New Tools??? Necessary tools???

sodamo · Feb 16, 2008

Ahhhh, tools.
In making our decisions to move to Hawaii, one of my first was tools. Would it be cheaper to ship them or replace them? Well, as you guys know, new tools cost $$$, so once that decision was made, now there was room in the container for other stuff. I still had to buy more though. Metal chop saw, 12 inch sliding compound miter, several more rechargeables (I really dislike extension cords). I guess the real coup was the nice tablesaw, planer, joiner, drill press that I got because we are building our own cabinets.
Interestingly, a young (28) nephew is visiting and helping out a bit. I kinda get a kick watching him as he gets exposed to tools he's never seen before. Today I had to explain that my left/right metal snips didn't mean you had to be left or right handed.
As for the DW - several times a week I'll sincerely remark, "Thanks for letting me have the right tools for the job". Can you guess who encourages me when I start suggesting I "need" something

That lathe, hmmmm - could be a stretch.

David

toolsorbust · Feb 16, 2008

I tried to sneak the lathe in but it was kinda hard to its a 18" x 72" and weighs 9k 13' long. but its in the shop and it aint going anywhere.:

You cant have too many tools!

chinawall · Feb 16, 2008

I have a battery operated one from Canadian Tire. Not completely satisfied even though I paid ove $200.

westbrooklawn · Feb 17, 2008

I think bjcsc did very good with the list he provided. The one thing I don't have on his list is a drill bit sharpener. Can anyone recommend a good one that will sharpen up to 1/2" bits? I've looked at the "Drill Doctor", but was not that impressed, and it seemed replacement stones were costly. I wish I could develop the skill to hand sharpen on a bench grinder, but haven't been too lucky trying that either.

Any recommendations?

Solo · Feb 17, 2008

westbrooklawn said:
I think bjcsc did very good with the list he provided. The one thing I don't have on his list is a drill bit sharpener. Can anyone recommend a good one that will sharpen up to 1/2" bits? I've looked at the "Drill Doctor", but was not that impressed, and it seemed replacement stones were costly. I wish I could develop the skill to hand sharpen on a bench grinder, but haven't been too lucky trying that either.

Any recommendations?

Were you looking at the old model Drill Doctor or the new model? I have the new model 750 it is different from the older model, the newer seems to be more user friendly. We have the older model at work I can never seem to sharpen anything with it. The same size bit at home, works perfectly.

Solo

canoetrpr · Feb 17, 2008

Any thoughts on how big (expensive) a compressor one needs to run an impact wrench occasionally?

When I look at the requirements on an impact wrench 7-8 CFM, I can't seem to find compressors / air tanks for less than 7-800 bucks which is wwwwwaaaaay out of my league.

Sure would be nice to have an air compressor around here.

Bird · Feb 17, 2008

I don't know which impact wrenches you've been looking at, but in the half inch impacts, some very good ones use 4 to 6 CFM and compressors that put out that volume can be had for half the amount you quoted. In fact, this compressor from Northern Tool is what I've been using for a little over 2 years, and so far, quite happy with it. And you can certainly find cheaper ones. You might also keep in mind that the amount of air specified for an impact is the amount to keep it running at full power. You can certainly use an impact wrench with a smaller compressor, but you'll have a short burst of power, which is frequently enough to break loose a nut or bolt, then much less power as it continues to turn. My first half inch impact, many years ago, was a cheap Harbor Freight impact and I used it with a 10 gallon, one hp compressor. It would remove most (but not all) lug nuts.

Botabill · Feb 17, 2008

chinawall said:
I have a battery operated one from Canadian Tire. Not completely satisfied even though I paid ove $200.

In my opinion Canadian Tire sells a lot of garbage. Our Brothers in the USA complain about Harbour Freight. In Canada we have Canadian Tire. I'm not sure which is worse. I've taken about half the stuff back I bought them because it broke. I have even had a tool with rechargable batteries from them catch fire while recharging. To their credit though they do refund without question. I suppose they're used to having crap bought back.

ScottAR · Feb 18, 2008

My cheapie craftsman compressor ($300 ish 25 gallon?) runs my impact just fine.
For my uses at least, the impact only runs a few seconds a bolt/nut. I never have to take off more that 7-8 bolts before stopping to change tasks, move somthing, or stop and ponder. I think even if it used 10 cfm I could function with it for the short periods I use it.

Somthing constant like a sprayer or sander would need a bigger compressor like the upright 60-80 gallon models.

wushaw · Feb 18, 2008

I have an old 22gal Sanborn compressor that ran my airtools for many years just fine.
I still have the 22gal and a 30 gal oilless Craftsman that was given to me, I absolutely hate that noisy *** Craftsman but it makes more pressure and bigger tank so I live with it till I can afford what I want....80 gal two stage 7.5hp IR