Inherited workbench & compressor. Garage layout q

[hardcastlephil]

Evening,

As you're about to read I have a lot of questions and would just generally appreciate others' viewpoint on few things.

The context is I have a 5.5m square double garage. I'm a hobbyist so evening and weekend playing with old cars. Also have two young children and associated bikes etc which come with that.

My current set up is what I've picked up over the years. I did have 4 bays of double height racking which I split and made into a long workbench running along the back wall - having the long bench helps greatly. I'm trying to move away from storage bins as with cutting, grinding and welding they get filthy pretty quick. In the middle of the back wall is a sturdy home made wood bench. Here's the current look:



Last January my dad died - he was a tool maker but had been a mechanic during the 70s and 80s and had a garage - meaning I've inherited a lot of tools. There's a large compressor which he used for spraying cars and a Acbars metal workbench. My first question is would it be worth restoring the bench (it's 4 ft and my wooden one is 5ft) to replace the home made one I have? The second question is is it worth keeping the 80s compressor or has technology moved on and I'd be be better selling it and buying a sgs or similar. I'd like to be able to spray in the future as have inherited all the spraying equipment etc.

I do have a small roll cab but that would fit into one of the bays under the long bench.








I've also inherited the snap on roll cab and tool chest. I'd love to sell the snap on and buy a cheaper brand 72 roll cab for the back wall but I feel it would be best to keep the cab as it has sentimental value. Sadly it won't fit under my bench with the castors but could take them off and it would fit in one of the 'bays'.

Another option would be to make another workbench using the remaining racking along the left hand side of the garage- that would fit the compressor underneath.

So I suppose my questions are:

1- Is the metal bench worth keeping over the wooden one

2 - keep the compressor or just buy a newer version

3 - any ideas to make the most of the storage using what I already have?

Cheers!

[B'stard Child]

If the compressor works keep it - if it ain't broke and all that

Metal benches are handy for welding on - I put a 5mm steel plate on top of my metal (storage racking cut down bench) and it's great for welding on (or anything destructive) the other half of the bench is old kitchen worktop so I do wood stuff on the wood end and metalwork on the metal end

[Belle427]

Id keep the compressor if it works ok, its probably much better built than todays offerings.
I wouldnt keep anything else if it doesnt work for you, i understand the sentimental thing but you just have to move on from that.
If i had a large garage id try to use the lower roll cabs with a bench like top.

Edited by Belle427 on Friday 29th December 07:24

[peterperkins]

The compressor looks decent quality. Give it a clean and service and keep it.
Likely much better than a cheap modern one of the same spec/cfm.

[paintman]

Looks like a decent compressor in need of a clean & service.
It's belt drive too, so a lot quieter than the small direct drive ones.

[soad]

Keep the lot, can always downsize later if need be.

[Chris32345]

Definitely keep the compressor but give it a good clean up and make sure the tanks drained out hopefully it'd not rusty Inside



And give it a service as well some fresh oil will help it

[gazza285]

Best thing I did with a compressor that size was to put it outside, in its own little shed. It made using it a much more pleasant experience.

[hardcastlephil]

Thanks chaps - good advice which I'll take.

The compressor is lovely and quiet - although there is a playhouse on the other side of my garage which would make a great compressor shed....

I'll pull it out in the next few months then clean it down and give it a service. Have to finish the land rover too so I can get it here in the trailer. There's a murex welder which is better than mine but like everything in there it needs a good service and clean. Just takes time going through things!

Had a good result today as picked up a roll cab the same size as the snap on for £80. Not as good quality but then can bolt together and make the second part of my bench running down the lhs. Can't remember if I said but there's a lathe to bring over as well once I've got this mess sorted.

Cheers,

Phil

[guards red]

I'd keep the workbench. It looks like a sturdy bit of kit, a quick clean up and it'll look great.
Working on something your dad worked on isn't something one can buy. Stuff like this was massively overengineered compared to modern stuff, it will continue to provide good service for many more years.