What Tools

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I'm starting to build my shop now and I need some help with all the hand tools I am going to need. This will eventually escalate into a decent size fabrication shop so please list me some of the hand tools you use heavily. Thanks
Reply:I assume by hand tools you also mean power tools?  I couldn't survive without my 4' angle grinder.My Babies:MillerMatic 185Thermal Arc 300SHobart StickMate AC/DC 235/160Dalex Werke Spot WelderOh and the wife and kids are important too!
Reply:c-clamps,hammer,tape measure,square.tee-square,and more c-clamps ,good work table .there is a lot of other stuff also  good luck on your new shop
Reply:Angle grinders, lots of them.  I have at least 5 here, each for a different purpose, and lots of wheels of different types.Drills, keyless and key chuck, hammer and regular.  Drill press too.Bench grinder.Bench vice.Clamps, lots of clamps, of all types and sizes.  Can never have too many clamps.Squares of different sizes and types (framing, triangle and sliding)Straight edges, metal rulers, tape measures, angle finder, plumb bob, protractor, scribe, sharpie markers, paint pens, long string, chalk line.Hammers, big, small, metal, plastic.Shop lights, stationary and portable.Shop fan, gotta keep cool, not cold enough for a heater here.  Lots of extension cords and y's.Pliers, lots of pliers of all types and sizes.  Can never have too many pliers.Screwdrivers, wrenches, sockets, any kind of tool for working on anything.  Can never have too many tools.Safety equipment, glasses, hoods, ear muffs, gloves, leathers, gotta protect your 'assets'.14" abrasive chop saw, the primary means of cutting steel.Sawzall, never leave home without one, and plenty of blades of all types and sizes for it.7-1/4" circular saw, gotta make stuff from wood too sometimes.Jack stands and saw horses, for holding stuff up.  I also like screw-up trailer leveling stands, use like jack stands but you can level stuff up so it's square on all planes.Welding screen, gotta protect the neighbors' eyes too.Mig pliers, chipping hammers, wire brushes of various sizes.Lubricants, WD40, cutting oil (I like tranny fluid for drilling), oil can squirter to apply it and a bucket and car wash soap to wash it off later.Acetone, slx alchohol or brake cleaner, and plenty of rags, old socks, shirts, underwear, whatever.Abrasives, sand paper, abrasive discs, flap discs, wire wheels, cutting discs, of various sizes and grits.Drill bits, tons of drill bits, of all sizes and types, plus reams, carbides, stones, etc.Filler metal and electrodes, lots of types and sizes, wire, sticks, tungsten, tig rod, etc.Extra parts for the machines, chuck keys, chucks, mig tips, nozzles, liners, drive rolls, tig collets, lenses, cups, caps,  belts for drill press and compressor, the list could go on and on...Lots of tool box and cabinet storage to keep all the stuff in, in an organized fashion, otherwise you'll never find it when you need it.Working space... this is something I lack desperately.      Maybe someday I'll have that great big barn (and a property to put it on) I've always dreamed of...I'm sure I've forgotten a ton of things but yeah, it takes alot to get stuff done sometimes.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks for that amazing list! But im curious of some of the brand names you use.Angle Grinders; Makita?Wrenches,Pliers,Sockets, screw drivers; Snap On?
Reply:I tell ya right now Desert did a good job posting those tools. But!!! No matter how many you have you always find thaht doing an urgent job, you'll not have the one tool that you need.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Are you a garage guy, can you weld? Do you have any tools now? What part of the world are you in? If you'd like you can go up to the left side of the page, to User CP and fill in your location.I'm retired and in welding class for fun. There's another retired guy that decided welding would be fun and a good way to pay the bills, so he spent $15,000 on the best Miller stuff. A TB302D, a 12VS, The newest Coolmate, 20 series torch, a HF-251 (close enough), and a very nice plasma cutter. He almost had a fit when he found out that his $100 air compressor would NOT run the plasma. So, he went down to Grainger and bought a new gas driven air compressor. The guy isn't a garage kinda guy, now he's upside down in welding gear and no jobs lined up. And he has very few steel working tools, no clamps, no recip saw; and on and on and on. He's also paying rent on a shop. My point is: if you're a garage kinda guy, you already have most of the tools you need to get started. And you know which ones are missing. Asking for a complete list of tools and then wondering about the manufacturer is curious. You should already know what brands you prefer. For instance, I have six 4 1/2" grinders: Bosch, Makita, Craftsman, Dewalt, Hitachi, and Milwaukee. I do my best to buy USA, but it gets harder every year. Nothing in my garage says harbor freight. Good luck with your fab shop. Last edited by Craig in Denver; 03-22-2009 at 11:32 PM.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverAre you a garage guy, can you weld? Do you have any tools now? What part of the world are you in? If you'd like you can go up to the left side of the page, to User CP and fill in your location.I'm retired and in welding class for fun. There's another retired guy that decided welding would be fun and a good way to pay the bills, so he spent $15,000 on the best Miller stuff. A TB302D, a 12VS, The newest Coolmate, 20 series torch, a HF-251 (close enough), and a very nice plasma cutter. He almost had a fit when he found out that his $100 air compressor would NOT run the plasma. So, he went down to Grainger and bought a new gas driven air compressor. The guy isn't a garage kinda guy, now he's upside down in welding gear and no jobs lined up. And he has very few steel working tools, no clamps, no recip saw; and on and on and on. He's also paying rent on a shop. My point is: if you're a garage kinda guy, you already have most of the tools you need to get started. And you know which ones are missing. Asking for a complete list of tools and then wondering about the manufacturer is curious. You should already know what brands you prefer. For instance, I have six 4 1/2" grinders: Bosch, Makita, Craftsman, Dewalt, Hitachi, and Milwaukee. I do my best to buy USA, but it gets harder every year. Nothing in my garage says harbor freight. Good luck with your fab shop.
Reply:I didn't think about that aspect of the post but yeah, some necessary experience seems to be missing from this business plan.  When I decided to go into business for myself, I had already been welding and fabricating for myself and friends and some paying side jobs for years and was a full time production welder at my job.  I already owned a garage full of thousands of dollars of welding fabricating and auto mechanics tools and equipment and already had the one-ton truck to haul the mobile welding rig with.  All this stuff had been paid for a long time ago, so I had no equipment acquisition debt to incurr to start my business.  I didn't go out and rent a shop, I stayed in the garage, where I still am, so therefore I have very little overhead costs to cover.  I also have very low bills in general, no credit card debt to pay, no outstanding loans or car payments, low monthly bills cause I don't have expensive monthly services, only basic phone cable and internet, not the fancy plans.  Everything I own is owned free and clear and I started with a healthy amount of money in the bank.  These circumstances have allowed me to survive through this very tough economic time, barely, but I am keeping head above water.   I think it is very important to be very careful when starting any new business.  I was kinda thrown into it cause I lost my production welding job when the company went under, but we all saw it comming for at least a year ahead of time, so I planned ahead and started building the business and the mobile rig while I still had a dependable income.  I also socked away as much money as I could, knowing that when my job ended, I would be on my own, except for a few months of unemployment payments. As for the power tool brands question, I like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Evolution, and Ryobi.  I use Ryobi grinders on the truck cause if I forget one and leave it at a job or it otherwise disappears, they're cheap and work good, so not a big blow to replace one.   I keep a close eye on the sawzall, rotary hammer, chop saw and welding machines while on the job, but the grinders tend to get laid out all over while working.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Here goes....I'm sure I'll be leaving half of it out, but it's a good start:* 3 - Dewalt 4 1/2" paddle switch grinders / one for 2 3/4" cup brush, one for grinding wheel, one for blending disk* Milwaukee Deep Cut Porta Band w / a box of 10-14 tpi blades* Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Drill - corded* Wilton 7410 Horizontal Bandsaw w / 3 10-14 tpi blades* 14" chop saw (won't see alot of use since you have the bandsaws)* Good drill press with large table and t - slots* 3 - roller stands* Grease pencils* Flat and round chalk* Die Grinder * Burrs and cutting disks* 4ft straight edge* 6” and 10” C-clamps* 2 good 8” bench grinders - one for coarse / fine grinding wheels & one for coarse / fine  wire brush* One box of blue Pferd Polifan blending disks * One box of good 4 1/2" grinding wheels* 4 - Pferd 4 1/2" cutting disks* 3 - 2 3/4” cup brushes* Good tap set w / cutting fluid* Angle finder* Drill bits up to 1 1/4”* 3lb & 10lb sledge* 12oz & 32 oz ball pein* Couple of good center punches and scribes* Speed square and framing square* Torpedo, 2ft, & 4ft levels* Leather gloves - one set for cutting / one set for welding* Ear Plugs and safety glasses* Auto dark helmet lightweight* Good face shields tinted & clear* Welding shirt* 3 good 25ft extension cords* 2 - 25ft tape measures (you'll drop one and loose the other)* Shop broom, dust broom, dust panI know that's a lot of stuff, but you will touch most of those items every day you are in the shop.....When you get big time, we'll start taking about OH cranes, benders, and forklifts.
Reply:Originally Posted by gjgarreI assume by hand tools you also mean power tools?  I couldn't survive without my 4' angle grinder.
Reply:http://www.toolbarn.com/product/makita/9553NB/Not too many manufacturers make the 4" model.  I remember when they first came out, I thought they were junk.  They turned out to be tough little grinders.  Then when the 4 1/2" came out it just seemed like you needed the extra 1/2"  I still reach for a new wheel and occasionally grab one of the old 4" by accident.  I still like them for tight spots or OH work.
Reply:mac makes a 2" angle grinder but its pneumatic.
Reply:****, I'm doing something wrong.  been in the game for a year or two and don't have half of this gear.Oh, that's right, I'm a pipey.Mobile phonePipe stand's, minimum of eightOne good 200amp (minimum) welding machineGrinders 4 of   2X7" 2X5"Wrap aroundTape 1X 12 metre 1X 25 metreChain clamps X 6 with extensionsPipe clampsWedges/spacing toolsChain blocks/lever blocks X 2 plus slingsThat would get you going in the piping game.I'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.
Reply:Originally Posted by wirehunt****, I'm doing something wrong.  been in the game for a year or two and don't have half of this gear.Oh, that's right, I'm a pipey.Mobile phonePipe stands, minimum of eightOne good 200amp (minimum) welding machineGrinders 4 of   2X7" 2X5"Wrap aroundTape 1X 12 metre 1X 25 metreChain clamps X 6 with extensionsPipe clampsWedges/spacing toolsChain blocks/lever blocks X 2 plus slingsThat would get you going in the piping game.
Reply:If you do a lot of repair type work, then you may want to consider the best grinders and drills available.  I would recommend Metabo and Bosch for any power tool.  The DeWalt's and such are really becoming junk.  I had a few DeWalt's that lasted, but then I started going through a grinder a month...  that's when I went to Metabo and haven't looked back.  You will pay high dollar, but it lasts and definitely makes up for it in the long run.  Having said that, you may need to buy they cheap stuff to get started and then when you start making money invest it in the business by buying quality tools and equipment.  Take careDanwww.hillisfabrication.com
Reply:Originally Posted by dhillisThe DeWalt's and such are really becoming junk.  I had a few DeWalt's that lasted, but then I started going through a grinder a month...
Reply:screw the C-clamps and get some Bessey'sAt my shop we use exclusively Makita 5/6in Grinders (905B)We also have a 4" Walter, and my 4.5" Dewalt. All of which put up with use from our mechanics.. being run over, dropped, overheated, cut on, painted on, quenched (yes, dropped in a pail of water) amung other things.ZIPCUT's!!Snapon Tools? Not a chance.. Unless you want to pay twice as much for the same tool as from other quality companies and/or want to have the sales guy show up all the time... Westward, PROTO, Mastercraft, Craftsman, JET, or Husky should be just fine...As for bits and abrasives, We use Walter grinding disks and drill bits.. recently we've changed over to WURTH drill bits and grinding disks...