Princess auto is the be all to end all for the car and mechanical DIY guys around here, but you have to watch the quality of their electrical tools. There are hardware and industrial supply houses that sometimes have great deals on Dewalt, Milwaukee and Makita cordless kits as does TSC (tractor supply co). Watch TSC and Princess flyers for compressor sales as they come up quite often. Home depot can have some good stuff, but often thier power and cordless tools can be "homeowner" grade (lighter gear boxes etc)
Welders - TSC is your best source aside from the local welding suppliers. Keep in mind that TSC wont be any help for warranty or service of welding equip. If you go to a LWS, ask about Thermal Arc's new 3in1 machine (MIG,TIG,Stick) - its a terrific looking setup and available in 3 output versions.
Generators - There's supposed to be a good line of inexpensive generators new on the markets that have Chinese engines with Honda compatable parts on them. I know contractors using them (that kill several 5-8hp motors annually) that are having good luck with them. I know of a small engine dealer near Guelph that sells these new genny's for about $800 in a 5500-7500watt range. Thats seriously cheap...looking to buy one as a backup house power...will keep you posted
Further down the highway in Mississauga, theres a place called Busy Bee thats big into metal and woodworking machenery, power and hand tools - never been, but its supposed to be cheap but good
-- Edited by Gearhead on Friday 30th of November 2012 08:40:11 PM
-- Edited by Gearhead on Friday 30th of November 2012 08:42:45 PM
-- Edited by Gearhead on Friday 30th of November 2012 08:43:48 PM
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
I forgot to mention the hardware & industrial retailers that can have great deals on contractor grade tools Charles Jones Industrial (Stoney creek) - ind supplies William Knell (Kitchener) - hardware & contractors/industrial supplies HD Brafasco (Hamilton) - hardware dist.
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Where do you get metal supplies? Sheet metal for body panels, brackets etc?
I was making my own sump (oil pan) once, and needed a sheet of 3mm steel to use as the base plate, and had to go online to buy it. No-one local could supply, ridiculous. Pretty funny watching the posty trying to deliver it. I ordered 4 sheets of it (1 ft by 2ft) so it was rather heavy, lol.
Lol...you are moving to the Hammer - STEELTOWN!! The local 7-11 will have everything you need.
Ok, kidding aside for small quantities of steel, Metal Supermarkets in Stoney creek is your place. A little more expensive than your run of the mill steel supplier, but these guys specialize in small, cut to size orders. If you have a small fabrication shop near you, they could be a good source of "cash" sales
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Lol...you are moving to the Hammer - STEELTOWN!! The local 7-11 will have everything you need.
Ok, kidding aside for small quantities of steel, Metal Supermarkets in Stoney creek is your place. A little more expensive than your run of the mill steel supplier, but these guys specialize in small, cut to size orders. If you have a small fabrication shop near you, they could be a good source of "cash" sales
princess auto for sure, they carry this line called power fist. this is the symbol of quality, if a company can be so bold to use the image and name of a sexual act to sell offshore crap, they are the choosen ones. if and when they break, removing vital knuckle meat from your hands, you can say with pride i just had a power failure! or you go to canadian tire and pay 3 times as much for similiar crap
princess auto for sure, they carry this line called power fist. this is the symbol of quality, if a company can be so bold to use the image and name of a sexual act to sell offshore crap, they are the choosen ones. if and when they break, removing vital knuckle meat from your hands, you can say with pride i just had a power failure! or you go to canadian tire and pay 3 times as much for similiar crap
lol, Powerfist is pretty lowly, I'll give you that. I've gambled on a few things and been pleasantly surprised...like a 14ga electric sheet metal shear. I've cut a fair bit of 16ga MS with it and havent killed it yet. $70 vs a $500-600 Bosch Or Dewalt Uni-shear was a no brainer.
I've found thier select line (Impact sockets etc) to be decent - not busted one of those yet either and they are guaranteed. If you are careful and non-abusive with these tools, they can last. Some things however are just junk (like thier pipe benders - I took that straight back)
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Just make sure you buy North American Union made tools !! LOL, Just kidding!! I couldn't resist. If you already have all these power tools in the UK, then just bring them over !! Even though 110v is standard for household power, every home also has 220v. It will be a lot cheaper to put a 220v outlet in the garage and workshop than to replace all those tools.Besides, if you plan on having a MIG and compressor, you will have to have 220v because that's the power these require.
Also, the places mentioned above ( Princess Auto, Busy BEE, etc) have crappy tools. If you want quality tools at a reasonable price, then do like I do, go to auctions. You can buy brand name tools and machinery at a fraction of the price.
-- Edited by hemi43 on Saturday 1st of December 2012 09:05:15 AM
I think far as i know almost ALL power tools are off shore except a very few,the number is dwindling quickly.
Very, very few are not offshore now. Those that aren't are not affordable. You have to determine how much you will use the tool and how much you want to spend. I'f I'm going to use it once or twice, I buy the questionable junk. If its a tool I'll want to use for years, I'll fork over the dough.
-- Edited by Gearhead on Saturday 1st of December 2012 09:47:02 AM
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Have to agree with your post about buying name brand at flea markets etc, i have found a number of snap on etc at yard sales , usually they are priced cheap.
Exactly !! And they have a lifetime guarantee !! Another cheap hand tool is Craftsman. Also lifetime warranty, and the wrenches don't snap in two like the Chinese crap. I love Snap-On, but can't justify the price. They feel great in your hands, but not as nice as the cash you save by buying Craftsman.
Thanks for the comment !! I've made tons of tools and will post some pictures of them in a new thread under "projects" when I get time.
-- Edited by hemi43 on Saturday 1st of December 2012 03:56:39 PM
I do not have any of them, but their 7inch disc grinder is decent. A friend has a welding shop/heavy equipment repair, and he buys those grinders in lots of 10. Two each go in the two mobile welding trucks, the rest stay in the shop.
If one quits it just gets tossed. They get some fairly rough usage.
I think far as i know almost ALL power tools are off shore except a very few,the number is dwindling quickly.
If you buy good tools used, you will always be able to resell them for what they cost you. In other words, free !! Another secret is to buy machinery so you can build your own "tools". I'm not saying build wrenches, but most large expensive machines can be built at home for a fraction of the price. Here's a finger brake I built. It cost me $150 to build. The original I copied it from cost $1500 new.
If you buy good tools used, you will always be able to resell them for what they cost you. In other words, free !! Another secret is to buy machinery so you can build your own "tools". I'm not saying build wrenches, but most large expensive machines can be built at home for a fraction of the price. Here's a finger brake I built. It cost me $150 to build. The original I copied it from cost $1500 new.
Have to agree with your post about buying name brand at flea markets etc, i have found a number of snap on etc at yard sales , usually they are priced cheap.
If you buy good tools used, you will always be able to resell them for what they cost you. In other words, free !! Another secret is to buy machinery so you can build your own "tools". I'm not saying build wrenches, but most large expensive machines can be built at home for a fraction of the price. Here's a finger brake I built. It cost me $150 to build. The original I copied it from cost $1500 new.
Nice job on that brake - looks like a dead ringer for a mfg. unit. I'd like to see plans and build photos on this one as I've been meaning to build my own for several years even though I have access to a 160 ton pressbrake at work....nice to have toys at home
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
You're right, why use a machine when a propshaft will do..
It was a disaster by the way. I only had a gass-less mig and it kept jamming, lol.
But I wanted to at least make a mock up for a professional to make out of alluminium if possible.
Nothing wrong with that Dave - thats how hot rodding started and how radius dies are made for use in hand brakes. Flux core machines have their purpose but are less than ideal for these kind of fabs...but sometimes you gotta use what you have
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
Another cheap hand tool is Craftsman. Also lifetime warranty, and the wrenches don't snap in two like the Chinese crap. I love Snap-On, but can't justify the price. They feel great in your hands, but not as nice as the cash you save by buying Craftsman.
Agreed, but never buy craftsman hand tools at full price or you pay too much. Sears has TONS of sales on this stuff all the time. Their power tools suck, or at least the few I bought. Snap On or Blue Point (Snap on, econo line) USED are great, but new Snap On are junk. Mac is the way to go for pro hand tools now.
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
If you are not in a huge rush kijiji is your friend. Stay away from Princess Auto as much as possible, unless you are finding some good non chi-com tools in the surplus section.
I have equipped most of my shop through kijiji, from floor model drill presses for $30 (1949 Canadian Forge), a 2x72 belt sander/grinder for $180, to a 20 ton shop press for $100 etc... and that is just local to me, you have a much much larger area in Hamilton and surrounding areas to choose from. A quick look shows tons of equipment for sale.
__________________
Tbucket build pics:Build Tbucket build pics continued: Build And even more: Build
On the subject of welder. My poor old, worked to death, Lincoln mig gave up the ghost. Sooooo I recently bought a "Thermal arc" Mig, Tig Stick. I am impressed.....building as a hobby I cannot justify Buying High end Millar, Esab...ect The Thermal arc is very adjustable with lots of options and was only $945....
Take a look....very good machine for the home hobbyist
I also buy Canadian Tire 4 1/2 grinders on sale....normaly $65....but can be had for about $24..... I bought 8 last year and put grinding disc, cutting disc, flapper disc, paint remover disc
on different grinders.....then you dont have to waste time changing.....when one smokes....change out a spare....take it back to Canadian Tire for free replacement (3 year guarentied)
I buy Harbour freight stuff for the "one off...odd ball" stuff and only when its on sale..... throw it in the tool box....and it could sit for years until I need it...but when I do... TADA!
just sayin
PS hey Hemi....I'll buy that finger brake from you for $200.....It should make you VERY HAPPY for 3 reasons
1) Made in Canaduh
2) Made by Union man
3) 33 percent profit
Its old and used....I think a MORE THAN DECENT OFFER
-- Edited by Grumpsbodyworks on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 04:06:56 PM
-- Edited by Grumpsbodyworks on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 04:11:18 PM
__________________
"If you don't pass on the knowledge you have to others, it Dies with you"
On the subject of welder. My poor old, worked to death, Lincoln mig gave up the ghost. Sooooo I recently bought a "Thermal arc" Mig, Tig Stick. I am impressed.....building as a hobby I cannot justify Buying High end Millar, Esab...ect The Thermal arc is very adjustable with lots of options and was only $945....
Take a look....very good machine for the home hobbyist
on different grinders.....then you dont have to waste time changing.....when one smokes....change out a spare....take it back to Canadian Tire for free replacement (3 year guarentied)
I've always been a Miller man, but these Thermal Arc machines are a total game changer, especially for the hobbiest. I have a TA210 at home and am thinking of selling it and my Miller Tig for the new TA252. My only complaint is that you cant TIG aluminum with them.
Dedicated grinders is the only way I can work. I cant stand changing from cutting disc to stone to flap disc on the fly. Such a time killer. I have to have a minimum of 3 at one time but prefer 4-5
__________________
Tom Laughlin "Billy Jack" RIP - a true Hollywood hero
I just went to Princess Auto (asshqles) they informed me that all their "guaranteed for life" tools are no longer covered. Nothing has any guarantee anymore. The new stuff does not carry "no sale is final til your satisfied" phrase anymore. I thought my local CTC store sucked...I asked what about the products that say "lifetime warranty" on the package? She said they never put that on a package.
So basically it is like buying at the dollar store. Buyer beware.
__________________
Fords Rule ! If it ain't designed and manufactured in North America it sucks ! I don't do rice, pasta, fish and chips, sauerkraut, Ikea or other third world motor vehicle !
I just went to Princess Auto (asshqles) they informed me that all their "guaranteed for life" tools are no longer covered. Nothing has any guarantee anymore. The new stuff does not carry "no sale is final til your satisfied" phrase anymore. I thought my local CTC store sucked...I asked what about the products that say "lifetime warranty" on the package? She said they never put that on a package. So basically it is like buying at the dollar store. Buyer beware.
Not sure if I agree about CTC tools. I bought two sets of "Maximum" gear wrenches (one metric and one Imperial) over a year ago on sale. I think I paid about $40 for each set. The 7/16 ratchet packed in several months ago and I intended to take it in for replacement but never got around to it. Then, when the 10mm lost its ratcheting ability about a month ago, I decided it was time. I took both tools in to the CTC store. No questions, no problems. They replaced both. Actually, they did not have exact replacements in stock so they upgraded to flex-heads for no additional cost. The total retail cost of the replacements would have been over $50. I was very impressed.
I agree, I find CTC is good about taking back their products as well. I have a Mastercraft screwdriver set and there were a couple that got damaged(wear and tear over the years), they took them back and did an exchange, no problem.
