Yup - a lift. its just a mid - rise but its way better than no lift. I dream of a 2 post one day, but it would punch through the ceiling and into my son's bedroom in my current house, so I keep waiting...

Still waiting to buy . . . a lift . . . after working on car at my buddies shop, while it was on the lift . . . definitely need to buy one if I wan to continue to work on cars !!

Tool I did buy last year - portable inflator unit (Makita) that uses same batteries as my other battery tools . . . OMG !! The number of times used it - FOR OTHER people . . . !! And battery powered impact too !

Oh yeah, I forgot! I almost never use my big compressor because the portable DeWalt inflator that I bought! I use it way more than I thought I would...Like you said, mainly for other people!

For you guys with garages with low ceilings consider a MaxJax. That's how I solved my problem. Lifts the car 48" and fits in most low clearance garages. Can't walk under the car but you can roll around under it on a utility stool. Worked out for me.

https://www.maxjax.com/

It's called a Benjamin, you can get them at your local ATM or bank 🤣🍻

no matter what i wear for a mask, everyone knows who i am.
besides, what would the city think if the newspaper had the headline : "POLICE COMMISSIONER ROBS BANK ! FILM AT 11 !".............

I dont have one of these but at this price i might as well buy one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314765649390

I inherited a 2 foot long wood handled screwdriver that works just like that. Sort of almost.

A rolling toolbox...Rolling Tool Box. But of course it's been discontinued.

They come in 100mg dose pills. But cut in half and take only 50.

Can a divorce lawyer be considered a tool?

Depends on who's side they are on.

Soon to be unemployed again but I wish I had moved into the cordless stuff when the money was still flowing in. Got a pretty nice set of Goss Urbanite form tools if anyone needs them........

Drive 100 miles to make your withdrawal 🤣🍻

I would say a hoist. Then, maybe not a tool, but heat and A/C in the garage next.

does that mean only half the work will be done ?

Well I'm still waiting but it's on my list, Plasma cutter.

a small band saw would come in handy at times.
the problem with big tools like that, especially with a lathe and a bridgeport, they take up a bunch of room.
at the moment, i'm trying to come up with a "hanger" of sorts for all the 4" angle grinders i have, [that all have different wheels on them] that will allow them to be out of the road, but within easy reach, as i use them almost every day.
and here is a cutoff wheel tip. only buy the DeWalt brand in the .030-.045 thickness. [4 1/2 or 6" diameter]
although pricier than the hobo fright variants, these wheels last longer, and will actually "bend" some if caught in a bind without shattering into a bunch of chunks.
they are somewhat cheaper if bought in boxes of 25 or 50, which is how i buy them.
i use them right up to the hole core. when they get too small for the 4" grinder, i use what's left on my small air grinders. i have made several mandrels to adapt to the air tools, and they work great.

My garage. (Btw it needs expanded)
My 2 post lift.
My 80 gallon compressor
My mig welder
My torch set

Most of the time, if I need it more than once, I buy it.

But the answer to the question is, lift.

Hit my head one too many times crawling out from under a Trans Am one day putting gears in. Picked up the phone, called my parts store guy and had one on it's way in about 5 minutes. Never once regretted spending that money.


#2 would be A/C for the shop when we were building. So nice. Never regretted that purchase either.

#3 would be lights and electric for the shop. I spent an obscene amount of money on lighting and outlets after spending my life working in dark caves with no where to plug stuff in. No regrets.


Your shop really is your most important tool, unless you like working outside in the driveway.