I’m spoiled. I have some tools that most people don’t have in their home garages, and it is partly because I used to build cars for a living and partly because I’ve learned in the past year that waiting for someday is a bad idea. I’ve got an awesome JD2 Model 32 Bender, two different tubing notchers, a 4-post lift, a Millermatic 175 MIG welder and a Miller Syncrowave 180SD TIG machine as well. There are also plenty of tools designed to cut, sand, grind, and shape metal. Because I’m a guy who likes to fabricate stuff, there are tons more tools I wish I had for making things out of metal. Things like a sheetmetal brake, a tubing roller, shrinker/stretcher, a Certiflat Fablock or PRO welding table, a sandblasting cabinet, plasma cutter and table, etc, etc, etc. The list is long my friends, the list is long. But again, I know that I’m lucky to have the tools I have and I thoroughly enjoy using them.
But my question to you is a simple one, based on tools that I hear guys wishing for all the time. It seems that every car guy out there wants a lift or a welder or both.
Let’s say you could only choose one though? What would it be? The lift, like these ones from Bendpak? Or the welder like these offerings from Miller? Which would you choose first?
If it were me, I’d go for the lift purely for practical reasons. You can easily hire welders but a lift is fixed to the ground. I’ve used some of the portable scissor type lifts that run off air, and i just dont trust them. also you can get 2 cars in the space for one with a lift
Two post lift for sure. I have a TIG and I use it a good bit, but my back would love a lift.
At 62 I have most of what i need. I have the room/height for a lift and am thinking about that or maybe a large air compressor. I am tired of running out of air pressure when I need it, have always had small air system maybe time to upgrade
3 TOOLS;
BIG COMPRESSOR
2 POST LIFT
NICE TIG WELDER
Got a big compressor,Got welders.And I have an old air over hydraulic lift. It works great .And I have worked around a 2 post lift .once you work with one they are a pain.You have to roll the car back and forth to get in and out of it if you need to.And at my age getting down on my knees ain’t a real good time. I want a 4 post drive on hoist. They make jacks that go on them so you can take off a tire.
I got a 4 post lift 3 yrs ago had to build on the shop a little best thing i have done at 65 with a new knee its that or sell the toys.It costs less then you think sell some stuff you no longer use to pay for it.
Lift is definitely on my list. I do not like laying on the ground to fix anything.
Welder. I have trouble lifting my arms over my head anyway, so I’d just as soon lay under the car on jack stands.