When soldering, keep a small wet sponge nearby to clean the tip. Keep it real wet and a quick swipe across the sponge does a great job.

Buy cheap brushes of all sizes and sorts from Harbor Freight for such things as solvent, contact cement and resin (when doing fiberglass) - throw them away when done.

Keep a quart bottle of Dawn dish washing liquid handy - strong stuff and keeps the misses happy when you don't use hers (ask me how I know this, eh??)

Buy safety gogles often and use them for everything. I buy the inexpensive yellow wraparound style and find I keep them on for hours. Throw them away when scratched.

Buy inexpensive work gloves and use them for grinding and such. I like Home Depot because they have XL size.

Coat small metal parts that you'll be using later with grease and keep in appropriately sized ziplock bags - NEVER NEVER use WD-40 for this.

Buy Sharpie pens in several sizes and colors - they're great to mark on the ziplock bags. Nail polish remover removes Sharpie ink.

Install a hands-free speaker phone in a convenient place in your shop. Install a loud bell to hear it ring.

Put casters on everything you can - if you need it to "stand-still" when using it, buy ones that lock. As I get older, my back really appreciates being able to move things easy.

Put a large cookie baking tray on the base of your engine stands. Attach with sheet metal screws - you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Magnets of various sizes are your friends.

Never put clean-up off. Do it as you go and reward your self with a cold one only when done (see next tip)

Every garage needs a refridgerqator for cold beverages - it's the right thing to do.

Every garage needs a good sound system too - I work better when I can crank some good ol' rock & roll!

If you want to have company when you work on your projects, put a comfortable chair and a good reading light in the shop. If it's your lady, she'll curl up and read. If it's for the dog - skip the reading light.

If you're having the kids (or in my case, grandkids) help, get them goggles, ear protectors, respirators, and gloves that fit. Teach them safety young and they'll do it forever and besides, they think it's really cool to wear the protective gear.

If you have the kids in the shop - have a cuss jar that costs you fifty cents for an "oh hell" or "dammit." If you say a real bad word dig deep - take them for a hamburger when there's enough in the jar.

Use an apron if you arc weld - trust me on this one - I set my britches on fire one time and well it was just no fun at all!

Thanks for letting me ramble on - it was fun!
Glenn