I need to go back and look what I paid. I think it was between $150-$200, but that was 2 or 3 years ago. I think they are a little over $200 now, but I am not completely positive.

 

My son-in-law bought this for $20. Worked well for Miata body panel thickness steel, and approximately 0.040 thickness Al sheet. We used it to trim off about 0.060" off one edge of the aluminum and they did not bend up the edge.

 

"Vulcan" Heavy Duty welding cabinet. Got it on a 20% off coupon of the coupon database site. Holds my MIG, TIG and plasma, and swallowed all the crap from my TIG cart and MIG cart, and an entire drawer from my toolbox. WIN.




It's a little pricey, but very nicely built. Worth it for me to consolidate all my gear to facilitate garage tetris. I did ditch the straight axle wheels on one end and modified it to have four casters for mobility. And yes, I'm getting larger gas bottles next time I refill...

 

How did you mod it for the 4 casters? I bought the same cabinet about a month ago.

 

I cut the axle off, outboard of the reinforced section, welded in some 3/4 square tube to support the casters and achieve the correct height, and welded the casters on. I moved the casters it came with to the new location, and used 5" casters that bolted right on (same pattern) in place of the originals. 5" casters are HF #69852.



5" caster

 

Nice.

Good quality casters are underrated.

 

Any experience with the 'portable' garages? I know they don't last long, but would they survive a snowload if I keep it clean?

I need someplace to work/rebuild the engine in my landcruiser, the engine is too heavy to rebuild in the living room....

 

Not the HF ones, but I had one as a hot tub surround for a couple of years, and it held up to the NY snowfalls. Tarps will go in 3-4 years no matter what. The UV destroys them.

 

HF ones suck. Stay away. Only good for temporary for a few days.

 

I had this one up in my driveway for over year. Took it down for storms that I expected winds more than 40mph and had to make a few small cuts at the bottom edges so that water drained, but before that it supported a few bathtubs worth of water. Dont know how it would do with snow. It never saw any.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-...opy-62858.html

 

Recommendations? I need something that will last a couple months....

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-ft-...age-62860.html

 

You can get that one $20-$40 cheaper depending on coupons. It is on my to buy list for the future. I want it to use for a place at the race track and temporarily at my house. Overall reviews I have seen have been positive, but I have never read about it dealing with snow. I planning to make sure it was always taken down with any high wind.

 

I know. The current coupon is for $170

 

That one (10x17 'garage') is on my list for storing a parts car and some other stuff. Here in AZ, I assume the sun will kill it long before anything else. I don't think you'd want to use it for the track... would take too long to set up/tear down.

 

A more expensive alternative, but I can vouch for their lifespan. Tens of years. This 305 is big enough to get a medium pickup truck into. Passes snow load etc. Takes 2 people and about 20 minutes to set up.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Official-Mi...sAAOSwjKFZWTGD

 

Keep your eyes peeled and these. I'm partial to them. I had a major role in this tent, from a pie in the sky idea, to full factory production for the US military. They become available for about 2500 sometimes. Full air supported structure. No metal. Fill it up once, check it every month. 20x30 ft. Takes about 15 minutes with 2 people to set up. Heavy though. Both of these tents. In the 500 lb range. Because military spec fabric is heavy.
The price is quite a deal when you consider that this was sold to the military just a year or two ago for 20k. Believe it or not, there isn't much margin in that price. My air beams are not cheap.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HDT-AIRBEAM...sAAOSwwj5b~LI9

 

I don't think either of those are considerations for those of us looking at a $150 HF shelter...

 

I am already fighting with the wife over why I need a $3k to $8k bridgeport to expand. Me telling her I need a $4k Military grade portable garage is sure going to go over well. Maybe I will tell her we can paint it the rainbow and use it and Burning Man and she will bite.

My real thoughts exactly.

 

Yea... At that point I will build a shed or buy a metal car port.

 

Shelter logic brand, Shed in a box. 10 x 10. Held as much snow as would stay on top. Buy the ones that the company's reputation is built on, not some knockoff.

Hell, if you were closer, I'd sell you mine, because it's taking up a lot of space in the garage.