Selecting fabricating tools...

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So I'm finally getting to work on my choptop project... Since the windshield got smashed a couple years ago, I decided that it would be a good time to get the major work done while it was parked - upgrade the front axle, new extended radius arms, new brackets and trans x-member, roll cage, etc. So I started accumulating the parts I needed and now it's time to get started....

But I have discovered that I could use some fab tools since I can't find anyone local that I can borrow the tools I need from (and they will likely be used again and again with other projects), I'm thinking of getting some fab tools - for starters a tube notcher and possibly a tube bender. Then probably a chop saw or bandsaw and whatever else comes to mind as useful.

That said, I would like some input from you fabricators as to what tools to go with. I hate buying cheap junk - every once in awhile I get suckered into it and end up regretting not spending a few more bucks for something quality. Although I have bought some cheap tools that did a decent job (like the $15 4.5" grinder I picked up at a traveling tool sale that lasted 3 years of abuse before the brushes went). Basically I want something decent for a reasonable price.

So what tools would you get and why? (Or what do you have and how do you like it?)

 

[martin]

A good BFH and a good angle grinder. The two most useful tools in the shop.

 

[Bennybooster]

You can notch tube with an angle grinder, it takes more time but it is way cheaper

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

A good BFH and a good angle grinder. The two most useful tools in the shop.

I have plenty of BFHs (I have a selection between sledges, ball peen and machinist/mash hammers) and I have a pair of Bosch 4.5" angle grinders plus my el-cheapo angle grinder. So I already have those bases well covered, lol.

You can notch tube with an angle grinder, it takes more time but it is way cheaper

I thought about that, I've read about how to do it with an angle grinder or chop saw, but I need to notch some tube for my cage and I have 5 bumpers to build for myself. When I got to thinking about it, just seemed like I might be further ahead to just bite the bullet as it is and get a notcher.

Then again, I haven't done a whole lot of metal fab yet, so...

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Nobody else has any tool recommendations?

BTW, I'm going to add something else to the list... a small paint sprayer, like a touch-up gun or similar. I'm getting tired of buying rattlecans and they don't really put all that thick of a layer on, it would be cheaper to buy paint by the can anyway. My compressor is only a 10 gallon but I have an extra tank I can hook up when I need a little more capacity (supposed to put out 5.6 CFM @ 90 psi), I'd hope that would be enough to spray a little paint. Mostly I'll probably use oil based primer and tractor paint (Valspar).

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've got

2 4.5" grinders (just cheapies) one for a cut off, one for a flap wheel
1 5" grinder (good dewalt one) for grinding
Jet 14 speed drill press
3/8" corded porter cable drill
1/2" corded porter cable drill
1/2" cordless dewalt drill
bench mounted disc/belt sander combo
bench grinder
6" horizontal bandsaw
6" throatless Beaverly Shear
tube notcher
80 gallon compressor
Lincoln 180 Mig Welder


Think thats about it...

 

[88_Eddie]

the ones that are my most favorite and that i use the most are:

mig welder
angle grinder
sawzall
drill
electric impact gun (i always thought they were POS's, but this one has come in handy multiple times)

then there's all my sockets/rachets/wrenches too

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I've got

2 4.5" grinders (just cheapies) one for a cut off, one for a flap wheel
1 5" grinder (good dewalt one) for grinding
Jet 14 speed drill press
3/8" corded porter cable drill
1/2" corded porter cable drill
1/2" cordless dewalt drill
bench mounted disc/belt sander combo
bench grinder
6" horizontal bandsaw
6" throatless Beaverly Shear
tube notcher
80 gallon compressor
Lincoln 180 Mig Welder


Think thats about it...

What brand of tube notcher do you have and how do you like it?

As far as drills go, I have a Milwalkee right angle drill, love that thing to death for working on vehicles, it's big, but it does a really nice job drilling holes, especially when I have to drill half-inch holes for mounting something. I have some smaller corded and cordless stuff I use to.

I also have a Milwalkee sawzall. 'Nuff said, lol.

 

[86 slo-vo]

If you've got the money, look into a plasma cutter. Not cheap but are worth every penny.

Me personally,
90gal speed air compressor
Big drill press
14" vertical bandsaw
4x6 horizontal bandsaw
Chop saw
3 grinders
2 sawzalls
Bench grinder
Disc sander
Tube notcher
Tube bender
55 ton press
Plasma cutter
220 welder
110 welder

And I still find tools that I need.

Obviously you can't afford everything at once, just keep a good eye on Craigslist and eBay and watch for the good deals.

 

[crawlin91]

If you've got the money, look into a plasma cutter. Not cheap but are worth every penny.

^This x10,000
for all the times I want to make a nice smooth even cut
cut anything with an arc
cut in hard to reach places
bend sawzall blades or explode a cut off wheel
or spend too much time trying to grind to fit perfect
I wish I had a plasma. Without a doubt my next tool purchase.

 

[88_Eddie]

same here, you can fab your own parts so much easier with one. i just need to keep myself from using the money to buy another gun first

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've got

2 4.5" grinders (just cheapies) one for a cut off, one for a flap wheelcheck x 8 [wire wheels too]
1 5" grinder (good dewalt one) for grindingcheck x 2
Jet 14 speed drill presscheck x 2, one is 6-speed bench model that goes down to 60 rpm, good for large holes
3/8" corded porter cable drillcheck
1/2" corded porter cable drillcheck
1/2" cordless dewalt drillcheck
bench mounted disc/belt sander combocheck
bench grindercheck x 2 including wire wheels
6" horizontal bandsawcheck
6" throatless Beaverly Shear
tube notchercheck
80 gallon compressor20 gal x 2 including gas portable
Lincoln 180 Mig Welder lincoln weldpac 100


Think thats about it...

If you've got the money, look into a plasma cutter. Not cheap but are worth every penny.

Me personally,
90gal speed air compressor
Big drill press
14" vertical bandsaw
4x6 horizontal bandsaw
Chop sawcheck
3 grinders
2 sawzallscheck
Bench grinder
Disc sander
Tube notcher
Tube bender
55 ton press 10 ton press
Plasma cutteron wish list
220 welder 220V 295 amp stick
110 welder

And I still find tools that I need.

Obviously you can't afford everything at once, just keep a good eye on Craigslist and eBay and watch for the good deals.

And I own an oxy/acet cutting and welding kit, a metal fab table, 7 1/4" skill saw with a metal blade for thin sheet and aluminum, corded and cordless impact guns, lots of vice grips and f-clamps and c-clamps, 5 pairs jack stands, 5000 watt generator, three safety kits, three fire extinguishers and all the safety gear to operate all of the above. Now I just have to make sure to use said safety gear at ALL times.

I think if I was starting out, and assuming I already had hand tools, I would get in the following order;
-3/8 drill
-1/2 drill
-4.5" grinder
-drill press
-4 x 6 horizontal band saw
-go to night school to get the basics of the following, it WILL be money well spent
-mig 110V [more amps is good] for ease of use
-oxy/acet. is getting old school but in a pinch I can do with it [just about] all that I can do with mig, tig, stick, plasma.
220V stick for heavy welding
Other tools as your knowledge expands.
And as with any thing worth learning, lots and lots of practice.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[AlaskanRider]

I recently slapped a metal wheel on my 8.5 inch wormdrive. Its been great for my bumper project, makes long clean straight cuts for super cheap. Saves me alot of cleanup compared to my mediocre torch handling.

And the disks cut a lot as long as Im patient and dont smoke em.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I was kind of looking for some brand recommendations and how people liked using those brands....

I guess I could throw up a list of what I already have though...

Oxy/propane cutting rig (100lb propane tank and large oxy bottle) IIRC the regulators are freshly rebuilt Airgas ones.
3x 4.5" angle grinders (one el-cheapo from a traveling tool sale, two Bosch)
corded 3/8" drill (craftsman - not the best but it was a present YEARS ago so no complaints)
Milwalkee right angle drill (I absolutely love this thing for drilling 1/4" and up holes - no worries about it grabbing and trying to break your wrist when using the right angle feature - I've drilled up to 3/4" holes with it)
Milwalkee corded sawzall - it's one of the lesser ones, but I like it because it is the only one that has a short stroke - good for tight quarters - a big one is on the list though
Harbor Freight 10 gallon oiled compressor (say what you want, but it's survived 5 years of abuse now and is adequate for running a 1/2" impact) - I will get a bigger one (probably IR) once I have a place to put it.
Craftsman oxy/actylene cutting/welding rig - I mostly use it as a welding rig since actylene is so pricey
Lincoln 225ac stick welder (the old reliable "tombstone/doghouse" welder)
Variety of BFH - claw, 3 sizes of ball-peen, mash/machinist sledge, 4# sledge, 10# sledge, 12# sledge
Enough wrenches/ratchets/prybars/air tools/etc to fill a medium sized toolbox (I'm talking like one of the 11 drawer Craftsmans with the deep drawers all the way up)

I also have use of a Porter Cable floor model drill press - as long as I clean up any mess I make (it's in dad's woodshop).

On my wish list:

Right now I'm looking to get a tube notcher, tube bender, chop saw and/or horizontal metal bandsaw, and a paint spray gun.

The other stuff on the list...
60-80 gallon compressor
220/240v MIG
Plasma cutter
20 ton or larger press
bench grinder
drill press
Summit Racing has a Woodward Fab 3-in-1 bend/roll/shear machine that will bend up to 30" of 20 gauge for $600 - looks like a good investment

 

[Shran]

Here's my list of my most-used fab tools (I have a lot more than this.)

- 2x Angle grinders - one good one for grinding, one cheapo for cutoff wheels and wire wheels
- 1/4" Black & Decker corded drill (low speed, great for small holes)
- 3/8" Skil corded drill (wire wheeling, medium size holes)
- 1/2" 6 amp gear reduction drill for big fawking holes
- 1/2" DeWalt 18v cordless drill
- 3/8" Blue Point cordless 14.4v impact
- Skil corded, DeWalt 18v cordless sawzalls
- 14" DeWalt chop saw
- 30 gallon compressor
- Craftsman (Clarke) 110v MIG welder, no gas
- Century 220v AC/DC stick welder
- 420c/f oxy/acetylene tanks, torch setup
- small sheet metal brake that I built
- 20 ton shop press
- Tool Shop (Menards) electric corded sheet metal shear
- cheapo air die grinder, cutoff zoomie grinder
- Montgomery Ward spot sandblaster
- ATD HPLV suction paint sprayer
- one small vise, one large vise
- Various air impacts, air ratchets, air drills, etc

And a wide variety of the usual hand tools. I use the crap out of all of the above except the press.

If I had to recommend ONE tool from my list that is the most handy, it would be the sheet metal shear. That thing is fawking sweet and it is SO nice not shooting sparks and metal shards everywhere. Inexpensive too.