Best Money Spent on a Shop Item?

Kubota Newbie · Jan 22, 2018

So the other shop thread in the off topic section got me to thinking about all the do-dads I have in the garage. The other day I was using one specific item when it occurred to me that it was one of the best things I'd ever spent money on for the shop.
What was it?
The auto-darkening welding helmet! Should've bought one a looooong time ago!

BXHoosier · Jan 22, 2018

They are one of the greatest inventions. To me it is almost a must-have when it comes to TIG welding when you are holding the torch in one hand and filler rod in the other.

Yooper · Jan 22, 2018

I wish they would have been invented sooner! I am convinced the arthritis in my neck is a result of flicking the old helmet down umteen times a day for many years!

William1 · Jan 22, 2018

Air compressor.
I have a 'cheapo' Craftsman oiless. Noisy but with a 30 gallon tank and 130 PSI, it does everything I need it to do.
All the other tools just make jobs go faster. The compressor makes many jobs possible that would not be able to be done with hand tools.

Lil Foot · Jan 22, 2018

Task lighting. I've always been a fan of good lighting, and the older I get the more I need it. I prefer the Sunnex Halogen:
https://sunnexonline.com/product-category/halogen-task-lighting/
I have a couple currently, (standard & mag base) but anything will usually suffice.
I have (5) in my garage shop.

skeets · Jan 22, 2018

Im with you foot I need light,, a couple 4 foot LED fixtures hung up,, I found stuff I didnt even know I lost

North Idaho Wolfman · Jan 22, 2018

It's a toss up between three.

60amp Plasma cutter, blows right through 1/2" and 3/4" plate like butter.

3 cylinder 5HP 80 gallon LaPlante compressor, I spray paint, and run a lot of air tools and this keeps up with everything.

And one of my newest tools a 9x20 Enco Metal Lathe from Lil Foot
I haven't gotten to use it a whole lot but the times that I have it works perfectly.
I needed a couple odd size pins and I was able to make them and really get the slop out.
Thank You Again, Lil Foot!

PHPaul · Jan 23, 2018

Pretty much anything that provides power (pneumatic, hydraulic, electric) to what used to be a manual task. Could be as simple as a battery-powered impact.

I bought a ~ $100 Harbor Freight 110v hoist and mounted it on a trolley-style barn door track on my ceiling. Runs from the overhead door in the front to my workbench on the back wall. Makes it a LOT easier to get stuff up on the bench to work on it.

Video

bearbait · Jan 23, 2018

All the above, I do use the mig welder a lot and couldn't do without my compressor but definitely lacking in the lighting.

hodge · Jan 23, 2018

Porta-band.

Lil Foot · Jan 23, 2018

And one of my newest tools a 9x20 Enco Metal Lathe from Lil Foot
I haven't gotten to use it a whole lot but the times that I have it works perfectly.
I needed a couple odd size pins and I was able to make them and really get the slop out. Thank You Again, Lil Foot!

Glad it's working out for you.

I really like all my tools. The wife says I'm obsessed with them & says that I have more tools than she has shoes, which is a lot of tools. But if I had to pick, it would be task lighting; or the compressor; or the new lathe; or the 24" digital caliper; maybe the band saw; rotary table; pressure washer; 5C collet chuck; etc., etc., etc.....

eng1886trk · Jan 23, 2018

I'd have to say my ever growing collecting of DeWalt 20v tools. Use them all the time while it's a simple tool, I don't know where I would be without my impact drivers.

bearskinner · Jan 23, 2018

Every time I use the lift I am SO happy I’m not working on the ground with a floor jack or stands.

Yooper · Jan 24, 2018

Lets put a variable speed drill press on the list.

Ramos · Jan 24, 2018

I guess my best tool investment would have to be whatever one I am using at the time. Hand tools, power tools, pneumatic tools, cordless tools, custom tools made by manufactured tools..... First thing I do when considering a new hobby is to see what exciting new tools I would need!!!

For those who have lathes, a mill with plenty of fixtures and tooling is the 'yin' that follows the 'yang'!

Tooljunkie · Jan 24, 2018

Lathe,plasma cutter, multi-process welder,drive on hoist. All the hand tools. Sandblast cabinet,the list goes on and on.
All the tools to fix whatever comes up is a necessity.
I dont have a must have tool list,as there are so many i just cant do without.
Having to justify an expensive tool is difficult, most expensive was my scan tool.biggest expense to date,and doesent earn me any more money than before i had it. It does speed up diagnosis for the most part.

Biggest and most important,a warm place to work in the dead of winter...

AndyM · Jan 24, 2018

Shop Stereo. Nothing happens without tunes.

RCW · Jan 25, 2018

Probably sounds foolish, but I use my little 18v 1/4" impact for so many jobs, along with a couple different boxes of adaptors, bits, etc. for sockets, drill bits, torx...list goes on....

Doesn't matter type of job, always seem to drag that out for something....cars, tractor, carpentry - nothing to heavy duty, but works great.

That, and a variety of cheapo pneumatic die grinders, snips, nibblers, impacts. All are cheapies, but all have been so handy for occasional work. My wife uses them sometimes.

85Hokie · Jan 25, 2018

AndyM said:
Shop Stereo. Nothing happens without tunes.

Amen brother..........

things move faster and mo' better to the beat!

classic rock.....sometimes a little too loud!

Daren Todd · Jan 25, 2018

Yooper said:
Lets put a variable speed drill press on the list.

Got a floor mount industrial one given to me. Just gotta pick it up one of these weekends. Does need a new arbor. The existing one is worn on the shaft and tends to pop off when raising the bit.

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