Essential Garage Equipment

Garage furniture usually consists of the fittings, storage units, and stationary machinery that is present in the workshop area.

The most popular items of garage furniture are storage shelves and boxes used for storing hand and power tools as well as specialist automotive garage equipment.

Because of the environment in a garage where vehicle fumes, varying degrees of temperature, oils and grease, smoke and paint are present, most items are manufactured in steel or aluminium.

As appearance in a garage is secondary to being functional these items of furniture are normally of heavy gauge construction and designed for a long service life.

Tool chests and storage units are constructed with security in mind as well as easy providing a storage use. Professional hand and power tools are relatively expensive when compared to diy tools so it makes sense for them to be safely stored when not in use.

The most practical way of storing tools safely is in lockable tool chests and tool boxes. Fitted with either a padlock or case lock this item of garage furniture can store small or large tools as well as automotive test equipment and accessories. 

A popular brand of tool storage cabinet are those manufactured by Tengtools. This storage system has been developed to allow hand and garage tools to be stored in an organised way. Their comprehensive range includes tool trays, roller cabinets, and numerous different tool boxes. 

Their range of storage trays covers nearly all types of mechanics tools with new sets being added all the time. Tengtools range of tool boxes are renowned for their versatility giving a wide choice of drawer configurations to suit most options and requirements in the garage. 

One of the most useful items of furniture for use in a workshop is the workbench. Normally fabricated from steel with an aluminium top most work benches have a fixed metal working vice attached as well as power take off points. Garage tables need to be well illuminated to allow efficient working especially when tasks such as gearbox overhauls and metal fabrication is being undertaken.  Off vehicle welding can be carried out on a workbench especially on small components and vehicle parts.

In a motorcycle workshop a vital piece of furniture is a mechanical or hydraulic / pueumatic bike lift. Free standing and with a large load capacity motorcycle lifts are usually constructed from box section mild steel with steel sheets / plates for the walls and lift platform itself.

The thickness of the side frames of the bike lift is usually in the region of 2.5mm to 4mm in thickness, giving strength and rigidity to its overall construction.   Box section side frames are fitted to all motorcycle lifts to allow fixture points for safety straps used for anchoring the bike to the lift whilst it is being worked on. 

A ramp is another feature of all motor bike lifts, being constructed in usually steel or alloy plate. The ramp can be either a permanent fixture of the lift or separate allowing easy transportation and storage in the garage.  

The actual lifting of the motorbike can be by either mechanical means or a combination of hydraulic and pneumatic pumps. The fastest and easiest lift to use comprises pneumatic rams giving a quick lift to the required working height. This of course requires the garage to be equiped with a suitable air compressor tool.

Fit Door Furniture Professionally With The Correct Tools

All different types and styles of door furniture can be fitted with the use of the correct tools.

A simple swap over of door handles or hinges can be accomplished with nothing more than the use of one or more screwdrivers and perhaps a hinge punch.

Modern door furniture is usually relatively simple to fit and most reputable brands normally supply full fitting instructions to carry this out. Budget brands and supplies intended for bulk trade use usually are packaged in the most basic form, without fitting instructions enclosed.

To keep costs down they are omitted and it is left to the consumer or tradesman to establish how to fit or install them.  For the professional tradesman or joiner this is of course not a problem as they will see this task as routine. For the home diy’er the exclusion of assembly and fitting instructions could pose a major problem.  The solution is often to only purchase reputable brands which provide guidance and clear instructions on how to complete the work.    

Popular tools chosen to fit door furniture include a selection of different screwdrivers, both flat bladed and with Phillips cross heads. A hammer and hinge punch. A medium sized bradawl,  tape measure, and joiners square. A selection of popular sized wood chisels, and a hand or powered drill fitted with appropriate sized wood drill bits.

The professional joiner may choose additional tools depending on their usage. Electric woodworking routers are popular for milling out of lock apertures and hinge locations, whilst an electric planer can be a godsend for trimming doors to size to suit existing openings.

Property used for commercial use or which is to be let for residential use usually requires internal doors that are fitted with fire retardant strips. These fire strips are recessed into the edge of the door itself and expand in the event of a fire, preventing smoke and fumes passing from room to room.

Accuracy is the key to the installation of this type of door furniture. The best method for fitting being by use of a purposely designed jig in conjunction with an electric router.  Held in place on the door by locating pegs and clamps the jig allows the routers cutter to follow a precise path milling out the wood or plastic the correct depth and width.

The intumescent fire strip is then pressed into place in this recess.

Heavy duty door furniture such as fitted to doors on public entrances to shopping malls, supermarkets, cinemas, and the like, may need more specialist fixing methods. This is especially the case if the doors are manufactured in glass. It is common for glass doors to use furniture that utilises several different methods of fixing, with threaded fixings and resin glues being most common.

Garden Machinery

A wide range of garden tools are available to hire or buy which allows affordable and effective maintenance of allotments and gardens, no matter how large or small in size.

The maintenance of a garden is time consuming and can benefit by the use of purposely designed tools and equipment such as a garden leaf blower.

In the autumn in the Uk it is an annual time when trees shed their leaves in preparation for the harsh winter season. When the trees drop their leaves it causes problems for both the home owners who are proud of their gardens as well as local authorities and councils that need to keep paths, pavements, and highways clear. 

A tool of choice to solve this issue has to be the garden leaf blower. 

Relatively new to the Uk, a garden leaf blower can be either electric or petrol driven (two or four stroke in the case of petrol engined models).

A garden leaf blower can be in the form of many different configurations. The most popular being held held blower – shredder models or backpack commercial type blowers.

Hand held leaf blowers typically are powerful electric or petrol driven models designed for small to medium leaf blowing and clearing work.

Back pack type units are high powered models such as the Stihl BR380, Br500, BR600, and Br600. These modern and up to date pieces of garden machinery are designed with several purposes in mind but with one main task – effective high volume clearing of leaves and garden debris.

Tools And Equipment Suitable For Metal Fabrication

There is a wide choice of tools and equipment available for effective metal fabrication work. 

Depending on the job in question, hand tools, power tools, or heavy machinery can all be used as appropriate.

For simple cutting of mild steel strips and sheet even the most basic of hand tools can be used. A hacksaw, shear, or even a pair of snips may be all that is required for simple metal cutting tasks.

For larger jobs and thicker gauge metals a power tool has to be the machine of choice. This could be a small electric motor driven jigsaw, an air or electric cutsaw, or similar machine fitted with the correct specification metal cutting blade.

This type of machine however is limited in capabilities when it comes to prolonged cutting periods or when working on slightly thicker gauge steel and metals.

For this type of fabrication work the choice has to be either a portable cutting saw such as a stihl ts410 (if petrol driven) or hitachi cm12y (an electric alternative), or a stationary piece of metal fabrication equipment like an electric bandsaw or possibly an abrasive wheel type chop saw.

Disc cutters and abrasive wheel saws are best suited to cutting small sections of metal and in particular box sections used for fabricating structures, gantries, and similar projects.

Larger components and in particular machinery components often require specialist machinery such as lathes, punches, welding equipment, and equipment such as metal folders and presses.

At some point a necessary task with metal fabrication work is the drilling of holes in metal sheets, or pieces of heavy duty steel. Depending on the gauge (thickness) of metal concerned several different tools could be used.

If the item to be worked on is in a workshop hand held power tools could be the machine of choice, or possibly a pillar drill press.  If the metal work piece however is situated in building or factory environment it would be far easier to take the tool to the work piece in question instead.

In this environment an option would be the choice of possibly using a powerbore pb32 magnetic drill. This particular tool is a portable electric drill configured as a pillar drill press but is portable and fitted with an electromagnetic base. This allows the PB32 to be attached to metal rsj’s, girders, sections, and plate steel on site, saving time and ultimately money.

Renowned for it’s high build quality and accurate fast drilling performance, the PB32 magnetic drill accepts “rotabroach” type drill bits and milling cutters giving it a versatile range of applications in the workplace for engineering repair and fabrication work.

Fastening sections of metal together requires a totally different approach. Light gauge metals may be joined using nothing more complicated than basic fixings such as bolts or rivets. Medium and heavy gauge metals will need something far more robust and strong.

A proven method of joining metal together is by welding. Gas, electric, tig, mig, arc, are all methods of welding which can be used on and off site when it comes to repair, service, and fabrication work on all types of metals, structures, and assemblies.

The range of welding gear available is vast and without any doubt there is an item of welding equipment available to suit nearly every application when it comes to metal fabrication work.

Equipment For Indoor And Outdoor Events

A large range of  equipment is available for indoor or outdoor events.

Whether the event is small, medium, or large in size, daytime or at night, the correct choice of equipment will determine if it is a success.

Event equipment covers a multitude of different products ranging from audio visual equipment, catering equipment, furniture, lighting, hospitality buildings and structures, as well as items such as car parking barriers and signs.

Most outdoor events require the use of some form of audio or visual equipment. This could be a simple tanoy or loudspeaker system coupled up to an amplifier or a custom designed set up including lighting and projector screens as used at concerts and music festivals.

Large scale visual equipment is now commonly powered by computers, with several people at any one time monitoring and managing the visual effects created. In its simplest form this could be sound to light imaging where lights on a screen change shape, colour, and pattern in tune with the sound input. At the other end of the scale it could be videos and computer generated imagery themed to match the overall event.

For most event organisers the purchase cost of such equipment is not cost effective unless it is regularly in use throughout the year. The alternative which is often followed is to hire such equipment instead.  

Catering equipment for events vary depending on whether the fuction is inside or outside. Outside events including country fairs, shows, and similar functions will normally take the form of one or more catering trailers depending on the projected number of visitors the event is aimed to attract.  In many cases the type of catering trailers also match the the theme of the outdoor event itself. An example of this is a country show or agricultural show. It is common for mobile bars and trailers to be present promoting food and drink including hog roasts, prime beef and poultry sandwiches, as opposed to traditional catering units selling fish and chips or hot dogs and burgers.

If catering trailers are present there is a need to include suitable furniture. As a requirement for people to sit and dine at outdoor furniture could take the form of outdoor bistro chairs and tables through to marquees hosting trestle tables and folding chairs.

Indoor catering facilities are usually fixed as is the case with venues including event arenas, halls, stadiums, and exhibition centres. Types of facilities range from a simple food stand through to a silver service restaurant.

Again furniture will be sited and in numbers representing visitors to venue. Being indoor the furniture can be of a higher quality and made from more pleasant materials including wood and fabrics. A high class restaurant at an exhibition venue may also comprise a bar or waiting area where other furniture such as poseur chairs and aluminium tables may be utilised.

Lighting equipment can be either portable or fixed. Powered by electric (including electric supplied by site generators) , battery, or gas.

Mobile lighting for outdoor events is typically provided by engine driven lighting towers or fixed wiring flood lights. Indoor lights are normally always fixed electric units with spot lighting provided to suit each exhibitors stand or work area.

Specialist lighting is used at concerts, shows, and events such as fashion shows, incorporating coloured lights, filter units, strobes, and laser lights. These are used to highlight people, products, and staging, adding to the overall event theme and increasing the value of the event itself in a special way.

The atmosphere of a leisure type event such as a concert can be increased dramatically by the sue of special lighting effects.

Hospitality buildings and structures are a key part to any large indoor or outdoor function. In its basic form this could be a portable toilet or rest room. More importantly it could be a structure or area set aside for missing children or for first aid attention if needed.

If the event is a corporate function a hospitality room or area may be needed to entertain guests and customers. This could be a room or building for enjoying a complimentary drink of wine with a client,or alternatively be a quiet location to retreat and discuss business over a meal.

Outside the event venue parking management and control will usually require some form of barriers or fencing. This could be fixed or temporary depending on the venue itself.

An agricultural show or outdoor concert may only need the use of temporary site fence panels. This could be in addition to mobile traffic light systems and car park barriers.

An indoor event venue will enjoy the benefit of fixed crowd control barriers and parking furniture. Pay and display car parking can be utilised to the maximum with automated barriers and ticket machines. Being fixed the layout of the car park can be designed to permit the maximum number of cars in the space available generating maximum returns on investment.

Equipment For Installing Street Furniture

Street Furniture covers items such as litter bins, signs, bollards, lights, tree and flower planters, notice boards, cycle parking stands, and also furniture including outdoor seating and tables.  

Most items of street furniture require installing for health and safety reasons as well as security. The large product range of street furniture dictates different installation methods and processes to carry out the relevant installation correctly.

A large quantity of street furniture products are fixed by means of fasteners into concrete or stone bases. Several fixing methods come under this category, notably steel retaining bolts and anchors, as well as resin adhesives and aggregates such as concrete. Another popular method of fixing steel bollards and railings is by way of welding, using carried out on site by use of a portable engine driven welder.

These types of fixings require preparation and groundwork to be undertaken first. This could be by way of excavating and laying a concrete base, or simply drilling into stone work or masonry ready to accept the suitable fixings. Seating and tables in particular need security fixings to prevent theft. Special anti tamper bolts can be used which are drill resistant as well as employing a ball bearing or sealing cap, preventing sockets or allen keys to be inserted, and successful removal.  

If the substrate is strong enough resin fixing or anchor bolts will usually suffice for a wide range of applications. However concrete is often the best solution to adequately securing street furniture.

For small jobs this can be mixed on site manually with a mixing board or even a bucket. Larger jobs may require a compact concrete mixer, or concrete to be purchased and delivered direct to site by an outside supplier of aggregates.

Street lighting will require a power supply to be routed except if powered by solar or wind power. The installation of power cables may require a site survey to establish existing cable runs, as well as other utility services.

If stone work or asphalt needs to be cut to expose such services, the tool  of choice is often the petrol driven stihl saw. This self contained piece of equipment is versatile and efficient in cutting through most types of masonry.

A different compound / type of blade is needed depending on the material to be cut, ie: one type of blade for concrete, a different one for sandstone and breeze blocks etc. Latest developments in this market include universal blades which claim they can cut several types of materials with certain restrictions.

One restriction is normally blade service life. A diamond blade designed for cutting hard materials will normally wear out at a faster pace when used on soft brickwork for example. When cutting soft building blocks and slabs a dust suppression kit should be fitted to the saw. This is usually a cold water supply provided by either a hose connected to a water bowser or mains supply, or alternatively a water bottle which can be pressurised to provide a constant stream of water which can be directed to the cutting area. Most stone cutting saws have a standard hose fitting to allow a water / dust suppression kit to be easily fitted.

Street furniture in the form of signage can require a wide selection of equipment and tools to carry out installation work. Construction, electrical, and access equipment are all commonly used when fitting signs.

If the need arises to work at several feet above ground level then an option would be to use an item of powered access equipment. Different types of powered access equipment are available to suit different site conditions and terrains.

Movin Cool 15SF Commercial Air Conditioner

The Movin Cool range of climate control equipment has earned an international reputation for supplying extremely efficient, reliable and effective cooling solutions across a wide range of industrial and commercial applications, specifically where the targeting of heat sensitive areas is needed.

The Movin Cool 15Sf is a commercial air conditioner that is capable of providing virtually instant cooling to areas of up to 100 cubic metres capacity. Having a btu rating of 15200 btu’s, temperatures between 24 and 40 degrees centigrade can be brought down to a comfortable level very quickly.

This specification of commercial air conditioner is capable of reducing the temperature in a room or area by 10 to 16 degrees centigrade within just a few minutes of operation.

An additional benefit in using a movincool 15sf air con unit is that air is filtered, reducing dust and humidity in the air.  

The 15Sf has twin cold air outlets and is capable therefore of cooling two spot areas simutaneously, either machinery or personnel. Additional cold air ducting can be added to these outlets to achieve a greater reach from the air conditioner itself.

Hot air is vented away from the unit by way of a top centrally mounted vent duct. Flexible ducting can be attached to this outlet which should be positioned into a ceiling void or other area to allow the warm air to escape.

The movincool 15sf is powered by a standard 240v electric supply (the unit is fitted with a normal 3 pin, 13 amp plug) and can be positioned where needed easily due to castors and wheels fitted to its chassis.

Typical applications of this powerful air conditing unit are for fast cooling of staff and equipment in office areas, store rooms, rooms housing computer or sensitive electrical equipment, warehouses, and factories.

Hot temperatures can affect and damage electrical equipment such as computers and telephone systems. This type of equipment in particular often struggle to maintain performance at raised levels of temperature and when overheating occurs a breakdown is common.

The foresight to take preventative steps and purchase or hire an air conditioner can help productivity and avoid costly and timely breakdowns.

Productivity amongst employees can also be maintained with controlling the climate at work. In hot spells productivity at work can reduce with the added problem of staff absenteeism and increased levels of illness, all because of a considerable raise in the temperature. Hot working temperatures also degrease levels of concentration which can also increase the risk of any accident. The solution can be addressed by way of maintaining a constant comfortable level of ambient temperature by the use of a commercial air conditioner.

Decorating Tools And Equipment

When contemplating the decoration of domestic homes or business premises it is beneficial to look into what types of decorating tools and equipment can be used, both to speed up the work, as well as to make it easier.

Painting, plastering, and general decorating tasks all have their own problems and methods needed to achieve a good overall finish to the room or building being worked on.

One of the jobs which most homeowners dislike is the tedious job of removing wallpaper and decorative wall coverings. Water, special softening pastes, scraping, and sanding are all methods and materials which are traditionally used to tackle this unpleasant task.

The fastest and easiest way of removing wallpaper is by the use of a steam wallpaper stripper such as an Earlex LMB Steam Master Stripper. This piece of equipment is suitable for removal of general types of wall paper, vinyl papers, multi layed wall coverings, painted woodchip papers, and even layers of artex decorative finish.

Unlike basic DIY strippers this unit is a professional model designed for fast and tough work. A large reservoir holds 7.5 litres of water giving this unit a long running time when in use. Another feature is the extra long 5 metre mains lead saving the need to use extension leads, especially when working at heights and tackling ceilings.

For most users a steam wallpaper stripper is an item which is only used occasionally, perhaps twice per year. A machine of this standard would therefore be uneconomical to buy. Another option would be to hire a steam wallpaper stripper instead from a local special tool hire shop that specialises in decorating equipment rental.

Tools And Equipment For Groundworking

The excavation and ground work necessary on a construction site can be made easier and completed faster by employing the use of several key pieces of equipment.

After the site has been surveyed, inspected, and a work shedule drawn up, the sourcing of construction equipment and small plant tools should be done in readiness for the groundworking tasks needed.

A key tool which will be required is a heavy duty concrete breaker. Powered by either electric, air, or hydraulic (with a petrol or diesel power pack) a breaker is used for breaking up concrete and stone work prior to foundations being laid.  

This piece of equipment is fitted with a choice of chisels (bull point, tapered, sharp, or flat blade type) depending on the material being cut into and also the profile required. If a relatively straight edge is required if breaking into a concrete slab then the flat blade type of chisel would commonly be used. Alternatively if it is just a case of breaking up and removing an existing stone slab or blocks the standard pointed chisel would suffice.  

Electric models of breakers are typically used for work of up to approximately 2 to 4″ in depth. Above this and for heavy concrete a hydraulic breaker is normally the tool of choice. A hydraulic breaker uses hydraulic power in conjuction with a special breaker unit (normally with an integral sealed gas cylinder) to transmit high force to the stone work breaking it up into the desired size. The hydraulic pump unit is powered by either a petrol or diesel engine power pack. Different sizes and specifications of this type of breaker are available, either to hire or buy, depending on your requirements.

Trailer Manufacturing And Fabrication

The purpose of any type of trailer is to make leisure time better and working tasks easier. Trailers are fabricated and manufactured for both domestic and commercial use.

Used in a commercial role a trailer is often the preferred method of transporting tools, equipment, vehicles, and other products. From builders, catering suppliers, car and motorcycle dealers, through to tree surgeons and leisure equipment suppliers, a trailer can be fabricated to suit nearly every industry and need.

Trailers are also regularly used by farmers who recognise there cost effectiveness especially when transporting livestock and farm supplies.

Where a heavy load is being carried a trailer is often fabricated with the inclusion of an on board braking system. Designed to cope with heavy loads a braked trailer is safer and easier to handle when used in a demanding traffic manoeuvre.   

A trailer can be manufactured from a wide range of different components with normally a high usage of either steel or alloy being present. Plastic and wooden parts are also common, especially when the unit being made may be a catering trailer.

Steel trailers normally employ a heavy gauge steel chassis coupled with the main trailer body. The body can be made from materials including light gauge steel, aluminium, plastic, wood, or a composite of several materials.  

The construction of a steel based trailer can require several key work tasks during its fabrication. After the design and sourcing of key assembly components one such work task is the drilling of the chassis to accept the trailer body.

Where the trailers chassis is made of heavy gauge steel a solution to accurately drill perfect holes is to employ the use of a mag drill. This type of drilling machine uses a magnetic base to attach itself to the work piece (in this case the chassis) and then uses its motor and combined gearbox to precisely drill the steel work.  Different boring and drilling bits can be fitted depending on the size 0f hole required as well as the thickness of metal being drilled.

After the drilling process has been carried out, holes can be tapped to create threads permitting high tensile bolts to be used in the fabrication of the trailer.

Trailers which are to have very heavy weight loads such as car trailers and those used by builders for transporting building materials like bricks, sand, and aggregates, may need their steel work welding as opposed to fabrication by way of bolts and fasteners.   

Alloy, steel, and other metals can be welded by way of using a portable or compact welder such as a mig, arc, or gas welder. Welds are recognised as being far stronger in construction than using fasteners, with the metal itself of several components being fused into one strong part.

Electrical Wiring:

The wiring of a trailer is important to ensure all onboard electrics are safe and reliable. This is especially important as regards to the wiring for the trailers lights such as tail, reverse, and stop lights.

If the trailer is a custom built unit to be used for catering purposes such as a burger van, extra wiring will need to be installed to power the catering equipment onboard which may include fryers, food warmers, water boilers, refrigeration equipment and the like.   

All electrical equipment such be accounted for before the initial stage of fabrication begins. This way the wiring can be accomodated in the structure of the trailers body itself, insulated and protected from the elements.

A trailer for use in the building trade differs from leisure use types by typically being made for the tough working conditions needed in this industry. Unlike leisure equipment trailers such as camping and catering units a trailer for use in the building trade is generally fabricated using thicker gauge metal and with more robust fittings present. Flatbed trailers are common for use by builders being low in height and capable of easy loading and movement of building materials.

The abrasive quality of sand, cement, and aggregates also dictates corrosion protection of a greater level on this type of transportation. Trailers manufactured for construction material handling are normally protected by way of galvanising and heavy duty paintwork.

The load capacity of this type of trailer also dictates the fitment of heavy duty wheels and tyres.

A trailer of this type is commonly referred to as a plant trailer due to its regular application of carrying plant equipment.  Heavy duty ramps, jocky wheel, bed, and lashing points are normal equipment on a trailer of this type.