Recent content by brookscooper

Thanks all! I'm going to mostly copy the one Zkling linked to.

I've searched the Tool forum but haven't found any threads on this. I have a floor standing drill press (a Porter Cable) which is fine for my needs right now. But, as in any shop - floor space is at a premium. I'd really like to put it on wheels for ease of storage when it's not being used...

I recently acquired (for FREE!!) a used, but functional Hitachi P12R planer. Giver did not have the blade setting guide that should accompany it nor the manual. I have looked on the internets but it seems the P12R was superseded a while ago by the P12RA which has a jointer tool built-in on the...

Across the street neighbor is not a handy guy at all. Just bought a small pop-up trailer for camping. It has propane on the tongue but no battery. He's spent hours working out how to wire the trailer. Asked me if I'd weld up the battery tray and attach it inside the tongue. 4 pieces of angle...

I am also a total NOOB at welding Al. I tried with the foot control for power and found it much easier for me to use the wheel on the gun with my thumb, rather than the foot control. You might try both. I've used up about 3/4 of my bottle and can get a decent looking, functional weld on Al...

So, my point wasn't to bash the Chinese stuff - they've come along way. I've Harbor Freight tool chests which fit my needs just fine. The Clarke is English made, not chinese. But, you gotta balance your frequency of use, need for precision and cost. If I welded once or twice a year I'd probably...

I know you know that. But let me tell you a short story. I am fabbing an elevator (material lift). Just using plain old steel and it's functional so I don't care toooo much about weld appearance. A buddy of mine and I share tools that aren't used that often. So, I own the plasma cutter and he...

So, I'm now, finally, at the point of being ready to purchase a solvent tank for my newly built shop. I have room for the larger tank that sits on a 55 gallon drum of stoddard solvent, or a free standing tank. Most of what I work on is motorcycles and their constituent parts and thus the...

Thanks you 2 - going with the miller 211. I appreciate the feed back.

So, ****. I'm 90% done with a fabrication project and my MIG welder crapped out. Specifically - it's a CLARKE 180EN whose feed hose develioped a snag a few weeks ago. Brand new feed hose assembly is snagging again. DONE with this thing. When it works it works well enough but sheesh! The down...

Since we are sharing: Three years ago for my birthday SWMBO got me the complete Rigid cordless tool set, even though I had a perfectly serviceable collection of the lower quality Ryobi stuff. While I was quite grateful I did tactfully mention "You know this duplicates tools I already have...

So, I'm nearly completion of my garage. Once I have the next phase done, my neighbor's JET Mill will be showing up on perma-loan. I need to make it moveable so I'm planning to fab some caster assemblies that can be hinged under it for movement, and then flipped up so it rests on its base...

Just ordered a metric set, since that's 90% of my work. I've been using the plastic trays with holes where the sockets go - adequate at best. Didn't see this thread until now. THANKS Westling Machine for making an American made product that beats the competition!

I have one that I use as a project cart. It gets pulled up to the bike or car that's being worked on. Parts to be installed / fluids / whatever go in top. Tools for the job get moved from the tool cart into the drawers. That way everything for the job is right there and if it takes more than a...

I'm a bit north of $4,500 for all of mine - detached garage - no interior finish, no insulation, but big. Friend built a 5k sqft HOME in a small community east of here and his total for permits was under $900.