Thread: I need some power tool advice please.

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I am looking to purchase some equipment in the future, and need some recommendations from folks more knowledgeable than myself. I need reviews on a small air compressor, metal dry chop saw, bench vise, and drill press. Everything needs to run on standard 110, because the shed it is going into doesn't have anything else.

The chop saw is really most important to me. I need something that will make very clean, straight and precise cuts thru 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" square aluminum bar stock. The saw needs to have a locking vice bed that is solid, and pretty much wiggle free. I've heard that DeWalt makes a good chop saw, and the lower RPM one will do fine for light steel and aluminum. If there is different piece of equipment that will do the job better than a regular dry chop saw, please advise me.

I would prefer that the drill press be a benchtop model, because of a lack of room. I loathe tool-less chucks, so something that uses a chuck key is very good.

As to the vise, I am looking for something that has at least 5" jaws, and can take a beating without cracking.

For all the above tools, I am looking for quality and durability recommendations, and price is probably a factor as well. If you don't have something that I should buy, then please point me to something that I should avoid. Thanks in advance for any help.

Sometimes in tool purchases the words "quality" and " inexpensive" don't belong in the same sentence. I am learning more and more that good quality tools pay for themselves over and over again by being a pleasure to use and dependable.

Now, I am not saying that we should all go out and buy tools that a shop like Coddington or SoCal would use, that is not realistic and most of us don't need or can afford those types. But I do suggest you look at American made tools that come from one of the name brand companies. You might have to spend more than something from HF, but they will probably last many times longer and be more accurate.

As for a chop saw, I can't recommend one in particular. To be honest, I don't like them, and just threw two that we had in the dumpster a few weeks ago. Since we bought our horizontal/vertical bandsaw we never used the chop saw again, and one time it almost took my head off when the blade exploded and imbedded itself into the walls of my garage. For the accuracy you are seeking, I would suggest you buy yourself a bandsaw........you will wonder how you ever got along without it once you own one. We literally use ours every time we are at the shop and always comment on how much we love it.

For a vice.........buy the biggest, strongest one you can get. I have broken a bunch over the years that cracked when torquing something down. Then I went out and bought a big ole steel vice and have had it for about 20 years. It never lets me down.

Air compressor. You are really limited by that 110 volt service. The good ones all have 220 volt motors pretty much. This is another tool where bigger is definitely better. I finally moved up to a three cylinder that keeps up with the tools I want to run. Perhaps someone knows of a good 110 volt unit, but I don't.

Drill press. I have a Delta that my ex bought me 20 years ago or more. It was one of the best things she ever did for me. It is a floormount, and I would suggest you do the same. I bought a table mount so that we could lay it on the floor and drill holes squarely into frames we were building. We used it once and it now collects dust.........too weak to do anything.

I have also started buying DeWalt and Mikita drills and other tools, and should have done that years ago.


Don

I won't call myself an expert, but will go off of what I have used and have in the shop now.

chopsaws, I think mine is a dewalt, older saw (10" discs?) I think it is fantastic, cuts slick as greased owl poo. Accuracy? I don't think they are made for pinpoint accuracy, but I have a belt grinder for cleaning up edges and what not if I need to. Not that this doesn't cut a nice straight line, but it does leave an edge. I don't think they are expensive, so wouldn't be a bad addition to your shop. Like Don said, get a good brand. I like the chopsaw because it is a fast setup, just set it on the bench/cart and plug it in. takes up very little room.

The bandsaw is better, we have one that runs wet or dry (wet sure makes it nice though, don't know why I'd ever run it with the pump off) that is horizontal. I'd really like to have a vertical too. Between the two though the horizontal would be my first choice, for making cuts through big stuff (for instance pieces of your frame you might be putting together) you can't beat it. Set the angle of the cut, lock it in and let it go.

I haven't played with a lot of vises, most of mine are from companies that aren't around now probably. The one thing you can take to the bank is Wilton. We have one on the welding bench that is 30+ years old and has never given any trouble to my uncle or to me. I have a Wilton work positioner that is also bulletproof. they are pricey, but you don't want to mess around with micky mouse bs when you are trying to get something done, and you know you'd be peeved if you had something important in there and the jaws slipped and it wound up on the shop floor.

Drill Press, GET A STANDING FLOOR PRESS, don't get a bench top model. get one with a good table that you can adjust not just for height but rotate and tilt as well. Get a good vise for this table too, you want repeatability and accuracy in the drilling. Get yourself a drill doctor while you're at all this to keep your bits sharp. again, mine is probably 50 years old and I can't remember the brand, it's 5/8" with no. 2 morris taper. Jet makes good stuff and seems to be affordable, but watched the used market! Mine was sitting outside at some old guys house that my uncle knows, he got it for 150 bucks. I took a scotch brite pad to the chromed pieces and an orbital sander to the rest, looks good as new and with new belts runs great too.

The compressor, BUY BIGGER THAN YOU NEED, Don again is right, 110 limits you a lot. If you have somewhere remote from your shed that you can get 220 then install a bigger compressor there and run a hard line for it. You will be happier in the long run. Look at the motors when you choose your compressor, you want a good motor like a Baldor. Some of those Chinese motors are not really as powerful as the HP listed on them.

Red

With your power constraints, why not go shopping at Sears. Their Craftsman products will probably have anything you need along with a good warranty. If you ever get a bigger electrical feed, you can upgrade to a little better commercial grade products. In the mean time Craftsman Professional or Commercial grade products will meet most if your needs at a reasonable price.

Don's right about the air compressor. Not going to get much out of a 110 machine. Even my old 30 gallon one is a 220. Of course another way to go since you don't have 220 in your shed is to get a decent size portable gas generator (7500 watts start up should do it). The generator can be used to supply your 220 as well as several 110's. Will have to buy gas though.