Thread: most useful tools when building a truck?

Painters tape is perfect for us hairy apes... It has enough stick to hold, but comes off esily as well. Electrical tape is too gummy for my liking. Super glue is a good replacement for stitches on a larger cut though.

if its on my finger a peice of heat shrink works well...

I've always used E-tape cause i typically have a roll with me offshore. And it doesn't mind the water, unlike painters tape.

And if you stick to the good 3m stuff it doesn't leave a nasty residue.


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Cool thing about using a plasma, over using a band saw is...when you cut your self on the band saw it keeps bleeding..at least with the plasma it cauterizes..the wound..

Originally Posted by toyick

Cool thing about using a plasma, over using a band saw is...when you cut your self on the band saw it keeps bleeding..at least with the plasma it cauterizes..the wound..

I've never cut myself on my bandsaws both horizontal and vertical worth mentioning. Sure a little nick or what not but no blood. Now a plasma can really fuck some shit up hahaha!

Mike

So after reading this I'm kinda looking into getting a bandsaw. I like the porta one, but was more looking into a traditional vertical one. Anyone have suggestions on what to get or look out for?

(you guessed it....tapatalk)

Same here! My ancles have scars all over them from my dumb ass using the plasma with shorts on. Those hot boogers burn right though socks...

Originally Posted by bri_man57

So after reading this I'm kinda looking into getting a bandsaw. I like the porta one, but was more looking into a traditional vertical one. Anyone have suggestions on what to get or look out for?

(you guessed it....tapatalk)

There is an older rockwell one that has a gearbox in it - so it can be run at low or high speed to do wood/aluminum or steel. It's a smaller size (12 or 14" I think) so it's garage shop friendly. They are older & still command like $700 but they're cool.

Here's a pic of mine

I'm in the middle of a budget build and I find myself using a couple tools on a daily basis that I could probably not live without.

JD2 Tube Bender
JD2 TN-100 Tube Notcher
Milwaukee 1/2" 8amp corded drill
Rigid Miniature corded reciprocating saw
360 degree magnetic base angle finder
(2) 4.5" Angle grinders
Gratuitous amounts of sharpies
And a wieldable drop light for working after the sun goes down

all the basics have been covered here, sharpies, tape, level, hf notcher with grade 8 hardware, chop saw, and most important is the 4.5 grinder with about 3mil sanding wheels

Originally Posted by JusSumGuoy

There is an older rockwell one that has a gearbox in it - so it can be run at low or high speed to do wood/aluminum or steel. It's a smaller size (12 or 14" I think) so it's garage shop friendly. They are older & still command like $700 but they're cool.

Here's a pic of mine

That looks like a nice setup and was thinking going with an older one that was proven wouldnt be a bad idea...but was hoping there might be something a little more budget friendly.

Originally Posted by bri_man57

That looks like a nice setup and was thinking going with an older one that was proven wouldnt be a bad idea...but was hoping there might be something a little more budget friendly.

i understand everyone is one a budget, but you cant have it all. Simply put, you have to pay for quality. My budget is also tight, but thats why i cruise craigslist for used quality tools. It Still might be a little more expensive then new cheap tools from HF, but you will have a tool that will last a lifetime and 9 times out of 10 will produce better results.

Big hammers and someone to throw them at.

Originally Posted by carsonc1974

i understand everyone is one a budget, but you cant have it all. Simply put, you have to pay for quality. My budget is also tight, but thats why i cruise craigslist for used quality tools. It Still might be a little more expensive then new cheap tools from HF, but you will have a tool that will last a lifetime and 9 times out of 10 will produce better results.

My budget is a LOT tighter than people think. ALL of my tool are used pretty much & I do the same = hunt craigslist & eBay for deals. I've got a massive tool collection that I've built over the years & I have half or less than retail value in it due to being patient & buying good stuff used.

I got my bandsaw pictured above for $300. $600 was about going rate when I bought it. I saw it on CL and called the guy right away & said I'd bring cash then & there. By the time I drove the 1/2 hour to pick it up he had already had 3 more call saying they'd take it. You just have to be quick and lucky. Oh and always have a bit of $$ set aside in a "tool" fund for when those killer deals pop up as they love to pop up when you're otherwise broke...

I was never all that interested in vertical bandsaws, there are some notches that can only be repeated on a bandsaw, but avoiding that situation is easier than buying a bandsaw. However, I just started using ours to cut plate for my skid and shock mounts and I can't believe how much easier and safer it was than anything I'd used before.

Originally Posted by carsonc1974

i understand everyone is one a budget, but you cant have it all. Simply put, you have to pay for quality. My budget is also tight, but thats why i cruise craigslist for used quality tools. It Still might be a little more expensive then new cheap tools from HF, but you will have a tool that will last a lifetime and 9 times out of 10 will produce better results.

You act as if I'm not cruising craigslist looking for tools. I'm trying to stay away from HF, but just hoping I didnt have to spend 700 on something I could get for cheaper. IT would be helpful if you said "Dont get the craftman one, stick with (Insert manufacturer here)". There are some deals on CL right now, mostly craftsman, but I'm trying to figure out what I should avoid and what to look for. K thanks

Originally Posted by JusSumGuoy

My budget is a LOT tighter than people think. ALL of my tool are used pretty much & I do the same = hunt craigslist & eBay for deals. I've got a massive tool collection that I've built over the years & I have half or less than retail value in it due to being patient & buying good stuff used.

I got my bandsaw pictured above for $300. $600 was about going rate when I bought it. I saw it on CL and called the guy right away & said I'd bring cash then & there. By the time I drove the 1/2 hour to pick it up he had already had 3 more call saying they'd take it. You just have to be quick and lucky. Oh and always have a bit of $$ set aside in a "tool" fund for when those killer deals pop up as they love to pop up when you're otherwise broke...

Thats a sweet deal. Can you recommend other manufactures and or features to look for when looking at bandsaws? I saw a few older crafstman that looked alot beefier than the ones they sell these days, but not sure if that would be a good way to go.

Originally Posted by Brandon_Charley

I was never all that interested in vertical bandsaws, there are some notches that can only be repeated on a bandsaw, but avoiding that situation is easier than buying a bandsaw. However, I just started using ours to cut plate for my skid and shock mounts and I can't believe how much easier and safer it was than anything I'd used before.

I'm looking into a bandsaw for just that, cutting plate. Right now I have built every plate on my truck with a cutoff wheel on a grinder and lots of cleanup. Looking to get beyond those days. I do have a Mac Plasma cutter that I traded some tires I didnt want for, but its only a 110 so really doesn't do 1/8th all that well. Unless im using it completely wrong. LOL However, it does sheet metal really nice.

So for this band saw type deal you simply run a cutting belt suited for metal? how often do you have to replace the belts (same goes for the porta band saw)?

Whenever I'm at the metal supply place I see them using it all the time to cut through tubing. However, they run cutting lube over the saw blade and the thing is like the size of a VW bug. It also swings up and down like a shop saw. How can you cut tubing at various angles if the bad saw is fixed.

Notching with the chop saw is not too bad, but it is a very dirty process (glowing metal sparks and dust all over the place) which suck in a small shop.

I use my port-a-band for cutting plate ALL the time. I can do most everything with it and I've only needed the vertical bandsaw a couple times over the past few years, but since it was buried I plasma-d instead...

That being said - older is often better with tools. There are all sorts of brands out there but older craftsman aren't bad. Rockwell/delta are good to look for as well. Typically look for US stuff & if you are questioning it a google search does wonders now-a-days with all the different forums out there. The last couple purchases I've made I've searched on google and found all sorts of threads/comments from different tool forums.

Ya I figured older wouldnt be bad. My birthday is coming up so Im looking to get myself some new tools. Upgrade like I said. I guess I ll just keep cruisng CL and see what I can find. Im also thinking about a drill press. Im sure the same general rules apply, but have any of you guys had any experience with the lowes drill press? from reading the reviews and specs, it dont seem bad for $300.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_?masthead=true&selectedLocalStoreBeanArra y=[com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStore Bean%4055da55da%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator .beans.LocatorStoreBean%40568a568a%2C+com.lowes.co mmerce.storelocator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40573a5 73a%2C+com.lowes.commerce.storelocator.beans.Locat orStoreBean%4057ea57ea%2C+com.lowes.commerce.store locator.beans.LocatorStoreBean%40589a589a]&langId=-1&Ntt=&URL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&firstReferURL= http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowes.com%2Fpd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_%3FPL%3D1%26productId%3D3162489&zippedWit hModal=1&zipCode=93004&y=0&x=0&isQvSearch=&masthea dURL=TopCategoriesDisplayView&findStoreErrorURL=St oreLocatorDisplayView&PL=1&productId=3162489&catal ogId=10051&NttParam=&storeId=10151&qvRedirect=

I haven't - but for less than that I'm going to be selling this (attached pic) soon. I've been too lazy to make the post thus far... It's a radial arm drill press. The 1/2 hp motor is a little lacking sometimes, but the radial arm feature is nice.


I'll also be selling this since I got a bigger mill again

Originally Posted by JusSumGuoy

hunt craigslist & eBay for deals.

Exactly, I had been looking for a new compressor for a while now. Sat morning a 5HP Matco 60 gallon one popped up for 200$ Called the guy less than 10 min after it posted. Drove to the bank then went and looked it over. Really good shape. Talked the tweeker down to 160 and off I went........... So much quieter than My old POS..........

Originally Posted by JusSumGuoy

I haven't - but for less than that I'm going to be selling this (attached pic) soon. I've been too lazy to make the post thus far... It's a radial arm drill press. The 1/2 hp motor is a little lacking sometimes, but the radial arm feature is nice.


I'll also be selling this since I got a bigger mill again

Is that a small table top mill? that would be pretty cool. As far as the little guy, I might of considered it if you werent way far away ha ha ha.

Originally Posted by partybarge_pilot

Exactly, I had been looking for a new compressor for a while now. Sat morning a 5HP Matco 60 gallon one popped up for 200$ Called the guy less than 10 min after it posted. Drove to the bank then went and looked it over. Really good shape. Talked the tweeker down to 160 and off I went........... So much quieter than My old POS..........

Ya im cruising all the time now. For that drill press I was looking at, its not a bad deal since its a 1 hp motor, got lots of different speeds and the reviews are pretty solid.

yup - small table top mill.

Any opinions on this guy? for 30 bucks, if i got a little use out of it, I think it would be cool. Google popped up that its a little hard to find parts for. Opinions?

10 INCH SHOPCRAFT BANDSAW

worse case scenario you could probably re-sell it & get $30 back out of it if it didn't do what you wanted. I'd assume you're gonna need to change out some pullies to slow it down for steel cutting though.

Details on the mill?

Thanks.

I thought I read somewhere on google it was adjustable speed. I'm looking to cut 1/8 plate on it. Kinda on the fence about it. Don't want a headache, even if it is 30 bucks.

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I have used a wood band saw with pulleys to slow it down it's works good you need to slow it down to about 80sfpm. I know their is a tread on it over on pirate I bet you could get pulleys on mcmaster Carr.

Beer.

empty toilet paper rolls

---------- Post added at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 AM ----------

and template material

Originally Posted by ROADHEAD31

and template material

AKA old Tecate boxes and painters tape.

Mike

Originally Posted by Knuckledstr

porta band, makes building trucks a hell of a allot easier. a good notcher, a good vice, and a couple extra sets of hands.

A good vice? Like going to titty bars alot? That takes care of the extra hands deal too!!
DG