Garage Shop: Tools

Saw this at the lawnmower shop just now

 

Ordered myself a cheap 6.5" vise for my fab table. Much beefier than I have on my wood workbench lol

 

You married the wrong woman brother...

 

I’m looking heavy at the new Milwaukee M12 right angle die grinder.

 

Not a breakdown of my drawers, but a pic of my garage and shelves/workbench

 

So I am having an internal predicament: Air vs Electric tools.

I was gonna pick up a decent size air compressor, and then got sidetracked looking at tool systems like Milwualkee's Fuel and the comparable dewalt system.

Seems that a lot of the tools I am likely to use on air have very attractive alternatives in the battery powered world now. Specifically torque guns.

When I look at the cost of a 25-30gal compressor, air line, and gun, it equals or exceeds a good 1/2in Milwaulkee battery gun.

Anyone care to elaborate on why they went one way vs another? I do have an ARB compressor in my truck if I really needed shop air for filling tires and stuff, so that isn't really a consideration.

 

If you are ever going to any spray painting or sandblasting, you will need air.

I still rely on air for suspension and tire work. Other than that, battery tools will work great.

 

The M18 (and comparable other brands) will drive a 1/2 x 8” lag bolt into rafters with relative ease. They have come a long ways when it comes to power. Hell the M12 will do it too, you just get about 1/3 to 1/2 the power time to it.

Did installs for Directv for a couple years and Dewalt, Milwaukee and Mikita were our main brand impacts. I’ve used the M18 in both framing and vehicle stuff. For the space you save vs a big compressor, availability of tool options and tool ability, I think they are well worth the cost.

If you need air for things like a framing gun, trim, or paint sprayer, then a small compressor like the PC does a good job.

 

Here's my workbench and tool box setup.

 

I really have no intention of using an air sprayer for paint or sand at any point. My truck compressor works great for tires and other small tasks as well.

As far as suspension and tire lugs go, i think its a wash. And the battery powered ones could come with me easier for trips in the truck.

 

+1 for Battery. I only have ryobi but it works great and i usually bring a breaker bar with me anyways for those just in case items.

 

Damn it, I meant to add that they can go with. Makes changing a tire way faster! Just always keep a spare impact/socket adapter on hand. Never know when one will go, especially in the cold.



https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...el-Square-Socket-Adapter-48-32-5031/202562858

 

Both Ryobi and Milwaukee are made by TTI, more of the home owner version but I have seen guys abuse the hell out of them and they keep kicking. Nothing wrong with Ryobi at all.

You always want a hand tool backup!

 

I have the m12 fuel 1/2" electric impact and its awesome. I use it for everything on the truck and it hasn't let me down yet. I bought a cheap pelican style case from harbor freight and throw the impact and the two batteries I have for it inside and throw it in the truck on trips. So convenient to have it with me in case i need it.

 

If you don’t already have the xc6.0 battery, it’s worth it’s weight in gold.

 

good to know. I bought the kit with the 2.0 and 4.0ah batteries. They've been more than enough in my use cases. If I decide to start buying more m12 tools, I'll definitely pick up that xc6.0 battery.

 

They used to end up in the tool clearance at HD a lot. Haven’t seen any there in several months but worth it if you can find them on discount.

Just depends what you’re doing, you can run deck screws for several hours with it. Also a great buy if you decide to add any cordless saws to your kit. Basic truck wrenching, you’re just fine with the 4.0.

 

Tell me more about that adjustable arm work lamp....

 

OK

$60 Neewer Wall Mounting Triangle Boom Arm for Ring Light, Monolight, Softbox, Reflector, Umbrella, and Photography Strobe Light, Support 180 Degree Rotation, Max Length 4.3 feet/130cm (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Photography-Monolights-Reflectors-centimeters/dp/B07B916KNQ

 

Exactly, thank you.