Just wondered what everyones must have tools for building a kit car are? I ask as I am still building my tool collection at the moment, and have a few ideas of things I want/need and thought a thread like this could be useful for those starting out.

Angle Grinder has got to be the number 1!

MIG welder
The trusty rubber mallet
Ratchet spanner set
Decent socket set

Garage heater,Kettle.
Regards Denis.

Hammer
Drill
Hand Rivet Gun
Rivnut gun?
Screwdrivers
Hammer
Wirecutters/Pliers
Hammer

twisted wire cup brush for angry grinder and good electric drill

At least 2 angle grinders, with different discs on. Saves changing from cutting to grinding then back again umpteen times a day

I've got three angry grinders - except they keep twisting the power leads. I now have them on different plugs one to the left, one to the right and one in the middle of hte garage ....... they still get twisted. You can't have too many angry (oh ok, angle) grinders, plugs and lights in a garage.

I can't think of anything that I use more than an angle grinder, and a selection of the correct hammers I have about 12 hammers I regularly use

some magnetic blocks for holding stuff before welding, a auto darkening welding mask, some screwdrivers, scribes, auto punches, pillar drill, screwdrivers to use as chisels.

somewhere to go that isn't the garage when you've had enough

Ok ok, these are not tools.....but safety goggles & decent work gloves are a must

& yes, the angry grinder is a very useful tool

I,ve gone through 3 of them in 14 months ( cheap enough to replace tho )



The suggestion of having 2 available is a very good one,

cheers
andy

A good sturdy work bench with a big vice.
A wooly hat!
Not a must have but nice is a DAB radio.

THIS FORUM!

Latex gloves so you can do half an hours work without spending the rest of the day getting oil off your hands.

not essential, but once you have had them you wouldn't give them up
90deg adapter for drill
B&D power file

motivation and loads off space to hide ur bits a chalk board ( helps to put ur list off to do or not to do yet )

After 35 years working on cars bikes juke boxes.... I've built quite a sizable toolkit and can't think of anything I'd be without, the selection of air ratchets are probably the biggest labour savers.

Thinking back about 20 years or so and comparing to today I'd say that digital cameras and computers have been a major boost to the hobby. Not car building tools per se but invaluble nonetheless.....

Alan

If you're building the chassis:
a welder
hacksaw
angle grinder with grinding, cutting and flap disks
some clamps and magnetic holders
mole grips
Bench and vice
18V drill, drill bits
rivet gun
half round file
chain hoist and a girder inthe right place, or an engine hoist bloody useful
decent set square and tampe measure
build stands
wire brushes for cleaning things

If youre buying used bits to refurbish, rather than new as you're ready for them, a stack of used metal shelving is good to have. Also, if you plan to do some of the design yourself, you'll probably aquire some stuff just so you can measure it!

Assembling the car:
All the usual car serviceing tools
socket set
spanners
flat + cross point scredriver
pliers
soft faced hammer+ 2kg lump hammer
crimping tool, wire strippers, side cutters, soledring iron
... this list goes on as long as you want - circlip pliers, torque wrenches, splined bits.....

Regards
Hugh

can't think of any one particular tool i find more useful than the rest, good socket set and rachets are the most used i guess, but no good for welding a chassis together or lifting an engine out.

engine crane is possibly the most useful so far? no, grinder! or jack and axle stands? don't know really

An accurate tape measure is vital - oh and an angle grinder +2 as others have said. Drill press is handy as well plus cut off saw.

Must have Flap Wheels to go with the angry grinder.

I have only just, despite my years, discovered the joy of flap wheels. Now the No1 fan.