Alright with there being such a diverse group of fabricators collected here let's get yalls opinion on what your top ten fab tools/equipment are in your shop. I'm talking anything you use to shape, burn, cut, bend, tweak and style that metal into submission.
MIG, Torch set, Big Vise, Big anvil, 1/4" air grinder, 4" electric grinder, sawsall, lathe, mill, hand tools. that's 10.
hammers, dollies, MIG, plasma cutter, big vice, anvil, die grinders, 4-1/2" grinder, c-clamps, 3" cutoff wheel, files, torch, --- oops that's more than 10.
#1 lots of hand tools, box end wrenches, sockets, ratchets #2 files, good ones #3 air compressor, at least 5 hp #4 oxy/acc rig with a good selection of tips #5 20 Ton Hydraulic press, even a crappy Harbor Freight one. #6 floor jack #7 good quality jack stands and lots of them #8 4.5" and 7" angle grinder #9 Chain #10 a good level and angle finder. With those tools, you could build or repair just about anything.
4.5" grinder with cut off wheel vise MIG TIG body hammer grinder torch shaping hammer and bag welding fab table and clamps order depends on the project. But these are the most reached for. El Polacko has some good ones on his list as well, had I seen his list first I may have changed what I came up with, but this is what came to mind
Tape Measure. a couple of Rulers. Calipers. Anglefinder & a couple of long Levels. a Scribe, and a couple of Sharpies. And then...All the rest.
2 tape measures cause I always temporarily lose one. Silver Sharpies cereal boxes scissors paint marking pen blue layout dye scribe and dividers Beverly shear oxy acc setup MIG In no particular order
I think: TIG & MIG welders Plannishing Hammer Slip Roll Beater bags & hammers Brake & shear Plasma cutter Loads more.... But the thing I really need that I don't have is....... MORE SPACE for the tooling I have!!!! Paco
What ELpolacko said with my changes: Metal cutting vertical bandsaw Big compressor (10hp 35cfm) 40" slip roller 48" metal break 24" step/bead roller 50# shot bag 25# sand bag Good sharp drill bits And speaking of drill bits, a set of Roto-Broach cutters is like heaven in the shop. Re-grinding old bits into sheetmetal bits ain't too bad either. And really, the list should be top 50...or 100!
Safety goggles.... Yeah i know, not at all what you meant, but after having some metal in my eye last winter it has become a natural thing for me.. hard to fabricate anything if'n ya can't see. I'll also add, or agree with some other's.... A good 220 welder and band saw..
I'll add another.. Poster board..Yep, the kind you get at craft stores. Works great for making templates..
4 1/2" angle grinder has to be the #1 tool in my shop. I now have 2 one for cut off wheels and another for flap wheels. Less time spent changing wheels. Mig Plazma cutter air powered 2" angle sander verticle band saw (don't use the chop saw much since we got it) drill press belt/disc sander Big Bertha C clamps (the good ones with the sliding arm) all the hand tool Maybe the last one should have been first....your friends! Clark
I like the FridgePack cardboard from soda's. We go through enough at the shop that I always have some around.
This might sound cheesy as hell, but the mind is the most vital fabrication tool. I am very fond of the Mig welder and angle grinder. My tape measure and steel sqare with the 45 degee angle on it is very important. Clamps C and VIse styles are loved as well. My drill and a 5 pound sledge are other favorites. Sharpies bring me up to ten. Top 4 would be welder, grinder, clamp, tape, square.
These are the big tools used most in my shop. Mig welder Pullmax with tooling Bead roller with dies 48" stomp shear 48" brake Magnabend Shrinker and stretcher set Band saw English wheel Burr King belt sander Air compressor 5 hp For the small tools: Layout tools Hammers and dollies Stump Beater bag with stand Hand shears Left, right and straight cut Files Vise and clamps Normal set of hand tools Good steel work table Electric 4-1/2" grinder
I've only seen it mentioned once above, but I think the Beverly Shear is great!!! As soon as I can afford to get the B2 it will be my next tool purchase http://vansantent.com/sheet_metal_machines/beverly_shear.htm A good - big table I'll second the Belt sander as well - the 4" jobbies that are like $100 work well for most things.
Hey punkabilly1306, You don't know the 1/2 of it...... It is a big issue as I also have a southbend 6' lathe, a Powermatic 1150A drill press, a Packard Machine Bench top mill, a Lakewood industrial fan, a Snap-On KR1000 & top jamned full of air cutting, drilling, hammering tools plus some hand tools I've collected from the snap-on guy over the last 20 years or so.... Plus I keep my motorcycle lift table in the garage too. So yes - space at my 2 3/4 garage, attached to my house, is a bit cramped. I wish I had a detached garage like some of the guys on here.... Space.....if I only had more space......I'd post pix of my garage but I've got so much junk in it I'm kinda embaressed!! When I get it cleaned up I will. Paco
I can't fabricate anything to save my life, but I am trying to learn. Having said that, I can't believe it took until post #24 for someone to mention L & R offset hand shears. But what if my friends don't build cars? Time for new friends! LOL
the floor torch tig beverly shear sand bag oxygen tank cap power hammer english wheel vise louver punch
1. angle grinder 2. sheetmetal shears - L, R, straight 3. MIG 4. Harbor Freight step drills 5. body saw 6. horizontal bandsaw 7. hammer and dolly set 8. combo disk/belt sander 9. vice grips 10. bench vise
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