It doesn’t really matter if you’re a huge auto modder, or a small-time tinkerer, there are some things that you simply must have in your garage. Most guys are probably already equipped with them.
However, there are those who are not yet sure what are certain must-haves. Namely, all these things that are about to be mentioned are crucial, especially if you want to avoid visiting the mechanic frequently.
Fortunately, most of these garage essentials are pretty easy to find. All you have to do is go online and type the product you need. So, if you are ready to load your garage with the necessary stuff, check out these suggestions to see what should be part of your next purchase.
Top Essentials For Every Garage
First-Class Power Tools
Drilling holes in things is something that you’ll probably do at some point. It’s simply unavoidable. That’s precisely why your garage must have a power drill that comes with a 1/2-chunk, as well as a solid drill set in 1/8 increments.
Having powerful tools is going to save you lots of time and do things that you are not able to do. Besides these, you should also consider purchasing an impact driver, a rotary multi-tool, a reciprocating saw, and an angle grinder.
Over the past couple of years, cordless devices have become insanely popular. Why is that? Well, that’s because they provide you with lots of power, they can easily reach any cranny or nook that corded units cannot and are very practical due to their portability.
Garage Containment Mat As A Must
Keeping your garage floors neat and clean isn’t always easy, and that’s something that most garage owners will confirm. Therefore, it would be recommendable to have containment mats to protect the garage floor, especially during colder months when ice and snow are constantly present. Without them, your garage will turn into a messy puddle of mud in a blink of an eye.
With these containment floor mats, you will no longer have to worry about different types of liquids, as well as debris. Luckily, these mats capture all leaks and drips and enable you to easily step out of your car without needing to trod through puddles or water splashes.
Another thing worth mentioning is safety. Slippery surfaces can be very hazardous, especially if you’re not careful enough, however, with these mats you will no longer have to worry about it because they will keep your garage floors dry.
And That’s Not Everything Worth Buying
Work Table
Certainly, one of the most important things when it comes to your garage is a proper bench or work table. Without it, you won’t be able to focus on both car-related and non-car-related things. Just imagine having a computer and not having a desk for it.
You wouldn’t be able to properly work. Now, it’s of huge relevance to consider ergonomic when picking and installing a work table. Having a sturdy table that is set at waist height is going to help you avoid any crouching or bending, which means you will not experience any back or muscle issues.
Furthermore, the worktop is not allowed to have any smooth, mess, dirt, or level and is supposed to enable you to easily disassemble and assemble car parts without losing any smaller pieces and components.
Lighting
If you are stuck with inadequate lighting, it is going to negatively impact your work and will potentially lead to many time-consuming, pricey errors. On a more positive note, it’s not too hard, or expensive to find the right lights that come with ceiling-mounted fluorescent light fixtures.
You should consider purchasing a four-foot instant-on T8 bulb fixture that contains diffusers or wide reflectors. Sometimes, all you need to do is to add regular lamps if you want to significantly enhance visibility.
Moreover, having a portable work light is also an amazing idea, even if you do not plan on working under your car. This item is recommendable for all those people who easily lose or drop smaller parts or hardware.
Floor Jack
Working in your car will have you under it for the majority of the time. In order to keep it in the perfect position for you to get under it, you’ll have to use a floor jack. This is a great tool that is going to help you keep your vehicle steady above the ground, enabling you to also work below your automobile without experiencing any issues.
It’s worth mentioning that you should test out as many floor jacks as you can, due to the fact that there are numerous models out there, and every single one of them is able to withstand a certain amount of pressure.
Bench Wise
This tool is going to help you clamp, tighten, drill, hammer, squash, and bend practically everything. Having something like this is like owning extremely powerful hands, which can definitely make a huge difference when it comes to performing various tasks in your garage.
If you decide to buy a bench vise, make sure to take something that is big. As they say, the bigger the better. Why is this so important? Well, it’s because larger units open wider, enabling you to hold more things.
Besides that, big units also come with high clamping force which is extremely crucial when it comes to loosening and tightening things being held in a bench vise. Possibly the best option is a 6-inch because it’s always properly secured to the workbench.
Garage Doors
Do not perceive your garage as just four walls and the vehicle in the middle. If you want to ensure you are having high-quality space for all your mechanical tasks, then it’s of huge importance to obtain a top-notch garage door.
More importantly, make sure the doors are always secured and that they are made out of powerful materials. This is important because if you have strong doors, they are less likely to be destroyed, plus solid materials are perfect protection from various elements, such as cold, rain, and snow.
For those who are passionate about their cars, the garage represents a perfect escape from everyday worries and problems. Therefore, you should do your best to make sure it is a safe place for both you and your vehicle. With these tips, you’ll do everything right!
