Most useful tool

[RabidDuck]

What would you guys say the most useful or most helpful tool/machine you guys use while building or machining your cannons. I'm just interested in what all of you, use the most.

[pizlo]

2 solid pipe wrenches will be wonderfully usefull if you're working with threaded metal. I can't emphasize that enough.

[rp181]

my hands

for those unfortunate to have those, a drill is very versatile, so is a grinding wheel stuck on a vacuum motor.

[skyjive]

Just basic tools really, wrenches, hacksaw, drill, you can't even get off the ground without that stuff. But my new 7x14 Micromark Lathe is also fairly helpful

[Jeeperforlife]

If I was setting up shop for the first time this is the order I would go.
Hand tools, wrenchs, plyers, screwdrivers, pipe wrench, the basics.
hand drill, full set of drill bits.
Big heavy duty vice
dremel
drill press
Full tap and die sets


Now keep in mind most of these are sets. I probally have 10+ different kinds and sizes of plyers alone. This will get you started on your way. By the time you start needing new tools you will have a better understanding of what you need.
Marcus

[deathbyDWV]

Definantly get a dremel. You can do a whole lot of stuff with a dremel and they aren't very expensive.

[SpudBlaster15]

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[boyntonstu]

4-1/2" angle grinder with 1/16" cutting wheel.

It will cut almost anything; PVC, copper, aluminum, steel, brass,...

$20 at Harbor Freight.

[Moonbogg]

Design software and HGDT, hands down.

[RabidDuck]

yeah i got most of the basics: screw drivers, pliers, ect. I have like 4 drills and a few saws. A belt sander and 2 diff dremels. I got a lot just old stuff and no where to work ha, and i wish i could have my own shop but there's no where to put it and if i found a place my parents would say i couldn't. I thought it would be a lathe since thats all i ever hear about is just use the lathe for this and that. Use the lathe yada yada

[inonickname]

My lathe probably. Though a lot of the things you can do on it can be done on other things (just slower, not as accurately and with a lot more effort).

Try turn down a 1 1/2" high carbon hardened rod on a drill press with files and sandpaper. Won't happen.

[starman]

Beyond the obvious basic hand tools, disk sander, dremel tool, drill press, sanding drums, miter/chop saw, table saw.

[D_Hall]

Credit cards.

[Coodude26]

Manpower. Seriously, putting these things together takes a fair bit of physical fitness.

[Heimo]

Credit cards.

In my opinion a lathe is one of the most useful things a man can own (even tho I don't have one)
if you have the know how you can do a bunch of things on a lathe like:

drilling, tread cutting, turning stock (obvious), milling (you need a attachment to do this) I have even seen a guy who made a power hacksaw attachment for his lathe

a lathe is truly the most versatile tool a man can own