Tell me about generators

look 171 · 08-28-2014, 11:33 PM

In a few days, I might be the owner of a really run down cabin here in the local mts. I Know there's no power, water and gas are good. Parts of the roof and some of the windows are gone. I like to not pay to have power turned on (I am putting in a new panel) for the this time because serious work on it will not start until next spring or summer. General power is needed to do immediate repairs such as roof framing. I like to put on a new roof before winter sets in. What generator is best for me? I have never owned one, because I refuse to work with portable power on my jobs. All its needed is to run a compressor and a skill saw for a few weekends. I see them for 300- 1200 bucks. 2000W enough? Tell me, is it easier or cheaper to have power company come out and get me some juice? It just might be cheaper and more convenient, that for sure.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Id go ahead and get power hooked up if I were you...

Look on your local craigslist... My old man has had good luck picking up honda powered Lincolns on there.

He uses a generac 5kw and it works great too, and would be more than enough for you. They use their own motor, but it is scary similar to a honda.

I've heard the cheapo HF chonda powered ones are good too. Worth looking into also.

look 171 · 08-28-2014, 11:41 PM

Thanks Sid. Would you buy a HF if you were in my situation?

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Id do a scan to see what I could find used locally first. We've found some awesome rigs for $500..

Like the 3Kw Baldor commercial, powered by a German Hatz diesel

or the Honda powered lincoln welder/5kw generator

Not sure about your local CL, but there is good stuff out there. I'm checking reviews now, but like I said, I have heard good things about the HF ones.

slodave · slodave's Garage

After dealing with their drill press XY mill and cheap metric taps... No!!!!

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Search results for: 'generator'

They all get solid reviews. I'd go for the big guy if I were you... I can send you a pic of a 20% coupon too. They will scan your phone if you take a picture in.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Dave, HF is a case by case basis place. Some of their stuff is good, some not so much.. Read reviews.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

8750 Peak/7000 Running Watts, 13 HP (420cc) Generator CARB

This should run about anything you could think of, and you can be out the door for sub $600...

slodave · slodave's Garage

I get it.

But I'm going to fall back one what a number have said. HF is great for disposable tools, screw drivers, and some misc small stuff. I'm done with their taps. Even though I'm prototyping some bushings and do a one off here and there, the cheap crap is not worth my time.

BTW, just still really frustrated with the 8mm tap that needed to go thru 1" of Al a couple nights ago. If Joe REALLY wants a work out....

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Taps are one thing not to go cheap on, I agree there...

But that generator has a good number of reviews talking about running 4+ days non stop. Thats impressive.

look 171 · 08-29-2014, 12:03 AM

Just looked at Craigslist and there are lots stuff available. I just don't know what to look for or what's good and not some Chinese knockoff that run a few times and die on me. The place is in Arrowhead, but to drive two hours up there and only to have a busted generator would really suck.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Ya... Its a crap shoot. Do you buy a name brand with an unknown service history, or do you buy the HF unit with a warranty, and just make sure you keep it well lubed and with good gas in it all the time?

HF has a warranty plan too... So you can make them give you a new one!

slodave · slodave's Garage

That may be ideal in this case.

I'd consider it...

slodave · slodave's Garage

Jeff. Have any 4/4 or 8/4 mahogany scrap? Maple too.

Solid.

look 171 · 08-29-2014, 12:19 AM

I might have a stick of 3/4 African Mahogany hanging around the job site. It might be 8-9 inches wide and 6' long along with some small pieces of about 3" x 4' wide pieces of scrap hanging around. They are going into the trash bin sometime next week. I will look tomorrow. Its in Arcadia. More shift knobs?

look 171 · 08-29-2014, 12:20 AM

Sid, you really think I ought to turn the power on?

slodave · slodave's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

I might have a stick of 3/4 African Mahogany hanging around the job site. It might be 8-9 inches wide and 6' long along with some small pieces of about 3" x 4' wide pieces of scrap hanging around. They are going into the trash bin sometime next week. I will look tomorrow. Its in Arcadia. More shift knobs?

Yup.

Thanks!

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I would.. You are going to need it eventually, and most likely the cost of the bill all winter will still be cheaper than the generator. It would be nice to get there and just flip the switch.

We worked of generators a fair deal and it sucked. Always a constant drone around, always having to deal with hauling fuel, half the time you smell like fumes. Just not fun. If you weren't going to have power eventually, or you needed it for other jobsites it would be worth it. But for this one? I think Id get power onsite and be done.

look 171 · 08-29-2014, 12:38 AM

Thanks for the tip, Sid. I really think you are right on this one.

rwest · rwest's Garage

I did the math at work and when we run our big diesel generator to power two buildings, it costs us ten times what the electrical bill would be- that's just electricity, doesn't figure in the cost of the generator.

Of course having a generator on site is nice if the power goes down, but it agree that just having the power company hook you up is probably the way to go since you'll be doing it at some point anyway.