What are your MUST HAVE tools?

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Which tools can you not live without? Which ones are the ones that get used everyday? What makes you the most money?I am sure there is a similar thread on here, but I searched and couldn't find it.
Reply:two tools thtat have made me more money over the years than any are the mag base drill and my boom truck.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Chop saw, mig, and drill press.  New-to-me tig welder will have paid for itself before summer is over.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:A sharp soapstone and a good tape.O and my rigtruck.
Reply:This because it has everything on it Attached ImagesDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Must have? I dunno, lots. But my favorites are: radio, tig welder, 5'x10' table, and leather apron.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Six-inch Metabo angle grinder with lots of cutting wheels and flap discs. I don't buy 4.5" grinders any more since the 6" are the same physical size and the cutting wheels are the best thing since beer and hookers.
Reply:Anything you need for the job at hand....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:#1 - my set of machined shop made gauge stopper on my framing square.#2 - my 8 inches long carbide rod scriber.#3 - 2 high quality stanley framing square original from 70s#4 - a good ''scientific calculator'' not the Master Construction (or wtv its called) one!all of this to laying out out steel stairs all day long!Calculator > Bevel Square
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallSix-inch Metabo angle grinder with lots of cutting wheels and flap discs. I don't buy 4.5" grinders any more since the 6" are the same physical size and the cutting wheels are the best thing since beer and hookers.
Reply:I have many tools and machines that are very useful but there is one that has saved me more time and is more versatile than any other.  LIQUID WRENCH. Attached Images
Reply:If I did not have these things, there would be no point to head into the shop...1- layout tools2- chop saw3- MigEverything else just makes the job easier
Reply:What kind of job you do ? i never heard about a big fan of grinders and cutting disc as you are haha!
Reply:Plasma cutter, welder, mag drill, hand tools, magnetic and mechanical reach tools, headlight, mini sledge, air tools (impacts, grinders etc) and swear jar. I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but I do a lot of different work.My favorite is the mag drill because every time I meet someone new; I pull sword in the stone on 'em. It never gets old!Millermatic250Miller Spoolmate 200Miller Spoolmatic 1Lincoln tombstone with century DC converter1945 K.O. Lee company stick welder (looks like R2D2)Miller 30E feederHobart AH27 FeederMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC
Reply:Nobody said, BFH ????Just the basics, chop saw, port a band, band saw,drill press,grinders, and my 12" disc with 6''x48'' belt sander by Powermatic.
Reply:Welding helmet. This is a welding forum, isn't it??
Reply:Originally Posted by ItsMillerTimeI pull sword in the stone on 'em. It never gets old!
Reply:I could not get by without these...not in any certain orderTape measureSquareclampschalksaw (recip, band, portaband, chop...something)grinderMiller TrailBlazer 301Miller 12rc feederMiller ShopmasterMiller 22a feederPlasmaCam CNC TableHypertherm 45 cutterDrills, saws, blast cabinets etc.
Reply:1-1/8" wrench
Reply:Originally Posted by JeffKiperwhat do you mean?No one said a fridge for cold beer after work.
Reply:I would have to say my mig welder and my cutting torch. But the most important thing would  to me would be eyes and my hands so i can perform the work .Millermatic 211 with mvp plugs miller titanium series welding helmetstihl chain saws 8 ft welding table
Reply:Must have??? A saw (abrasive,dry,cut off disk), any welder (MIG, TIG, stick, gas), any grinder (4-7", stone, flapwheel, whatever), torch. With those tools you can cut, weld, heat, bend, grind, and therefor make just about anything. After some years in the business I have much better tools, and have also become a machine tool addict, but still use those basic tools every day.
Reply:Must have?  Everything.....Best money maker?   Hands down, JD2 model 3 bender, air over hydraulic.  May have to upgrade to his big brother, the 32.  Starting to get people asking about 2"x.250 DOM now that I've met a couple of 4x4 guys.  In circle track and road race, mostly .095 and some .120.Enough stuff to build and repair wrinkled up race cars or bring a classic back to life...
Reply:I use my 20 gallon air compressor everyday. Air tires, blow gun, 3/8" drive impact.....Lincoln 140 HD
Reply:Really depends at the job on hand.For dinner its usually a fork and knife, or a spoon for soup, sometimes chopsticks for finger food.In the shop the most commonly used tool is a tape measure use it on almost every job. Right behind that in useful is a set of open end wrenches, 7/16 to 1 1/8, then socket set and ratchets. Also on the must have list is a #2 phillips screwdriver, an air compressor, a vice and a layout bench (bench is replaced by stands and horses on the truck )Then comes used almost daily, grinder (s), drill ( and bits ), squares and layout tools, clamps, cold cut miter saw, welder (s), drill press, and micrometer.  A complete set of allen wrenches, cordless drill, and air tools.And the couple of times a week tools ( actually machinery ), Lathe, Plasma cutter, Vertical mill.But a couple of weeks ago I was building a metal and wood piece, several days on cabinet work, the tape measure, the # 2 screwdriver, and the cordless drill were the only tools from above I used, my Festool saw, router table, chop saw, sanders and air compressor were the tools at hand.But back to your must have list, a tape measure is my #1 used on everthing just about.MONEY most needed and most versatile tool there is350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:Yeah, but the trees upon which money grows are spendy.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Rolling magnet. Work outside quite a lot near the drive where the trucks, tractors drive over. Run that magnet over gravel at the end of the day and be amazed the pieces to didn't see lurking and waiting for a tire to come along.Mag base drill...everyone doesn't have one?Clamps...lots of clamps.More clampsWhat everybody else already said.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Tig/stick, mig, and a good angle grinder is really about all you ever need.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Welding helmet, a nice pair of gloves, a good angle grinder, and a whole lot of clamps http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Dynasty 350. Machined Square. Good Tape Measure.
Reply:Snaffle Bit AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:also my HANDS cant do much without those350P 30A spool gun cut master 51  syncro 250 other stuff " take a dog off the street and make him prosper and he will not bite you sad the same cannot be said for man" i didnt use punctuation just to piss you off
Reply:A worker that actually wants to work...Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:The most used tool I own is safety glasses. If you can't see it idont care what tools you have they are useless.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:My brain and then my patience. Nothing else is very effective w/o these two.
Reply:Originally Posted by SampleWhich tools can you not live without? Which ones are the ones that get used everyday? What makes you the most money?I am sure there is a similar thread on here, but I searched and couldn't find it.
Reply:When it really comes down to it, Here is a list that if your had you can fabricate and erect any structural steel, 2nd optional list to fabricate any pipe. Yes there are things that can help speed up the process.  But these are the bare essentials that if it was all that you had you could make money with.    Been there and done it. Structural300 amp Engine drive welderset of torches6" grinder, 4.5" wire wheelgood set of lay out toolsmag drillmetal cutting circular saw or a gas chop sawset of spuds wrench, spud bar and a 10 lb beater with a 24" handleSafety gear and fall protection gearPipeH & M pipe bevelerRidgid tri stand and three pipe standsFlange pins, wedge spacersMud boardAlignment clamp (jewel clamp)Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:3"X5" notepad and pencil that goes in my pocket a soon as I get up and stays there till I shut downGood tape measureBFHChains and clampsBest return on investment? - probably a really good set of left hand twist bits and easy outs.When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, "This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know," the end result is tyranny and oppression, no matter how holy the motives.
Reply:Redwings in the winter. Flip Flops in the summer.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:This Laptop.
Reply:Build any bridge  DC-600  LN-9 Sub Arc , Flux Core , n stick . Radial Drill , Mag Drill annular and Morse Taper . 300 survey tape 100 ft survey tape , survey level 6'/4'/2'/torpedo levels . string and piano wire. Lots hammers ,clamps ,skids, 150 ton crane cap inshop  , burning bug o ,  Sand blaster or blast clean machine . Lots big grinders , 99V IR air grinders down to die grinders , torch preheat and cutting . Thats It build any bridge from George Washington Down to stringer beams !!!
Reply:Keys to the shop.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Bottle opener...Definitely a bottle opener.
Reply:AHHHHHHHH, just give me a piece of string and some channel locks and I'll build the damn thing for ya.
Reply:My porta-band, a tape measure, punches, and a speed square are probably my most used tools. Drills and Impact drivers too. And of course my welder haha."If you ain't making mistakes, it means you aren't learning anything."
Reply:After spending the last week in yellowstone, my idea of most important tool changed a bit. I would have to go with indoor plumbing. (because if you can't wash the work off at the end of the day you really never leave. Man it's nice to have indoor plumbing again)Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:A MUST HAVE tool......I've got most of the rest as standared workshp tools for the job, BUT I like a broom, a good new broom......I can't abide walking on metal chips grit and rubbish underfoot, so a MUST have tool for me is a broom.....beats a vacuum cleaner......when I use the broom it means the job's done, clean up time, time to go inside and put my feet up with a cup of tea.Ian.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabAfter spending the last week in yellowstone, my idea of most important tool changed a bit. I would have to go with indoor plumbing. (because if you can't wash the work off at the end of the day you really never leave. Man it's nice to have indoor plumbing again)
Reply:A doo rag or welding beanie to keep the hot stuff off of what remaining hair i have. and something to sharpen my soap stone. Dave.