Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Just looking for some advice/ideas.

I'm not a garage owner or anything, my workshop is purely for personal use, but I like to be as self-reliant as possible when it comes to tools. I've got a fair selection of bits and have finally got round to getting the two-post lift I've been meaning to get for ages and have recently bought quite a few more bits of kit and there's a few more things I've got on my wanted list which I'll pick up over the course of the next few months.

Just wondered what other bits you guys have got or think would be useful. I may have missed some bits off, but here's what I've got/intend to get shortly:

Currently got:

- All the usual hand tools, I'm not going to list everything, but got a good selection of spanners, ratchets, sockets, torx bits, screwdrivers, allen keys and all the other standard tool kit all in proper tool chests.
-Angle grinder, Heat gun, selection of electric drills and all the bits, electric screwdriver etc etc. All the obvious hand power tools in other words.
-A large compressor, more than big enough to run anything I'm ever going to use, a mobile but still fair-sized compressor and a small portable compressor
-Selection of air tools like impact wrench, spray gun, normal air line, decent tyre inflator
-Sandblaster and cabinet
-Powdercoating equipment
-Decent-sized spring compressors
-20-tonne press
-2-post lift
-Oil drainer for use with lift
-Selection of jacks and axle stands up to 3 tonne trolley jack
-40 Gallon Parts Washer
-Makita Rotary Polisher
-Nilfisk Pressure Washer
-Numatic Wet/Dry Vac
-Decent Vice
-Hydraulic Pipe Bender
-Launch X431 Diagnostic
-Small paint oven and infra-red heaters for curing larger items

Am Looking To Get:

-MIG Welder - Nothing too big or fancy, probably a Clarke, will do me for light use
-Plasma Cutter
-English Wheel
-Wheel Balancing Machine
-Automatic Tyre Changer
-4-Wheel Laser Alignment/Tracking

Any suggestions of other things I could pick up that would be of benefit or where to look for some bargains? Or just essentials that I've overlooked.

Danster76

iTrader: (2)

Reckon you have it pretty well covered!

How about a vending machine and a titty calendar?

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Also missed off engine hoist and leveller, couple of engine stands and leveller, got all that kind of stuff.

gus

iTrader: (1)

decent radio/

LukeDaisley

iTrader: (1)

I want to be your friend. Lol

My pullers, mac bar and pressure bleeders are invaluable to me.

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Got a DAB radio in there and a 3cd changer and iPod dock.

Just bought a second hand, barely used Mig Welder. It's the highest spec Clarke Gas/No Gad model. Pleased for the money paid.

Also just order an arch roller which was something I meant to buy ages ago, but forgot about!

gus

iTrader: (1)

souds like your building yourself a proper little set up

cant wait to get my own garage as i use me dads at the mo and he keeps nicking all my tools

Cossy Mike

iTrader: (4)

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Been ordering a few more bits and pieces.

Got a combined Tig/Arc welder, a couple more rollcabs and tools sets, 10 tonne hydraulic body repair kit, panel beating set, slide hammer, a bearing puller/separator kit, set of gear pullers and something I'd been meaning to get for ages, a torque wrench!

Also got a basic welding visor. Oh and a magnetic tray for nuts and bolts etc and a service cart.

There's a VAT free weekend this weekend at Machine Mart and I'm hoping to pick up a few more bits and pieces. I'm looking at the big heavy duty starter/chargers on wheels that can be charged up and used anywhere. I've only got a smaller mains one at the moment. I'm also going to get a big transformer as I had completely forgotten that I'd bought a big floodlight rig the last time there was an offer on at Machine Mart, but put it away for later use as it needed a transformer and I didn't realise it at the time!

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

Youre going to need another garage just for your tools

MikeyRobbo

Save money on an english wheel and get your welder used

http://www.roddingroundtable.com/tec.../12ewheel.html

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Good idea that. I was only going to go for an English Wheel when I saw one going cheap as I'd barely ever use it, but just think it's a good old-fashioned tool that I'd like to have a play with, but I could knock one of them up no problem.

Just bought a massive site box off eBay for Ł26. Needs a clean and paint, but ideal for storing some bit out of the way and new ones the same size are at least Ł400.

Mike C

iTrader: (1)

Latest addition to my equipment:









When I picked it up I drove there in a car, loaded it onto the back and headed off home. Bought another car and collected it on Monday, off on Saturday to collect another one I've just bought. I've needed one of these for AGES, makes life so much simpler.

2.9 Turbo Diesel, 8 tonne Winch, got a set of near 8ft long heavy duty ramps designed for carrying HGV's, another set of lightweight ramps, fitted with half decent stereo and Parrot Bluetooth. Great bit of kit. Few jobs to get it up to my standards as I'm pretty fussy and want all the back chequer plate either cleaned up or replaced and anodised black, want to re-paint all the chassis black and get the cab resprayed in the new Mercedes Trucks Silver/Grey and am eyeing up a set of replica AMG wheels to fit it, then get it liveried up. But it's already been working, so will use and improve it.