I have compiled a list of some very useful tools to start your own fab business

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Ok I own my own Fab company and I make mainly gates, fence, security doors, window bars, truck racks etc... Not a lot of heavy duty farm type welding. more of the artistic stuff.  So here is a list of tools with some picturesFirst off you will need a welder and a good helmet. here I have a miller 180 mig, and a Miller auto dark helmet.  Having a helmet for the shop and one for the field is a smart Idea as you tend to forget stuff sometimes.Next we have A quality chop saw (Rigid) and a nice beefy welding table that is convenient enough for one person to move arounda nice set of roller stands to hold your long metal up while cuttingA bench grinder and vice always come in handy and will make your job alot easier and much faster (my new bench grinder is on the floor)An air compressor and a gravity feed paint gun will give a nice finishing touch for that top notch product.A vast array of grinders in all shaped and sizes do a nice job (I have a 4.5" Dewalt, a 4" HF, and a 7" HF)Drills, drill press, hammer drills (especially for installs)As well as a nice set of drill bits (these are all purpose and drill better than any dewalt or other off the shelf bit )A nice set of cordless tools that include: sawzall, Hammer drill, 1/4" impact, circular saw, and flash light.  cordless will speed up install time.
Reply:A few of these 10 gauge extension cords work well to transfer all the power you need to any corded accessory Even works very well with 110v welders.A generator that can run your 220v mig welder is a great power source for those places you need to weld or drill and there is no power to be found.A trailer large enough in size and load range to get larger steel quantities for when you pick up that big order or have that large product to deliver.ANd last but probably first and foremost.....An adequet place to work and store your equipment.This should be enough to get you started with building an array of items and as you grow you will add your style and personality and your tool arrangement will become more vast and plentifull with duplicate tools even.Last edited by mr2turbo7; 02-26-2008 at 02:23 AM.
Reply:Oh yes and plenty of tape measures and a measuring wheel for measuring longer distances.
Reply:Nice and do you have a Drill Doctor to keep those bits sharp?I have grown to love my Drill DoctorSouth Arkansas RebelMiller 210 W/ Spoolgun& dual tank rackMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC
Reply:I wish I had a Garage..Where is the Fire Putter Outter and the Red Cross Kit?...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:Customers, you need customersDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:hehe, yea Tozzi listed the biggest one...I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Oh yes and plenty of customers.  My favorite customers are the custom home builders.  as they will use you on most of their houses they build and for many different things so it will mix up the work load a bit.  Business cards are another good thing to get.  ANother is a good helper.  My Fiance "Candice" is my helper.FIRE PUTTER OUTER is in the shed at the back ofthe "shop" around the corner.  as well as a hose about  15 feet to the right of the shop.Last edited by mr2turbo7; 02-27-2008 at 01:34 AM.
Reply:Cool thread! I like your workspace
Reply:With the housing market the way it is out there in AZ, im surprised to hear there are still builders putting up homes. I just sold my AZ house about a month ago, and took a pretty big hit to do it.Nice Thread BTW, but for making custom gates I would add a plasma cutter to the list. Good for cutting out letters and shapes to add that western appeal.Miller Syncrowave 200Hobart Handler 140Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38E-Z Tube BenderPlasma Cam DHC2
Reply:I'd recommend a good book keeper to keep uncle sam off your back.
Reply:These are the "tools" you need I hope your book keeper is not a "tool"  JK  deffinately a handy thing to have.   The housing market is crap here in Tucson but the custom housing market is usually about the same at all times only fluctuating around the holiday season.
Reply:I'll trade you Pittsburgh for Tucson. You need snow.
Reply:You definitely need a helper, a female wearing company issued daisy dukes to pick up all the tools you drop if your clumsy like me.
Reply:Nice small shop...