Hello everyone:
have been lurking around this site for awhile and thought it might be a nice time to officially log on. Have seen lots of interesting posts and I really like how well everyone seems to get along. I think we have all been on forums with too much nonsense and not enough content. Looking forward to reading even more excellent posts and learning more about working with metal.
Just a little about me: I lease a +/-1000 s.f. commercial shop for my hobby garage, about 1 mile from my house. The space is 28x31 with an additional 10x12 parts room. Most of my projects relate to cars. My first welding project was an open car trailer I completed in 2006, to haul a vintage race car. I am currently working on another vintage racer. Another on-going project is a 1987 Porsche 928 S4 (rare 5 speed car) that I autocross.
My tool arsenal includes an 80 gal. vertical Saylor-Beale compressor, a drawer full of air tools including nibbler, air saw, ratchets and impact gun, a Snap-on 6000 lb. mid-rise lift, Snap-on 40 inch roller cabinet, Snap-on wall cabinets, a Zep 50 gallon parts washer, 20 Ton Shop Press, Makita cut-off saw, Dewalt right angle grinder, drill and jigsaw, Porter Cable reciprocating saw, Hitachi laser-guided Drill Press and a Millermatic 175 230V MIG. I also have built many of my other tools, including a 4ft x 8 ft. fabrication table, 48" metal brake, 30" metal brake and various other clamps and special tools. I have been very fortunate to score some silly deals on my snap-on stuff which was all lightly used and in very good condition, as was the air compressor and the Zep parts washer.
Future plans include building an English wheel, planishing hammer, adding a plasma cutter and a tubing bender to the shop.
My friends have named the place the OCD Garage...favorite color is Red and most everything in the place is painted Red, or contrasting black or gray. I have allowed a few Blue pieces to sneak in during moments of weakness, like the Miller MIG, the compressor and the parts washer. Moments of Weakness are those times defined as "not having a can of red spray paint in my hand, ready to use".
Marc