What tools do I need???

s1120 · Jul 14, 2002

I will be setting up a shop in the garage of my new house, and am wondering what tools I should get. First on my list is an air compressor.[see other post] Here’s what I am planing to do. I have to old cars to restore, tractors to repair, I am planing to do some fab work, and just general repairs on everything. Here’s what I have already….

Hand tools.[I got a ton]
MIG welder
Impact wrench
Paint gun
Jacks, and stands

Here’s what I am planning to get…

Air compressor
Some more air tools
Stick welder
Angle grander

Any thing I am missing? Any recommendations on what I am looking for? I have about $1500 to work with. Thanks for any help.

zenmek · Jul 14, 2002

I'm thinking that with the project types you are planning on doing, that either an arbor press or hydraulic press would sure come in handy!!!

ronjhall · Jul 14, 2002

Paul
I would suggest a set of torches with cutting capabilities. With a set of good tips for different metal thickness, they allow you to cut steel to just about any shape. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif With an angle grinder you can grind any slag and imperfections in cutting. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

s1120 · Jul 14, 2002

Good thought. I am lucky to work at an auto dealer, so I get to use some of the stuff there. One of the things they have is a press, so I am set there. Thanks.

s1120 · Jul 14, 2002

I have been thinking of torches. Mostly for cutting, and heating rusty bolts. My fear is the cost of the tanks. The torch set runs about $150-$200, well within my budjet, but I have no idea how much the tanks cost. I also need a tank for my MIG. Any one have any idea on pricing?

ronjhall · Jul 14, 2002

Paul
I purchased my tanks over 20 years ago. I just take them back to place I bought them at. They exchange them with filled tanks.
You may want to check into renting tanks. Price should be low and you never have to worry about keeping them up-to-date with inspections.

micromike · Jul 14, 2002

I have a set of tanks and it costs me $280 to rent for both every five years. They don't have the option to buy unfortunately. I did have to buy the tank for my mig. $60.00 and you take it back and exchange costs $20.00.

You might try just getting the oxygen tank. You can use propane instead of acetylen (sp?). It's much cheaper but a bit of a pain with the different size tank. Not bad if it's primarily stationary.

I just built a welding tank cart and it came out great. Used 20" diameter wheels and it moves on rough ground wonderfully. I had been using just a utility cart/dolly with the 7" wheels and tanks chained to it. It was a pain. I'll try to post a picture it you're interested.

A chop saw is a very handy tool if you're fabricating and need percise anges.

Mike

DK35vince · Jul 14, 2002

Paul,
If I remember right,my tanks are on a lease program.
99 year lease around $500 .When empty take them back to where I got them and exchange for full tanks.

s1120 · Jul 14, 2002

I was thinking of a chop saw, But I am afraid for the amount they cost, and how much I would use it, I could get more tools I could use more.

Sounds like I should stop by the gas, or welding store and start pricing these things. I realy could use a cutting torch.

radman · Jul 14, 2002

I would consider a cut-off saw, bench mounted grinder and drill press if you plan on doing metal work. For the price, cut off saws work great. I also use mine for cutting paver and retaining wall blocks with masonary blades. I prefer a mig welder over a stick welder but a stick welder is generally cheaper. A good sized metal vise is also nice. I don't have a torch set but it will probably next purchase if I can find a good used set with tanks. Also get a good set of different sized C-clamps, vise-grips and other clamps for holding metal together unless you already have them.

accordionman · Jul 14, 2002

PAUL,
i would suggest you check the welding supply companies. they will have
a 99 year lease on some of their tanks. you pay a flat fee, and then when
they are MT, you just pay for the gas, and exchange the tank. this is what
i have on an argon tank for my tig welder.
accordionman
william l. brown

s1120 · Jul 14, 2002

Hmmm. I never thought of a cutoff saw. Sounds like that would work. C clamps I got. I build wooden boats also, and for that you need a TON of clamps. I also have a grinder, but it REAL weak. need a better one.

Kodiak · Jul 14, 2002

Two items I would suggest would be a cherry picker for pulling engines or changing tractor tires. And a good impact wrench, a must for working on old cars and tractors.

s1120 · Jul 15, 2002

<font color=red>And a good impact wrench,</font color=red>

Oh! A GOOD impact./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I do have one, but its far from good. Its one of those $20 cheepys. I plan on getting a nice IR231 when it stops working.

Rockyroad · Jul 15, 2002

Definitely a chop saw. Check Home Depot. I just bought a 14" Ryobi with a cast base for $150. The also have Milwaukee on sale from time to time at around that price. Not a lot of money, but they do come in handy for cutting all sorts of metal.

Here in Rhode Island they are selling the medium sized oxygen and actylene tanks for about $150 each. They only rent the full sized tanks, which around here gets a little expensive - about $100 per year. So I figure after 3 years I am ahead of the game by buying the medium sized tanks. Besides, since I will not be using the torch day-in-day-out, I probably don't need the large tanks anyways. The whole setup is going to run about $500.

slugdriver · Aug 30, 2002

I would add an an anvil. A must have basic for any shop where you work with metal. I have a 55 lbs anvil I bought from Harbor Freight for about 25 dollars. I put it on a chunk of water oak that I cut down in my back yard that is about 10 in around and 20 inches high.

RanchMan · Aug 30, 2002

<font color=blue>I have about $1500 to work with. </font color=blue>

Although there are several folks here that will cringe at the comment, I think you should consider Harbor Freight for some of your tools. Yes, they do make some junk, and yes, the fit & finish isn't as nice, but you'll save a TON of money and be able to expand the overall capabilities in your shop.

To date, my HF drill press hasn't "conked out" - nor has my 12 ton press, nor has my grinder, nor has my sandblaster, nor have my air tools, nor has my soldering gun, nor has my vise, nor has my cement mixer, nor has my air compressor, nor have my wrenches, ratchets, or sockets, etc. etc. etc.... I think you get my point - I got WAY too much of their stuff and if I continually had bad luck with it, that wouldn’t be the case. (and no, I don't get "kickbacks" from them, although that would be nice! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)

Yes, I have "name brand" stuff too (e.g. Milwaukee cut-off saw, for example - which, BTW, I concur is a good tool to have if you are working with metal.) Sometimes I prefer to go with the name brand stuff, but only because (1) I bought it before I found HF /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif, (2) I've had bad luck with the HF brand equivalent /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif, or (3) the HF version doesn't have the features I want and the name brand version does /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif.

I use my $20 HF angle grinder a lot more often than my $90 DeWalt. Not saying my DeWalt is a bad machine - just that the $20 one works just as well and is lighter to boot. The only real problem I have with the “name brand” stuff is the cost - ‘course you can get that at HF too if you wish.

Anyway, just an idea to get you further along in your “shop building” activity.

BB_TX · Aug 30, 2002

I'm with Ranchman. I buy what I think I need. If you plan on using a tool only on random occasions and you have 2 choices, name brand for X dollars and lesser name for half that, go with the lesser name. If you intend to use a tool heavily, then consider going for the name brand. I have both. I bought a chop saw a couple years ago because I sometimes, but not often, need to cut metal. Cummins was having a local sale. I bought a Cummins chop saw for $79 dollars. HD had various name brands for $150 and up. As good as a Dewalt or Milwaukee? Not likely. Does it do what I need? Definately.

RanchMan · Aug 30, 2002

Good point - Cummins has some good deals too (got a "cherry picker" and engine stand from them.)

Another place to consider would be Northern Tools - a little more than HF or Cummins, but a little nicer stuff without the name brand price.