Tools and Shop Talk - Opinions, Thoughts, Reviews, B.S., etc.

Joined
Oct 4, 2018
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106
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SW UT
Buy once cry once. Get a rotary screw compressor ;)

I was researching them, it sounds like they're really only good for where you need constant air for like hours at a time and the thing just sits there running since they're hard to ramp on I guess? There's one for sale for $5k near me haha
 

RPS1030

Solid Axles 4 Life
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Oct 4, 2018
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408
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Phoenix
I was researching them, it sounds like they're really only good for where you need constant air for like hours at a time and the thing just sits there running since they're hard to ramp on I guess? There's one for sale for $5k near me haha

Yup, Rotary is for high flow constant demand

I found a deal on the HF 60 a couple years ago. I’ve heard decent things on them for that $500ish new price bracket. Previous owner had already replaced/upgraded the motor.
 

Hank

Sarcastic asshole
Joined
Oct 3, 2018
Messages
669
Location
SF Valley CA / Park City UT
I'm using the NorthStar 11.3 CFM for the last 6 years. It's been great. At times i've had to wait for it to catch back up but only when i'm going nuts with my pneumatic cut of wheel. Really not a bad deal for$600. My uncle has been running the Husky 60 gal for about the same time and it has been good to him as well. Only $520.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...rCJ4A_-uGGNW-QGxu04vRhj6KWAD7LQRoCAQEQAvD_BwE
 
Joined
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Messages
106
Location
SW UT
I'm using the NorthStar 11.3 CFM for the last 6 years. It's been great. At times i've had to wait for it to catch back up but only when i'm going nuts with my pneumatic cut of wheel. Really not a bad deal for$600. My uncle has been running the Husky 60 gal for about the same time and it has been good to him as well. Only $520.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641297_200641297?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Air Tools + Compressors > Electric Air Compressors > 10 - 20 Cfm Air Compressors&utm_campaign=NorthStar&utm_content=47500&gclid=CjwKCAjwyOreBRAYEiwAR2mSkpyVfHJYWxHNUF1l932ZdprCJ4A_-uGGNW-QGxu04vRhj6KWAD7LQRoCAQEQAvD_BwE

I was reading some reviews yesterday and they ranked the Northern Tool highest so have been thinking about that or their 5hp one if I felt like coughing up a few more bucks. That's good to hear you bank up what they said!
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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Yucaipa, CA
When I worked at Poison Spyder, they had a decent sized Rotary Screw Compressor. The whole shop used it, along with the laser table. We never ran out of air, and you could barely hear that thing running. It was pretty cool.
 
Joined
Oct 4, 2018
Messages
106
Location
SW UT
When I worked at Poison Spyder, they had a decent sized Rotary Screw Compressor. The whole shop used it, along with the laser table. We never ran out of air, and you could barely hear that thing running. It was pretty cool.

Yes, but this is a one man shop that isn't spending 5 grand on a used compressor. Trust me, a rotary would be dope, but I don't have that kind of money plus I don't think it would even benefit me that much aside from being quieter, which I'm gonna probably make an enclosure room for the new compressor anyways haha
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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Yes, but this is a one man shop that isn't spending 5 grand on a used compressor. Trust me, a rotary would be dope, but I don't have that kind of money plus I don't think it would even benefit me that much aside from being quieter, which I'm gonna probably make an enclosure room for the new compressor anyways haha
Haha I was kidding about a rotary screw compressor. You specifically mentioned a sub $1000 budget, so I immediately went way past that.
 

Hank

Sarcastic asshole
Joined
Oct 3, 2018
Messages
669
Location
SF Valley CA / Park City UT
In general I buy tools based on a few requisites

Is it a precision tool? if yes, they buy the best you can get. No room for error when building motors. Or
and How often am i going to use it? heavy use, I'll buy higher quality. Shop sockets and wrenches are higher quality.
Is the tool going in the garage or in the truck recovery tool box? the truck has a craftsman set it in which I consider middle of the road tools.
ratcheting box wrenches? buy good quality ones. the HF ones suck suck suck.
Last one, How rich do I feel at the time of buying tools?

The last tool I bought was screw driver bit from snap on... $18 for one Phillips bit. my stupid impact screw driver kept snapping bits so I said fuck it when i saw the snap on truck and bought 3 of them.
 

Dukestaco

Stirring the pot 24/7
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Oct 3, 2018
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7,472
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Tucson
I've been wanting to make this thread for awhile, since I'm always looking at what the next tool I need is.

To start with, I've been borrowing my buddies Eagle compressor which is a triple piston 5hp 60gal rated at 18.5CFM @ 100psi and he's getting anal about letting me use it so I think it's time I buy my own. Definitely want a 60gal one and obviously more cfm the better, but seems like there's limited options for sub-$1000 (his Eagle he got for like $300, and new is like a $1200 compressor and I don't want to spend that much and can't find anything used and rated as high anywhere nearby). Opinions on compressors to look at or avoid? I want something reliable, but like I said preferably under $1000. I'll be using it for chip evacuation on my little cnc mill plus running air tools and plasma.
That's a good buddy. Christmas is coming up. Combine Christmas birthday and anniversary into a Chrisdayversary 60gal compressor for your self.
I used to borrow tools until I fryed a friend's Milwaukee 1/2 industrial drill. I bought him a new one. I should have just bought bit from the start and I would still have it instead I was out $175 . After that every time my buddy had a tool that was about to go bad he would ask me if I wanted to borrow it and laugh.
 

theesotericone

Build It Beat It Break It. Repeat
Fredo Baggins
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Oct 3, 2018
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3,494
Location
Bishop, CA
I think everyone needs a set of these:


GW_9901_INSTOR01.jpg
 
Joined
Oct 4, 2018
Messages
106
Location
SW UT
I don't have any gear wrenches and really want some, even the cheap ones are expensive af though
 

whippersnapper02

Wheeling without a ladder should be illegal!
Joined
Oct 6, 2018
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39
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Orange County, CA
Can I join in?10F8A7BB-3B9A-43CC-8BB4-2899655F6EB8.jpeg

Side box it gone though. I kinda with I went with a big name box. This Kobalt works but the drawers in the big name boxes seem to be laid out with more thought.

As far as compressors go, I don't have one but I would realistically get a Quincy single stage because the specs are the best for 120 volt garage compressors. I would love a Polar which is made by Eaton or maybe a Champion quiet series which looks like a rotary but is a recip.
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
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My toolbox is currently the backseat of the 4runner since that's where the majority of my metric stuff lives. I have a toolbox in the garage full of standards but it's not exactly accessible. Realistically I need 2 sets of tools. One for the garage and one for the trail so I'm not constantly losing stuff when I'm working out of the backseat. I have a habit of putting stuff down in the garage instead of back in the 4runner.
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
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My toolbox is currently the backseat of the 4runner since that's where the majority of my metric stuff lives. I have a toolbox in the garage full of standards but it's not exactly accessible. Realistically I need 2 sets of tools. One for the garage and one for the trail so I'm not constantly losing stuff when I'm working out of the backseat. I have a habit of putting stuff down in the garage instead of back in the 4runner.
I don't have shit for tools at my house, just the bare basics. Most of my metric stuff is in my truck toolbox, then my actual toolbox is in my pops garage next to his toolbox. I hate the idea of bringing my toolbox to my garage, when most of the tools I use are already in his garage. Between my tools, and his tools, we have almost everything we need. One of these days I'll splurge on a full wrench and socket set from gear wrench for my garage.
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
I don't have shit for tools at my house, just the bare basics. Most of my metric stuff is in my truck toolbox, then my actual toolbox is in my pops garage next to his toolbox. I hate the idea of bringing my toolbox to my garage, when most of the tools I use are already in his garage. Between my tools, and his tools, we have almost everything we need. One of these days I'll splurge on a full wrench and socket set from gear wrench for my garage.

I'm constantly working on one car or another so it would be nice to have a dedicated driveway set. I've got sockets and wrenches all over the Jetta's engine bay right now.
 
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