Tips and Must-Have Tools for Small Shops
Power strip: https://amzn.to/3uTjbE7
Evapo-Rust: https://amzn.to/3T34N4e
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Does Adam Savage have any suggestions, including tools, for small shops? Would he recommend putting wheels on a lathe? And any tips for rust removal? In this live stream excerpt, Adam answers these questions from Tested members @crimsonchained, @joshuadrum8313 and Leon M, whom we thank for their support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions:
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
3:10 – this was the moment I realized I left the power in my work shed. You may have saved my shed from burning down, you definitely saved my electric bill. Thank you
Power bars: screw them to the bench leg or someplace. Then you don’t need to free up both hands to pull out a plug.
Yard sales: sometimes you get lucky, like the big-ass blacksmith’s anvil I got for $40. I can barely lift it.
Bench grinder: leave the stone wheel on one end, and swap the other end for a muslin buffing wheel.
Why dont you just install a few double duplex outlets instead of some surge protector long boi
Number of power outlets you need = N + 1
Starting with a French Cleat modular wall system is a good idea while trying to figure out the best place to put things.
Proper light is important. I recommend lots of lights to reduce shadows and CCT fixtures because you can change the temperature and it can help reduce the fatigue especially when you are working for long periods of time.
I’m glad I’m not the only person who instantly thinks of Clark Griswold’s electrical disaster when plugging things in. HAHAHA
I’m about to ditch my parts washer, and when you said it was necessary, I was like NOOooo! Then you said you use it a few times a year, and I was like, yup! I literally stopped using mine when I found LA’s Totally Awesome degreaser. Parts washer def needs to go… which is saying a lot since I rebuild engines out of the garage.
Parts washing is great. Imagine doing the dishes by hand, but each dish weighs 20 to 60 pounds and instead of water and soap, you use what basically amounts to gasoline.
Just a side note about the wheels on your stool, you can now get rollerblade wheels for office chairs and pretty much anything, talk about a life changing item. Quiet silky smooth movement, especially on hard surfaces. They work better than normal wheels on carpeting too!!!!
GFCI-protected outlets and their regular testing.
Hopefully basement is up to code so lights and outlets are not on same circuit. You don’t want to be running a power tool, trip the breaker and it goes black.
My mother bought me one of the aprons from Adam and it is absolutely fantastic!! I am also setting up my small shop in my garage . I have gotten so many tips and tricks from Adam! Been watching him since early Mythbusters!
I get why Jamie loves and doesn’t like him.
What does everyone prefer in their workbench height? I’ve always had workbenches at a height that I can stand and work at, or use the bar stool style, well, stools. Getting ready to build a new bench, but I keep debating if I should make it lower that I could sit at with a normal desk type chair or stool. Just not sure if I am going to like it better or not. lol I mostly am working on small home appliances, toys, some electronics, that sort of stuff. I have an other area that I do my woodworking at. Just wanted to see what others thought or have themselves.
Antique/resale stores and yard sales are _great_ for finding tools because people seem to have a notion that old things need to be replaced, but for something sturdy and well made that’s often the opposite. Assuming it’s not covered in rust, a 40 year old wrench or hammer is probably higher quality than one you could buy today for 20x the price
I was super fortunate when my grandpa died (as fortunate as one could be at least) that he left behind a wonderful old workbench. It’s old, not flat or solid, full of holes and splinters, but it’s sturdy as a rock and so full of character I doubt I’ll ever replace it.
What phone holder is that? Will it work with top-down angles?
Power everywhere is a must. Put the outlets / power strips on a desktop. Do the same in your office or bedside table. If you end up bending over to plug something in more than once. Make it more accessible. Make sure all of them have at least one charger for your common use (usb) instead of moving around each time
Youtube is charging $15 a month for bullshit videos
Just a little tip I’ve learned from experience, once you’ve spent a while using your shop you’ll learn what tools you use most frequently. You’ll be tempted to just leave them on your desk/workbench. Don’t do it. Instead, have dedicated, easy-access shelving within arms reach of your primary workspace. From there you work backwards, more commonly used tools are closer to you and more easily accessible, things you use less frequently can be further away, tucked in corners, in drawers and boxes, etc.
Evaporust is amazing! Been using it for the last year on my own lathe restoration
The most underrated item in any shop: a good rolling chair
if your workshop is in the basement, a big shop vac will be a must, because you can’t sweep everything out like if it was in the garage
WHITE VINEGAR IS THE BEST RUST REMOVAL PRODUCT AND NO CHEMICALS!!!!!
Adam, I’m an old school fan – and it’s just a pleasure to watch you impart your knowledge and experience mate. All the best from down under in New Zealand.
I had a great workbench in my garage for 20 years. Power strip, overhead lighting and a vice. Two weeks ago my house caught fire and the bench got torched…..house is being gutted prior to rebuilding but I sure do miss that bench.
I don’t know how small is ‘small’ in the USA. Here in the UK we’re usually talking something VERY small. My own shop is around 200 sq ft with a pitched roof that slopes down to around 5′ at the eaves. In a space that small you have to be REALLY choosy.
One thing I did was to mount my heavy workbench on heavy-duty lifting castors so that I can move it around. That allows me to access stored items and tools against the walls and to pull out my folding table-saw when I need it. When in use, the castors will drop the bench onto the floor where it’s stable. The bench also has a whole lot of drawers built-in where I store hand power tools. It’s convenient for use and the extra weight adds stability.
Power strip: https://amzn.to/3uTjbE7
Evapo-Rust: https://amzn.to/3T34N4e
Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.
With thanks to Tested members @crimsonchained, @joshuadrum8313 and Leon M, for their support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOA/join
Jesus Christ is encrypted!
do you run your lathe/mills on such a power strip? I only have 1 outlet in my rented appartment basement (my shop) and need solutions
1:25 Do Not Clutter Your Work Area. This is a priority. Anything that shouldn’t be there needs to go. My father has a tiny work space on his 5 foot table because A) he doesn’t have room for all of his trinkets (which he probably does but won’t fix) and B) you need room to work to spread stuff out and play around. Having a clear work surface allows you to spread out your work and it allows your mind to ponder while you tinker around with whatever you’re doing.
Source: I was a Meat Cutter for five years. Keep your shit nice. Only keep stuff on the table you will be using almost everytime you tinker and that basically excludes everything except screwdrivers and glue.
I’d love to walk through Adam’s shop. I’d need him there so I could as "what’s this for?" a million times though.
You forgot to mention a shop vacuum
I recommend a nice push drill. I love my Stanley 41a pushdrill
Hey Adam, chewable papaya enzyme will help with that heartburn… yummy tasting too. Thanks for the very enjoyable content, I love your enthusiasm!
We’re getting ready to renovate and move into a new space warehouse. Any tips on what we need to do to prep the space? We’ve worked out the electrical and all the other fundamental needs but is there something you could recommend for a fabrication shop that people always forget about?
Where can we send questions?
Omg the organization beauty in the background is making my heart swoon.
Think about dust control already in the beginning. Wood dust is flammable. Dont try to make all storage cabinets and shelves uniform. If you buy used ikea bookshelves and salvage old metal file cabinets it is easier for you to remember where things are when they look different. Electric inventory of all tools and screws etc would also be smart. When you go to hardware store you always know what you need to buy. Big full sheet plywood table in the middle is good. And open shelves under the table and sliding drawers underneath it. Magnetic sweeper, swivel vise, ikea bekväm stool, ikea additional table, ikea råskog as tool cart. And dewalt is best all round brand(festool is for millionaires)
Got a link for that adjustable bench phone holder? Been looking for a good one for a while.
I just got an angle grinder not so long ago and boy do i wish i had got one sooner.
Mostly i like the sanding flap discs .
Hey man – have you tried just regular ole citric acid for rust removal? I tried almost everything, including Evapo-Rust (which is indeed quite fantastic), but found buying 5lb bags of citric acid was just as effective AND I could dip grapes, apple slices, and other fruits in it and the kids LOVED the sour fruit snacks! I’d imagine most rust removers don’t also double as sour snack ingredients…
Great video and tips! I recently built a murphy style folding shelf/table for my small metal lathe in my teeny tiny shop…truly THE best thing I ever built for my shop!
If you are a new maker who only has a few tools in your kitchen drawer check out the Harbor Freight 130 piece PITTSBURGH tool set. It is relatively complete set of mechanics tools. Wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, socket wrenches, a screw driver with interchangeable bits and a hammer. All the basic mechanics tools. It is only $40 and goes on sale for $30 regularly.
Are they the best quality tools? No. But they get the job done. They are medium quality Chinesium and get the job done. I started with tools of this quality level 50 years ago. Over time I have upgraded my tools to nicer tools. But it got me started doing basic repairs, fixing bikes, assembling mechanical things, working on my car. The tool kit is only $40, $30 on regular sale. When you outgrow this tool kit you can keep it in your car or give it to a friend.
This tool kit follows Adam’s advice about buying new types of tools: "When buying a new tool buy the cheapest version of the tool that will get the job done. If you find yourself using the tool often and want to upgrade, then buy the most expensive version of the tool that you can afford."
This avoids the problem of buying an expensive tool that you only use once or twice. I have an expensive biscuit joiner that I have only used once or twice.
$40 for a relatively complete basic kit of mechanics tools is a great deal. It allows you to figure out if mechanical making is right for you without spending a lot of money.
BTW, I remember my student days and starting my life as an adult when money was very tight. I could have afforded this tool kit.
run 3/4 conuit around the entire basement just above workbench level. put junction boxes and double duplex outlets every 5 foot or so. depending on size itlle be anywhere from 1200 to 1500 bucks. youll love it. simple easy and on the cheaper side, just run it on top of wall and you’ll have room for improvement., junction boxes you can run conduit up vertically and then install some high bays
would not suggest mounting a lathe on wheels. table twists and youll be out of square. unless were speaking of some cheap tiny lathe thats a workbench mount, adam said "medium" so id advise against that if you care about lathe and precision.
Renting my own one-car garage to myself for a workshop and there literally only ONE outlet- RIGHT smack dab in the middle of the 8 or 9 foot tall ceiling and I’m a 5 foot 2 woman. Lol. I use a long outlet cord that hangs down and will buy some hooks soon to hook the cord on either side of the garage so it’s out of the way.
Peep that Sailrite sewing machine!
Evapo-rust, I’ll have to look into that, got a ton of rusty stuff.
Totally thought he was going to say "the wheels on my lathe go round and round"