Workshop/Tools/Parts

[ctt956]

Originally Posted by yerko42

Here is a massive list from Mcmaster carr I put together for a rookie team in the area.

I'm struggling to find a good solution to a metal cutting band saw. Anyone have any thoughts on a good all around saw? we've used a 10in miter box with an aluminum blade but it's blown a few pieces out and generally seems sketchy. Maybe one of those portable band saws with a table attachment? is the small throat an issue?

Very extensive list! As for the band saws, I've used a Delta vertical band saw for cutting metal. Not sure of the model, but it performed well, though it currently has some issue where it's not reaching the set speed, and can be stalled with anything. I've also used this Harbor Freight saw, which can be vertical or horizontal. It's good for cutting metal, and will go through thick 80/20 fairly quickly. While I didn't use it myself, I saw no problems with a JET vertical bandsaw. Ryobi has a decent vertical, but I've only used it to cut wood(which it does very well!) It's similar to this one, but the older blue color. The cordless portable ones are surprisingly useful, but the small throat is definitely an issue if you need to cut something long/big/wide. I would advise getting a large bandsaw first, unless you only need to do small stuff. It's great for shortening screws!

Originally Posted by TheModMaster8

6. belt/disk sander are nice but files work the same.

Yes, but belt sanders are big time savers. If you have a long piece of metal with a lot of big burrs/sharp points on one side or you need to flatten or round a corner, that would take a while filing by hand...It's like trying to cut a think steel bar with a hacksaw. Hand files are good for smaller jobs and/or precise work, though.

Some power tools/machines I would recommend, in no order:

Chop saw - Good for quickly cutting almost anything from HDPE and PVC to aluminum and probably steel, though a bandsaw is probably better for cutting metal, as the noise produced by a chop saw on metal is bothersome after about 10 seconds. And a bandsaw is far less likely to turn your workpiece into a bullet.

Reciprocating saw(Sawzall) - Like chop saws and bandsaws, they can cut a lot of things, but they're much more maneuverable. Especially good for cutting long workpieces that won't fit in a saw. However, the vibrations can cause the blade to jump out of the cut, but once you get the cut started, it goes right through. If one or more ends of a workpiece need to be held in place, use a vise. DO NOT hold it with your hands, especially not against a table/bench/any surface while it is being cut with a recip saw unless you have on VERY thick gloves.

Angle grinder - Useful for deburring steel or iron, rounding corners, cutting, making flat areas on motor shafts, removing protruding screw threads, anything else there's a grinder wheel for. Probably one of the most satisfying tools in existence, if not THE most satisfying.

Dremel - Is there anything Dremels can't do?

Cordless drills are always in use - make sure you have enough batteries! Just avoid nicads. And don't forget screwdriver bits.

Air compressor - Use it for cleaning, inflating tires, drilling, grinding, stapling, nailing, riveting, cutting, whatever there's an air tool for...

Maybe a jig saw if you do any intricate cutting and a circular saw if you use a lot of wood. Table saws are good if you need precision for woodcutting. I haven't cut anything on a table saw that couldn't have been cut with a circular or reciprocating saw, but it did save time and the cuts were more accurate than they would have been otherwise.

I think that's all I can think of for now...

TL;DR: I've used a lot of bandsaws, belt sanders save time, chop saws, Sawzalls, and Dremels are great, angle grinder = Most. Satisfying. Tool. EVER.