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

[Big Wave D]

Where does everybody get their scrap at that they use on their projects?

I have no "scrap pile" therefore when I set out on a project I tend to have to buy my needed materials. That usually means that at least things are cut to my needed lengths.

How and where do you guys go about storing your metal? Just keep it in a heap outside some where or do you try and keep it indoors and out of the weather?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Getting scrap requires that you buy whole pieces of metal to build stuff with and then save the drops and unused pieces for later projects... Buying cut to length will not allow you to accumulate scrap. If you do not have sufficient money or time to accumulate "scrap" in this manner, local junk yards and SOME metal recycling places will let you buy it by the pound. I do get a lot of bent and dog eared pieces from the local steel yard though and when I see it, I buy it by the pound since a lot of it would be rejected for a bend,dent, or crack in the seam.


As far as storage, I have some under shelter and some heavier stuff outside.

 

[Timber]

welder, drill, Sawzall, workmate.

 

[Big Wave D]

Getting scrap requires that you buy whole pieces of metal to build stuff with and then save the drops and unused pieces for later projects... Buying cut to length will not allow you to accumulate scrap. If you do not have sufficient money or time to accumulate "scrap" in this manner, local junk yards and SOME metal recycling places will let you buy it by the pound. I do get a lot of bent and dog eared pieces from the local steel yard though and when I see it, I buy it by the pound since a lot of it would be rejected for a bend,dent, or crack in the seam.


As far as storage, I have some under shelter and some heavier stuff outside.

How does one go about finding out about the scratch and dent stuff? If it wasn't going to pass muster for the weld shop, is it safe/good for making one's own projects. Or, are you just using the materials between the blemishes?

What does scrap and 2nds go for per pound now a days?

 

[Big Wave D]

welder, drill, Sawzall, workmate.

Timber,

I think your submission wins the minimalist award so far.

BobRip posted:

Something to drill with.
Something to cut metal.
Something to weld metal.

But, that doesn't name tools, yours does.

By the way, what do you guys like for metal Reciprocal saw blades? Does a brand name last longer, or do you just buy the cheapest and go for quantity? Just burn it up and swap to a new one. I know what I like for wood, but I haven't really used my Reciprocating saw for metal work.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...By the way, what do you guys like for metal Reciprocal saw blades? Does a brand name last longer, or do you just buy the cheapest and go for quantity? Just burn it up and swap to a new one. I know what I like for wood, but I haven't really used my Reciprocating saw for metal work.

I'll start by saying my reciprocating saw is my last choice for cutting metal for fab work. I have a hard time keeping a straight line. I love it for demo work, though.

The blade makes a huge difference. I like Lennox, but my favorite when I can get it is the Milwaukee Ice blade... The Torch Blades

 

[Big Wave D]

Iplayfarmer,

I don't own one, but I've used shop floor model bandsaws for end cuts. I've used nice ones= straight cuts, and not so nice= beveled cuts, no matter what adjustments you made to the saw. So, I can see using a Reciprocating saw for end cuts. I own a wood chop saw, and have seen the metal cutting cousin. I think they'd work okay as well. I don't know which lasts longer, a bandsaw blade or a fiber cut off blade.

What do you guys use for a long cut that needs to be straight? I know that there are attachments for O/A that will do this but this is not a financial option. Besides, my O/A kit is one of those hand held portable models. It can't do much before it has run out of gas.

Therefore, what other options are there? Plasma cutters don't seem cheap. Maybe I'm wrong and you can find a decently priced used one. What does a guy have for choices that fall into the lower priced category for options????

 

[Stampeder]

Very interesting thread and a lot of valuable advise.
I have a 35 year old Lincoln Tombstone buzz box that is still going strong and I use it a lot. With the newer rods now-a-days you can weld as good as with DC for the average home shop with it.
Get a cold saw chopsaw. It's on the expensive side but you'll only buy one and it will last for a long time and do excellent work for you.
Vertical bandsaw is way down the list.
Oxy/Ace is high on the list. Learn to use it for welding as well as cutting. Remember to buy and use the correct cutting tips for the thickness of metal you are working with. You can fab a lot of stuff with oxy/ace welding, brazing, and soldering. You'll also learn a ton about puddle control.
I finally bought a Harbor Freight Mig off eBay. It needed some TLC but not much. Most of Harbor Frieghts Mig's are made in Italy and they are good quality.
If you are working primarily with steel abrasive things work well. If you are working with other metals such as aluminum or brass then you will need carbide tools and other skills.

After having my stuff for 35 years my shop is still simple:

Buzz box
Oxy/Ace
Floor drill press
Abrasive chop saw (on home built stand)
Clark bender (paid $88.00 for it)
4 1/2 inch grinder
7 inch grinder
Air compressor with lots of air tools.
3 welding stands
home built welding table.
Lots of clamps, magnetic angle jigs, etc.
Auto darkening helmet from HF (it works great)
HF Mig 150 gas mig.
Overhead crane from HF.

Just added a Johnson model J horizontal bandsaw ($50.00 needs a lot of TLC) and a Taiwanese 10X36 inch lathe ($350.00) also needs TLC. These will greatly expand my capabilities but took 35 years to get to this stage and a lot of looking.

Take a look at a site call WeldingWeb and search for posts by YorkiePap. Denny has a ton of really good projects for the beginner but more importantly he shows you have to use tools and techniques to do jobs right and safely. He has a series on using a chop saw that is really excellent. Time well spent. I also built his chop saw stand and use it every day that I am working with steel.

I too have many years in wood working but steel is a whole different set of skills and tools.

Last thing I will recommend for a home shop if you are just starting out is a bunch of scrap and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE......It's the most valuable and basic of all.......

Glenn

 

[BobRip]

Something to grind with.

Good addition to my post.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer,

I don't own one, but I've used shop floor model bandsaws for end cuts. I've used nice ones= straight cuts, and not so nice= beveled cuts, no matter what adjustments you made to the saw. So, I can see using a Reciprocating saw for end cuts. I own a wood chop saw, and have seen the metal cutting cousin. I think they'd work okay as well. I don't know which lasts longer, a bandsaw blade or a fiber cut off blade.

What do you guys use for a long cut that needs to be straight? I know that there are attachments for O/A that will do this but this is not a financial option. Besides, my O/A kit is one of those hand held portable models. It can't do much before it has run out of gas.

Therefore, what other options are there? Plasma cutters don't seem cheap. Maybe I'm wrong and you can find a decently priced used one. What does a guy have for choices that fall into the lower priced category for options????

I think the biggest problem for me with using a sawzall to cut metal is that I can't see the line. My favorite tool for cutting is my abrasive chop saw. If I have to make cuts larger than what will fit in the saw, I use an angle grinder and a skinny wheel. It's slow going, but I feel like I have good control over the cut and I can be very precise. I've cut 1" widths off the length of a sheet of steel with a skinny wheel. A big trick is to get a good soapstone or other marking tool that shows up well behind a shower of sparks.