BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I don't have electricity in my garage, and will not have it for a long time. Would you guys go with all cordless tools, or a gas air compressor and air tools? I have a very low budget.
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The struggle.
- Thread starter BottomLineReviews
- Start date
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
What things will you be doing out there? Hand tools still work just fine for most tasks. My biggest concern personally would be lighting.
kd3pc
Well-known member
A lot depends on the proposed use. Light DIY and mechanic fun....cordless.
Years back, I went for years with neither cordless or air...just hand tools and an extension cord from the house, when my mom was at work. Sometimes. And when the "need" could be brought to within 25' of the house.
Gas products work best when used regularly and you can deal with the fumes and noise. I would not consider them at all, were I on a budget.
Years back, I went for years with neither cordless or air...just hand tools and an extension cord from the house, when my mom was at work. Sometimes. And when the "need" could be brought to within 25' of the house.
Gas products work best when used regularly and you can deal with the fumes and noise. I would not consider them at all, were I on a budget.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
I'd go with a generator, myself... way cheaper than a gas air compressor.
fsae0607
Well-known member
Hand tools are all you need in your case. You can use canned air in a pinch if you need compressed air for blowing stuff off.
At the very least, invest in a rechargeable worklight. You can't work on what you can't see.
At the very least, invest in a rechargeable worklight. You can't work on what you can't see.
Daniel Dudley
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 3,546
I ran a 10 gauge extension cord out to my garage, and had a switched power strip inside the door. Had a 50' string of construction lights run around the ceiling.
You can easily run a 10 gauge cord 200 feet and still run one heavy duty tool.
You can easily run a 10 gauge cord 200 feet and still run one heavy duty tool.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
Big *** 220 extension cord.? I have a 50 footer rated at 50 amps. I've jammed it into stove plugs in one house to power the house next door. Or in the garage. Nowadays it's my welder's power cord.
Can I try?
Well-known member
Don't rule out camping lanterns for lighting.
It is possible to safely use them indoors. I wouldn't recommend using them in a confined space, or without ventilation. The open flame is also an ignition source. Also, they're advertised for outdoor use only, so if an accident did happen I doubt you'd get any compensation from your insurance.
They can throw a lot of light, and heat. This could be good or bad depending on your situation. You'll also get deep shadows if you only use one, but you can eliminate this by using more than one at a time.
As an added bonus, they're portable! If you need light for an outdoor excursion, you'll have a source readily available.
It is possible to safely use them indoors. I wouldn't recommend using them in a confined space, or without ventilation. The open flame is also an ignition source. Also, they're advertised for outdoor use only, so if an accident did happen I doubt you'd get any compensation from your insurance.
They can throw a lot of light, and heat. This could be good or bad depending on your situation. You'll also get deep shadows if you only use one, but you can eliminate this by using more than one at a time.
As an added bonus, they're portable! If you need light for an outdoor excursion, you'll have a source readily available.
Very low budget and cordless tools/gas compressor ? Sounds a little odd to me.
Is this a new stand alone garage with nothing else on the property or can you run a cord from the house ? If you can do the latter, why not put the money for the gas compressor/cordless tools towards getting power out to your garage ?
Is this a new stand alone garage with nothing else on the property or can you run a cord from the house ? If you can do the latter, why not put the money for the gas compressor/cordless tools towards getting power out to your garage ?
venturesomerite
Well-known member
Really depends on what you intend to be doing out there, but…
1) what will you mostly do?
2) do you need to do at night, aka lighting?
3) do you really need a compressor, or can you get by without?
Personally, I'd invest in a very expandable cordless set, something you can buy a lot of add ons that you might want/need, like drills, impact, sawmill, angle grinder, circular saw, etc.
Besure to bring the batteries in when it's cold, the tools themselves will be fine in the cold.
If you need air, a gas fired compressor is really nice, I have a speedaire, no complaints at all. Just a tune up now and then. Drain tanks regularly. They are pricey though.
How close are you to a power source, like your house that you could run a cord from when needed? Perhaps a good extension cord to a dedicated outlet?
I personally, despite the fact that I own basically every pneumatic mechanic tool there is, still find myself ALWAYS using hand tools. Just me though.
1) what will you mostly do?
2) do you need to do at night, aka lighting?
3) do you really need a compressor, or can you get by without?
Personally, I'd invest in a very expandable cordless set, something you can buy a lot of add ons that you might want/need, like drills, impact, sawmill, angle grinder, circular saw, etc.
Besure to bring the batteries in when it's cold, the tools themselves will be fine in the cold.
If you need air, a gas fired compressor is really nice, I have a speedaire, no complaints at all. Just a tune up now and then. Drain tanks regularly. They are pricey though.
How close are you to a power source, like your house that you could run a cord from when needed? Perhaps a good extension cord to a dedicated outlet?
I personally, despite the fact that I own basically every pneumatic mechanic tool there is, still find myself ALWAYS using hand tools. Just me though.
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OP
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I plan on doing everything from small engine, car repairs, plumbing, carpentry, etc. the reason I can have a gas air compressor on a budget, is because a close relative owns an equipment repair shop and has me do a ton of work for them. I get huge discounts on any used tool.
venturesomerite
Well-known member
I plan on doing everything from small engine, car repairs, plumbing, carpentry, etc. the reason I can have a gas air compressor on a budget, is because a close relative owns an equipment repair shop and has me do a ton of work for them. I get huge discounts on any used tool.
Perhaps then a good start might to buy a good generator and look into adding a muffler system to make it as quiet as possible (so the neighbors don't hate you when you run it for hours, and at night). Power when you want it.
Cordless tools for when you don't need to run it.
jives
Well-known member
In my shed I put up a solar spotlight (motion activated). Throws enough light to at least fined things. Not sure of the lumens, but it cost about $100. Best $100 I've spent.
In my garage, electricity in waiting until next year. In the meantime I run a 12 ga extension cord from the house. About 100ft from the house exterior outlet. It can run my three metal halide overhead lights, or a couple of lights and some power tools, or my table saw (during the day).
In my garage, electricity in waiting until next year. In the meantime I run a 12 ga extension cord from the house. About 100ft from the house exterior outlet. It can run my three metal halide overhead lights, or a couple of lights and some power tools, or my table saw (during the day).
bczygan
Well-known member
Why can't you get electric to it?
What's the big deal about running electric? I just wired my new one and it was easy. 20 amp breaker, 12-2 direct burial wire a light switch and a few outlets. It was $100 something in supplies and took a few hours.
You'll probably spend more on workarounds from not having electric than just running the wiring.
You'll probably spend more on workarounds from not having electric than just running the wiring.
OP
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I'm a good 200 feet from my house, I did have someone tell me to put an air compressor in my cellar and then run air line out to my garage. Seemed like a pretty good idea to me.
OP
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I'm looking into getting electric, but even once I get electric I'm not sure if I want to go mainly cordless or air.
bczygan
Well-known member
Come on!
200' isn't a big deal.
There are lots of examples on this forum, many much longer.
I would be running something temporary before the day was out.
Even a couple of HD extension cords.
I have an extension cord running 65' to a shed at the back of my lot right now, so I can run a saw, to do some work.
Or run it in some PVC laying on the ground until you can get around to digging.
Show us some photos of the route.
Then continue this thread with your progress, including installation of all the electric power and lighting you need in the shop.
I wouldn't do a lick of work in there until this was done.
You need light!
Bill
Just do it for God's sake!
200' isn't a big deal.
There are lots of examples on this forum, many much longer.
I would be running something temporary before the day was out.
Even a couple of HD extension cords.
I have an extension cord running 65' to a shed at the back of my lot right now, so I can run a saw, to do some work.
Or run it in some PVC laying on the ground until you can get around to digging.
Show us some photos of the route.
Then continue this thread with your progress, including installation of all the electric power and lighting you need in the shop.
I wouldn't do a lick of work in there until this was done.
You need light!
Bill
Just do it for God's sake!
Daniel Dudley
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 3,546
If your ground is soft, you could dig 200 feet by hand in a weekend. If it's hard rocky soil or you don't want to work that hard, just rent a towable trencher and get it done fast.
They rent those at a lot of Home Depots.
jeff lary
Well-known member
sounds strange to me
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
If you go cordless, there is one brand out there that gives you a life time warrantee on their batteries, And all their tools use the same batteries, if you buy them with the tools and register them. I think I heard that on here some where. I am sure some one will pipe up with the brand and the details. But as others have said you really need electric for lights at least. Are you one of our younger members and need some help with this project? good luck...Richie
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OP
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
The brand of tools you are thinking of is ridgid. At only 16 I would imagine I am certainly one of the younger members on the board.