New tools you've bought recently?

[Uncle Gump]

This thing is a beast...

Never had a floor jack that rolled so smooth. I really like that the rear wheels swivel... just use to floor jacks being that way. I guess we'll see if it holds up... but for right now... i can't seem to wipe the smile off my face.

 

[Bill]

A Stanley 3 meter metric tape measure from Amazon.

I had to look at a UK website to get a model number for a metric tape measure so I could find some brand I was familiar with. For some reason Amazon prioritizes garbage from China with names like HFYNDS, Fundyf, LGTIUS, Yangiz, and SKRWU. It's like startup companies in China have a board that can't come up with a reasonable name, so one of them says, "Hey, I have an idea, let's put a bunch of random letters in a box, then we can close our eyes and pick a letter out of the box and line them up. That's what we will use for a brand name."

A lot of times normal brands aren't even in the filter option. There will be this list of brand names made of random letters, then when you click "more" at the bottom of the list you are given an additional option to select "Top Brands." You can order the stuff you want, but it doesn't show up in the search results unless you find the model number plug that into the Amazon search field.

But hey, now American's can order a set PNGDFI brake pads for $5.93 and have them delivered between 6 and 8PM tonight if you order $25 or more of weirdo brand name trash from China

 

[Shran]

I scored this cool little lathe from a yard sale for $20 - yes... $20. It was kind of a mess, the motor was bad and wired wrong, bearings had some slop to adjust out, a broken cross feed knob, and had no accessories. I put a different motor on it, bought a new live center & drill chuck, adjusted and cleaned a few things and it works great. It is an Atlas 618, 6" x 18" and has power feed. I will probably just sell it off as I have no real use for it since I bought my South Bend but I figured I can at least double my money

 

[pjtoledo]

love that custom removeable chip tray

 

[Shran]

love that custom removeable chip tray

haha, it came with nothing but that $4 cookie sheet fit pretty well. I might be able to fit two in there.

 

[Bill]

After spending 45 minutes trying to get someone at Lowes to unlock the tools, I bought a Craftsman 3/8 in impact wrench and a Craftsman 3/8 in cordless ratchet. That place had me so annoyed that I forgot to pick up a set of impact sockets.

I thought about buying the Skill 3/8 impact wrench, but that would involve investing in a charger and battery. I guess I'll see how the Craftsman holds up to mechanical work.

 

[Shran]

I bought this Atlas 16” drill press today. It does not have a crank table height adjustment and its lowest RPM setting is 480… but it’s really sturdy and in good shape. It also came with a cool little Yuasa XY table. Torn what to do with it. The low end RPM is not good for metal… I might repower it with a treadmill motor for variable speed control and use it as a very poor man’s mill. The snobs on the Practical Machinist board do not think highly of these but it’s way better than my Harbor Freight drill press, quality wise anyway.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Shran - If you really want to fix it, buy a 3-phase, 230/460VAC, 3/4hp motor - cheap on ebucks.

Then a variable speed controller such as a TECO FM50 - which uses standard house 115VAC but drives the 3-phase motor. These were about $110 when I bought mine from FactoryMation a few years back.

 

[Shran]

Shran - If you really want to fix it, buy a 3-phase, 230/460VAC, 3/4hp motor - cheap on ebucks.

Then a variable speed controller such as a TECO FM50 - which uses standard house 115VAC but drives the 3-phase motor. These were about $110 when I bought mine from FactoryMation a few years back.

I've been reading up on that a bit. I know I can pick up a motor cheap.... it is tempting... is there a good reason to go that route rather than a big DC treadmill motor?

I converted my little drill press to a treadmill motor years ago and I love it. It works so good... those $79 Harbor Freight drill presses are just about useless unless you can slow them down, the treadmill motor did just that and it has a LOT more torque too. I can drill up to 3/8" holes in steel with very little effort now. I use that machine a lot for pilot holes and stuff like that.

 

[mikkelstuff]

Shran - no good reason for 3-phase motor and expensive controller if you have the DC treadmill motor. I just never thought about a DC treadmill motor.

A few years back I bought a 1940's Walker-Turner drill press off of Craigslist for $350. This is a really great cast iron wonder but turned out the ball bearings - one of a kind - were bad. Probably a $1000 in it by the time i got the bearings and spindle replaced along with the variable speed controller and motor. BUT I love this machine and I have a quality tool obsession.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Brought this home today. It needs a bunch of work but was $500.00....

 

[SenorNoob]

2 post lift? Nice!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Went to HFT at lunch to take advantage of the 15% off coupon and grabbed an arbor press, don't have an immediate use for one but they'd be handy here and there so hey... while there wandered through the clearance and the large drill bit set still labeled Central Machinery, the 9/16" through 1" kit regularly like $60 were $22 so I grabbed one to keep "in stock", might go back Monday for another... got a coupon for a free quick change utility knife with $15 purchase so grabbed that too (could have gotten a bucket or 4 pack of 1" ratchet straps but chose that)

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Cruising thru Princess Auto and found 2 tubs of 5" zip discs for $25 each. Made in Austria. There is 105 discs in each tub. So less than 25 cents each! Local pricing usually starts at $5.00 each.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Went to HFT at lunch to take advantage of the 15% off coupon and grabbed an arbor press, don't have an immediate use for one but they'd be handy here and there so hey... while there wandered through the clearance and the large drill bit set still labeled Central Machinery, the 9/16" through 1" kit regularly like $60 were $22 so I grabbed one to keep "in stock", might go back Monday for another... got a coupon for a free quick change utility knife with $15 purchase so grabbed that too (could have gotten a bucket or 4 pack of 1" ratchet straps but chose that)

I was thinkin i might grab that coupon and go look at their Hercules port a ban and the and their band saw stand. You have any experience those tools or the brand in general?

Cruising thru Princess Auto and found 2 tubs of 5" zip discs for $25 each. Made in Austria. There is 105 discs in each tub. So less than 25 cents each! Local pricing usually starts at $5.00 each.

That's a good deal...