Bare-bones tools necessities for "home" shop????

[gauthier]

Been getting those catalgues for years but have never bought anything off them.

 

[Big Wave D]

gauthier,

You must have an 'iron will', good for you! :thumbsup: It seems like most people here on this board have succumb to the sirens of low price. They have then either experienced buyer's remorse, or where somewhat surprised.

Well, who knows, I might be the next.

Out of curiosity, how did you get on their mailing list? It seems like they'd quit sending you any materials eventually.

Last, maybe the bigger question is do you look through them???? If so, they just might wear down your resolve yet. :laughing:

 

[crusty 1]

Sorry if someone else said somthing like this but I,ve found a bottle opener to be my best shop tool!When I call my young nieghbor for help he only requiers cold beer:licking:and plenty of it:laughingave

 

[gauthier]

I think I'm on every ones mailing list,get 2-3 hundred lbs of cataloges every year. But never bought a thing off harbor frieght and been getting 4-5 from them every year for years.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Go ahead,

Give in to the temptation...what can it hurt?

I've had good experience overall. Sure there's some cheap stuff....But did you know you can buy Norton abrasives there? Made in US. Their US general air compressors are nice. As well as many of their air tools work well for the price paid. I use the digital vernier calipers regularly, as well as the digital volt meters.


I have really been considering all this over. I think what people have against it is that many have invested 1000's of dollars in their own tools, high end quality no doubt. The thought of someone coming along with 2/3's less invested in the same type tool and getting into business or performing the same professional repairs with the cheaper tools, is hard for them to handle. They have spent well on their purchases from their opinion to be in business, then comes some guy on the cheap and doing it for less, because he doesn't have the overhead.

With that said, my hand tools are a Mix. I have Armstrong as my base set of wrenches. I also have the orginal line of kobalt tools that Williams/Snap on made, a snap on or proto here or there as well.

I also have K-D, Craftsmen, Pittsburg (HF),Stanley, King Tony (high end line from taiwan...yes...it is nice and h.d., won't break), amsco, and a few others.

I have all the nice hand tools, in both metric and SAE. The most used tools in my box? The metric set I bought in an emergency from Sears called "Companion" for 20.00. I have used them hard and though they are made in taiwan, they have never slipped or showed any signs of softness. I keep the high polish wrenches clean, but these don't get the usual wiping down, as they are matt finished and always there on top to be used first.

The last time I used them, they made $400.00 in an day's time.

My grandfather was a mechanic for 45 years. For most of his life, he was a Mac and Snapon man. He lived pay check to pay check "paying" for his purchases off the truck. One day he needed a tool in an emergency that he didn't have. He had to go buy an off name brand tool to do it. It was a great revelation to him. He had always paid a lot of money for his tools. Not only did the tool complete the job, but it lasted. As the years wore on, he was more favorable to craftsmen and lower end lines. He told me not to waste my money buying high end stuff, because, the high end stuff would grow legs and the lower stuff wouldn't...if they were lost or stolen, you weren't out that much money.

Of course, I buy name brand product when I catch it on sale...but as a general course of action, I buy what I can afford. I'll check HF first, then work my way up to the "tool" guys. It works for me, but maybe not everyone.

 

[Big Wave D]

I think I have one Snap-On tool, and I think that was left in my parent's car years ago. I've bought a lot of Craftsman, some tools from NAPA, ACE Hardware, and maybe a piece of Kobalt or two.

I'd love to be able to afford the 'top of the line', but the tool budget has never allowed that. Besides, after a certain point, I'm not paying for quality-tighter tolerances-better materials but for a name. That's were my upper limit kicks in.

Craftsman has served me well, and I guess ignorance is bliss because I've never really used any of the 'pro-grade' stuff much. I have a neighbor that owns two complete, huge boxes of Snap-On. I don't have the heart to ask him if either is paid off.

Buy what works for you, use your tools as you see fit, and let the next guy do the same.

 

[1950T]

for mechenics tools after my mac rollout was stolen i built a new one up with kobalt(caught on sale) and the new lower end craftsman line called evolve. they have been serving me fine.

 

[Big Wave D]

1950T,

I fear you have experienced one of the greatest 'knocks' against owning top tier tools, theft.

I'm sorry for your loss. I've had a carry style tool box stolen (they hit entire jobsite, I just happened to be "unlucky" and told a friend just keep my tools till he'd be done in next day or two). Needless to say, it s&cks!

Therefore, I don't tend to buy upper echelon tools anymore. My "insurance" was a joke. Unless I burn down someone's house, it's a penalty to submit a claim. I just replaced what I'd lost out of my own pocket.

 

[1950T]

big D my insurance is a joke as well. im a horseshoer by trade and last year the apprentie forgot to lock the doors up on the aluminium stonewell topper thats on the truck and some scumbag got into it and stole close to $10k worth of tools and supplies. 50 sets of aluminium race plates all my shoeing tools my aluminium shoeing box. grinder buffer heat gun drill press portaband saw small tig machine. even took the forge. they cut the propane line and 60lbs of propane vented to atmosphere. only thing they left was the anvil because at #250 it was a might big to move.

insurance said i had to have recipts on everything to be cut a check for it. i tried to explain that alot of these tools i dont have recipts for. in the end they paid for the power tools and that was it. i was stuck covering the rest.

 

[storts]

I was wondering what some of you master fabricators would deem as the bare minimum in the tools department to have in a "home" shop considered usable/capable of fabricating low to mid-level challenge projects?

I know that what some consider a must have others might call a luxury. That being said, there is going to be overlapping areas of needed tools that all agree are really necessities of a truly functional shop.

Lastly, if looking for quality, used tools, what kind of a budget would you guesstimate to furnish said shop.

Thanks to all for their time and comments.

Hi,How much room do you have???? and heat? and cieling height,and overhead door,would sure help,also what do you have foe electricty? All the "Little" things add up, thanks,Jack