Small Shop Guys What is a tool you use frequently that is out of the norm

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Just curious what guys have that weld part time, side Hussle or beer money use that is out of the norm??? I imagine we all have grinders, band saws, radio and refrigerator.  I weld in my 2 car garage and space is very limited. My magnetic drill has been very helpful as is my 20 ton press with the Swag Off Road press brake.
Reply:These are some non conventional things I use:Box fan with home air conditioner filters makes an excellent garage air cleaner.A scissor jack, ratchet straps, bottle jack, and come along (these are probably pretty common).  Furniture style lifting lever (google), along with dolly/sliders to move really heavy stuff.I love my tri-stand (usually for plumbers, found cheaply on craigslist type apps) as a very heavy duty base/stand that folds up nicely into the size of a set of golf clubs.  I like the chain vise versions with either the lever or the screw tightening mechanism, use a piece of leather to protect metal from chain if so needed.
Reply:Some people might consider my railroad anvils out of the norm, but they are pretty standard in this crowd. I also have a large nut welded on a scissor jack so I can move things around in tight places with the impact (probably not recommended).250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
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Originally Posted by whtbaron

Some people might consider my railroad anvils out of the norm, but they are pretty standard in this crowd. I also have a large nut welded on a scissor jack so I can move things around in tight places with the impact (probably not recommended).
Reply:The hydraulic lift cart as a welding table.  Raymond Head first turned me onto the idea with this photo of one of his power hammers under construction.  Being able to raise or lower the work to get at a weld is great, but the cart is still a cart and can be used to offload the truck or move things around the shop.  The older I get, the more I appreciate someone else doing the heavy lifting!

Just saw that one of the big companies is now making a small welding table that is similar, but doesn't have much in the way of elevation capacity.For more general stuff, I'd have to say that my belt grinders are probably the two most used and underrated tools.  When I got my 2x72 grinder, I was gobsmacked at just how handy it was and still marvel at how I ever survived without it.I need to get a mag drill, but lately I've been really curious about those metal-cutting circular saws for their portability.
Reply:A good host is big help.Dave

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

These are some non conventional things I use:Box fan with home air conditioner filters makes an excellent garage air cleaner.A scissor jack, ratchet straps, bottle jack, and come along (these are probably pretty common).  Furniture style lifting lever (google), along with dolly/sliders to move really heavy stuff.I love my tri-stand (usually for plumbers, found cheaply on craigslist type apps) as a very heavy duty base/stand that folds up nicely into the size of a set of golf clubs.  I like the chain vise versions with either the lever or the screw tightening mechanism, use a piece of leather to protect metal from chain if so needed.