Just got this baby to help with the new box build....What do you guys use?

[iamamp3pimp 5,000+ posts]

brads are great for holding carpet down too fyi

 

[UCF52 10+ year member]

Whatever you do, don't get these - they are poo.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46807

x2. I broke one on the first box I used them on. Not worth it.

 

[casper97ta 10+ year member]

Thanks for the heads up on the tools George. I was planning on picking up a dirt *** cheap Jigsaw and circ saw. I figure Chicago electric was decent and for that cheap why not. But like in most cases, its probably better to just spend the money and get something that will last.

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

These are actually pretty good for the price. I saw in the list you can get nice long ones for cheap.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34387

 

[crow 10+ year member]

yea i was looking at harborfreight.
anyone know if the $10 ones are good quality though? i have had almost 0 luck with HF tools. even the irwin ones are in the $20+ range.

i wanted to **** up the 1 time cost, like you said, however i figure with the little amount of boxes i build i would rather just use 1 box of screws that i can build like 2 boxes minimum with.

Pipe clamps work well. Look under clamp fixtures here...

http://www.adjustableclamp.com/

You buy the pipe separately and can make whatever length clamps you want. Works well for box building, cabinetry and such. Band clamps work really well for enclosures with 90 angles. Jorgensen makes good stuff. I'd avoid Harbor Freight for anything beyond one time or very light use.

The brad gun works well for making boxes with odd angles that are difficult to get a clamp on. I try and drive the brads at ~30 degree angle to each other to pull the joint together. As long as you have the pressure set up right and make sure to not fire the brad too close to the edge you won't split the mdf.