Can we talk tools?

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by wretched73

The best thing I invested in after already having a fairly large collection of sockets/wrenches was snap on ratchets. I started with 3/8 and 1/2 inch, now just recently (2 years after the purchase of the first set of ratchets) I have a 1/4 inch and a long handle 3/8 swivel head ratchet. The higher tooth count and the feel of the ratchets makes working in tight areas a lot easier.

Number two investment would be a good 18v drill/impact combo kit. I got the ridgid one and have no problem with it, plus it has lifetime service agreement along with the same agreement on batteries and chargers.

No I am looking at getting more snap on and mac tools. Ebay and craigslist can have very good deals if you keep your eyes open. Still more expensive than craftsman but in items like ratchets its been worth every penny.

Personally I also suggest getting metric tools as a priority over SAE. If you only have the money for one set, I'd take metric any day, than get the SAE when your wallet allows for it.

On that note:

Check the paper and hit up garage and estate sales.

You can really, really score on stuff that way. I got "some kind of blow dryer, but it's too hot" for $5. It was a $225 german industrial heat gun.

[wretched73]

So pretty much be patient and select everything you need than everything you'd like to have.

[WayFast84]

I'll definitely hit some up when I have time but working weekends usually puts an end to that stuff. On another note the bench plans I came up with makes the top part 46 inches. I measured it out and I think it might be to small. What do you guys think?

I also found an awesome way to clean up some of the clutter.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Pr...g/Step-By-Step

[BonzoHansen]

my only concern is those bins can get brittle as they age.

[rickyd13]

number one things on the list should be organization that will make your life a lot easier

a good set of sockets or anything else can be had relatively cheap if you look around and buy when they are on sale. you will feel the difference between the quality right away

if your going to have enough room parts/tool cleaner tub

check garage sales and such and also auctions

a good floor jack and stands are a must as well as some good lighting and nice creeper

also a compressor and air tools will certainly help

just know there is a difference between what you need what you want because these things are not cheap and will add up very quickly

[wretched73]

A nice way to organize small nuts and bolts and the like is too use old mason jars or prescription pill bottles. You screw the lids to the underside of a bench or the ceiling than simply screw the bottle or jar onto the lid. Nice and neat and out of the way IMO

EDIT: LABEL EVERYTHING!!!!! Than when you look for a bolt, IE 10-24 bolt, you find it in seconds rather than looking through an entire junk bin of misc. ****

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by wretched73

A nice way to organize small nuts and bolts and the like is too use old mason jars or prescription pill bottles. You screw the lids to the underside of a bench or the ceiling than simply screw the bottle or jar onto the lid. Nice and neat and out of the way IMO

EDIT: LABEL EVERYTHING!!!!! Than when you look for a bolt, IE 10-24 bolt, you find it in seconds rather than looking through an entire junk bin of misc. ****

Plastic peanut butter jars. Glass is not such a good idea.

[BonzoHansen]

glass is old school, that is what my dad did. glass baby food jars too. glass is heavy and it breaks. when i cleaned out his workshop i went through no less than 300 glass jars of all sorts of stuff.

he used metal coffee cans for a lot of stuff too. but you don't see those much anymore. but a few inches of gasoline and a coffee can sure cleaned wheel bearings great lol.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

glass is old school, that is what my dad did. glass baby food jars too. glass is heavy and it breaks. when i cleaned out his workshop i went through no less than 300 glass jars of all sorts of stuff.

he used metal coffee cans for a lot of stuff too. but you don't see those much anymore. but a few inches of gasoline and a coffee can sure cleaned wheel bearings great lol.

Ha. That's where I'm coming from too. When my grandfather died we cleaned out his whole workshop and got tons of hardware in old glass jars. It is a very bad day when you drop one.

[WayFast84]

Yeah I know about that trick. I'm looking too store some junk with the sealing bins. Today would've been perfect to work on the bench but I had class all day. Hopefully there will be some more nice days.

[greenformula92]

I buy a lot of harbor freight stuff with the exception of my air tools, and ratchets. Even harbor frieghts impact sockets are holding up quite well. I'm not buying snap on for my home needs. That over spending to the 10th degree. If I did it for a living I would probably have top of the line stuff but let's face it I am on a limited budget as most of us are and I'd rather but the money into more quality parts than top dollar tools that work just as good as the cheap stuff

[WayFast84]

Just stole a 120 peace drill bit set for $20. Anyone know of some cheap an reliable drill presses?

[Mike]

Why do you need a drill press?

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by Mike

Why do you need a drill press?

To cut the crap out of your hands when the piece your drilling catches

[Featherburner]

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

To cut the crap out of your hands when the piece your drilling catches

Negative!

[WayFast84]

I don't need anything listed in here. But I am going to start building stuff when I finish this semester.

[Mike]

I would rank a drill press pretty low on the list of priorities. You can do most jobs with a regular drill

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by Featherburner

Negative!

Would rather do it in the mill at that point.