champion Regal (parts car)
[img=left]http://www.studeski.com/62hawk/dakota01.jpg[/img=left]
"One after another they volunteered how in their families and in their
communities they were expected to be responsible for their behavior, how
honesty was assumed to be the rule, not the exception. They also talked
matter-of-factly about the sense of duty to their country, a sentiment not
much in fashion anymore."

[58PackardWagon]

I couldn't agree more on the size. I was originally going to build a 6 car and my finance consultant (my wife) said this is a one shot deal. No add ons and no additional buildings......so I went to the county and got a 14 car approved. When it was built I rented space for 4 years and got a great return each month. Then believe it or not, it was filled with all of my purchases of cars and parts in years 5, 6 and 7. Go as big as you can. You will never regret it and it will always add great resale value.

58 Packard Wagon (Parade Red)
58 Packard Wagon (Park Green)
58 Packard Sedan (Shadowtone Red)
62 Daytona (White)
63 Lark Custom 2 Door Sedan R2 (Super Red)

[58PackardWagon]

I couldn't agree more on the size. I was originally going to build a 6 car and my finance consultant (my wife) said this is a one shot deal. No add ons and no additional buildings......so I went to the county and got a 14 car approved. When it was built I rented space for 4 years and got a great return each month. Then believe it or not, it was filled with all of my purchases of cars and parts in years 5, 6 and 7. Go as big as you can. You will never regret it and it will always add great resale value.

58 Packard Wagon (Parade Red)
58 Packard Wagon (Park Green)
58 Packard Sedan (Shadowtone Red)
62 Daytona (White)
63 Lark Custom 2 Door Sedan R2 (Super Red)