What tools, products or practices do you wish you implemented or known about sooner?

Dust extraction setup, I use a 4" inline fan made for indoor grow rooms and 4" PVC pipe that runs along my wall with multiple ports for each tool that makes dust. It's the best addition to my shop besides the 2x72" grinder. I also made plywood boxes that are hooked up to the exhaust to enclose my spindle sander and scroll saw for micarta cutting/shaping. I'll add some pics of the setup tomorrow.
https://imgur.com/3cyD7Is
 
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Crag the Brewer said:
I'm thinking of a pendant style carver instead of a dremel.
In your opinion, how do you like yours?
I know foredom's are the big name..... But I'm just curious about the style
Is it strong enough for light steel grinding, too? Like for cleaning up smaller radius?
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I love my Foredom. You can clean up steel with sanding drums. Mine goes forwards and reverse, that's a good feature when you use drums
 
Greenberg Woods said:
Sweeping up at the end of each and every day. Gotta clear that dust.
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Even better, a battery operated leaf blower! I have a Milwaukee and I blow out the garage every time I use it. A broom or shop vac is useful of course if there's nasty metal chips you don't want going everywhere of course, but for grinding dust or saw dust you can't beat the blower.

My other picks would be:
Good lighting (Barrina LED tube lights at 6500K are crazy cheap and versatile on Amazon)
Knife Engineering book my Dr. Larrin Thomas
Variable speed grinder
Jeweler's saw for making holes bolsters/guards on hidden tang knives
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I'm thinking of a pendant style carver instead of a dremel.
In your opinion, how do you like yours?
I know foredom's are the big name..... But I'm just curious about the style
Is it strong enough for light steel grinding, too? Like for cleaning up smaller radius?
Click to expand...
I have a Foredom TX, and have used the SR extensively also. I would highly recommend either, but have never used other brands and can't speak to them. Both are strong enough for grinding and carving metals (including annealed steel), but the TX has a fair bit more torque. On the other hand, the SR is reversible and the TX isn't, which is a leg up for the SR. If you want one flexshaft to rule them all, I'd go for the SR. If you think you'll be doing a lot of carving or heavy removal work, the TX won't disappoint. I'd probably get the SR if I had a do over, but I'm not really limited by the TX. I would definitely recommend the pendant style; you have a lot more control with the flexible shaft and smaller handpiece, and the footpedal is very instinctive.
 
Travis Fry said:
I have a Foredom TX, and have used the SR extensively also. I would highly recommend either, but have never used other brands and can't speak to them. Both are strong enough for grinding and carving metals (including annealed steel), but the TX has a fair bit more torque. On the other hand, the SR is reversible and the TX isn't, which is a leg up for the SR. If you want one flexshaft to rule them all, I'd go for the SR. If you think you'll be doing a lot of carving or heavy removal work, the TX won't disappoint. I'd probably get the SR if I had a do over, but I'm not really limited by the TX. I would definitely recommend the pendant style; you have a lot more control with the flexible shaft and smaller handpiece, and the footpedal is very instinctive.
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Should also add that Foredom has an awful lot of different kinds of handpieces, and I'm not sure the same is true of the off brands. I currently have the standard H30 with a keyed chuck, the hammer handpiece, and the quick release 3/32. I use them all often, and that availability is something to consider.
 
I wish I'd discovered end mills, and reinforced cutting wheels for my dremel earlier
 
I agree that it would be great if the TX was reversable. The permanent magnet motor makes it single direction, while thge universal mo=tors in the SR series can be reversed.

For a reversable flexshaft unit look for a Power Carving Flexshaft. You want 1/4HP or 1/3HP unit.

I have not used one but hear that the Wecheer units (Chinese from Walmart) are good hobby units at a reasonable price. They are reversable. I don't know if the power rating is not as powerful as stated, but most Chinese tools list a rating far higher than reality.

If you didn't know, Walmart.com sells all sorts of tools and equipment. You can get a TIG welder or a rotary welding table, or most shop equipment at low prices. It is comparable to HF tools. Will their $600 Chinese pulse welder work like a $2500 Orion, NO, but for a hobby person it will do the job of occasional pulse welding just fine.
 
Installed a set of high speed fans at the ridge line above the wood heating stove. Keeps the temperature constant throughout the shop.
 
Surface conditioning belts for sure! Also small wheel attachment!( Even though I have to jury rig it to my grinder every single time I use it!) I wish I had known about fine grit ceramic belts for the 4"x 36" a little sooner! And I never thought kydex would be so easy!
 
Just upgraded my lighting yesterday with a 4' - 4000 lumen strip right above the workbench, and a 6500 lumen strip right above me when at the grinder and vise. What a difference to have light from all angles. No more taking out the blade only to notice a couple more scratches that need to be taken out. Next time princess auto has them on sale I think I need one for above the anvil, and the drill press, and and and...
 
That's great to hear that you found the swag table/portable band saw and surface conditioning belts to be game changers for your work efficiency and end product! There are indeed many tools, products, and practices that can greatly improve productivity and results in various fields. Here are a few examples:

  1. Belt Grinder Attachments: In addition to a 2x72 belt grinder, there are various attachments available that can expand its capabilities. For example, an Echo Pole Saw Parts small wheel attachment allows for precise grinding and shaping of smaller areas, while a contact wheel attachment helps with contouring and polishing.
 
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A Portaband with a swag table
Rhynowet sandpaper
Edm stones
Coolmist
Disc grinder
And last but not least accepting sandpaper/belts are disposable.
 
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