Setting up a Shop

[tim_krueger]

Ok now that I’m gonna have a 2 car garage all to my self, I am going to start getting some tools so that my garage can function as a part time for fun fab shop. I already have plenty of good hand and air tools, and an adequate air compressor.

I would like to know what everyone here thinks are the necessary fab tools to have, and recommendations on which ones or brands to buy.

Here’s what I thinking.......
1) WELDER: Millermatic 175.
2) CHOP SAW: 14” Brand??
3) BENDER: JD2 w/1.75”, 1.5”. & 1” Dies. (Wish I could get a Greenlee or MB but I’ll never have the extra grand…..lol)
4) BENCH GRINDER: 10” 1hp (I would like to use one side as a disc sander does anyone know where to get this attachment, or do I have to make one).
5) DRILL PRESS: 12” 2/3-1hp Bench top.

I think you could do a pretty good job with these tools, but any other recommendations on brands or tools would be appreciated.

As you may be able to tell I’ll be on a budget. Some other tools I’m considering are TORCH set and BAND SAW to make tabs, or instead a plasma cutter. What are the pros and cons of either setup? How good of a band saw do I need? Eventually I plan to step up to a hole saw type tubing notcher.

Thanks,
Tim

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[hoeker]

the millermatic 175 is a great choice on a budget. keep in mind it's got limits when it comes to the duty cycle and you'll be fine.
i've had real good luck with my 14" milwaukee chop saw but hardly ever use it. get a hor / vert band saw. j&L industrial has a smaller import saw that's selling for around 550 bucks right now. i've been using mine for years, it's a great saw for the money.
skip the dual purpose bench grinder idea. a 3/4 hp 8" grinder will save you a few bucks then get a 12" disk sander to go with it. the disk sanders are available for a couple hundred.
i'd spring for something hydraulic in the bender dept if possible, the ratchet ones are a pain. i have a smaller hand bender from mitler bros just for doing 1" and smaller stuff, very nice way to go. leave the hyd. bender for doing big stuff.
plasma cutters are nice but over rated when it comes to making tabs. a band saw or the local laser shop are the way to go on tabs. get a torch for hacking when you can.
to anybody that knows how to use it i would recommend skipping the drill press and getting a cheap mill if you can, lots more options, even one of those smaller mill/drills can be very handy at times.

just my .02 hope this helps

good luck

[tim_krueger]

thanks
this is exactly the type feedback i'm looking for...keep it coming

[azfabguy]

spring for the bigger welder. i use a floor standing drill press for using the tubing notcher.

[johnnyweb]

i ve a 230 amp welder and my partner has a 175 amp. i can tell the difference! the larger welder just does cleaner welds for longer with less splatter and slag. but check the amprage that your garage has before you make your dissicion. most house current 220 lines are only 30 amp. also think about a portaband saw made by milwakee. ours gets more use then most all our other saws.all most foregot plasma cutter can make building tabs,shockmounts,gussets easier. good luck

[hoeker]

one thing that many people don't have is a nice welding table. i'm not talking something light, i'm talking 1000 lbs of steel, check your local scrap store occasionally and get at least a 2" thick plate at least 3' square. put some legs on it, or better yet good casters and you'll never regret it. now whenever you need to fixture something flat you have the ability to clamp parts down good.
i got a screaming deal on a die plate 3" thick 32" x 60" put it on wheels and corner leveling bolts. now when i need it i can roll it into the center of the room, level it, and start fabin' -very handy-

while the millermatic 175 can do most fab work just fine for the occasional user the 210 is definately worth looking into if your going to keep plenty of projects around. i liquidated my old 210 for a 250 but have really never needed the extra power, i keep a 175 around for occasional use at the track.

[ntsqd]

HF sells a small bandsaw for ~$200. I have one that came from the now closed shop I worked for during college. Still going strong after ~8 years. Buy quality blades for it. HF doesn't have those. The chop saw gathers dust. About the only time I've ever needed it was to make a special tool from a VW stub axle, no way the band saw was going to cut that hardened steel.

I have a 6" grinder and all I seem to use it for is sharpening tungstens. I use a 6" belt/12" disc combo for metal shaping/removal. Works far better than a grinding wheel since both grind flat.
Consider a 1" belt sander. I keep a 100 grit belt on mine. It is quick, easy, and awesome for deburring parts.

Local welder guy has a great set-up. It's a cnc retro-fit to his plasma cutting table. Anytime I have a difficult or time consuming flat part to cut out I draw it and take it to him.

Go with a floor standing drill press or Ross' suggestion. To cut costs, do some digging locally. I'll bet there's a used machinery dealer in your area. I paid $100 for my 40's era drill press. It almost out weighs the mill, has a screw table height adjustment, and T slots in the table for mill type strap clamps etc.

[curt]

The list of items we use lots
Welder - Get a big one
4-1/2" Angle grinder (about tied with the sawzall in amount of usage)
Good sawzall- We upgraded the makita to a dewalt last year, love it.
Full size drill press- Very handy, you will use a lot, a lifesaver when drilling 5/8" and above hole also need good power for using holesaws ocasionally..
Notcher- A decent holesaw version is fine for even daily use. make sure it has replaceable bushings.
Bearing press- Used for pressing bearings and also for bending flat plate
Make a workbench big enough for to mount 2 full size vices, nothing worse than waiting for a vice to keep working.
60gal Air compressor
Good air 1/2" impact gun, get a Chicago Pneumatic not a Ingersol or some other home center special...

Never skimp on tools, you'll be buying them again....Due to high usage or poor 1st time purchases we had to replace:
Sawzall - High usage
Notcher - Hogh Usage
Welder - Poor purchase, cheap 110v unit
Impact Gun - Gift, Campbell Housefield-Junk
Vice - broke 3 of them bending plate with a sledgehammer

Blades and consumables:
Use only Lennox Sawzall blades and holesaws, you WILL notice a difference in lifespan without paying a premium in price.
Walter Flap discs- Get rid of those crappy stones on the angle grinder, these things are magic...You can remove as much or as little material as you want quickly. $8-$12.00ea kind of expensive but we'll never use a stone again.

Curt

[Ryno]

The belt/ disc sander is a must, makes life way too easy. I just have a 4" belt, 6" disc. A 12" would be nice, but I got it free. I use 3M belts and discs. They seem to last longer. For the sawzall, get a porter cable. I've been a professional carpenter now for 6 years, I've beat them all, and the porter cable is the best by far. For your blades/ holesaws, I prefer Milwaukee. The cost a bunch, but they last. Check out tools shops online, like Northern. They usually have some decent stuff, but better quality than HF.

If you're a mechanic, and work on stuff, other than fabbing, put serious thought into a small parts washer. They can be had for about $60. Think about sizes....heads, bearings, carbs, etc. If you've ever taken a greasy part on a dirtbike, truck, buggy, you know what I mean.

[Mintychip]

Check out Davis and Wells for great deals on used metal working equipment. They have a huge inventory and good customer service. Ask for Dan. Davis And Wells