Cool Tools

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Birdman

TG I'm thinking about getting a welder for the shop. Could you talk a bit about this one please. thanks...

Will do, I'll write up a little something today.


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[Carnut]

While we are waiting for TG's write up let me say this.

I have bought a number of welders over the years, only to have to upgrade later because I shopped for price only.

Eventually I had settled on Miller products for both value, features and reliability.

I now own both a MIG for those faster jobs and a TIG for jobs where appearance is more important. Both types make "good" welds. I prefer a TIG when welding aluminum.

And I prefer gas bottles vs coated wire for gas shielding.

So decide what you want from your welder and spend a few extra bucks to get the performance you will want once you get good at welding.

[Birdman]

Thanks Carnut ...points well taken. Any recomendations on what size welder to get for general fab work ,includung aluminum ...and cost ?
I was thinking Tig since I'm very fussy about my welds. Until now I've always had a good qualified welder do my work.

[Carnut]

Originally Posted by Birdman

Thanks Carnut ...points well taken. Any recomendations on what size welder to get for general fab work ,includung aluminum ...and cost ?
I was thinking Tig since I'm very fussy about my welds. Until now I've always had a good qualified welder do my work.

For steel the Econotig works well.

For aluminum, something bigger might be better. Aluminum acts as a wonderful heat sink and pulls the heat away from the weld pretty fast. The bigger the piece, the more heat sink. You can compensate by pre-heating the metal with a torch.

Miller has a really good website that has a lot of information on what welder is good for what job.

Eventually I will get rid of my econotig and get one with a water cooled torch but I am watching what I spend now.

Here is a link Miller - Welding Equipment - MIG/TIG/Stick Welders & Plasma Cutting

Right now, you should be able to get some pretty big discounts off the retail prices they list.

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

My Harbor Freight one must be a copy cat version of the Snap On then.

Have you used yours to release spring pressure to a fully expanded state or to compress a spring from a fully expanded state? I was wondering if that was even possible with this tool i.e. use it to replace a spring rather than a strut.

Once I did, but the problem is getting it in around a spring in a spring pocket. For front coil springs on "normal" cars (think old Chevelle, camaro, mustang), your better bet is to chain the spring to the car and then use a hoist/jack to lower the spring after popping a ball joint. Just be REALLY carefull that the car is supported extremely well before you pop that ball joint...if the car shifts and falls, and you are under it...you may not make it out alive. I always did this job on a hoist, popped the knuckle with full support so the car didn't move, and then stood behind a steel Ibeam in our shop as I raised the car. Worked every time.

[iceman]

I don't have one but my neighbor has a plasma cutter. I try to come up with reasons to use that thing. I just find it to be the coolest thing ever.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I need to go get that.

Here's one.

This is used if you blow out a spark plug in a 5.4L motor.

It drills out and puts in a new threaded insert...

.

I was at Harbor Freight last night returning a torque wrench and saw that the caliper tool was on sale - $19.99. Their torque wrenches are not that good - the one I returned would not adjust beyond a certain torque setting around mid point.

I hope I never have to use that spark plug tool of yours.

[SpeedRacer]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

I was at Harbor Freight last night returning a torque wrench and saw that the caliper tool was on sale - $19.99. Their torque wrenches are not that good - the one I returned would not adjust beyond a certain torque setting around mid point.

I hope I never have to use that spark plug tool of yours.

Harbor Freight is a great place. However, you have to be careful of what tools you buy there. Most of their stuff is Cheap Chinese crap--they do have some good Chinese stuff as well.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by SpeedRacer

Harbor Freight is a great place. However, you have to be careful of what tools you buy there. Most of their stuff is Cheap Chinese crap--they do have some good Chinese stuff as well.

I'd have to agree, sometimes you have to wade through the bad stuff to find the good.

[The Bone]

Tools are something that I dont scrimp on. A cheep tool will brake when you need it most. I usually buy craftsman because of the connivance of having a store close on Sunday. I have used Snapon but when you get grease on you're hands they are hard to hang on to.
We have harbor freight here and You have to decided whether that tool will do what you want for the price or will it brake when you need it most. I have some tools that I have only used once. I also have improvised and made tools.
I used a piece of 2 inch pipe a piece of 1'2 inch all thread a couple of nuts and some washers to remove the rubber bushings from the rear springs in my 68. Now I have a press.
The most important tool I have in my shop is my air compressor.
At the time I got the most I could for the money but I have found that my 20 gallon 5 horse isn't enough. I am thinking about a stand up model like a Quincy.
I can no way buy a Ingersol Rand the Cadillac of compressor's.
Art

[SpeedRacer]

I buy both Craftsmen and Kobalt (Lowe's Branded HTs) hand tools

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by SpeedRacer

I buy both Craftsmen and Kobalt (Lowe's Branded HTs) hand tools

Most of my hand tools are Craftsman; some I've had for more than 25 years. They are good tools that are backed by a great warranty. I have brought back a few of those old tools that failed to perform and never had any problems with getting them replaced at Sears.

[SpeedRacer]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

Most of my hand tools are Craftsman; some I've had for more than 25 years. They are good tools that are backed by a great warranty. I have brought back a few of those old tools that failed to perform and never had any problems with getting them replaced at Sears.

Yeah, Sears is really good about replacing their tools.

[KR]

Originally Posted by SpeedRacer

Yeah, Sears is really good about replacing their tools.

Replaced a craftsman ratchet I bought probably 30 years ago,. no questions asked just lastweek

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by GT500KR

Replaced a craftsman ratchet I bought probably 30 years ago,. no questions asked just lastweek

I did the same thing last week - returned a 1/2" ratchet from my very first Craftsman tool set I purchased back in 1982. It wasn't operating smoothly anymore and I got another one without any questions asked.

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by Carnut

While we are waiting for TG's write up let me say this.

I have bought a number of welders over the years, only to have to upgrade later because I shopped for price only.

Eventually I had settled on Miller products for both value, features and reliability.

I now own both a MIG for those faster jobs and a TIG for jobs where appearance is more important. Both types make "good" welds. I prefer a TIG when welding aluminum.

And I prefer gas bottles vs coated wire for gas shielding.

So decide what you want from your welder and spend a few extra bucks to get the performance you will want once you get good at welding.

I always wanted to do TIG welding, but it seems so expensive to get into. I don't really know how it's done, but it makes the best looking welds w/ little mess. Perhaps Mr Carnut should make a tech thread on TIG welders??


I don't do enough of that anymore to be worth it for me, but sure would like to know how it's done.
.

[KR]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I always wanted to do TIG welding, but it seems so expensive to get into. I don't really know how it's done, but it makes the best looking welds w/ little mess. Perhaps Mr Carnut should make a tech thread on TIG welders??


I don't do enough of that anymore to be worth it for me, but sure would like to know how it's done.
.

son,....I've been waiting for just the right time for that one.......thanks TG

[TOMMY GUN]

Originally Posted by GT500KR

son,....I've been waiting for just the right time for that one.......thanks TG

I'm too busy posting! Sheesh.


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[SpeedRacer]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I'm too busy posting! Sheesh.


.

More like Post Whoring.....

[SLGT750]

Originally Posted by 6-Speed

Most of my hand tools are Craftsman; some I've had for more than 25 years. They are good tools that are backed by a great warranty. I have brought back a few of those old tools that failed to perform and never had any problems with getting them replaced at Sears.

Same mostly Craftsman, some Snapon and some Harbor Freight.
There is definetly a difference in tool quality. I had a 8mm turbo bolt from a 7.3 Powerstroke that would not budge so we did a little test against Husky(Home Depot), Craftsman, Mac and Snap On. This test was on a closed end 8mm wrench's with a cheater bar
Husky-broke fairly quickly
Craftman-broke not as fast
Mac-didn't break but bent it in a u shape
Snap on-no damage and freed the bolt
I not sure if the other efforts helped in the final result but was interesting to see the different metal quality. All of the damaged ones were warrantied which is a plus but leaves you with down time, so if you don't want that go with Snap On were price=quality