Small Shop Guys What is a tool you use frequently that is out of the norm

[upand_at_them]

I use an old B&D Workmate with 1/8" sheet over the top for my portable welding table in the driveway.

[Munkul]

I use my jig table a lot, it's flat and strong. 20mm plate and 100mm box section frame, I made it a couple of years back. I use it for pre-setting bends in materials before welding, so they can come out flat and straight - or sometimes use clamps to bend them straight again after welding.



For some of the stronger stuff i do, my table isn't quite man enough, so I've made various jigs to achieve the same thing. But I spied this machine bed last month at auction and I had to have it.



8ft long, 2ft wide, 4" deep, probably half a ton weight or more. It's a beast! I'm making a box section frame for it and it will roll on castors.
It's strong enough that I'll be able to put any clamping/bending force I like through it. It's also ideal dimensions for welding my trestle legs out on.

A little uncommon for a small fab shop to have something this accurate, but it works for how i do things, so...

[farmersammm]

Surprised you still have the chuck shield on that lathe. It was the first thing that hit the trash barrel when I set my lathe up, and started using it. Total PITA.

[Munkul]

Surprised you still have the chuck shield on that lathe. It was the first thing that hit the trash barrel when I set my lathe up, and started using it. Total PITA.

I like things to look good for safety standards, for any customers and passers-by...! and it's a nicely made thing that slides back and forth and doesn't get in the way. I use it every time.

It's supposed to be linked to the E stop circuit for current machinery standards but I don't think anyone cares enough to enforce it in small shops like mine. Unless there's an accident.

[farmersammm]

Damn thing interfered with the full swing on the lathe. I used every bit of swing for this thing............clears the ways by about 1/4"





Got rid of the stupid guard, rotated the guard shaft to fool the electronics, and progress resumed

[Lis2323]

I use my jig table a lot, it's flat and strong. 20mm plate and 100mm box section frame, I made it a couple of years back. I use it for pre-setting bends in materials before welding, so they can come out flat and straight - or sometimes use clamps to bend them straight again after welding.



For some of the stronger stuff i do, my table isn't quite man enough, so I've made various jigs to achieve the same thing. But I spied this machine bed last month at auction and I had to have it.



8ft long, 2ft wide, 4" deep, probably half a ton weight or more. It's a beast! I'm making a box section frame for it and it will roll on castors.
It's strong enough that I'll be able to put any clamping/bending force I like through it. It's also ideal dimensions for welding my trestle legs out on.

A little uncommon for a small fab shop to have something this accurate, but it works for how i do things, so...

I want a machine bed like that


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[smithdoor]

It depends on type work you doing.
I had a shop built electric Hydraulic press for forming parts. It bend up to 1 x 8 flat bar.
It was made from scrap 3/4" plate Hydraulic cylinder from farm supply store and pump for car lift.

Dave

Just curious what guys have that weld part time, side Hussle or beer money use that is out of the norm??? I imagine we all have grinders, band saws, radio and refrigerator.
I weld in my 2 car garage and space is very limited.
My magnetic drill has been very helpful as is my 20 ton press with the Swag Off Road press brake.

[Lis2323]

Okay you can have as many tools in your shop as you can afford but it’s paramount you take care of the BIGGEST tool first. (That’s you, by the way)

Maybe a small insulated corner with a comfy chair where you can take a break before proceeding to weld that part on upside down because you’re tired. .





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[frieed]

PC with internet connections to look up how to do things and for tunes. I have an old beater running Linux using pianobar to stream Pandora.

[Sberry]

How bout this?

[Stick-man]

Assistant or first aid attendant ....




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Man I love Heidi

[whtbaron]

Man I love Heidi

It's not this pretty and shiny anymore, but I use my post anvil all the time. Of course if Heidi would show up to help...

[smithdoor]

Looks great
Like to use of a disk break too.

Dave

It's not this pretty and shiny anymore, but I use my post anvil all the time. Of course if Heidi would show up to help...

[Country Metals]

Okay you can have as many tools in your shop as you can afford but it’s paramount you take care of the BIGGEST tool first. (That’s you, by the way)

Maybe a small insulated corner with a comfy chair where you can take a break before proceeding to weld that part on upside down because you’re tired. .





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That's so not a real picture. That desk should have piles of papers everywhere.

Why is it my desk cant go 24 hrs without it just piling up.

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[Sberry]

I would be absolutely lost without this.

[whtbaron]

I plugged up the tandem disk with mud a couple times this year doing low spots. I found the best way to clean them up was with the air chisel. Mostly clay though, not as much organic matter as you're showing...

[Lis2323]

I plugged up the tandem disk with mud a couple times this year doing low spots. I found the best way to clean them up was with the air chisel. Mostly clay though, not as much organic matter as you're showing...

What about those baby rocks you breed? They get stuck between the blades and scraper?


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[whtbaron]

What about those baby rocks you breed? They get stuck between the blades and scraper?


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Occasionally, but not usually on their own. Problem is when they get rolled up in the wet clay that turns into plastocene between the discs....the bigger problem with the rocks is the grandparents stuck in the ground that will break a HD disk or crack frame rails. The only disk I've run here without periodic breakdowns was a rented Wishek... that's one tough disk.

[rexcormack]

I have one of these!


Most of the other shops I've been in appear to not own one of these!

[smithdoor]

I used a tractor with scraper

Dave

I have one of these!


Most of the other shops I've been in appear to not own one of these!

[Lis2323]

I have one of these!


Most of the other shops I've been in appear to not own one of these!

I don't recall ever seeing one.

Maybe bring it over some time and show me how it works


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[Munkul]

in all seriousness... cousin brought a 36" brush down to the shop one day... unbelievable how much faster sweeping up the shop is compared to using the old 20" one. Bigger is better!

[Sberry]

I plugged up the tandem disk with mud a couple times this year doing low spots. I found the best way to clean them up was with the air chisel. Mostly clay though, not as much organic matter as you're showing...

My Dad was on the edge of a field or something and its really rare. We were busy and he come in for a knife and was going to cut that out, all sand and wrapped and it was about 90 degrees out. I said, you go get coffee, I take it out.
The slang term for the machine is steamer but I never do, I hot wash. I use some hot where cold would work and it adds to the cost but cleans film so well. I wash a car or 2 on most days. I clean a lot of them when they come in, in winter sometimes every day before the ice really builds. When its really bitter I park the daily drivers and even my plow truck in the shop.
Thesteamer is one of my really high use tools, I have so many jobs I do with it, my solvent tank stays really clean as I wash most stuff with water. Its so good and easy and simple, fast with it plumbed in and flip of a switch. I had it a long time, if I was starting over and paying men to run it much would get a size larger maybe and run on LP. I moved/loaded it a couple times but it has really been parked and I have a portable.
I should have a pre heat, even solar tank as my water is cold and it would save a little but be added work too.

[Sberry]

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Lis2323]

in all seriousness... cousin brought a 36" brush down to the shop one day... unbelievable how much faster sweeping up the shop is compared to using the old 20" one. Bigger is better!

You must be a lot more careful than me.

I limit myself to 24". Anything bigger (even with a braced sweeping head) and I'm catching table legs and snapping handles.




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