[TheForge] Shop tools & layount

[Ries Niemi]

Bettina-

Air is good. Air tools are cheap, and handy. We use a D/A- which is 
auto trade slang for a disc sander quite a bit. Also use air powered 
die grinders, air chisels, and air needle scalers. All of these tools 
are much  cheaper as an air tool than electric powered.
  Eventually you will want a plasma cutter, and that requires a 
compressor as well. Plasma cutters are getting cheaper and cheaper, and 
are incredibly easy to use, and lend themselves to all kinds of 
artistic uses- you can just draw with them, and cut out sheet steel 
quite accurately.
I built myself a cabinet sandblaster, which also needs compressed air.
I would recommend getting a 5hp compressor. You can start out with a 
cheap 1hp, but it will be running all the time, and you will end up 
getting at least 5hp anyway.
In my shop, we have plumbed in black iron pipes for air all around the 
shop, with quick connect fittings on each wall, so you dont need a 100 
foot long air hose.

As far as 3 phase goes, if it is available, you should consider it. . 
The 3 phase panel costs more than a single phase panel, and the 
breakers cost more as well, but the power is billed at a lower rate per 
kw/hour. And many larger industrial tools are 3 phase- the kind of 
tools that you can get cheaply used or at auction, because most home 
shops dont have 3 phase. For instance, I have an industrial quality 7 
1/2hp compressor that I bought at auction for $500, because it was 
3phase. Equivalent new price for a single phase like it would be around 
3 grand.
If you dont forsee getting into larger machines, than 3 phase isnt 
worth the extra cost. But if you eventually want a power hammer, or a 
lathe, or any other larger tool, it is cheaper in the long run.
You can easily pull single phase 120volt branch circuits off a 3phase 
panel, so it doesnt restrict you to only 3phase- but it gives you that 
extra capability.
I guess it really depends on how industrial you think you will want to 
go.
Some people have modest ambitions, others never cease accumulating 
tools.

ries