Garage workshop - what actually worked?

purple-duck-99

Moved into a place with a double garage near Canberra last year and half of it is still cardboard because I never planned the workshop corner properly.

I want a bench that does not wobble, lighting that does not leave a shadow on the saw line, and somewhere to park the mitre saw without doing the obstacle course around the car every weekend. Not chasing a YouTube dream shop. Just something a normal bloke can use after work without losing a finger in the dark.

Already wasted money on a pegboard that holds nothing useful. What did you set up that you would keep, and what was a dud first time around?

micko73

Fixed bench along the back wall with a vice bolted through, not on wheels. Wheels sound flexible until you try to plane something and the whole thing walks across the room.

Two long LED battens on separate switches so you can light the bench without blinding yourself at the car end. Cost a couple hundred and worth every bit.

fuzzy-muppet

BOUGHT A FANCY TOOL CHEST THEN NEVER OPENED HALF THE DRAWERS

just get good power and a solid bench mate. my shed is still a mess but at least i can see what im doing now

NoisyGumboots

Small patch panel in the garage next to the NBN box. Sounds nerdy but one cable to each TV instead of hoping WiFi behaves on older sets.

Also insulated panels in the garage door. Cheapish add and the garage is not a furnace in January. Ran conduit for security cams while the walls were open too even though we have not bought cameras yet.