Boosted2.0
04-20-2010, 09:03 AM
Stuff that I have that I reccomend:
Cobalt bits for metal. Invest in a small pump can and some cutting fluid as well, it will save you a fortune on drill bits when drilling stainless or harder metals, and its even a good idea for aluminum.
Kobalt 220v single phase air compressor. I've had it 5 years and its a champ. It seems pretty much continuous duty when I am porting, and it has run for 5 years without complaint. I changed the oil in the compressor for the first time this week (Yeah I know - shame on me)
Central Pneumatics die grinders. They aren't great, but they are really cheap and they seem to last about as well as the more espensive IR stuff, at least when workign with aluminum. I have a heavy duty IR unit I use for working with steel steel.
IR Titanium Impact. Its a friggin beast. 1000 ft lbs of torque in reverse. I have yet to encounter a nut it couldn't get off.
Milwaulkee Chop Saw. Works like a champ. There are lots of less expensive ones that fail pretty quicly.
Milwaulkee reciprocating saw blades - their "Torch" blades are fantastic.
Irwin swivel bench vice. I actually use mine to crush thickwall stainless tubing in one of the fabrication steps for my coolant bottle mount. I really ought to get a press, but yeah, awesome vice.
A good workbench. I have a big utility bench I built that uses a full 4x8 surface (2 sheets of 3/4" MDF and 1 sheet of 3/4" ply with 4x4s for legs) and I also have a metal skinned bench I got at home depot. The metal skinned bench is great for porting and metal working and very light welding. For heavy welding you really want a solid metal bench though.
Black & decker 6" grinder. Had one for 6 years now - oddly enough its still going strong.
DeWalt hand tools. They are simply the best IMO. I have yet to have one fail on me.
Stuff that I have that I don't reccomend:
Rigid Brand fullsize drill press. Its really not up to metal working. The bearings in the drill head are pretty crappy. I reccomend spending a few more bucks and getting a "real" industrial drill press.
Craftsman belt sander. Same as the drill press - the motor burns up under extended use. Better off with something more industrial.
Harbor Freight Tig / stick welder. - It technically works, but its really pretty crappy. Its worth the $$$ to get something good.
I'm sure there is more stuff I am forgetting but I figured this is a good start. Feel free to pitch in with your reccomendations on good stuff and warnings on junk.
Cobalt bits for metal. Invest in a small pump can and some cutting fluid as well, it will save you a fortune on drill bits when drilling stainless or harder metals, and its even a good idea for aluminum.
Kobalt 220v single phase air compressor. I've had it 5 years and its a champ. It seems pretty much continuous duty when I am porting, and it has run for 5 years without complaint. I changed the oil in the compressor for the first time this week (Yeah I know - shame on me)
Central Pneumatics die grinders. They aren't great, but they are really cheap and they seem to last about as well as the more espensive IR stuff, at least when workign with aluminum. I have a heavy duty IR unit I use for working with steel steel.
IR Titanium Impact. Its a friggin beast. 1000 ft lbs of torque in reverse. I have yet to encounter a nut it couldn't get off.
Milwaulkee Chop Saw. Works like a champ. There are lots of less expensive ones that fail pretty quicly.
Milwaulkee reciprocating saw blades - their "Torch" blades are fantastic.
Irwin swivel bench vice. I actually use mine to crush thickwall stainless tubing in one of the fabrication steps for my coolant bottle mount. I really ought to get a press, but yeah, awesome vice.
A good workbench. I have a big utility bench I built that uses a full 4x8 surface (2 sheets of 3/4" MDF and 1 sheet of 3/4" ply with 4x4s for legs) and I also have a metal skinned bench I got at home depot. The metal skinned bench is great for porting and metal working and very light welding. For heavy welding you really want a solid metal bench though.
Black & decker 6" grinder. Had one for 6 years now - oddly enough its still going strong.
DeWalt hand tools. They are simply the best IMO. I have yet to have one fail on me.
Stuff that I have that I don't reccomend:
Rigid Brand fullsize drill press. Its really not up to metal working. The bearings in the drill head are pretty crappy. I reccomend spending a few more bucks and getting a "real" industrial drill press.
Craftsman belt sander. Same as the drill press - the motor burns up under extended use. Better off with something more industrial.
Harbor Freight Tig / stick welder. - It technically works, but its really pretty crappy. Its worth the $$$ to get something good.
I'm sure there is more stuff I am forgetting but I figured this is a good start. Feel free to pitch in with your reccomendations on good stuff and warnings on junk.