lets say you want to make your own manifolds, roll cages, and various brackets and so forth.

lets also assume that you will be working with basic metals like steel.

what equipment do you need?

what i can think of off hand is:

tig welder
plasma cutter
pipe bender
heavy duty table
various clamps
big vice
dremel tool type device (for small work or the finishing touch)


thats all i can think of. I know to make cages and to do most other thinsg you will need some variety of cutting devices but i dont know what you will need.

now before any of you hardcore ************* answer , just keep in mind that you may have more desacriminating taste than the rest of us and that you may feel that a CNC machine is imperative. if you are that person, my hat's off to you. but just keep in mind that i'm not.

im just looking for basic stuff.

a perfect example would be that i can use saw A to cut pipes. however if i am going to cut sheet metal, saw A can do it but its better if i used saw B to cut it and then saw C to round the edges and then saw D to do whatever else.

in other words, im sure there are a million tools that do specialty jobs, but im looking for the basic, versatile equipment.

thanks guys.

 

4.5" angle grinder
bandsaw

plasma cutter...not so much. you'd be better off using the money for something else.

 

drill press
belt sander
tube notcher
pipe bender

ummm and yes, bench grinder for sharpening your tungstens

 

MIG welder, you'll prolly use this as much if not more than the TIG.
Tubing bender, not pipe
Media blast cabinet
Bench grinder
Reciprocating saw
Misc. grinding bits
Chemicals like Acetone, etc.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT!!!! ---For yourself and your shop!

 

Here is what I have in my little home shop

Welding table
tig and need consumables
mig
3*4.5" grinders and a bunch of assorted wheels
long shaft electric die grinder and a speed control
2 bench grinders, keep one close to the tig as you will be using it a lot.
little 4*6 bandsaw
drill press
belt sander
2 or 3 hand drills
A vise bolted to something sturdy

Lots of light ands heat and a/c


I'm sure I leaving a few things out.
But it is about like building a car. What ever amount you figure, just double it and you'll be close.

I would not put a plasma close to the top of things needed. It would be nice, and I would like one. But it is far from a necessity.

Later
Randy

 

i have this
3 tigs
plasma cutter
2 15 inch drill presses
52x6 belt sander
multiple bench grinders
angle grinders 4 and 4.5 inch
die grinder
sand blaster
2 64.5x.5 liquid cooled saws for collectors
128x1.5 beast band saw for cutting stock
tubing notcher
tubing bender
powdercoating setup
sand blasting cabinet
3 axis cnc machine
2 post lift
80 gal air compressor with moisutre separators

**** the list goes on.

about 85k worth of goodness not including the building

it adds up quick



Modified by CTP_MADDOG at 2:14 PM 12/5/2006

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evile140 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here is what I have in my little home shop

long shaft electric die grinder and a speed control

Randy </TD></TR></TABLE>


One of the best tools to have.

Unless you have a monster of a air compressor, an air powered die grinder is worthless.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">4.5" angle grinder
bandsaw

plasma cutter...not so much. you'd be better off using the money for something else.</TD></TR></TABLE>

are you adding these items to my list? im confused.

 

MIG
TIG
oxy-acetylene torch for cutting, heating, tempering, etc
4.5" angle grinder
drill press
notching jig
electric die grinder
Big sturdy tabe (i have a 2" butcher block table with a stainless cover)
tubing bender
band saw
chop saw
punching bag for when you get frustrated.

 

A mini fridge full of beer at all time, at least that's what i have in my shop.

 

You have a production shop haha, you can never have enough and you'll alaways want more and new tools to do the job better and easier. You have the basic idea to get you started though. My advice to you Buy good tools to begin with or you will be buying them twice.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CTP_MADDOG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
i have this
3 tigs
plasma cutter
2 15 inch drill presses
52x6 belt sander
multiple bench grinders
angle grinders 4 and 4.5 inch
die grinder
sand blaster
2 64.5x.5 liquid cooled saws for collectors
128x1.5 beast band saw for cutting stock
tubing notcher
tubing bender
powdercoating setup
sand blasting cabinet
3 axis cnc machine
2 post lift
80 gal air compressor with moisutre separators

**** the list goes on.

about 85k worth of goodness not including the building

it adds up quick

Modified by CTP_MADDOG at 2:14 PM 12/5/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Make sure a belt-sander makes it onto the short list with welder, chop or band saw, and various clamps.
Any tubing work will benefit huge from belt-sander, as you can cheat the angles a little, and it makes perfect,tight,clean fit-up for welding. Make sure it's large enough to do the jobs you want to do.

 

I think you all missed 3 things
First Aid Kit You Will get hurt
Bridgeport with a DRO
South Bend Style Lathe.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Howitt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think you all missed 3 things
First Aid Kit You Will get hurt
Bridgeport with a DRO
South Bend Style Lathe.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I want a bridgeport ,but dont have money or room for one. oh and i dont really know how to use a mill

 

I know most of you are probably just leaving this one out.


FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Better safe than sorry. Glad I've never had to use mine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Howitt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think you all missed 3 things
First Aid Kit You Will get hurt
Bridgeport with a DRO
South Bend Style Lathe.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i only know what one of those things are... the first aid kit

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by F20Cteg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Better safe than sorry. Glad I've never had to use mine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just be smart when considering safety equipment for your shop. You will need a ton fo safety glasses, face shields, a good welding helmet and some shade 3 goggles, gloves, barrels of water, lots of cut and burn first aid stuff, a fire blanket, extinguishers, etc. Keep rattle cans and other chemicals in locked cabinets.

Keep the shop very clean. Cluttered or dirty work areas lead to poor craftsmanship or injury. Epoxy coat the floor, it'll look better and be far easier to maintain.



Oh and get a bridgeport mill. You'll thank yourself whenever you need a bracket, mounting plate, flange, etc.

 

what tubing benders do you guys recomend? somewhat on the cheaper side.. but quality.

 

heater...gotta have a nice heater in the garage during those cold winter times..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dmotoguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what tubing benders do you guys recomend? somewhat on the cheaper side.. but quality. </TD></TR></TABLE>

JD squared model 3 tubing bender FTW! I just bought mine the other day.

Also have a JD squared tubing nothcer.... not the cheap one but the middle ot the road unit.

Check them out.

 

yeah and def, buy the good **** once.

 

How did most of you guys learn to use a mill? Im really interested in learning ,but I dont know where to start

 

It is really easy actually. I learned just by playing. This was back in High School too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dr.NAPIER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I want a Bridgeport ,but don't have money or room for one. oh and i don't really know how to use a mill </TD></TR></TABLE>

I paid $1700 for my 2hp Bridgeport Delivered with a DRO it needed a little loving and Cleanup but I got more time than cash.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JT2MA7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Oh and get a Bridgeport mill. You'll thank yourself whenever you need a bracket, mounting plate, flange, etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I use mine to make brackets and fix stuff all the time. its so versatile it amazing what you can do with a few attachments. Rotary table, Quill Master, Right Angle, Rotary Milling Head.

Any Shop should have a bridgeport, I never turned a handle on mill when I bought mine a few months ago. its pretty simple up down left right youll figure it out

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dr.NAPIER &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How did most of you guys learn to use a mill? Im really interested in learning ,but I dont know where to start</TD></TR></TABLE>

buy one and play around with it, there are also good books out there

this is a good one

http://www.amazon.com/Milling-...62324