Projects Ever build a shop tool that you regret building?

I built a "Jig" table to build an airplane which so far "hasn't happened". Its 4' x 16'. I designed it so it had a built in centerline protruding slightly above the MDF top panels. So far, all it has done is serve as a "catch all" for lots of stuff.....but it is handy for that purpose. Underneath it holds lengths of steel and other "too long" stuff.
Next to it I have two large steel welding tables that are also appx 4' x16' total that I use for a frame jig. So I have a large part of my shop occupied with these two items.
My solution as space became more precious was to build a lean-to on the back of my shop. Pour concrete so its the same level as your shop floor and then build an 8' tall outer wall. Put some 4x4 posts against the outside shop wall that are maybe 9' above ground . Set them in concrete and secure them to the shop wall. Then build a roof on it.
You will find that its very convenient and you don't need a tall ceiling like the main shop. You can put all your major tools on wheels and park them in the lean to. You can just roll them out into the shop when needed. A little planning and those shop tools can park under some bastardized pallet racking using only upper shelves. Get 16' rack and cut it in half, or cut down shorter racking to fit. You could even park that frame thing in there and use it as a work table in the lean to or roll it into the shop when needed. A lean to is a very practicle option to increase space in your shop if tools begin to overwhelm existing space.









Having too many tools and too little space is just a reason to increase space, not reduce tools.

 

I sold the behemoth on FB marketplace. Sold in a day.

 

My dad and I built what we referred to as the "giant table" on castors when we made a 3 wheeler out of a Cushman scooter for my nephew. It was made from the front skin on a Transfer Box, 8 foot by 4 foot with a cutout in the center, worked well while we had the scooter on top of it, like a poor mans lift...lol. Legs are around 4 foot tall, and sitting on castors. I moved that SOB around dozens of times, now it's kind of an out door storage table (like all my work benches, yes I have issues ), but just can't bring myself to cut it up, because once I do I know I'll need it.

Then there's the 12x6 table we built...it's out back at the end of the pasture, don't need to move it anymore!

 

About 30 years ago my Dad talked me into taking an antique metal sink and cabinet to make into a solvent tank . I balked at the idea because of the size , but took it to please him . Got a 20 gallon barrel cut it down to fit under the sink area , installed a pump and nozzle , and it worked pretty good . It had drawers that i put seldom used engine rebuilding tools and old factory service manuals in , and doors to put bulkier tools and parts in . A couple of weeks ago i put an ad on craigslist and finally sold it last week , last weekend i rearranged my shop , and what an improvement !

 

Nope, never met a tool I didn't like. Spare parts, on the other hand that are readily available, can go.

Devin

 

I would have to extend the roofline. The only place I can add on it on the gable end and I am afraid a lean to would leak. I have about 35' left I could use for building.

 

I built a rotisserie for my 49 Chevy and accidentally built a Mustang on it. I'd have been money ahead had I not done either.
got a free Harbor Freight bead roller and reinforced it so it would work, then used it once.

 

I just cleaned out a bunch of stuff that I'm no longer planning on using and I already miss them. First is a homemade English wheel that I built to specifically make low crown panels. I'm building a slightly different and slightly smaller version using Hoosier wheel and anvils to replace it. I should have actually kept both. The next item is an ill fated brake project I just never got around to finishing and ended up buying a nice 96" Whitney. I also passed on my frame fixture that went to the new Devlin facility. I built it 14' long to accommodate the Franklin frames I was building a the time.

 

They make a flashing that can slip under the end wall metal. You would have to slit the metal on the wall and then slide the flashing in place. It then over hangs the leanto roof about 4". It works really well.

 

Damn, Root! That was huge!

 

Thanks. Pretty proud of my tool.

 

I have a tool that shows up at my building now and then to annoy me.

 

I had a 3# hammer head without a handle and some1/2" all thread rod....why not make a handle and braze it to the head, I'm just going to beat the wingnuts that hold the backhoe on the old case tractor with it....gawd, it still makes my hand hurt thinking about it

 

Hello,

When we were in a small apartment, right below us was a two car garage. There wasn’t much room on the sides, but enough to build a sturdy work bench with a solid outdoor plywood top. The only problem was the both cars had to be outside to be able to do any work. I built the table with 4x4 legs and 1x6 boards for side supports and a shelf below. It was sturdy to say the least. It was 8 feet long and high enough not to have to bend to do any work. My wife said it was a monster of a work table.

We started our in-garage photo developing business on that sturdy table. A large enlarger, trays, stainless film cans for developing and the lower shelf for the chemicals. When I needed the counter for car work or motorcycle work, all photo stuff got slid down to the other end of the 8 foot long table. That worked out quite well. I used door sealing materials to make the garage door air/light tight for the enlarging times and developing the prints. It was a nice, dual purpose well-built table.

That scenario went on for a couple of years. When we moved to a new house, the perfect dark room was a small laundry room that we did not use, including a drain and running water. But the large 8 foot long custom workbench was too long to fit. Now the trusty circular saw brought it down to a great fit and it remained my dark room for the next four years. It was perfect.

Did I regret making that long sturdy work bench? No, for the first time in a larger garage area. But, I was ready to just cut it up in the new house, until my wife suggested I trim off a few feet and finish the surfaces. A bad thing gone to a good result.

Jnaki

Stepping back and asking the other set of eyes is a good thing when steam is coming out of one big head. With the trimmed down table, I could do developing work right next to the enlarger. There was even room for a small sink and drain to clean up and wash out the steel cans and trays. If I turned the enlarger sideways, I even made poster size prints. (you are probably wondering how I developed those poster size prints in that small room)

Luckily, I had discovered a photo store that had an interesting tube sitting on a counter. It was for the amateur photo buff wanting to go into a poster size photo and developing. It worked just fine and no streaks on the large surfaces of the poster size photo paper.

So, wanting to make a study workbench and then wanting to chuck it to the trash guy worked itself into a very handy custom bench for other applications. By the time it was 6 years of use, our next house had a two car garage, but my custom workbench was cut up for beach firewood. It was too worn out and did not fit the existing garage work areas. Besides, the existing garage had a work bench and shelving already in place.

I did make an outdoor garden planting table in a similar fashion. It was almost the same 8 feet long and waist high table from similar materials. Plus, it was sealed for total outdoor usage. That table lasted almost 20 years. It may have helped that I used that outdoor table for some air brush painting and that gave the table top added weather protection with the over spray.

 

Wood working Specialty Tools. Planer, Joiner etc. I have a few of those in my shop, not hooked up, and I dont even own them.
What a bunch of shit, theres a lot of chairs available, no reason to build one.

Reminds me, I need to talk to the owners of this fine equipment and devise a relocation plan.