Shop Inventory Guide for Homeowners
A workshop, whether it's for woodworking, metalworking, repairs, or hobby crafting, is a functional space filled with tools, machinery, and materials. We have an entire chapter dedicated to tools as well, but a stand-alone Shop may have some additional pieces of equipment we wouldn’t normally cover from a typical homeowner’s point of view.
That said, this guide will help homeowners, hobbyists and woodworking enthusiasts create a comprehensive inventory of the equipment, tools, and materials associated with their workshop.
Types of Workshops We are Thinking About
Woodworking Shop: A dedicated space for woodworking projects, equipped with tools and machinery for cutting, shaping, and assembling wood. These shops often include large machinery and an array of hand and power tools.
Metalworking Shop: A shop designed for working with metal, featuring welding equipment, grinders, and specialized cutting tools. Safety gear and Ventilation are especially important in these spaces.
General Workshop: A versatile space used for home repairs, vehicle maintenance, and DIY projects. These shops often include a mix of woodworking, metalworking, and general-purpose tools.
Hobby or Craft Shop: A smaller workshop focused on hobbies like model making, jewelry crafting, or small-scale DIY projects. These shops often feature more compact tools and storage solutions.
Equipment & Machinery
Air Compressor
Backup Power Generator
Band saw
Bench grinder
Belt Sander
Drill press
Dust collection system
Jointer
Lathe
MIG welder
Miter Saw
Planer
Radial arm saw
Router table
Shop vacuum
Table Saw
Thickness planer
Welding cart
Welding machine
Wood lathe
Workbench with vise
Layout & Measure Tools
Angle Gauge
Calipers
Carpenter’s square
Chalk Line
Combination Square
Digital angle finder
Framing square
Laser Level
Level
Measuring tape
Protractor
Ruler set
Speed square
Spirit level
T-bevel gauge
Vernier caliper
Water level
Worksite marker
Yardstick
3D laser measuring tool
Manual Tools
Adjustable Wrench
Allen wrenches
Chisels
Clamps
Crescent wrench
Crosscut saw
Hammers (rubber, claw, sledge)
Hand files
Hand plane
Handsaw
Hex key set
Mallet
Needle-nose pliers
Pipe wrench
Pliers set
Punch set
Ratchet set
Screwdriver set
Socket set
Tin snips
Power Tools
Angle grinder
Biscuit joiner
Circular Saw
Cordless drill
Cordless Impact Driver
Dremel tool
Electric drill
Electric screwdriver
Hammer drill
Heat Gun
Jigsaw
Oscillating tool
Palm sander
Reciprocating Saw
Rotary tool
Router
Scroll saw
Wet/dry shop vacuum
Safety & Security
Anti-fatigue mats
Ear protection
Eye wash station
Face shield
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Lockable tool chest
N95 masks
Respirator
Safety glasses
Safety gloves
Smoke Detector
Steel-toe boots
Welding helmet
Hardware
Anchor bolts
Assorted Nails
Assorted Screws
Bolts and nuts set
Brackets
Cable ties
Carabiners
Chain links
Drywall Anchors
Fasteners
Hinges
Lag screws
Locking pins
Metal brackets
Rivets
Screws and washers set
Staples
Toggle bolts
U-bolts
Wall anchors
Wood screws
Materials
Adhesives (wood glue, Epoxy, etc.)
Bolts and nuts
Cabinet Hardware
Caulk
Electrical wire
Fasteners
Joint compound
Lumber (Pine, Hardwood, Plywood)
Masonry supplies
Metal sheets
Nails
Paint and Stain
Pipe fittings
Plastic sheeting
Sandpaper
Screws
Sheetrock
Spray paint
Tile adhesive
Wood filler
Cabinets
Base cabinets
Custom-built tool cabinets
Drawer organizers
Floor-mounted cabinets
Lockable metal cabinet
Overhead cabinets
Pegboard tool storage
Rolling tool cabinet
Storage cabinet with shelves
Wall-mounted cabinets
Storage & Organization
Adjustable Shelving
Bins for screws and nails
Bucket organizer
Cable organizers
Drawer dividers
Hanging tool racks
Hose reels
Magnetic tool holder
Pegboard system
Plastic storage bins
Rolling workbench
Shelving units
Small parts organizer
Storage bins with lids
Tool chest
Tool hangers
Utility hooks
Wall-mounted bins
Workbench drawers
Zip-top bags for parts
Wrap-Up
This guide provides a structured approach to documenting the tools, equipment, and materials in your workshop and should be used in conjunction with our other articles. As is the case with your primary home, a well-maintained inventory ensures all items are accounted for during insurance claims or renovation projects, protecting your investments and helping keep your workshop organized and efficient.