I thought it would be helpful to have a thread where we all shared our little equipment and tool secrets. This is the place to tell everyone about that little tool you found at a hardware store that you would never consider growing without. This thread is for all the best grow gear that you don't buy at the hydro store. What's the best shop vac? Who makes the best foil tape? Got a pair of wire clippers that just won't quit? Some incredible scissors? Come on in experienced growers, diy masters, share with us the treasures you have found, and the duds we all would be better off not learning about the hard way.
What this thread is NOT for: which nutrient line is better, what's the best hps bulb, ballasts, reflectors, soil, hydro systems, etc. Basically anything that can only be bought at a hydro store. There's a million threads for that stuff already, and another thread where people argue about it won't get us anywhere.
Let's make a resource, an indispensable guide to the best shit, the good stuff, the tools and equipment you will pass down to your children when they start their first garden. Be specific! A lot of manufacturers make a ton of different similar products, if you're gonna recommend something make sure we can find it!
On the other hand, if there's a product that seems awesome but just plain sucks, post about it! I want to know if I'm gonna waste my money on that helpful looking doodad.
I'll start it off with a couple of my favorites:
Bosch ps31-2a, 12v Drill/driver (about $130)
This thing rules. It's tiny, easy to store away, comes with 2 batteries for zero down time, and it's got enough balls to handle most all of my grow room tasks. Hanging drywall? No problem. Building out your diy hydro setup? You're covered. Sure I got a bigger plug in drill if I need to bust out the 2 inch forstner bits and start blowing through some lumber, but just about everything else this thing handles with ease. The small size is nice because with the light weight and a center of gravity nearer to your wrist, it's harder to strip screws, and it's not fatiguing to use on those bitch of a tasks where you're drilling above your head for extended periods.
Gorilla tape
You know what they say, if you can't duct it, well, get some fucking gorilla tape. It's great for holding up poly plastic sheeting, taping down pond liners, covering sharp edges, holding together insulation, just about anything, and I believe it's light tight. Now don't go using this if it's gotta hold up anything heavy, there's only so much tape can do, the adhesive will lose it's hold over time, especially in heat, and that fan you taped up will be lying broken on the floor. Get the 35 yard rolls, trust me, you'll find uses.
EPMD rubber pond liner
I have lined the floors with this stuff for years. Get the thick stuff, 40-45 mil. Make sure it's EPMD rubber, you do not want that pvc bullshit, if your pond liner springs a leak it's worse than useless. At least without the liner you'd know about it. This stuff takes a beating. Build out a frame for it using 2x4 or 2x6s, depending on how much water is in your system, and then lay down the pond liner. It just plain works, and it keeps on working for years and years. It's doesn't dry out under the lights and crack, it doesn't spring leaks, it won't rip. And it's easy as hell to sweep up and mop up in between or during your grows.
SHIT TO AVOID:
Home depot 5 gallon Bucket Head shop vac
Seems like a great idea, I mean what grower doesn't already have 5 gallon buckets everywhere? Cheap, easy to store and pack away, wet/dry capability, what could go wrong? Well, the damn thing spends more time on it's side than it does upright doing any vacuming, the slightest tug on the ultra short hose and it comes tumbling over, then the ball inside jams up and it stops sucking. Yes, this thing sucks so bad it literally chokes on it's own balls. And when it is vacuming, that thin hose get's clogged up more often than not by a piece of stem or dirt clod. Damn thing has been the bane of my existence. AVOID
Let's get it rolling.
What this thread is NOT for: which nutrient line is better, what's the best hps bulb, ballasts, reflectors, soil, hydro systems, etc. Basically anything that can only be bought at a hydro store. There's a million threads for that stuff already, and another thread where people argue about it won't get us anywhere.
Let's make a resource, an indispensable guide to the best shit, the good stuff, the tools and equipment you will pass down to your children when they start their first garden. Be specific! A lot of manufacturers make a ton of different similar products, if you're gonna recommend something make sure we can find it!
On the other hand, if there's a product that seems awesome but just plain sucks, post about it! I want to know if I'm gonna waste my money on that helpful looking doodad.
I'll start it off with a couple of my favorites:
Bosch ps31-2a, 12v Drill/driver (about $130)
This thing rules. It's tiny, easy to store away, comes with 2 batteries for zero down time, and it's got enough balls to handle most all of my grow room tasks. Hanging drywall? No problem. Building out your diy hydro setup? You're covered. Sure I got a bigger plug in drill if I need to bust out the 2 inch forstner bits and start blowing through some lumber, but just about everything else this thing handles with ease. The small size is nice because with the light weight and a center of gravity nearer to your wrist, it's harder to strip screws, and it's not fatiguing to use on those bitch of a tasks where you're drilling above your head for extended periods.
Gorilla tape
You know what they say, if you can't duct it, well, get some fucking gorilla tape. It's great for holding up poly plastic sheeting, taping down pond liners, covering sharp edges, holding together insulation, just about anything, and I believe it's light tight. Now don't go using this if it's gotta hold up anything heavy, there's only so much tape can do, the adhesive will lose it's hold over time, especially in heat, and that fan you taped up will be lying broken on the floor. Get the 35 yard rolls, trust me, you'll find uses.
EPMD rubber pond liner
I have lined the floors with this stuff for years. Get the thick stuff, 40-45 mil. Make sure it's EPMD rubber, you do not want that pvc bullshit, if your pond liner springs a leak it's worse than useless. At least without the liner you'd know about it. This stuff takes a beating. Build out a frame for it using 2x4 or 2x6s, depending on how much water is in your system, and then lay down the pond liner. It just plain works, and it keeps on working for years and years. It's doesn't dry out under the lights and crack, it doesn't spring leaks, it won't rip. And it's easy as hell to sweep up and mop up in between or during your grows.
SHIT TO AVOID:
Home depot 5 gallon Bucket Head shop vac
Seems like a great idea, I mean what grower doesn't already have 5 gallon buckets everywhere? Cheap, easy to store and pack away, wet/dry capability, what could go wrong? Well, the damn thing spends more time on it's side than it does upright doing any vacuming, the slightest tug on the ultra short hose and it comes tumbling over, then the ball inside jams up and it stops sucking. Yes, this thing sucks so bad it literally chokes on it's own balls. And when it is vacuming, that thin hose get's clogged up more often than not by a piece of stem or dirt clod. Damn thing has been the bane of my existence. AVOID
Let's get it rolling.
