Advise please

Hello folks/experts,
I am preparing to begin building my shop and I need some advise on equipment that I am considering. My plans include a two bay stations with one having a lift, paint booth, and small office area. I was also considering a small machine shop with wire, heli arch welder, drill press and engine hoist. Also, I will need a air compressor.

So, does anyone have a preference on what type and make of paint booth (cross flow, semi downdraft or downdraft), brand of welder, air compressor capacity and brand (is a dryer needed?), and is a heater for the paint booth a requirement?. Any other advise?

My plans include one other person other than myself. If I can fine a good farm hand that want to learn a trade. Why a farm hand? A good farm hand already knows how to work and works without being managed.
 
On welders, I am partial to Miller. Good quality and parts available at every shop in town. We have a Miller Tig (Dynasty) and Plasma. But a Lincoln Mig. And a gas torch. All get used, but the Tig is used most often by far. A Tig with good controls that supports Arc as well (most if not all do) is a good all around welder.

We have a Quincy 5hp 100Gallon with air plumbed throughout. I like the Quincy because it is built well and has higher pressure (175psi) than some others. The compressor is in it's own room to help with noise. Very happy with the compressor, but there are much cheaper options if you won't use it a lot. We only use driers for specific tools (like a spray gun).

We just paint our cars in the driveway - but race cars don't need to be perfect. So no thoughts here on a booth...

Be sure you run lots of 220 circuits!

We have ended up with Mill, Lathe, Air Conditioning, 2 Welders, 1 Plasma and Air Compressor, all of which are 220.
 

Scott

Lifetime Supporter
Times 2 for Miller and Quincy. I got a lot of ideas for my garage/shop and tools at www.garagejournal.com. Whatever you do don't use PVC for the airlines. Use iron pipe, copper, or one of the purpose-built aluminum systems -- that's what I did.

Two SL-C builders, Will and Peter, dropped by my shop this week. They really liked my flush mount Bendpack lift. When down it takes up zero space and since it's flush I just drive on, park and put 2" rubber blocks under the lift points. Many people need to jack their SL-C to lift it. In addition, there are no poles or arms to get in the way. The center is also open. The only bolts that I can't get to when it's on the lift are the outer seat bolts, which I can get when it's not on the lift. This type of lift might have more disadvantages for a "normal" car but I think it's an ideal lift for a SL-C.

The video below (not my garage) shows the lift in action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwRBzRh1bX8
 
Hello folks/experts,
I am preparing to begin building my shop and I need some advise on equipment that I am considering. My plans include a two bay stations with one having a lift, paint booth, and small office area. I was also considering a small machine shop with wire, heli arch welder, drill press and engine hoist. Also, I will need a air compressor.

So, does anyone have a preference on what type and make of paint booth (cross flow, semi downdraft or downdraft), brand of welder, air compressor capacity and brand (is a dryer needed?), and is a heater for the paint booth a requirement?. Any other advise?

My plans include one other person other than myself. If I can fine a good farm hand that want to learn a trade. Why a farm hand? A good farm hand already knows how to work and works without being managed.

On the paint booth, downdraft or semi downdrafts work best. Adjustable fan speed really helps. Make sure they have good lighting. Booth heater isn't necessary especially in warmer areas but can help especially with water base paints. When painting you have to have a water and oil remover and desiccant dryer.
 

Rick Muck- Mark IV

GT40s Sponsor
Supporter
A paint booth for a hobby shop? So you have an extra 50-150 K to spend? Unless you can find a used booth being given away, I think you can pay to have many cars painted before your investment will amortized!

A friend of mine paints at least one airplane a year and he still makes up a booth out of lumber and plastic sheet as needed.

There are a lot of "professional" shops still working in a tunnel booth with a fan on one end and filters on the other because they can't generate enough income to purchase a new, state of the art booth!

And yes, a dryer is a must for painting and even for general air supply. Also dedicated hoses for paint vs. air tools. Why? When you unplug the supply end of a hose the rapid depressurization pulls air back through the hose and a hose on an air tool it will pull the tool oil back into the hose contaminating the hose and allowing the oil to be sprayed out via the gun.......makes for bad JuJu in the paint!
 
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Scott

Lifetime Supporter
One of the best things that I did was have benches with two different heights. The lower bench has a stainless top and the taller bench has a butcher block top. The taller bench saves my back when working on smaller items. The flush lift also provides two adjustable height benches when a car isn’t on it.

The plastic bins from Shaller are great for parts and tools. The neat labels on white paper were done by my daughter . I need her to finish the rest of drawers.
Red plastic tool box drawer system
1472312780217

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