• man cave build help

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:23 pm**

during this lockdown i thought id build a new man cave to store and fix bikes
thinking of making birch plywood cabinets with shelfs and drawers to store parts in
whats the best way to store a bike either vertically or horizontal
what items would you desire to have in your ultimate man cave
im thinking fridge,log burner,internet cables,cctv,alarm

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:29 pm**

whats the best way to store a bike either vertically or horizontal

I have hooks on the wall and hang them from the front wheel.

m thinking fridge,log burner,internet cables,cctv,alarm

I've no need for a fridge but a log burner is always handy but watch out for condensation - plenty of vents

I don't think I've much need for cctv or alarms either but plumbed in compressed air, plenty of sockets, a good big vice and good lights are worth having.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:34 pm**

You also need a home brewery and vinyl based sound system...

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:49 pm**

Lock on the front door to keep the kids out so that I can actually have tools out without having to worry about a child using a chain whip as a morning star.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:59 pm**

Ooh and whatever you do, don't let me within 100yds of it. I'll turn it into a cluttered sh1t-tip within an hour or so

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:29 pm**

Bright Anglepoise type lights.
A central workbench that has access from all sides.
Overhead power outlets.
Comfortable floor surface - at least in the place where you spend the most time standing.
A stool at the required height for workbench.
Bright Anglepoise type lights.
Magnetic trays for loose bolts, etc.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:52 pm**

Very solid bike work stand plus a stool with wheels, obviously you’ll need a full set of good bike tools obsessively organised, a parts washer would also be very nice along with a couple of points to hang a hammock

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:58 pm**

Paint the walls white before you start anything else.
LED lighting, plenty of.
Power sockets on all walls.
Some form of warmth.
Rubber matting on the floor, thicker the better.
Racking around the walls and a central work bench on castors, build cupboard space underneath.

Everything else is a bonus.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:49 pm**

Jesus .. you lot. It's only 1/10th about bikes. All that useful advice is useful, but:

Fridge
Microwave
Big TV and WiFi access
Armchair and another armchair cos your mates will be coming round

Stuff like that.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 8:17 pm**

Taylor wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:58 pm Paint the walls white before you start anything else.
LED lighting, plenty of.
Power sockets on all walls.
Some form of warmth.
Rubber matting on the floor, thicker the better.
Racking around the walls and a central work bench on castors, build cupboard space underneath.

Everything else is a bonus.

thanks taylor think ill go with your ideas as a starting point

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:04 pm**

Rubber matting on the floor, thicker the better.

Don't weld or grind near it.

Taylor also missed out 'vice', really you can't consider that any workshop can be a productive one unless it comes equipped with a decent vice

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:46 pm**

En Suite bog.
Forget vinyl, chuck a big Sonos cluster in there.
Rubber floor matting.
WAP.
Fridge full of proper beer.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:47 pm**

Why a central workbench? Stuff just falls off the other side then.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:52 pm**

Can't believe a kettle hasn't had a mention yet

Tea makes everything easier to fettle

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:14 pm**

I was wondering where the kettle was. Also a good DAB radio.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:33 pm**

The 6 foot tube lights in my garage are dying. Anyone recommend a modern alternative. Currently have 3.mounted off the exposed rafters.

Please bear in mind I'm a fucking idiot when it comes to sparks

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:12 pm**

Cheeky Monkey wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:33 pm The 6 foot tube lights in my garage are dying. Anyone recommend a modern alternative. Currently have 3.mounted off the exposed rafters.

Please bear in mind I'm a fucking idiot when it comes to sparks

I have LED tube lighting, had to replace the wiring as it was corroded but I think it should be a straight swap.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:14 pm**

Cheeky Monkey wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 10:33 pm The 6 foot tube lights in my garage are dying. Anyone recommend a modern alternative. Currently have 3.mounted off the exposed rafters.

Please bear in mind I'm a fucking idiot when it comes to sparks

Is it the fittings or just the tubes themselves? You can get LED tubes, I'm tempted by a set for the garage.

Posted: **Wed Apr 22, 2020 11:16 pm**

And for the OP.....

Paint the floor and walls before you do anything.

I wish someone had told me that.*

* I wish I had listened

Posted: **Thu Apr 23, 2020 1:11 am**

I got bored with my original concrete floor in my garage after painting it several times so decided one day to go buy tiles and tile it up, looks the part tbh. get the kids to hoover & mop occasionally to earn their pocket money
To much sub standard in there now to have small sofa, kettle etc

Posted: **Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:48 am**

what paint to people use on the floor? I painted mine with Leyland floor paint and it flakes off.

Lots of shelves and places to put stuff
Paint the walls (and not public toilet green like mine - go for white)
Don't fill it full of junk or cars

Posted: **Thu Apr 23, 2020 8:42 am**

When you say build, Matt, what do you mean? Posh shed or brick built unit?

Agree with the above, but also music, plenty of storage, can't have too much, a way of venting it so you can dry stuff in there, bigger work table than you think (mine is always full of junk).

Also, do you want it heated when you're not in there, just to maintain temperature above a certain point if you're storing stuff in there. Might also want to insulate it too then

Can't have too much light

If I could I'd store bikes hanging vertically, but don't have room so they're cluttered everywhere

Also, think about tool storage. I have my tools in a big metal Facom tool cabinet, mechanic style, and then some of the wall and surrounding storage. If I started again I might do it a different way. I also find filing cabinets useful. Drawers are better than cupboards

Posted: **Thu Apr 23, 2020 8:46 am**

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:04 pm
Rubber matting on the floor, thicker the better.
Don't weld or grind near it.

Taylor also missed out 'vice', really you can't consider that any workshop can be a productive one unless it comes equipped with a decent vice

true, I'd not put "tools" in there as it depends on what he's using his man cave for but if we're going for a tooled up mancave then a bench grinder too

Posted: **Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:00 am**

then a bench grinder too

Ooh yes, a bench grinder. I picked up a little draper one the other week (cheap, couldn't resist) abrasive wheel* on one side, polishing mop ont' other and a flexi-drive attached to the end. Don't get me wrong, the thing isn't powerful but handy for touching bits up, taking burrs off etc.

*who remembers them? Superb band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--hDDZN0QHM

Posted: **Thu Apr 23, 2020 11:35 am**

benp1 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 23, 2020 8:42 am When you say build, Matt, what do you mean? Posh shed or brick built unit?

Agree with the above, but also music, plenty of storage, can't have too much, a way of venting it so you can dry stuff in there, bigger work table than you think (mine is always full of junk).

Also, do you want it heated when you're not in there, just to maintain temperature above a certain point if you're storing stuff in there. Might also want to insulate it too then

Can't have too much light

If I could I'd store bikes hanging vertically, but don't have room so they're cluttered everywhere

Also, think about tool storage. I have my tools in a big metal Facom tool cabinet, mechanic style, and then some of the wall and surrounding storage. If I started again I might do it a different way. I also find filing cabinets useful. Drawers are better than cupboards

brick built construction 7m x 7m hipped roof,twin doors

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