Tool Most used
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Belleville, MI
What tool to get first.
This is a hard question to answer because every year I seem to have a new best tool. What I have learned over the years is "If you can afford it or afford to wait for it always go for the best". I was a mechanic out of high school then a tool & die apprentice but now I just work on house hold projects and car restoration stuff. I started buying the cheaper tools thinking I was saving money but 80% of the time the cheaper tool was a disappointment. Ask your self how many times you want to buy a tool in it's life time. If you only use it once a year then may be the cheaper tool will do.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
My list of home garage items to get and why:
<o></o>
- Wire your garage with a separate service panel with 220V available. Good compressors will run on 220V single phase. Save your money for a large capacity tank with at least a 12cfm recovery rate. Down the road you will most likely power more tools that have high consumption rates like drills, sanders, grinders, spray guns and sand blasting guns. I currently have a 25 gal tank with an 8cfm @ 90psi recovery. It's fine for filling tires, impact wrenches and single shot use tools like nail guns but that's all.
- You can find good deals on old tools / machines but they may run on 220V. Try to run stationary machines on 220V like drill press and welders. They will draw less amperage then on 110V.
- My next purchase might be a small Oxy/Acetylene cutting torch set with a rose bud heating tip. I seem to have a need to heat items to remove them or fabricate my own tools.
- I found an 8"x1" grinder to be very handy and replaced the fine grit wheel with a wire wheel. This combo works well but the rated HP is not sufficient. Try to get at least a 1 HP grinder. They will cost more but it won't bog down and over load the motor.
- I have a parts cleaner tank also. It was the best thing I bought at the time but now it just takes up space since my restoration is past that stage.
- Always think safety first. I have fire extinguishers all around the garage but there no good if your not there to use them. So, invest in a good cabinet to store flammable liquids and don't save soiled rags. I still need to do this.
<o></o>
This list could go on for ever.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>My list of home garage items to get and why:
<o
></o>- Wire your garage with a separate service panel with 220V available. Good compressors will run on 220V single phase. Save your money for a large capacity tank with at least a 12cfm recovery rate. Down the road you will most likely power more tools that have high consumption rates like drills, sanders, grinders, spray guns and sand blasting guns. I currently have a 25 gal tank with an 8cfm @ 90psi recovery. It's fine for filling tires, impact wrenches and single shot use tools like nail guns but that's all.
- You can find good deals on old tools / machines but they may run on 220V. Try to run stationary machines on 220V like drill press and welders. They will draw less amperage then on 110V.
- My next purchase might be a small Oxy/Acetylene cutting torch set with a rose bud heating tip. I seem to have a need to heat items to remove them or fabricate my own tools.
- I found an 8"x1" grinder to be very handy and replaced the fine grit wheel with a wire wheel. This combo works well but the rated HP is not sufficient. Try to get at least a 1 HP grinder. They will cost more but it won't bog down and over load the motor.
- I have a parts cleaner tank also. It was the best thing I bought at the time but now it just takes up space since my restoration is past that stage.
- Always think safety first. I have fire extinguishers all around the garage but there no good if your not there to use them. So, invest in a good cabinet to store flammable liquids and don't save soiled rags. I still need to do this.
<o
></o>This list could go on for ever.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
From: MN
Air powered angle die grinder with a good compressor. Don't cheap out on the compressor. I use the die grinder all the time since it is very compact and I can get it into nearly and place on my truck. There are always rusty bolts that wont let free, and the only way to get them out is cutting.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: in the springs
if you are on a tight budget and are kind of handy fabricating. you can buy a compressor, and tank separatlly then use almost any motor electric or gas (portable) and build yourself an ectremely high volume pump on a budget, in fact if you check on this sight in one of the tech articles you can make an aircompressor out of an old air conditioning compressor.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
I would say a compressor is the most useful tool to have around. The tools you run off it are much cheaper than the equivilant electric versions so you can recoup some cost there.
When shopping, check out the CFM at 90psi. That will tell you what kind of tools you can run off it. I would only get an oil lubed belt drive unit with a decent sized tank (40 gallons min). Two stage is optional IMO, that will get you higher available pressures (and therefore the tank will hold more air for a given size) but it will add a lot to the cost.
You can also get a big compressor a lot cheaper sometimes with no regulator, pressure gauge, quick disconnects or anything and add them yourself. It's pretty easy to do... it is just plumbing work.
When shopping, check out the CFM at 90psi. That will tell you what kind of tools you can run off it. I would only get an oil lubed belt drive unit with a decent sized tank (40 gallons min). Two stage is optional IMO, that will get you higher available pressures (and therefore the tank will hold more air for a given size) but it will add a lot to the cost.
You can also get a big compressor a lot cheaper sometimes with no regulator, pressure gauge, quick disconnects or anything and add them yourself. It's pretty easy to do... it is just plumbing work.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 2
From: Colville
1) Compressor
1) Bench Vise
1) MIG Welder
1) Full set of hand tools
For a restoration project You will use every single one of the above items, in no particular order.
Even if you can't buy them all maybe you know someone who can help you out.
>Parts washer can be cheap.
>Floor jack should not!
1) Bench Vise
1) MIG Welder
1) Full set of hand tools
For a restoration project You will use every single one of the above items, in no particular order.
Even if you can't buy them all maybe you know someone who can help you out.
>Parts washer can be cheap.
>Floor jack should not!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: whitney
whats the difference between stage1 and stage2 compressors. Btw not terribly long
ago I bought me a new compressor I gotta tell everyone I know lol. Its a 27 gallon
5 horsepower ''vertical'' tank, the brand is All Trade, I purchased it from tractor
supply for 200.00!
ago I bought me a new compressor I gotta tell everyone I know lol. Its a 27 gallon
5 horsepower ''vertical'' tank, the brand is All Trade, I purchased it from tractor
supply for 200.00!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
Originally Posted by dieselstroke
whats the difference between stage1 and stage2 compressors. Btw not terribly long
ago I bought me a new compressor I gotta tell everyone I know lol. Its a 27 gallon
5 horsepower ''vertical'' tank, the brand is All Trade, I purchased it from tractor
supply for 200.00!
ago I bought me a new compressor I gotta tell everyone I know lol. Its a 27 gallon
5 horsepower ''vertical'' tank, the brand is All Trade, I purchased it from tractor
supply for 200.00!
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
Originally Posted by 68 351 bronc
FIXNAIR, what does the G stand for after PSI-G?