Build a Better Workshop

Most do-it-yourselfers wish they could build the perfect workshop. If yours is in the basement or garage, you’ll be surprised at how easily you can increase storage, add lighting and improve safety.

First, clean it up. Get rid of things you haven’t used in five years. Then, draw up a plan to help you determine where to store tools and supplies, along with where to install lighting.

If you don’t already have a workbench, consider getting one. They double as work stations and are good for storing heavy equipment. There are a number of workbench kits on the market, but you’ll probably have a more useful bench if you design it yourself.

To organize your hand tools, invest in a rolling chest. They range in price from $100 for smaller units to up to $350 for chests with plenty of drawers.

Perforated boards also are good for organizing tools. But save this space for holding large, long or bulky tools like levels, squares, clamps and hand saws.

To install perfboard in a basement, you’ll need to attach furring strips to the concrete with construction adhesive and special screws. Then drive drywall screws through the flush surface of the board into the furring strips. In a garage shop, just attach the perfboard to the garage studs.

Garage stud walls offer more than just a good place to mount perfboard. You can use the spaces between them to store lumber and other tall objects. Open rafters or trusses offer extra storage by giving you a place to store even longer lumber overhead.

Turn the stud spaces into shelves for quart cans, spray paint and automotive supplies by securing 1 x 4s to the studs with 2-inch drywall screws. Unfortunately, basement workshops don’t usually offer as much storage space as garage workshops. But you can make the best use of space by building free-standing shelves.

Inadequate lighting makes your shop unsafe and uncomfortable. A good solution is to add a two-bulb florescent shop light. These do a good job of lighting your work spaces and sell for as little as $10 at hardware stores and home centers.

Usually they come with 13 or 14-inch power cords. So you may want to pick up some three-pronged replacement power cords while you’re getting the shop light. You also may want to consider a draftsman-type light for the bench top. For about $20, you can get one that will mount on the side of the workbench. These lights are especially helpful for woodworking projects or intricate work, and they make reading labels and instructions much easier.

Garage shops usually are outfitted differently than basement shops. Most garages have a trouble light that features a handle and a hook so you can hang it up and free your hands to work on a car or a bicycle.

Unfortunately, the cords on these lights tend to get tangled. A solution is a retractable reel light. They look like a trouble light attached to a retractable clothes line. You can mount them on rafters or on the wall. When you need light, just pull down the reel light. Then tug on the cord to return the light to the reel housing. Reel light cords come in lengths that range from 20 to 50 feet. They also come in metal or plastic housing.

Equip your workshop with a few protective items to make it safer. Safety glasses, goggles and face shields are a must. Many projects require them but people often don’t wear the glasses because they’re not right at hand.

Since safety glasses cost about $10, get more than one pair. Then keep them in handy places at each end of your workshop and beside each piece of power equipment. Because you can get chemicals or paint in your eyes, invest in an eye wash solution that could save your sight.

It’s also a good idea to keep a first aid kit near your workbench. Most drugs stores sell them for about $15. A fire extinguisher is another necessity. Buy a class ABC extinguisher. They’re formulated to put out liquid and electrical fires—all of which can occur in a workshop. And remember smoke detectors—especially for your basement workshop.