Best Money Spent on a Shop Item?

[AndyM]

"classic rock.....sometimes a little too loud!"

When I see the door open and see the BH's arms going and mouth moving, I know I am perhaps a little too loud!

 

[D2Cat]

"Best money spent" doesn't mean it has to be fancy or cost a lot, does it?

The best money spend, for me, might be a magnet. Neodymium Rare Earth Magnets are inexpensive and save me a lot of time finding my falls!

Used one just today finding the metal part of the isolation clamp on an injection line that fell right out of may grasp.

 

[Lil Foot]

Someone needs to invent an inter-dimensional retriever. I must have several small passages to other dimensions scattered around the shop, because I regularly drop small things that disappear from this world, never to be seen again.

 

[DaTow'd]

I have so many useful items in my shop I'd have to say the Miller plasma torch is right up there.
next would be the two post 10,000 lbs. hydraulic hoist I've lifted many things other than trucks and cars-It is very handy lifting our Kubota tractor for maintaining and greasing
cheers
Hank

 

[Ortimber]

In no particular order:

vented propane heater
lift
cordless 18V Milwaukee tools
battery grease gun
good lighting

 

[skeets]

OH and along with the sound system one should not forget a thermal receptacle for adult refreshments

 

[fatjay]

Costco had 4' LED lights on sale for $20. Picked up a pair and hung them. Amazing difference, especially not having to worry about if the lights will turn on in the cold.

My auto-darkening helmet was $30 from harbor freight, makes a huge difference.

18" magnet on wheels, I use that thing like a push broom whenever I'm done and it finds the damnedest things.

 

[Kubota Newbie]

I'll jump back in on this - I really like the plasma cutter idea have thought about that countless times. I have access to all the HD shop stuff (lathe, Bridgeport mill, surface grinder & etc. at the B&L's shop without having to own it so I'm a bit spoiled there.
One other thing that is terribly handy and probably gets used more than any other single item is the 5 inch angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. Has made the hacksaw almost obsolete.

 

[Kubota Newbie]

Hey, is anybody keeping a $ tab on this thread???? How much are we up to outfit a home shop with all the stuff mentioned so far?

 

[William1]

"Best money spent" doesn't mean it has to be fancy or cost a lot, does it?

The best money spend, for me, might be a magnet. Neodymium Rare Earth Magnets are inexpensive and save me a lot of time finding my falls!

Used one just today finding the metal part of the isolation clamp on an injection line that fell right out of may grasp.

Got an old computer/hard drive? Get that magnets out of that, they are killer!

 

[skeets]

I think the total is around 1.4 mill,, but thats the government price

 

[Tooljunkie]

Magnets from out of retired microwaves are pretty powerful too.

 

[bucktail]

Magnets from out of retired microwaves are pretty powerful too.

Don't they have some capacitors in them that can be a bit nasty if not properly discharged?

 

[RCW]

OH and along with the sound system one should not forget a thermal receptacle for adult refreshments

Skeets - Some days that is the most important shop item!!!

The formula is something like this:

((6 swearing fits + 6 beers of reflection)*degrees(F))/3.14159 = We'll try it again tomorrow......

 

[bearbait]

Skeets - Some days that is the most important shop item!!!

The formula is something like this:

((6 swearing fits + 6 beers of reflection)*degrees(F))/3.14159 = We'll try it again tomorrow......

I like the way you 2 think.

 

[Yooper]

Neodymium magnets can give you nasty blood blisters! Do not ask me how I know this.

 

[RCW]

I like the way you 2 think.

I call it the Theory of Reflectivity.....a cold one (or two?) after a project gives us a tough time. Beverage of choice of participants.

Popular theory at Redneck Ag & Tech College....been a student for many decades....I've yet to graduate.....

It's a common practice in many garages, shops, sheds and man caves throughout the world.

It's usually combined with some story-telling, most if which surround victories with much more difficult projects, and over-estimations of our respective masculine and mechanical prowess. Heat source and/or fans at discretion of user(s) and season.

Not a shop item necessarily, but I hope a shop function for everyone on occasion!

 

[tbk5]

I may need one of these for the tractor....
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/products/food-and-beverage/refrigeration/accessories/eskimo-cup-refrigerated-cup-holder-_-21016#specifications

 

[redfernclan]

Air hose reel. Love it.

 

[bearbait]

May as well throw in a dartboard, this project could take some time.