tool list

[OIIIIIIIO]

Hi,

My wife just caught me off guard...she said,"What tools do you need to put up the garage? I don't mind spending money on that."

So...can I get some help figuring out what to put on that list? From the obvious to the not needed but man it's sure nice to have...

So...things like

Circular saw (cordless or corded or one of each?)
Hammer drill (still need to put a floor in)
Nail gun
Air compressor
Chop saw
Table saw?
Saw horses (can you have too many)

Also looking recommendations of features that are nice to have, have to have and don't worry if it has them...or when quality of tool is super important or when it's okay to get a "throw away" tool...

I have a number of tools that will be needed...maybe even most...but just want to be sure I have everything together before starting raising the walls.

Thanks!
Patrick

 

[PCO6]

So...can I get some help figuring out what to put on that list? From the obvious to the not needed but man it's sure nice to have...

A Rockwell Jaw Horse. It's not necessary but it certainly is nice to have as it allows you to work a lot faster!

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

A Rockwell Jaw Horse. It's not necessary but it certainly is nice to have as it allows you to work a lot faster!

Just saw that in today's Sear's ad...$160...

 

[Victorymike18]

I'd add a miter saw to the list. Helps a lot for cutting 2x4's and studs accurately.

 

[premierplayer]

battery drill
router
band saw
vise
clamps
workmate
air compressor
hoses
tool box (s)
cords
work lights
welder
jack stands
jack (s)
power washer
plate jointer
jig saw
planer
drill press
heat gun
propane/Mapp/Oxy-Act torch (one or all)
Frig, full of soda, beer, water, etc
TV, stereo
black leather recliner (you'll need to take a break occasionally)
insulation + HVAC, so you can spend more time in the garage
a project car, maybe a Cobra....
then you'll need all mechanic's and machine tools to go with that

that's a start

 

[THEFIX]

Don't forget the drill and drill press! I got a Makita set with cordless hammer drill and the impact driver earlier this year. I almost can't believe the uses I have found for both. If you plan on drilling metal on any regular basis, a drill press is very handy

 

[MScott]

It depends a lot on what you do in the garage. Are you primarily a woodworker, auto restorer/repairer, metal worker or ? (This will determine they types of tools you need.) Is this a commercial shop or is it strictly hobby. (Might influence the quality of tools you need although personal preferrence/economics will be a factor.) Do you have an air compressor? (Air tools and accessories.)
Tool selection will also depend on how well equipped your shop is now, what your personal goals are for the future and what is needed to reach those goals.

 

[HemiRambler]

Not tools but some things that helped me when I built my garage:
I took a chop saw and fastened it to a long 2x10 - then I would temporarily nail an end stop at various locations - this way I could cut MANY boards the same length - quite quickly.

Also when I did the siding - I made a guide (wood strips) that my circular saw would pass thru -as well as locating the siding - one on an angle the other straight. This was tacked up on an old scrap table. The strips were mounted on the the correct angle for the pitch of the roof. This way I could cut all those pieces of siding perfectly and quickly. It was totally worth the small amount of time it took to cobble up.

To add to your list I will only suggest 2 nail guns - one framing - one roofing.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I hope your wife is not like mine. Her list would read like this:

Hand saw
Pencil
Cheap square
Framing hammer

She has seen what happened in the past when she said "If you need it, go get one"

 

[pcgold]

My Gawd, if only wife approval was that easy!!! LOL.

For the miter saw: make it a dual bevel sliding miter saw. Makes it much more versatile than a regular miter saw. Also, a miter saw stand and roller stands for the longer stock.

Corded and cordless drills/drivers. The more power the better. I love my cordless drills but for sheer power you can't beat a corded driver, IMHO

You mention an air nailer, but you will need a framing nailer as well as a finishing nailer.

Ladders, too.

Get a leaf blower for cleaning up at the end of the work day. Makes sweeping a thing of the past and clean ups are a breeze (pun intended).

 

[PCO6]

Just saw that in today's Sear's ad...$160...

Well worth the money!

 

[Farma11]

corded power saw. Cordless is ok in a pinch, but spend the money on a corded one.

 

[little d]

+1- on the corded power saw, buy a good one once, mine is 25+ years old.
on the sliding compound miter saw, a little more expensive but well worth it.
on the corded hammer drill, i have a 1/2" Milwaukee, that thing is invaluable!
on the air nailers, Bostich sells sets, pankake compressor + framing nailer, brad nailer and stapler for what you can buy a compresor for, check them out.
something a lot of guys dont have is a palm nailer, you dont use them every day but when ya need one...!

 

[PAToyota]

Looks like the OP was asking what tools TO BUILD the garage - so all the drill press, bandsaw, welder, etc stuff is a moot point until after the garage is built.

I did nearly all of my construction with a circular saw, hammer, tape measure, framing square, level, sawhorses, and nail apron. Add in a trowel, jointing tool, masonry hoe, mortar pan, and string line for the concrete block work.

Having said that, looking back on it I really wish I had a portable compressor and nailgun. That would have sped things up considerably. Along with a compound miter saw.

 

[archirelic]

If you don't mind us asking, what's the budget you're looking at that your wife will agree with? That would definitely help narrow down some of these lists of tools!

 

[bazzateer]

Hold them thar horses!

She's a woman. She's up to something. "Oh yeah, I don't mind spending $XXXX on your garage darling." Once it's all done it'll be, "OK, now I get to spend $XXXX on ............"

And you won't be able to say "No." So keep it low cost

 

[srmofo]

Chop saw, corded circ saw, chalk line, framing nailer, coil roof nailer,square, ladders, string, 2-3 pairs horses, plus all the basics like tape measure, hammers, etc, don't forget 5gals of elbow grease

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

If you don't mind us asking, what's the budget

No set budget other than it's coming out of the budget for the garage...

Things I already have...
I have a miter saw...Craftsman...though it's old, beat up not super "true"...so do I upgrade?
I have a cordless circular saw and drill...Craftsman...corded ones were stolen
I have a medium sized air compressor (25-30 gallon I think...Husky) with 50' of hose...can I use with guns on the roof running the hose up there?
I have a reciprocating saw (DeWalt)...good for much?
I have hammers, a speed square, tape measures, tool belt, half dozen saw horses, half dozen extension cords, 4' and 6' ladders, an old wood extension ladder...

I'm open to all ideas but right now things I thought I should pick up for sure would be a framing gun and roofing nail gun, corded circular saw and corded drill (I think I can borrow a hammer drill for the little bit I'll need it for the floor).

I am debating about some sort of scroll saw or jig saw to cut out a bunch of brackets (eaves brackets and for the breezeway...see another thread started by me...)...depends on if I can talk my Dad into cutting them out for me or if he'll let me borrow his for a while.

 

[santagary]

Black and Decker makes a great cordless blower that I use to clean out the hay barn as well as six garage bays

 

[srmofo]

sounds like you have most of everything already. Get on craigslist for the nailers and pick up an extra 50' hose. The recip saw is nice to have around for the odd job. Im not really sure what you'll need a drill for other than drilling anchor holes. My codes allow for me to use the brackets that are built into the stem wall.

I would get another chop saw that can make repeatable straight cuts and make a chopsaw table/bench, family handyman had great plans for a sturdy bench that used saw horses for legs and was large enough to be useful but small enough to be stored away when not in use.

Not sure what kind of brackets you are talking about or why you would need a jigsaw to cut them out?

destroy and throw that wood ladder away before someone gets hurt

 

[ddawg16]

For the miter saw: make it a dual bevel sliding miter saw. Makes it much more versatile than a regular miter saw. Also, a miter saw stand and roller stands for the longer stock.

Corded and cordless drills/drivers. The more power the better. I love my cordless drills but for sheer power you can't beat a corded driver, IMHO

You mention an air nailer, but you will need a framing nailer as well as a finishing nailer.

Ladders, too.

Get a leaf blower for cleaning up at the end of the work day. Makes sweeping a thing of the past and clean ups are a breeze (pun intended).

X10 on the sliding miter saw.....get a good one and you will never need a radial arm saw. Table saw? you really don't need that putting up the garage.

Add in a Sawsall....cordless

I have the Ryobi 18V stuff....same battery fits the drills, sawsall, circular saw, etc. I have 2 charges....but I'm down to 2 batteries....I'm waiting for the Lithium stuff to get cheaper.

Clamps....lots of clamps.

Pry bar

This was my setup while building the garage....I had my miter saw on a stand next to the radial arm saw....besides a nice long surface to balance long boards on, I could use either saw to cut the wood. A sliding compound miter will do the job of both.

 

[OIIIIIIIO]

Get on craigslist for the nailers and pick up an extra 50' hose.

How wary do I need to be of used/craigslist power/pneumatic tools?

 

[7echo]

The new Bosch glide miter saw seems nice, but it hasn't been out for long. Check one out if you are looking at miter saws.

These...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A3ZYVW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
can be very handy.

And I agree with srmofo about the wooden ladder, replace it with fiberglass.

 

[ZRX61]

For the miter saw: make it a dual bevel sliding miter saw. Makes it much more versatile than a regular miter saw.

That, with a stand

 

[srmofo]

How wary do I need to be of used/craigslist power/pneumatic tools?

Theres lots of near new nailers, just be patient and look for a deal on one. Plus you can haggle too. If they have air tools then they must have a compressor, use it before you buy it.

Also check around for what kind of nails are available, affordable, and up to code. Some areas will not allow clipped nails while areas like mine are ok with them. Then buy a framing gun that uses those nails.

For instance I was watching this gun but I dont really need another gun at that price but it started at $1. Even at $81 its a deal if you needed a gun
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...JhBlTMs%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:ITlots of stuff on ebay so just look around and run a quick google search to find what new prices vs going prices are on anything you think you might want

 

[Farma11]

How wary do I need to be of used/craigslist power/pneumatic tools?

Try it before you buy it. Take your own compressor if you have one.