Garage Shop: Tools

That was from a quick search on home depot, there are cheaper skinnier Milwaukee ones I have since found but I figure I was thinking I would want something that goes to at least 1 inch.

Ok good to know that Harbor Freight ones are good, I usually buy the best drill bits and saw blades I can financially justify since I have found cheaper ones dont last/hold up as well. I will buy the Harbor Freight set and if they wear out I will replace them with a higher end set.

 

I got a great deal on a really good shape older made in the USA Craftsman rolling chest with upper box. Now I just need to get more tools to finish filling it up….

 

Yeah I've got one or two that go up to or slightly over an inch; had to use on once but it's nice to have

Think the more expensive of the two was only $50-60

 

I've posted my little corner of Paradise, before. Was an old cabinet I had torn out of the kitchen to make room for a bigger refrigerator.
Nothing better to do today so I decided to expand it with some wood I had laying around.
No plan or ruler.
Just some power tools and a vision. heh.

 

Winter's a comin'. Hung my HeatStorm IR wifi heater there for now. It isn't big enough for my garage but it warms up that area. I'm either looking to pipe one in or find a split unit deal (heat and a/c) like hotel rooms have.
I use my Mr. Heater propane torpedo to heat it if I'm working on something.

 

Late to the party as usual but HF step bits are the bomb. They go through car frames like butter. $12, can't beat that shit!

 

Taco and 4R frames are only 1/8" thick.

Have you run those bits through 1/4" or thicker?

Asking just in case I want a disposable set; they had the 4 piece set at HF for like $9.

 

Yep, I have run them through 3/16 and 1/4 a bunch. Seriously they're great. Probably the #1 thing HF sells for the price point IMO.

 

Bucket on my loader is thicker than 1/8 and no problems to install a set of chain hooks. Worth the price for a beater set of bits for sure.

I always use Tap Magic whenever drilling metal. Stuff's so good folks oughta drink it!

 

i need to get a can of this. Been meaning to

 

Getting closer. OSB is 2x as much as drywall but more forgiving to swinging car doors and random foreign objects getting launched across the garage after a knuckle buster.
I need to rewire that mess above the workbench, left by previous owner, before finishing the wall.

 

for $12 that is exactly why i beat that shit. and when i destroy a bit I throw it in the sharpener and keep using it until I hit softer metal

 

Plan to get the new Bauer sander with grinder, no regerts?

 

I have their cordless angle grinder and use it all the time, no problems.

 

OOPS meant this



I'm saying screw it and I'll pick it up in a bit

Got too many angle grinders to need more

 

169.99 reg price, 127.49 with the 25% off



Just need to swap out the grinding wheel, put the guards on, and it's ready to run

Edit: First thoughts are -

She's strong, you can really push material towards the sander and it just goes without bogging. I'm using this for steel mind you so I'll invest in other belts found on Amazon.

I didn't expect the belt to be aligned right away, and I was right. Had to fiddle with it a bit as the second you turn it on it's nearly full speed.

Here she is up and running -



Some quick work to test it out -



Not too excited about the flap wheel I put in place, but that's mainly cause I already have a hand held grinder dedicated to my tungsten rods for TIG welding.

The flap wheel immediately spit out paper ends but let's hope that's just on the initial usage. Bought it cause it'd be perfect for my use and many have reported using them daily for a few years before replacing. Max rpm is 4,400 for the wheel yet the grinder side only runs at 3,800 so we'll see.

Sitting beside it is my 18 year old Harbor Freight bandsaw that still runs like a champ.

 

Press brake users here -

Are you stacking angle iron for a tighter radius? I don't like this much but wanting to hear your thoughts.

Did you weld up your own bottom die/jig? This is most likely what I'll do.

Did you buy a pre-made flat bottom like the Swag Offroad piece offered? Not sure if I want to spend the money on this.

Making a change in an item I often make and want to remove the relief cuts and time spent welding. Could lead to more stuff I can offer others as well.

 

I’d recommend using angle iron if only a few bends of tighter radius is needed, muself have been unable to swallow the $200 price tag of the additional flat top price from swag. I don’t make small enough pieces to justify the convenience of that piece, I just leave a few pieces of angle iron under the press and use when needed. I’m sure it doesn’t work as good as the kit and not as adjustable but it works for my use.

 

Angle is dirt cheap, even really clean stuff.

I only added it as an option cause I know it can work. I just didn't want to grind away at each bottom edge when seating said angle iron.

You're right though about not spending $200.

Got pics of your bends with small radius?

 

I needed to make a c channel saddle for welding up a support on a lally column, basically the thickness of three 2x12s. The standard v die wouldn’t do it since the depth would have the wings hit the press before I got to 90 degrees, so had to improvise. These plates were 1/4”


It worked but ended up damaging the press in the process, the older style welded one. Took it back and got the bolted together press under warranty which seems to be stronger design. I’m surprised the relief valve on the jack didn’t give out before it bent the frame, just goes to show you HF engineering department doesn’t exist