MikeR
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:11 PM |
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Hints for beginners.
Having just met a new starter i thought i should share some hints and tips. I know its been done before but its stuff i forgot to mention today.
1) paint your garage walls white before you start
2) insulate & heat the garage before you start (makes working in Winter much easier / nicer)
3) clear out the garage (should really do this before 1 & 2 but i bet you don't)
4) a good, big, solid work bench.
5) put up shelves, then put up more, you can never have too much storage, you will use it.
6) buy a shed - put all the crap you cleared out in 3 somewhere not in the garage.
7) save news papers / jars to store / clean / rest things in / on
8) make sure you can get clean before you wander around the house or just get divorced / your own place
9) smile!
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MikeR
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:12 PM |
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forgot to add, strip lights every other rafter - can't have too much light. I also prefer using the 'natural' light lights, slightly
more expensive but a much better light to work in.
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BenB
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:24 PM |
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I'd also add. If its a concrete garage floor, give it a paint. A tin of concrete paint from Screwfix makes a big difference...
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Hellfire
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:31 PM |
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My top tip would be to fit some old carpet in the garage, even if its only down either side of the car and around the area where you work. Much better
than standing on a cold concrete floor. It helps by preventing heat transfer from you to the concrete floor, thereby keeping you warmer. 
Phil
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flak monkey
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:32 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
My top tip would be to fit some old carpet in the garage, even if its only down either side of the car and around the area where you work. Much better
than standing on a cold concrete floor. It helps by preventing heat transfer from you to the concrete floor, thereby keeping you warmer.
Phil
I would go for that too! My grandparents garage is carpeted, and much nicer on your knees than a concrete floor! Not so good when you get a leak of
soemthing though... 
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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RazMan
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:34 PM |
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A couple of boxes of Latex gloves for the mucky bits - essential IMO 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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shades
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:37 PM |
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A radio...
A dog (so you can ask it questions, and have some moral support)...
A large wooden trolly to put the frame on...
Thanks
Adrian
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Hellfire
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:50 PM |
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Something comfortable to kneel upon, such as a largish piece of foam or an old pillow, otherwise your knees will take loads of abuse.
Phil
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:51 PM |
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Buy your donor with a bit of MOT, may be a few quid more but probably much better order, service it and drive it until the ticket runs out, great for
picking up any faults before you next drive it (which will be to the SVA!)
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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stevebubs
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
My top tip would be to fit some old carpet in the garage, even if its only down either side of the car and around the area where you work. Much better
than standing on a cold concrete floor. It helps by preventing heat transfer from you to the concrete floor, thereby keeping you warmer.
Phil
Just remember to take it up before you start welding anything....
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stevec
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 05:59 PM |
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Beer fridge for when you have finished for the evening but dont want to go back in the house just yet
Steve.
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MattCraneCustoms
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 06:11 PM |
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got that list pretty much covered. Can also add on the radio front, an essential imo. I just installed one in the garage, so its now like a nightclub
lol. I think I have a pic in my archive . . .
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 06:20 PM |
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A decent first aid kit. You know it makes sense !
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richard thomas
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 06:35 PM |
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Kettle. Tea bags. Mugs. Milk will stay cold enough for the next few months....
Rich
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chris.russell
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 06:55 PM |
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.... and dont forget the fire extinguisher ( grinders + welding + petrol + oily rags = fried car/garage/house)
Mines a pint
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MikeR
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 07:05 PM |
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Actually i'd say 2 fire extingishers. One at the enterance and one at the rear.
(ok, so i'm paranoid but i'd rather be paranoid and alive than toasty)
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graememk
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 07:21 PM |
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and hide extra money from the mrs so she dosnt know how much you have spend
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DIY Si
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 07:36 PM |
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Keep it clean, but not too clean, as you can't hide any new purchases! Also a bench with drawers/cupboards under is good for hiding stuff in,
and grouping stuff together so you don't lose vital bits. Oh, and get a vice! You'll never regret buying one.
“Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
My new blog: http://spritecave.blogspot.co.uk/
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fesycresy
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 08:29 PM |
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A heavy punchbag.
So when you really lose it, the car and the dog are safe 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
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Peteff
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 08:51 PM |
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I've just painted my floor and it's amazing how much less dust there is now, everything else on there is covered but put some boards up
with nails in to stick tools on so you can see them, grips and riveters etc. and get some plastic jars with screw top lids, like peanut butter jars,
to put stuff like rivets and self tappers in. Screw the lid under the bottom shelf and you can see where the stuff is and just screw it back up there
when you use it. Get a magnetic parts tray from MM or somewhere as well, they are unbeatable for sticking bolts and spanners to.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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snapper
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 09:17 PM |
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What ever you do, don't demolish your garage to build an extention then buy an unfinished (unstarted) kit from a bloke in a pub when you have
had a few.
But what fool would do a thing like that
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thunderace
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 10:32 PM |
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cardboard boxses are great for lying on and keep you warm if your mrs kick you out for not coming in till 2am coz your working on you car.
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goodguydrew
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| posted on 26/11/06 at 10:41 PM |
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1. Measure twice, cut once.
2. Stick a live axle in. It's so much simpler. (If you can find one!)
3. Look at lots of other build pictures. Each have subtle differences from the book, may for logical reasons, though even the book differs between the
plans and the photos.
4. U2U builders of the same spec car you plan to build. I have found the guys on this forum really helpful. (Thanks guys)
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G.Man
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| posted on 27/11/06 at 10:03 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
A couple of boxes of Latex gloves for the mucky bits - essential IMO
I find the polypropylene gloves better than the latex ones...
Latex seems to rip at the irst sign of any oil...
Opinions are like backsides..
Everyone has one, nobody wants to hear it and only other peoples stink!
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