Garage Shop: Tools

I've had these saved too for when that other hand might be occupied.

$36 Durston Manufacturing Co MPWT Magnetic Plug Weld Tool, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VHZHBO/?coliid=I3SD9Q6GTE2652&colid=2079LZ8C9DA1A&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

$29 Steck Manufacturing 23230 Plugweld Plier

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RFMAGK/?coliid=I28U6FVKCMXALL&colid=2079LZ8C9DA1A&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Still haven't picked either one up yet though.

 

I've had the top one for awhile. Works great if you are repairing small holes or doing Rosette type welds.

Copper pipe crushed flat (or copper bar stock) is something I find more useful though. Can place over larger (or longer) holes/seams.

 

Picked up two new tools yesterday.

First was a local, used Baldor Grinder. for $50. Had to drive an hour and a half each way to pick it up....but thats normal rural life lol. A 7306DP model. The wheels are pretty shot and it needs new plexiglass but those are consumable items anyways. The rest of the machine was in great shape after wiping off the dust.

Its also a model with the "dust ports" on the back of the wheel housings. Not sure if I'll ever use them or just cap them off but kind of a neat feature. To bad the vacuum system is like $1200 bucks news and is designed for Baldor's own pedestal




Then picked up an odd tool. A plastic "welder". Lets be honest its a soldering iron with a different tip. (you can see it in the background of the pic). But it works decently well for melting plastic. I bought a "kit" that came with the iron, some plastic "rods" and the steel mesh.

Overall it works decently well for what it is. For just repairing a crack it is pretty simple. For repairing something like a tab for a screw/bolt it more what I got it for. And it works decently well for that too. Thats where the steel mesh really comes in. Once its melted into the plastic it really makes a solid area. The picture below the the mounting tab was broken off so made a new one pretty much. Its not a perfect process and definitely requires sanding/cleanup after you get the plastic laid down. (the picture was before any sort of cleanup). One thing to note is I wouldnt use it on a "finished" side of a piece (ie the side you can see) unless you planned to refinish the whole piece.

Is it better than something like JB Weld? Ehh just a different approach. Least when talking repairing tabs. I just got tired of having to buy more JB Weld since it always seems like I got one or two uses out of the tubs before something happened to the rest of the tub rendering it useless.

 

I have used my plastic welder to repair tons of shit, mostly motorcycle and dirt bike fairings. Great for attaching a tab that may have broken loose or something.

 

Picked up a few things to install some spacers from Spidertrax today. Good times.

 

I'm looking to buy a cordless 1/2" drive impact. Anyone reccomend one way or another? I've got Makita and DeWalt tools already, so one of them would be preferred. Thanks

 

I use the dewalt 20v max xr. It’s a great impact, no regrets. If you already have batteries then I’d go with a that brand. Unless you’re a professional mechanic and using the tool daily then you won’t notice a difference really between top brand “A” and top brand “B”.

 

Get the dewalt mid torque. I’ve not found anything yet on my 4R it won’t break loose.

this one:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...-Detent-Pin-Anvil-Tool-Only-DCF894B/304050995

 

I just picked this one up last week. I went with Makita since I've got a battery powered Makita lawn mower, edger, blower, plenty of batteries and charge stations.
And used it today to remove wheels on my Mustang. No problem of course at 150 ft/lbs. Only issue I have is the forward/reverse button is real close to my trigger finger.
Got rid of my big air compressor so I'm slowly migrating to all battery. Nice not listening to the compressor run.

 

good deal on the grinder. I also found one used for a good price, we are twins haha. Looks like yours has the lights as well?

 

I have the hf earthquake impact. It’s pretty nasty.

 

I caved and found a NIB at a local pawn shop for a good price last week.


Guess that’s good I’m switching over because my pneumatic rack is about full

 

Yup it has the lights too. I like your stand. That's something I'll need to figure out in the future.

 

thanks. I got lucky the grinder came with that stand and butcher block setup on wheels. I never find good deals and this one was a deal of the year for me lol. It’s a model 8107WD. The stands are pretty expensive I had no idea until after I went to pick it up that the stand was included.

https://odiz.com/product/medium-duty-vise-stand/

 

Thanks folks. I've got a bunch of batteries for both brands. I'll just have to look at them side by side and get a feel. Good to know the mid will work for me too.

 

It zips off the CV nut like nothing, a feat that used to involve a large ratchet and a 3 foot cheater bar lol. Now I just squeeze the trigger and smile.

 

Stands are definitely you cant cheap out on though. I have a cheap WEN branded one for my 6" grinder and it is only "ok". Itll move around a bit when the grinder i son cause it has no weight. The one yours came with looks like a good comprises over cast iron ones though!

I still want another good Baldor in 6-8" range just for deburring and stuff. Then add a big boy one with 10-14". Problem is with those, most end up being three phase which I dont really want to deal with.

If you have three phase you can get some great deals on stuff. Seems like nobody wants to deal with three phase so it goes for pretty cheap.

 

Get the Makita mid. https://youtu.be/yFL1NZ-0yc0

 

Yeah it’s pretty heavy and with the brakes on the wheels it doesn’t walk with the grinder on. Also you can get a VFD to use 3 phase with a single phase supply, you’ll just need to up the amperage a bit to get the equivalent multiphase amperage. The cost of VFDs have went down significantly since patents have expired over the last couple of years. I’ve also got a jet grinder set up with a belt sander and wire wheel. A 10” would be real nice, but I’m running out of real estate haha.