Garage Shop: Tools

Same

 

Torque sticks ftw

 

Do you still verify with a torque wrench or just wing it?

I'm quoting your post as a general question, not singling you out.

 

always verify. We used torque sticks when I worked at America’s tire. Then double checked torque on each lug nut. Method has just stayed engrained

 

Thanks

 

I figured my toque spec to be three Ugga-duggas With my Makita 1/2” impact (on a battery that’s at least half charged). I double check with a clicker wrench and I’m always at about 90 pounds. I still spot check first and last lug nuts by hand out of habit but never had a problem.

 

I still have an olde bending beam torque wrench for wheels, that works like a champ. We had a torque analyzer at my old shop in MD and it was close enough for wheels so it's still in the tool box.

 

I’ve got one of those. Dad taught me growing up and gave it to me. Can’t get myself to get rid of it.

 

For my Home Garage mechanics out there - just bought a house with two car garage... it's tight but has room to move some stuff and put in a long bench and tool cabinets and such... is it worth going through the trouble to box in a compressor and drop some overhead lines in? Or people that have compressors feel like they don't use it that much?

 

Unless you’re doing a lot of fab work, I’d leave it mobile and just use the air line with the compressor. You’re going to want to move it around if you need space, or clean up.

 

Ok - so just stick with a 6 gallon.

Yeah, definitely easier on the wallet.

 

Dont limit yourself in size of compressor though. You may find you need a higher output and will regret a smaller compressor. You can get a decent standup compressor from harbor freight that’s not too hard on the wallet and still has decent output.

 

Can still plumb in extra fittings so you can hook up a line quickly.

You’d be surprised how handy an air line on a reel is when mounted to the right spot, though.

 

How wide is the section between the garage doors? Old house I had I could fit my air compressor there just on the inside of it.

 

I have a vertical 30 gallon one that is portable but it stays in the same place all of the time. I ran 1/2" pvc piping through out my shop with 4 drops in strategic locations. Even though it is 30 gallons, it is not big enough. BTW, it has a 6.5 hp motor on it too. Small air compressors are for filling tires and running small nail guns. If you plan on running a die grinder or a D.A. sander, get the biggest you can afford. JMO

 

Recently bought this to use in my shop, I don’t have the power for a 60gal 240v deal. So far I haven’t been disappointed. Tired of using the one in my service van to blow out my tractor, and it’s large enough to feed plasma cutter for a reasonable length of time. Replaced a 23yo Craftsman oilless 25gal. MUCH quieter as well.

 

That's great idea on the space in between the garage doors... I will check how much room I have.

And I didn't think about having to up the electrical... I do have an electrician there doing some updates to our house since it was built in the 50s. I could pull off the roll away size - would be nice. So now I have that idea covered... what's everyone's opinion on a good Garage shelving or work bench set-ups? Any sites out there that have good ideas or any companies that sell all in ones that would fill the back wall with a one and done set-up that I could do over the weekend?

 

two car garage... this was during the estate sale - didn't have any other pictures.

My wife likes the cabinets that are already installed... but they're almost 2.5 deep and when you pull a car in... you have room but not much to work around... I would rather have something I can lay stuff down on and hang, etc.

 

Looks similar to my current one but I am assuming quieter. Might snag that if my current one ever dies.