New Tools

Last week i decided that i needed to get some new tools. 

On the left is a new welder and auto-dimming mask.  The reason i got those was for the new mufflers that i put on my car.  Like i said about that job, the shop was going to charge me $700 for parts and labor.  I got the parts myself for $300 and the welder and mask for under $140.  Then i did the job myself and got a new welder in the process.

The Chicago Electric 90amp Flux welder is nothing special.  In fact it's about the cheapest welder you can buy.  But the good things about it is that it automatically feeds the wire, just pull the trigger.  And it's a flux welder, which is similar to a MIG welder, except you don't need to use gas.  

Normally shielding gas is needed when you are MIG or TIG welding to "protect" the metal during welding.  With this welder you have to buy special flux wire, which does the shielding, no gas needed.  So far the welder has worked perfectly, although it takes some practice getting the power and wire speed to the correct settings.  The mask is really cool though.  It automatically darkens when you start to weld, no more need to flip the mask up and down.

The other big tools i bought was an air compressor and set of nail guns. I looked at quite a few different compressors.  I wanted something large but portable.  A compressor that was 1-3 gallons would be easy to carry but would constantly be turning on every time i used the tool.  Anything over 10 gallons would be too heavy.

This compressor is 6 gallons.  Another nice thing about it is that it's relatively quiet.  Meaning it's still loud but quieter then a lot of other compressors.

After reading some reviews on Amazon i found out that a popular complaint people had was that the pressure regulator knob would become stripped.  So immediately after buying the compressor i called the company and said that the knob on my compressor broke, it hadn't obviously.  The lady said, no problem, i'll send you the new replacement that is made of metal instead of plastic.  So now i have the upgraded part in case the knob eventually breaks.

Also when i bought the compressor i got these three nail guns.  It was actually a kit, the compressor, hose and 3 nail guns for something like $220 at Lowe's. 

They are 16 gauge 2.5" max, 18 gauge 2" max and an 18 gauge staple gun.  So far i have only used the 18 gauge gun with 1 1/4" nails.  It's worked great for attaching trim and non-load bearing pieces of wood.  If it were anything heavier i would use the thicker 16 gauge nails.

I also bought lots of miscellaneous tools.  The big case on the right is an air tool kit i got from Costco online.  It came with sockets, fittings, impact wrench (but only 300lb.ft.) and lots of other useful parts.

In the gray case is a small air grinder that i got from Lowe's for $20.  It will be great for grinding and cleaning parts off the car.  And from Harbor Freight i bought a $15 paint sprayer.  I'm not sure if i will ever use it.  You have to thin the paint down with mineral spirits before spraying.  But i though it might be useful if i ever give it a try.

On the left is the thin black polyurethane hose that came with the compressor.  After talking to some people they recommended getting a heavier duty rubber hose. 

 The polyurethane hose might be ok for the nail guns, but in the garage using air tools i've been using the rubber hose.  It's less likely to be damaged when i drag it along the concrete.

Here's where i'm storing the tools, on hooks attached to my 4-tiered 2x4 garage shelf.  I've been trying to save space in the garage so it doesn't get too cluttered.  And hanging these vertically on one of the posts works out perfectly.

 Here's just a simple PVC holder for some screwdrivers.  They are actually the set of screwdrivers that you get free from Harbor Freight with a coupon.  They aren't all that good, but perfect for leaving out in the garage. 

 I was planning on hanging them horizontally but you can see that because of the overhanging OSB board the screwdriver handles wouldn't fit.  So i ended up hanging them on an angle, which i think turned out looking even better.

And here's the last thing i ended up buying, a set of deep well impact sockets.  These too were from Harbor Freight and cost something like $18.  

As usual noting fancy, just things you need to have with the impact wrench for taking off tough bolts.