We are lucky to be co-located with a semi-public bike framebuilding workshop (with overlap between members of each), so we have a full suite of handheld power tools (drill, driver, angle grinder, sawzall) that all get used, as well as a metal lathe, oxy-fuel torch, and TIG welder. The TIG welder gets used a number of times each year to weld sockets onto particularly stuck bottom bracket cups, and both the TIG welder and the lathe get used occasionally to make/modify/repair tools. We also use all that stuff to build shop infrastructure (rolling carts, repair stands, mobile bike shop on a trailer, etc.).

rosy, at Lefty Loosey Bike Collective in Providence, RI, USA

On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 10:42 PM cyclista--- via TheThinkTank < thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote:

...

[TheThinkTank] power tools at the Co-op – Hi Folks,

We currently have a 5" side grinder, 6" wheel grinder and corded and

cordless drills at the Co-op.

...

When we get back in to a larger space, we'll get the drill press out of

storage.

...

We have access to lots of construction tools when we need to build

something.

...

What power tools do you use at your Co-op?

Anybody using other big tools, like a bearing press, or arbor press?

Thanks and good health, Weogo [...]

A bench grinder with one side a grinding wheel and the other a wire wheel is invaluable.

We had a cheap, low-power one with 6" wheels that I used to feel bad about it being so underpowered, until I realized that made it safer since anything getting caught in the wheels, even fairly fragile objects, would simply stop the motor.

So my suggestion is a low-power bench grinder with one grinding and one wire wheel._______________________________________________ TheThinkTank mailing list -- thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe send an email to thethinktank-leave@lists.bikecollectives.org To view this discussion on the web visit https://lists.bikecollectives.org/hyperkitty/list/thethinktank@lists.bikecol...

Here's what we genrally do for power tools:

public: -we do not really allow use of power tools; -instead, we have lots of files, punches, hand saws, hand drills, vices, a hand cranked grinder, pickle forks, leverage bars, pipe wrenches, etc.

staff: -we do have a grinder, drills, sawzall, circular saw, jigsaw, chop saw -we are sometimes repairing our big wood building, so the power tools are handy -more and more though, we try to do it all with hand tools, as it's generally safe, fun and effective

and:

-pickle fork and a hammer is great for removing a crank arm that has stripped threads at the binder bolt, or knocking out a stuck quill stem,

-a suspended vise with pipe jaws works for most stuck seat posts

-we do not have a welder on site, by choice; too much fire danger, fumes and dust (and an insurance headache); we try to use nuts and bolts and other simple fasteners (u-bolts, hose clamps, inner tubes) instead,

thanks!

Bob, Free Cycles Missoula

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [TheThinkTank] Re: power tools at the Co-op Date: 2025-03-19 8:42 pm From: cyclista--- via TheThinkTank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To: thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

Hi Folks,

We currently have a 5" side grinder, 6" wheel grinder and corded and cordless drills at the Co-op. When we get back in to a larger space, we'll get the drill press out of storage. We have access to lots of construction tools when we need to build something.

What power tools do you use at your Co-op?

Anybody using other big tools, like a bearing press, or arbor press?

Thanks and good health, Weogo [...]

A bench grinder with one side a grinding wheel and the other a wire wheel is invaluable.

We had a cheap, low-power one with 6" wheels that I used to feel bad about it being so underpowered, until I realized that made it safer since anything getting caught in the wheels, even fairly fragile objects, would simply stop the motor.

So my suggestion is a low-power bench grinder with one grinding and one wire wheel.