Your FIRST Toolbox
Show notes and shopping list from Part 1.
The Costco (or other big box store) toolsets should cost around $99 to $150, depending on whats in it.
The extent of my searching for prices involves very little work. You can likely do better than I did. However, sometimes saving a buck or two isn't worth the time expended!
Watch out for shipping charges. They can be expensive.
Cool Power Tools
Show notes and shopping list from Part 2 about stationary tools
The Diablo non-ferrous metal blade is available at Home Depot (Model D1080N) for about $55 or so.
My drill press was actually bought on Amazon.com and using free shipping was pretty cheap. However, after looking today (10/23/2008) for some reason the Delta Drill Presses on amazon.com have prices so high that there must be a problem (a drill press should never cost $4,795).
Weight and motor size are important features of a good drill press. I recommend a machine that is over 120lbs, and has at least a 3/4 hp motor.
Check out www.grizzly.com and look at G7943 for a bench top machine, or G7944 for a standing drill press. They are basically the same machine with one being much taller than the other.
The Nuts and The Bolts
If I was starting a brand new team today, I would go shopping for the following list of nuts and bolts to get started. You will need lots of other stuff, but this will be a good start.
Note that KEP nuts are often times called K-Lock nuts.
Hex head bolts are often times called Hex head machine screw, hex head cap screw, or just hex bolt. Online suppliers are all over the place on the exact term.
Grade 5 bolts are stronger than the Grade 2 bolts, however they are also more expensive. Home Depot/Lowes/BigBoxStore sells mostly grade 2 bolts. To be honest, the Grade 2 will probably work fine if you want to reduce your costs.
Shopping for 1/4" - 20 hex bolts
| Length |
Quantity |
| 0.50" |
200 |
| 0.75" |
100 |
| 1.00" |
100 |
| 1.25" |
100 |
| 1.50" |
100 |
| 1.75" |
100 |
| KEP Nuts |
400 |
| Flat washers |
200 |
I like to go to Tacoma Screw Products (www.tacomascrew.com)
I have also had decent luck ordering online at www.boltdepot.com though you pay a lot for shipping. However, sometimes its cheaper than gas and requires less time. The sample order above costs $52.11 in Dec 2010, and has a $25.16 shipping and handling charge. Always a tradeoff. They have a very large selection.