if your just getting started equipping your garage,start with the basics,obviously youll need hand tools, most of these tools are REASONABLY CHEAP but servicable

get a decent air compressor

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100083906&N=10000003+10002016

and a few air ratchets,
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100210348
get a die grinder
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99698

light
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200309803_200309803

cut off tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65065

get a decent welder

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_180_autoset/


and get a lift or

http://kwiklift.com/Options.htm

jack stands
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34924

floor jack'
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200345429_200345429

get a basic drill press

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100037270

a press
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326415_200326415

youll be amazed at what you can do with basic tools

If I had all that stuff I would not have any room for my carl:)

I have a better idea. Just find a buddy who has all this stuff! :D

On a serious note, it never hurts to do a little networking!

#1 in my book is a good set of hand tools followed closely by a good jack and 4 jack stands. The rest can be pieced in or bartered out until money is available.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=67015[/quote]
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/67000-67099/67015.gif
THESE WILL COME IN HANDY ,IVE got three of those engine stands in my shop,(all about 12 years old now) ALL with BBC engines on them, they are NOT top of the line but certainly strong enough to do the job safely and Id strongly suggest you buy and weld on four of these casters (two of each) or something similar as it makes them far easier to roll in the shop, if you constantly do engine builds, the stock casters work fine for occasional use but its far easier with the better casters mounted, if they did,t change the metal thickness or design lately they are fine, the only flaw in the design is getting the engine crane close enough, due to the clearances between the legs on both the crane and stand, to easily swing the engine into place, youll need an engine tilter..

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46818
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/42300-42399/42356.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46819

adding a swivel like this between the leveler and crane GREATLY AIDS THE ENGINES REMOVAL, AS IT PREVENTS THE TENDENCY OF THE ENGINE HANGING ON A CHAIN TO CONSTANTLY WANT TO SWING BACK INTO A SINGLE LOCATION, BUT DON,T GET STUPID or CHEAP, GET THE 3400lb rated one not the 1200lb size (REMEMBER YOULL BE UNDER THAT ENGINE SOMETIMES)
http://www.go2marine.com/go2_structure/2/4/0/5/24055F-p.jpg
youll need two of these rated at similar load strength[/b]
http://extimages.smoothcorp.com/images/190/190128.jpg

Good lighting!

Wow, all great suggestions and prices!

Some things I havent been able to find at those prices. Thanks!

Wow, all great suggestions and prices!

Some things I havent been able to find at those prices. Thanks!

You get what you pay for...

Ron

habor frieght doesnt have bad stuff.....i guess it depends on what you buy from there....anything cordless or electronic tends to last about twice....but the impact sockets and pliers and such are not so bad....i have a store a few miles from my house and have gotten quite a few things from there

You get what you pay for...

Ron
No. If you're VERY LUCKY AND VERY CAREFUL you may get what you pay for. Most of the time, you get less than what you pay for.

If you buy tools based on price...expect them to fail.

Harbor Freight and Northern Tool are chock-full of Communist Chinese garbage; I bought an air ratchet from HF twenty-five years ago and I could stop the thing from turning with my hand. Unbelievable junk.

habor frieght doesnt have bad stuff.....i guess it depends on what you buy from there....anything cordless or electronic tends to last about twice....but the impact sockets and pliers and such are not so bad....i have a store a few miles from my house and have gotten quite a few things from there

I broke this using a 1/2" RATCHET pulling off a lug nut that was overtorqued.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/TECH/DSC03277.jpg

Grumpy, I have to add my 2cents, as I am going through this and had to buy alot. I am restoring, frame off 1970 SS. OK, didn't have more than the ratchets, sockets and torque wrenches. I bought alot from Northen Hydraulics, some from Harbor Freight, Home depot and Lowes. But I also bought alot from Craig's list. The cost of new might be cost prohibitive if you're a workingman and trying to survive. The one thing that I stress very much is the quality of whatever tool you buy or lift with must be reliable. Safety is EVERYTHING. The lifting shackles I use are Crosby and nothing else. All of my rigging is American made. The imitation garbage from China will get you killed or seriously hurt. Buy American made products and you will be more successful and SAFE.

Roland in NY

Harbor Freight and Northern Tool are chock-full of Communist Chinese garbage; I bought an air ratchet from HF twenty-five years ago and I could stop the thing from turning with my hand. Unbelievable junk.
I agree with that. 70 dollar 4pc 7ton puller set that i wouldn't use to pull 70 lbs.:sad:

Whats everyone think about that compressor? I think that Ingersol Rand is probably a better choice.

I broke this using a 1/2" RATCHET pulling off a lug nut that was overtorqued.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u165/Bowtie-Bry/TECH/DSC03277.jpg

I broke my snap on 3/8 ratchet taking off a lugnut.....It was before I had gotten anything 1/2 in so I guess I learned not to do that again

Whats everyone think about that compressor? I think that Ingersol Rand is probably a better choice.

Can't speak to the one listed here, but I have the IR 60-gallon and have never regretted owning it.

THE ONLY thing IVE ever purchased from HF that I thought was really decent quality is the 12 ton jack stands, I used 6 of those for years with zero problems in my shop,they are the perfect height on the first notch (about 24")to support a corvette if placed under the frame in 4 places, for use of a mechanics roller

http://www.creepex.com/images/home-bed-capacity.jpg
http://www.creepex.com/indexEN.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34924

but these engine stands are ok (certainly not top quality but serviceable)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=67015