What tool to buy next?

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I was looking over my want/need list:

Better drill press (currently have an ancient HF with horrible runout).
Bigger air compressor.
Plasma cutter (need bigger air compressor).
Oxy-propane torch rig.
TIG welder.
Lathe (need more room).
Horizontal band saw (need more room).

We downsized a bunch a few years ago and it will be a couple of years before I have another shop building, so there isn't room for some stuff yet.

I usually buy a something on my list around December - January. What next?

 

[iamhomeless]

Air compressor can go outside or in the attic, leaving room for more tools and equipment

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Tools are in a 21' x 20' garage. However, I built a 10' x 16' shed a couple of years ago and have allocated a corner of it for a future air compressor.

Current AC is a double hotdog that mostly gets used for tires, nail guns, and a couple of air impacts.

 

[ItsNemo]

What will you use the most or what can't you do with another tool (even if slower/less precise)? Get that.

 

[John McA]

Answer: Get all of them now. Saves time.

Good luck,
John McA

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

What will you use the most or what can't you do with another tool (even if slower/less precise)? Get that.

That is a good question and one I have contemplated.

I would like to get good - REALLY GOOD - at TIG. So there is that.

The drill press annoys me every time I use it - so I avoid using it. I have 3 corded drills and 2 cordless drills and can usually make holes where I want them, but more precision would be nice.

With a oxy-propane rig I could preheat larger stuff and it could also take the place of the plasma cutter for the time being.

 

[DAustin]

10mm Socket.

 

[Dave455]

Well, it depends a lot on what you do, but personally, I’d say a decent drill.

I use my drilling machine on just about every project - metalwork, woodwork, the lot, and I’d be lost without a decent one.

If you’ve had a crappy one you won’t believe the difference a decent one makes, Holes will be neat, and exactly where you want them. Drill bit life will be extended, and you’ll be able to drill through things you probably struggle with now.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

10mm Socket.

I have 10mm in shallow, regular, mid, and deep. Some in both 6 and 12 point. Also in shallow, regular, deep, and u-joint impact.

However, a couple of weeks ago I was sitting here and thought "you know what? I need more 10mm!" So I have a set of these on the way (but they haven't shipped yet):

 

[pbon]

For the tig, in addition to the money to buy it, you need time. A lot of time, to practice, unless you already know how. If you don’t have time now, wait and buy something else on the list.

 

[corn chip]

if you already have welding experience of some sort youll pickup tig quicker but starting from ground zero your in for a long haul. not to steer you away from tig but wire machines are more practical for the average joe. unless you can afford two machines or one of the multiprocess units.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I do already have a Miller MIG and an ESAB stick.

Edit to add: But I want to get good on aluminum and stainless. Maybe titanium also.

 

[boom_bap]

Get the tig and what ever tools you need for the project at hand.

 

[corn chip]

ya if you already are a decent welder you shouldnt have much trouble with tig. getting good doesnt happen over night but youll have a head start anyways

 

[GeoBruin]

A drill press is so essential to everything I do, I can't imagine being without one or being in a place where I would rather use a hand drill. That seems fundamental.

That said, Tig welding is super rewarding.

 

[anndel]

A better drill press +1.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Saw set and some Robogrips.

 

[corn chip]

a good drill press for sure. sounds like i made the same mistake as you (bought a cheap pile of **** with miles of runout). shame on me. i learned my lesson and plan to get a older used one of good qaulity

 

[kngelv]

Whatever you will use the most.

James

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

For the tig, in addition to the money to buy it, you need time. A lot of time, to practice, unless you already know how. If you don’t have time now, wait and buy something else on the list.

And I can't practice TIG without a TIG machine. Actually, I can do lift-start TIG with my ESAB and I do have an extra argon flow meter on hand. I would just need a torch and a tank. The ESAB is DC only though, so no aluminum.

Edit: And obviously no gas pre-flow, post-flow, etc.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

a good drill press for sure. sounds like i made the same mistake as you (bought a cheap pile of **** with miles of runout). shame on me. i learned my lesson and plan to get a older used one of good qaulity

Yeah, when I was much younger and (probably) dumber I bought a used HF drill press.

I am not familiar with Allied International.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Give a 2 x 72 " belt grinder a thought, I can't believe i waited this long to get one.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I will be ordering a TIG rig tonight. Argon arrived today!

I would like to add something else though and am still undecided among the following:

• A better drill press. Probably a Grizzly or Jet and 15" or 17". As I mentioned before, I do have an old and iffy HF DP.
• A 4x6 horizontal bandsaw. I do have a portaband and a dry saw, so it isn't like I can't cut metal.
• An 8" bench grinder. I have been getting by with 6 angle grinders, but it would be nice to have a bench unit.
• A 2" belt grinder as Renegade1LI mentioned above.
• An Oxy-Propane torch rig for preheating and cutting big stuff.
• Larger air compressor and a plasma cutter.

Decisions...

 

[cvairwerks]

I'd upgrade the drill press first, then add another receiver to the compressor then add the TiG and plasma as I could afford them.

 

[John McA]

This is the cats meow.

iWave: the intelligent TIG welding system

The iWave TIG welding system from Fronius gives you maximum control over your arc. This ensures the top quality of each and every TIG weld.

www.fronius.com

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

This is the cats meow.

iWave: the intelligent TIG welding system

The iWave TIG welding system from Fronius gives you maximum control over your arc. This ensures the top quality of each and every TIG weld.

www.fronius.com

I would love to try some Fronius. However, I will be ordering an AHP Invertig 221.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

I'd upgrade the drill press first, then add another receiver to the compressor then add the TiG and plasma as I could afford them.

TIG will be happening either way. I am just trying to decide on one additional tool to stretch the budget on.