What fab tools do you use in your shop?

[Ringer]

Everyone will take different approaches at fabricating, but let's see what kind of tools you are using to do it! Here is a run down of my shop:
-Welder(Miller MIG and TIG listed in other thread)
-Oxy/Actylene torches
-Sandblast cabinent
-Powdercoating oven
-Sheet metal brake
-Tubing bender
-Tubing notcher
-Flat Stock bender
-Hydraulic punchout(works for dimple die too)
-Hydraulic Pipe Bender
-Drill press
-Bead roller
-Band Saw
-Belt/Disc sander
-Plasma cutter(shared, need to buy my own)
-Other hand tools- Grinders, drills, sawzall, etc... Oh yeah, and a BFH!

I would love to get a mill and a lathe as the next items.

[D_engel]

I keep it simple in my garage ( a.k.a I am broke)

- angle grinder
- band saw
- tubing bender
- bench vise
- various drills
- Sawzalls
- Lincoln Weldpak 125 Mig
- Harbor Freight 170 Mig

Soon to join the list:
-Bench grinder with rotary tool
-Drill Press

[goodysgotacuda]

I've got all the basics and then a little more. I've run out of real estate, I do have plans for a few more tools and a couple big ones [Torchmate 4x4], mill and lathe once I'm done with school and can actually build a shop. Couple more years and my list will get a big longer.

[TheDirtman]

A great tool for a small shop is a hand held band saw. Great for cutting pipe and other small steel stuff, very fast cuts as well. I picked one up at an auction last fall and use it all the time. If I can find room to place it a sandblast cabinet is on my list as well as a better tubing bender.

[JKred]

I really like the looks of the JD squared model 3 ratchet bender for the price. Anyone have any feedback on it?

http://www.jd2.com/p-32-model-3-bender.aspx

[TheDirtman]

Yes the price of the bender is nice but they kill you on the dies. I have been looking at the hydraulic version model 32.

[JKred]

Damn, didn't even think to look at the cost of dies. Figured it would be about average.*


*well... $155-$275 a die depending on the set...

[Ringer]

On just about every bender out there, dies are the expensive part. If you watch, they will run deals on the JD2 where you get a few dies included with your choice of size.

[ZMagic97]

My shop is a standard 2 car garage.....soon expanding to having a custom built (by me, in progress) 11'x9' walk in shed for storage. So, my room in limited.

I have:
-2 large rolling tool chests, full with items from basic tools to hard-to-find tools
-Grinder
-Small MIG welder
-Small tabletop grinder and buffer with rotary tool attachment
-Air powered sander, chisel/exhaust cutter. grinder, and hammer
-Sawzall, drills, circular saw

At my disposal via my parents house, 20 mins away:
-Oxy/Acetylene torches

When the shed is done:
-Drill press


I don't do a lot of fab work, mostly custom stuff for around the house, small automotive things, little inventions...etc.

[Ringer]

Just pulled the trigger on a rivnut tool that Goody had posted a link to. Thanks.