11 workshop tips you have to try

Keeping farm workshops up to date and equipment viable through the winter months is an important part of farm life. Thanks to reader submissions, here are some at-home tips to save money, upgrade your workshop, and improve storage capacity.

Bucking post

Limbs and tree stems may be more easily cut to length when using a simple bucking post. Two notched cross arms position the pieces above the ground, reducing back strain and saw chain dubbing that occurs when cutting on the ground.

— J.G., Pennsylvania

Garden tool holder

Screw 12-inch PVC pipes to two furring strips nailed to a garage wall. Place shovels, rakes, hoes, and other garden tools in the PVC pipes, handle end first. This system is better than drilling holes in each tool handle and nailing each tool to the wall.

— C.G., New Jersey

Ladder hook

I had trouble carrying a stepladder without it falling open. My husband came up with the great idea of putting a screen door hook on the bottom to keep it closed. He’s fixed all our step ladders the same way.

– C.F., Virginia

Hose reel mount

We had to buy a new power washing hose, and we built an extended mounting frame for it. The frame prevents the hose from wear by bringing it out and away from the wall and other obstructions.

– C.T., Illinois

Simple tool holder

I took short pieces of 2-inch-diameter schedule 40 PVC pipe, cut a slot out of one side, and screwed the pipe into a 2×4 cross member. The flexible pipe opens enough to slide handles in.

— Scott Derby, Indiana

Chainsaw maintenance

I work on my chainsaw’s chain while it’s hanging by its end handle. Between the weight of the cutting chain and the force of gravity, the chain stays engaged on the drive sprocket.

–M.K., Oklahoma

Cleaning grate

We built a removable grate out of 1-inch strap iron and put it in holes cut out of cement near every door of our shop and barn. Now the dirt falls through when we scrape our shoes. This saves us a lot of time when sweeping the floor.

–J.K., South Dakota

Ladder safety

To determine the proper lean of a ladder, face the ladder and place your toes against the foot of the ladder with your arms outstretched in front of you. Your fingers should just touch the ladder’s rails.

–E.F., New Hampshire

Tool storage

I recycled an old pallet by adding two feet to hold it upright. A bottom makes sliding it around the garage a bit easier. I just drop the tools in and pull them out as needed. You can store many tools in a small space, and each is easily accessible.

–A.C., South Carolina

Concrete counterweight

I had trouble with my tractor loader tipping forward when I loaded large square bales. So I put a steel rod through the middle of a 55-gallon barrel (top to bottom) and then filled the barrel with concrete. It fits nicely in the three-point lift arms.

C.B., Utah

Chainsaw holster

I sandwiched two 1-inch strips of ½-inch plywood between two pieces of ¼-inch plywood, then I bolted it to the rear fender of the tractor to make a simple chain saw holster.

-Jeff Wagner, North Carolina