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  #1  
Old 02-06-2012, 07:54 AM
Alex Alex is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: northern Virginia (DC area)
Posts: 198
Default What was your best shop upgrade? (Extra points for pictures!)

I just finally got around to insulating the ceiling of my garage, and will be adding some fluorescent light units soon. Hopefully that will make a big difference in the comfort level in the shop.

I'm interested to see what other shop upgrades have given others the most benefit in productivity/ergonomics while in the shop.
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RV-12 (empennage) #120407
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  #2  
Old 02-06-2012, 08:27 AM
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William Slaughter William Slaughter is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 469
Default Air conditioning!

Window unit installed in the back wall of the garage (after insulating the walls and ceiling of course).
2x portable electric space heaters for the winter.
I have 13 4 foot x 2 tube flourescent light fixtures in a two car garage - just about right.
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Houston, TX
RV-8QB
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  #3  
Old 02-06-2012, 08:34 AM
Paul K Paul K is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,004
Default

Where to start?

Some as seen in this photo:

Overhead hoist, move anything any time anywhere. Even install the wings solo!

Lots of light. I've doubled the light from when this photo was taken.

Radiant heat. Can't say enough about it. Air conditioning also.

Metal walls. You can stick drawings etc to them with magnets

Radio with good sound system.



This is an old photo and I have added a lot of stuff but you get the idea.
It's a pleasure to spend time out in the "barn"
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West Michigan

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  #4  
Old 02-06-2012, 08:42 AM
diamond diamond is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Rochester, MN
Posts: 710
Default fluorescent lighting

Just added fluorescent lighting to the shop and man-o-man what a difference it makes. I downloaded some free software to help me get the right number of fixtures, spacing, etc and it really paid off. Thanks also to VAF member JonJay for the advice. He knows lighting.

http://www.visual-3d.com/Software/Ba...px?SessionID=0
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  #5  
Old 02-06-2012, 09:05 AM
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AltonD AltonD is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dothan, Alabama
Posts: 1,487
Default

8 foot flourescent, cold start, light fixtures.
My portable XM radio boom box.
Insulation on the roll-up garage door.
Washer wrenches from Avery.
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Alton DeWeese
N526RV RV7A Tip Up, IO360 180 W/Hartzel BA prop.
Flying ~950 hours since Aug 2010
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  #6  
Old 02-06-2012, 03:54 PM
DMFenster DMFenster is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 90
Default

Washer wrenches - now that cracked me up.

For me - insulation in the walls with pegboard over it to dampen the noise. More light than you would ever think is necessary. A 42" TV - And a great sound system.
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  #7  
Old 02-06-2012, 04:03 PM
Mike S's Avatar
Mike S Mike S is offline
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
Default

Roll around swamp cooler.
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Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

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  #8  
Old 02-06-2012, 04:17 PM
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Steve Melton Steve Melton is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 2,791
Default Washer Wrenches?

Washer Wrenches? I had to smile after I looked to see what they were.
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Cincinnati, OH
RV-9A, Tip-up, Superior O-320, roller lifters, 160HP, WW 200RV, dual impulse slick mags, oil pressure = 65 psi, EGT = 1300F, flight hours = 800+ for all

Simplicity is the art in design.
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  #9  
Old 02-06-2012, 07:55 PM
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Flyguytki Flyguytki is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Fairbanks AK
Posts: 758
Default

Heres mine, A paintbooth to contain any overspray that can also double as a oven where you can see temps up to 120* to dry the paint. I have a feeling it is also where my canopy will be cut depending on when I get around to to.



-david
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  #10  
Old 02-06-2012, 10:20 PM
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DCat22 DCat22 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 531
Default

A garage roof that doesn't leak would score as the #1 "upgrade" so far...

Climate control will be nice at some point.
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