Workshop Accessories Buying Guide

When it comes to having a workshop, just stocking up on tools  doesn't cut it.  You need to have some accessories  around to make the job go quicker, machines that make the clean-up go faster and an easy to use organized work space. Let's face it, if you aren't comfortable in your shop, you won't get much accomplished.  Most home workshops are in the garage  or a shed,  which are undoubtedly hot during the summer and frigid in the winter so remember the fan and space heater to keep the comfort level reasonable.

Dust Control

Dust is the source of many people's allergies and consistent overexposure can cause respiratory problems, along with irritation of the ears, eyes, nose, skin and throat. Dust is a pain to clean up yet having a broom  and dustpan  around makes small jobs relatively easy.  After a long day in the shop and fixing up the house, who wants to spend time to clean up the inevitable mess? In the past, cleaning has been a major chore, but thanks to advancements in technology, there are great products that make cleaning up your space less tedious.

Vacuums  Most people keep a wet/dry vacuum  close at hand to suck up all of the nuts, bolts, nails and sawdust that a regular vacuum won't pick up. Attach your shop vac to the exhaust pipe of many saws to collect the majority of dust while working. iRobot , the maker of the popular Roomba  vacuum, developed the iRobot Dirt Dog Workshop Robot  which is specially made for vacuuming large or sharp objects found on a shop floor. Some features: Gets under and around cars  and workbenches. Oversize debris bin holds sawdust, nails and screws that trip up regular vacuums. Keep it in the shop, the near-1,000 Rpms that feed on shreds of wood and metal wreak havoc on carpets and wood floors. Let the vacuum clean up the floors while you are still working and clean up will be minimal when finished.

Dust Control System  People who use their workshop on a daily basis may choose to install a woodshop dust control system  to keep cleaning to a minimum and reduce the amount of particles flying around the space. Make sure electric saws and sanders have a dust collection bag  attached to the exhaust pipe to minimize the amount of dust flying every which way. Many people with table  and miter saws  attach their shop vac to the saw's exhaust to minimize dust amounts on the floor and particles in the air.

Heating and Cooling

In order to fight the different ends of the spectrum when it comes to temperature management in a workshop, keep a fan and space heater off to the side, you never know when you may need them.

Fans Fans  are a must have in the summer especially when you're stuck indoors without any air conditioning. There are many options to choose from, but our quick pick is the Ryobi p3300 Fan.  Features: Cordless:Who can ever find the extra outlet space to plug in a fan? One battery fits all Ryobi tools so why bother having multiple batteries and charger's especially for tools you may only use once a year? Portable: Hang it horizontally or let it stand on any surface. Keep it in the shop, take it camping, or bring it to the beach. Two settings cool you down without sending papers flying.

Space Heaters A space heater  allows people to keep working in their workshops during the frigid cold of the winter. When heating the entire garage, it's best to use a kerosene  or propane heater.  Be warned though that these devices use an open flame which consumes oxygen, thus requiring a substantial amount of ventilation. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector in the work space when using a space heater that doesn't rely on electricity. Keep children and pets away from a kerosene or propane space heater, they can be burned or cause the device to tip over.

Lighting

If your workshop is in the garage, chances are that the lighting is poor.  In order to work efficiently, you need to have good illumination. For a great environment, have an overhead light which lights up the majority of the space along with portable lights  that can be directed wherever excess light is needed.

Flashlight  Keep one handy so you can shine it directly onto the space that needs to be lit up. The forever flashlight  never needs a new bulb or batteries, is waterproof, and floats in water. Shake the flashlight for a couple of seconds and you have a steady stream of light for 5 minutes.	Fluorescent Lights  These energy saving lights are great for lighting up a space. Fluorescent lights provide an even amount of coverage throughout the space.	Flood Lights  Choose portable flood lights--they are very bright and movable so you can direct the light on the exact location you want it.

Storage

When you have a workshop, one of the biggest issues is having enough space to work. People with a large collection of tools want to be able to use them without sacrificing work space. The easiest way to make sure you have enough space to work is to create an organized environment where everything has a home. Keep the tools you use the most easily accessible and put the tools you use a few times a year away.

Toolbox  You need to have enough storage space to fit all of your tools. Pick one with more space than you need for the tools you buy in the future.	Shelving  Use shelves for a place to put small toolboxes, bins and other miscellaneous items  used in the shop.	Easy Access Bins  Organizing small objects into easy access bins limits the amount of time needed to complete a project. Don't forget to stock some empty cans  and storage caps  for paint or other large amounts of tools.	Workshop Table  Almost as important as working is the work area itself! Make sure it's large enough to accommodate whatever project you want to take on. Buying one with a cup holder  or elevated shelf  to hold your food can be useful if you plan on spending long hours in the shop.	Pegboard  and Pegboard Tool Holders  A pegboard along with pegboard tool holders are a workshop staple that allow for organization and easy use of tools. Tools will be right in front of you without having to dig in the tool box.

Related Guides

• Housewares and Home Maintenance
• Home and Garden
• Kitchen and Dining
• Outdoor and Gardens
• Wet Dry Vacuums
• Workshop and Home Improvement

External Links

• DIYnetwork.com: Let the expert show you have to have the ultimate workshop and the best ways for dust control.
• ThisOldHouse.com: Choosing and using a Wet/Dry Vac.
• OSHA.gov: An official dust control handbook.