Recommendations on new shop tools

[Sasquatch912]

So I already been posting up and asking about some help with my shop I will be getting soon and what breakers, etc I need to get to power everything but I need to get an idea on what to get SO I can figure what breakers and all the electrical stuff figured out. I'm in a budget so I don't want to spend a WHOLE FORTUNE.

So far this is what I am after:
-Plasma Cutter (220v)
-AC/DC welder (220v)
-MIG welder (220v)
-Air Compressor (220v; put's out good cfm for air tools and possibly some painting)
-Drill Press
-Tool boxes
-Bolt bins
-Vise
-Bench grinder
-Parts washer

Might be more stuff but that's all I can figure out.

I was looking at the Kobalt 3hp compressor but see some people don't recommend it if you plan to paint.
I was also looking at Harbor Freight items like their tool boxes and air compressors.


If you have any suggestions please let me know. I'll look at it and see if I can invest my money into it.

THANKS!

 

[md21722]

Hypertherm 45, true 7.5HP air compressor with after cooler and air drier (for painting), Wilton vices, Snap on Eqip or Master Series tool boxes... why settle for good enough when the best will do just fine? As far as air compressors go, most folks on here stop at 7.5HP with after cooler..

 

[Sasquatch912]

Hypertherm 45, true 7.5HP air compressor with after cooler and air drier (for painting), Wilton vices, Snap on Eqip or Master Series tool boxes... why settle for good enough when the best will do just fine? As far as air compressors go, most folks on here stop at 7.5HP with after cooler..

Can the Hypertherm cut through 1" metal? I was looking at Eastwood Versa 60 Plasma Cutter. See some people like it then people recommend the Hypertherm.

What brand air compressor?

 

[tonyciambrone]

for the amount of stuff you are looking at I would try to find an old timer on his way out of the business.

I have purchased things other than machines from them, and everyone tells me their machines are as good as the customer service...might be worth checking out HTP @ usaweld.com

pretty sure they make every machine you want.

Grinder- older cast iron body, heavier the better., something that can accept dust hoses and have a light mounted above it. to me, new grinders are too expensive (like vises)

I would try to get an older Quincy air compressor.

Vise- biggest cheapest York, Reed, Yost, Columbian or Wilton you can find.

toolboxes- the new husky series at home depot is a serious value. other brands I could recommend are Homak and Montezuma (choose carefully). the Menards boxes are pretty good. of course ****-on, I would have never bought one without the student discount and stand by that.

 

[jlipsky14]

It would help if you added a budget, what items you find most important to buy quality.
Don't have a recommendation on everything but this is what I would do on most of the big stuff.

What are you planning to do with 1 inch think metal?

Plasma Cutter - Hypertherm
AC/DC welder - Miller of choice depending on thickness requirements
MIG welder - Miller 211 for portability
Air Compressor - any decent 5hp for regular use, or 7.5 if you plan to run it a lot or do lots of bodywork or sanding
Tool boxes - Harbor freight 44,56,or 72 would be my choice
Vise - wilton

 

[Sasquatch912]

Plasma cutter I want to spend less than $1000 if possible.

AC/DC Welder at least $600

MIG at least $600

Air compress less than $1000

 

[Sasquatch912]

Im debating on the 60 gallon air compressor from Harbor freight. got 4.5 stars out of 5 by several people..puts out the cfm like the quincy does.

then i saw the IR air compressor at Tractor Supply but less cfm than the harbor freight

 

[John in OH]

Is this equipment to be used professionally or for home shop use???? It makes a big difference in what you choose especially if you are on a budget.

But, based on your budget numbers, IMHO, you should stick to the used market.

 

[Sasquatch912]

It will be used around our farm for farm stuff and then my personal use.

 

[jdlong]

On breakers and high amp equipment, if you don't know exactly what equipment you are buying and where it will be located, it's best to install a good sized sub panel and expand it as you expand your shop. There are too many plug patterns and wire gauge requirements to plan for. High amp stationary equipment should be on dedicated breakers sized to the equipment. For 120V and 220V portable tools, you have to ask yourself if the shop will be single or multi user. For single user, stringing outlets on the same breaker is fine. For multi users, work areas should be on dedicated breakers. That said, if you're on a budget, installing an adequate sub panel that can be expanded on makes all the sense in the world.

 

[Sasquatch912]

There MIGHT be a time there will be me and someone else doing something on the welders or cutter at the same time. I wont say never because you guys know how things can happen.

 

[Superbec]

Plasma cutter I want to spend less than $1000 if possible.

AC/DC Welder at least $600

MIG at least $600

Air compress less than $1000

you have to reconsider your options

plasma cutter that will do 1 inch for under 1000... funny

mig for 600??? you don't want to weld what you cut with the plasma cutter? 600 will not do , maybe 2k if you're lucky

air compressor that will keep up with the plasma cutter , sanding , probably you'l discover sand blasting and other air need.

Have you ever used all this equipment? the road you're on goes to multiple purchases of the same item till you get the right one you should have bought in the first place.

If you really need a plasma cutter , and I mean NEED , not want cause you saw it on tv and the hipster using it looked cool, I mean NEED the damn thing as in a Oxy acetilene set-up will not do , than you NEED a Hypertherm , they are simply the best , others may work but not how you expect it.

maybe you have a friend who knows the trades a bit better and can help you, otherwise you'll spend a lot of money for equipment that will not be even close to your needs.

 

[jdlong]

There MIGHT be a time there will be me and someone else doing something on the welders or cutter at the same time. I wont say never because you guys know how things can happen.

In that case running two banks of portable tool outlets on a pair of breakers is a smart thing to do. One pair for 120V and one pair for 220V. 100 amp service to the shop at least. You may get by with 60 amp. Hard to say. Think of a 220V compressor kicking in while this is all happening.

 

[Sasquatch912]

you have to reconsider your options

plasma cutter that will do 1 inch for under 1000... funny

mig for 600??? you don't want to weld what you cut with the plasma cutter? 600 will not do , maybe 2k if you're lucky

air compressor that will keep up with the plasma cutter , sanding , probably you'l discover sand blasting and other air need.

Have you ever used all this equipment? the road you're on goes to multiple purchases of the same item till you get the right one you should have bought in the first place.

If you really need a plasma cutter , and I mean NEED , not want cause you saw it on tv and the hipster using it looked cool, I mean NEED the damn thing as in a Oxy acetilene set-up will not do , than you NEED a Hypertherm , they are simply the best , others may work but not how you expect it.

maybe you have a friend who knows the trades a bit better and can help you, otherwise you'll spend a lot of money for equipment that will not be even close to your needs.

I use a AC/DC miller welder at work and oxy/ace torch too.

I want a plasma cutter..though i have never used one. It looks to cut quicker and cleaner than the regular torch..which is a pain.

I plan to build a cage and skid plate for my tractor is why i want one too.

 

[Sasquatch912]

In that case running two banks of portable tool outlets on a pair of breakers is a smart thing to do. One pair for 120V and one pair for 220V. 100 amp service to the shop at least. You may get by with 60 amp. Hard to say. Think of a 220V compressor kicking in while this is all happening.

we were thinking of running a 90 amp from our main meter then have a subpanel in shop

 

[Superbec]

I use a AC/DC miller welder at work and oxy/ace torch too.

I want a plasma cutter..though i have never used one. It looks to cut quicker and cleaner than the regular torch..which is a pain.

I plan to build a cage and skid plate for my tractor is why i want one too.

well, plasma cuts quicker indeed , but thinner stuff , as you go past 1/2 it tends to be slower and slower and I think past 3/4 oxy is quicker than any plasma in your price range , also the cut is not really nice

If I were you I would rent a plasma or buy an oxy set-up,

Buy the biggest mig you can afford (a miller211 is rather medium sized), sh if new is not an option

 

[zkling]

mig for 600??? you don't want to weld what you cut with the plasma cutter? 600 will not do , maybe 2k if you're lucky

He said, at least, not less than $600 for the mig and stick welders.

 

[Sasquatch912]

I was debating these AC/DC welders
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hobart-stickmate-lx-235-ac-160-dc-stick-welder

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-AC-DC-225-125-Stick-Welder-K1297/100053881

And these MIGS

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/hobart-handler-190-mig-welder-spool-gun-ready

https://m.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-230-Volt-MIG-Flux-Cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/1072947

OR if I can find a used Miller 211


and these air compressors

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...s5l5-5-hp-60-gal-high-capacity-air-compressor

http://m.harborfreight.com/air-tool...n-165-psi-two-stage-air-compressor-93274.html


I may get a hypertherm 45 plasma cutter but i was also thinking about this one


http://www.eastwood.com/versa-cut-60-plasma-cutter.html

 

[Tim37]

Check out Everlast welders

Also skip the stick buy a inexpensive (if there is such a thing) tig you can still stick, with a AC/DC tig and a MIG there isn't much you can't do.

 

[Sasquatch912]

Check out Everlast welders

Also skip the stick buy a inexpensive (if there is such a thing) tig you can still stick, with a AC/DC tig and a MIG there isn't much you can't do.

Youre talking about this?

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/powermts-211si-tig-package

 

[stuk4x4]

Sasquatch912
Just my experience with HF compressors, the price and CFM looks good and feels good on the wallet, however the last new one I dealt with lasted a whole 2 years before the reeds in the compressor head went out, they only happen to fail at the most inopportune time! I replaced the HF compressor head with an IR compressor head because the tank was still ok. Northern Hydraulics sells a Quincy that is a great machine, and they are still built in the USA.
Couple of thoughts for you, Look at Hobart or Miller, for a welding machine, you said this was for a farm; chances are these machines will be used for a couple of generations.
I have owned two Miller Plasma cutters, both were awesome machines. When I drank the Hypertherm Kool-Aid it was over! I will most likely never buy any other Plasma cutter brand.
I second several other people on the forum when they say buy used. If possible and you can wait till after thanksgiving when people start liquidating to get money for Christmas, deals will be had on CL and check the local trading post paper, a lot of old timers still use that.
As far as tool boxes I can’t recommend anything other than Snap on or Mac. Craftsman just isn’t what it used to be. And I have no personal experience with other brands.
Good Luck
Walt

 

[zkling]

Let's just get a frame of reference. What is your absolute max budget for the tools you listed?