Monk

iTrader: (3)

I just replaced the wheel bearings and races on my pickup, and I realized the majority of the tools I used were from HF. They are all winners.
First off: 20 ton shop press.
I love this thing. I didn't realize how much I needed one until I bought it on a whim one day. It's heavy duty, and I believe I paid $159 with a super coupon (check my sig for every coupon ever). At that price, it's only $20 more than the 12 ton.



2nd up: 10 Piece Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set
I've been using a brass punch until now. Never again.
It's a very nice set, but be sure to grease the threads if you use the driver and not a press.



3rd: Bearing grease packer.
This thing has poor reviews because people are dumb. If you use the grease zerk, it is perfect. If you try to pack manually, you will fail unless you drill out holes in the bottom tray (the holes are already started).



Last but not least: 1/2" drive torque wrench.
I don't work at the lab anymore, so I can't calibrate this, but it's a pretty well-built torque wrench. I have pulled some of these out of the box and they have been loaded, so make sure to check before you buy.
This goes without saying for most of you, but storing a torque wrench loaded is a sure way to ensure it loses accuracy. Also, don't loosen things with a torque wrench, the reverse setting is for left-handed threads.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I might pick up one of the 20 ton presses this weekend with the 25% off coupon.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

20 ton press- once you have one, then you realize just how often you CAN use it instead of [insert misused tool here].

Similarly I coughed up the dough (after coupon) for the 6 in. x 9 in. Combination Belt and Disc Sander Central-Machinery - Item#61750. It has been wonderful to clean up every crap cut I make in just a few seconds. Made short work of all intercooler tubing and exhaust pipe tweaks/cleanup. Great for all other kinds of fab work too. And I'm still using the original belt and disc that came on it.
6 in. x 9 in. Combination Belt and Disc Sander

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I almost bought that sander. After talking to a few machine shops though that make manifolds and use the sanders to make sure flanges are true they highly recommended that I get a bigger more powerful one. So I ended up getting an ENCO huge *** belt sander last fall on cyber monday.

As for the press, I figure I need to do all my bushings soon and that alone will make the cost worth it. Also using a press to squish things seems to be getting people all the Karma on reddit recently.

m2cupcar

iTrader: (5)

I can see that for flanges. I have not attempted any- just tubes, pipe, brackets etc. I've also used the press for bending stuff that's unmanageable in a vise.

Roda

I have that sander, and it stalls out pretty easily on metal. I originally bought it for wood, and it works great for that...

This 1/2" corded drill, on the other hand, has been a WIN:

1/2 in. Heavy Duty D-Handle Variable Speed Reversible Drill



I bought it primarily for tube notching, and have done a bunch of that with 1 3/4 steel tubing for my Bronco. This week I used it to drill some holes in the override springs on my Dodge 3500 for a suspension mod. Worked like a champ.

curly

iTrader: (25)

Tell us more about your tube notcher!

Roda

It's just a cheap one from Eastwoods:

Pipe Notcher holds up to 2"dia round tubing

Works OK, but not the greatest. As you can see in the pic, it clamps into a vise, which is handy, but only really works with straight tubing. Uses standard holesaws. I'm definitely planning to upgrade to something better before I start on the cage for my Miata. Unfortunately, 'better' is a LOT more $$$...

Edit: one nice thing about Eastwood's... you can usually find their stuff on Amazon for free Prime shipping.

Monk

iTrader: (3)

I use this for tube notching:



Use good blades, like most HF cutting tools.
I notch like this:

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Those gaps are huge. There's a nifty MSDOS based program that will print out a curve on a piece of paper when given your blend data, and you just wrap that around the tube and cut via your choice of angle grinder, torch, or plasma. Of you can get that print out straight out of solidworks if you have that at your disposal.

Monk

iTrader: (3)

Now is the time to buy this.

G3ML1NGZ

You might like this guy.
https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil

takes apart powertools and talks you through the electrics, gear materials, greases and plastics. Trying to find the manufactured failure points or simply why a tool failed.

hi_im_sean

iTrader: (3)

lol, Ave's videos have been posted on just about every page of this thread.

G3ML1NGZ

lol, my bad. We don't have HF, so I never check here :P

hi_im_sean

iTrader: (3)

Princess auto?

G3ML1NGZ

none of that stuff. the only stores you'd know around here are fast food places.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

canadian tire?

asmasm

iTrader: (1)

Looks like I'm finally getting a shop press this weekend. Thanks for posting that monk.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Look, we covered this already. Canadians do buy milk in bags, however they do not eat tires or challenge bears to arm-wrestling matches.

Monk

iTrader: (3)

Lars just reminded me to post about air compressors.
In short, don't buy this.


Save your money and buy this.


It is barely portable, but it is significantly quieter and more powerful.
It drives my impacts, grinders, and framing nailers easily.
Anything smaller is only suitable for very limited use.