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Well, I've now got a grand total of three hours welding experience on my shiny new 211. Having lots of fun. I've also watched a few videos on various steel cutting techniques. Like I said in another post, I've never done any welding so I don't have some tools it looks like I need. I've got lots of wrench turning type tools. For example, looks like I need some flap discs (didn't even realize they were made for metal). I've got a couple of old 7" grinders but they seem too heavy. I've got a bunch of C clamps and vice grips but none of those wide arm vice grip type clamps. Other than the tools I think I'm pretty well set up. Anyhow, could I get some specific recommendations on tools I need to buy. I can't go too much money but I prefer quality tools so it'll probably be craigs. Thanks.jor
Reply:This is a good start. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Hit yard sales and flea markets for clamps. I got by for a long time with a cheap chopsaw and a 4.5 inch grinder. Walter makes great flap discs. Pricier per unit but probably more economical in the long run due to their durability. Get a brand name angle grinder.Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:I don't use flap discs. I have a few around, I've tried occasionally. I've never found them well suited for my need. I favor hard abrasive discs for serious grinding, Bristle disc for mill scale, or light rust, and Diablo from Home Depot, or Norton Blaze (like Scotch Brite) for all the lighter cutting functions. Get a good stringer wire disc for steel, and a fine stainless one if you are going to weld aluminum. Use care, and safety equipment with the grinder. They make you leak red stuff on a good day, or blind you on a bad day if you don't. WillieAn optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Pawn shops are a good source for decent used tools as well.-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Here is some basic layout tools. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by derekpfeifferPawn shops are a good source for decent used tools as well.
Reply:Originally Posted by derekpfeifferPawn shops are a good source for decent used tools as well.
Reply:Originally Posted by derekpfeifferPawn shops are a good source for decent used tools as well.
Reply:Father's day is coming up so keep an eye out for the sales- Father's day is actually the one sale that tools go on sale for a decent price.Christmas isn't actually a good time- they know yer gonna spend for the big holiday.Tools- Father's dayTVs- buy AFTER Christmas Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I agree, don't buy a tool based on a video. Buy them when you actually have a need. I use cut off wheels in a grinder to cut steel and abrasive disks to grind. Free have used flap disks for removing paint or rust occasionally. Cutting/Grinding supplies have a bigger priority for budget.
Reply:Ratchet straps work really well for adjusting things. Also a bench grinder, they don't get talked about too often but you can shape a lot of metal with them. A reciprocating saw with a variety of blades can cut stuff a grinder with a cut off wheel can't and with some practice they cut fairly accurately. A low speed hand held drill will out perform a cheap drill press for low cost hole drilling in metal.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Check craigs list for garage sales. You should be able to pickup all kinds of goodies. Last week I bought another bench grinder for $10.00 with new USA wheels. The wheels would cost more. Hammers too for $1.00 , chisels and punches for $.25 each. I was lucky it was a entire sub division sale. To add to the list ,  all sizes of framing squares from the basic 24'' , 12'', Swanson Speed square, and combination 6'' , 12 '', 24'' set with center finder as posted .
Reply:Please don't buy me tools for father's day. I've received tools as gifts too many times. I've never used any of them. A tool I care to have has been researched, and chosen. Rarely do I choose the one cheap enough to give away.WillieAn optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Thanks to all. Had to look up "stringer wire disc" and "Norton Blaze." I've got most of the tools in the photos. I think I'll be on the lookout for clamps, a 4.5" grinder and the abrasives and wire wheels mentioned. I do have a vice and bench grinder and LOTS of hand and air tools. jor
Reply:Clamps, clamps, clamps, You can never have enough clamps. All I use is the Vise Grip brand. There maybe others that are just as good but I've never had a problem with Vice Grip brand in 20 years. Safety products. Glasses, face shield, proper gloves for the task, etc. Proper safety equipment is what most people skimp on (myself included, at first) and hate to spend money on but I cant stress enough about safety. Learn to use a guard on your grinder at all times. You'll thank me in 20 years, when you grind a finger to the bone, or wrap your shirt in it.
Reply:leigh valley, on the internet, has great prices on flap discs, wire brushes, grinding wheels, etc. I used to only use hard discs and didn't know much about flap discs, now, 15 years later, I almost never use a hard disc. Flap discs allow you to blend much better than a hard disc. 40 and 60 grit are my go to. A new makita 4" grinder has a very small body and is great for light work. For even smaller work, I use an IR composite air die grinder, 90 degree, with flap discs in 2" or 3" diameter. For fast and heavy work, an old (2001) usa miluwaukee 5" variable speed grinder with flap discs and always a guard. If you have to take the guard off for a flap disc or hard disc, or cut off disc, then you don't know how to use a grinder. It is too easy to reach up and touch that disc without a guard.7" grinders are a handful and are heavy. If you are doing big work, they are OK. The milwaukee 5" is too heavy for me to use single handed, comfortably. The 4" is the smallest and lightest I found and was intended to do jobs where the die grinder is undersized. The dewalt 4-1/2" grinders are a good general purpose grinder and you can lean on them. I wouldn't mind trying out a milwaukee 6" grinder. The body is still smaller than older 7", but bigger discs mean more speed on the edge of the disc and more area that you can cover.CGW or camel discs are great, but not always cheap. They are available locally to me and I used to run them. The quality is better than leigh valley, but lv is a quarter of the price and they last and work almost as well as cgw.I have the 211 inverter and love it. Do you have an auto dark helmet? They make it much easier to work.Miller 330abpMiller 211 inverter, M150 spool gunMiller 135Miller 375 Extreme plasmaCNC plasma table (build in progress)Femi 120abs portable band sawMany other toolsToo little garage spaceNot enough money
Reply:I have 5 4-1/2" grinders, and a 9" Milwaukee. For most jobs I grab a little one. Most of mine are DeWalt. They make a cheap one I hate. It starts suddenly, and it's awkward for one hand use. On two occasions it has jumped out of my hand when I didn't have a real tight grip on it. It always eats flesh. Three are the better ones with soft start. Two have trigger lock, I like them best. Milwaukee, Makita, and Metabo offer great ones.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:As stated above, you need clamps, lots of clamps, never have enough camps, all sizes, big and small!!
Reply:When buying clamps look for good quality ones, I scrimped a little at first and bought some low quality welding clamps which are pretty much useless. Old vise grip clamps are great now they have been replaced by Irwins which are okay but not as great a quality. Something I have not heard mentioned here yet and that is auctions farm type auctions can be a great source. When my father-in-law had his auction I could not believe how low the good quality tools sold for some of the cheap knock off tools sold for more than the Proto's, SK Wayne, Snap on etc. Check your auction fliers to see what is listed.
Reply:One of the best first time tools you can get. Yes, it's fairly cheap, but as a hobbyist it should last for years.http://smile.amazon.com/Grizzly-J1T-...utting+bandsawEverlast  i210 with 200a spool gunEverlast i140eLOTOS LTP5000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc "Things are never so bad that they can't get worse...."
Reply:Us hobby type welders only need one or two clamps at the most! Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Where do you get those heavy clamps CEP?Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by aarolarWhere do you get those heavy clamps CEP?
Reply:Clamp fun!!Trailblazer 302G12VS Extreme Miller SD180Coolmate 4Miller 251Miller 175Victor OAHypertherm 380Milling MachineLatheBandsawOriginally Posted by CEPAny industrial tool / supply house carries them.
Reply:Originally Posted by colindstarkThey are $$$$$ expensive.Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Reply:You have to remember that it's only CEP first 6 months of welding.Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:Originally Posted by tinker001You have to remember that it's only CEP first 6 months of welding.
Reply:Yard sale and flea market for clamps CEP could have a job on our shop as a layout man just needs a  string.
Reply:I will go with the flow and mention clamps. You can never have too many clamps.