With xmas approaching, i am getting asked with what i want this year, instead of getting socks.
I want to get presents this year that i will actually use towards building a car.
So, i was wondering what tools have people used to build there cars which they would not do without, which are not on the list below.
Things i have so far.
Axle stands
Welder
trolley jack
Tool cabinet
lots of general tools, drill bits, screwdrives, spanners
angle grinder (4 1/2 inch)
Drill
Inspection light
Things that i was thinking about are
Vice
Drill Press
Pipe bender
Grinding station
New socket set (probably teng tools)
lClamps - But what are the best when welding a chassis?
Many thanks.
[Edited on 3/11/08 by m8kwr]
quote:
New socket set (probably teng tools)
I second a dremmel. I cut and filed the holes in my GRP bodywork by hand. A dremmel is worth every last penny for this job.
A vice and a drill press are essential, to my opinion. What is useful are those triangular
welding magnets. some more ideas:
- Steel wire brush and cutting discs for your angle grinder.
- Stands for the chassis
- this (don't know
English word)
- leather gloves
- and more!
Couldn't live without a vice, 4" at a pinch, 6" preferably - though they sometimes come up for beans at car boots coz no-one wants to
carry them home.
Get some decent sockets and spanners. The Halfords professional ones come with a lifetime guarantee and have a good reputation.
Wouldn't bother with the grinder station. A bench sander is a better bet IMO, but angle grinder with flap disk works for most stuff perfectly
well. Same with the pipe-bender, won't use it very often for the money.
Dremel and Drill press all come in fairly frequently, dremel is the better 'gift' item.
Cleco /Cleko/Kleko or however its spelt - those things you use to hold panels in place (they go through the rivet holes).
Cheap multimeter for your electrics?
Hugh
i read that you are able to sharpen your lawn mowers blade (so another use), so i take it from that you would be able to shape metal to make sure that the joints are nice and neat before you weld them together?
quote:
Originally posted by maartenromijn
- this (don't know English word)
quote:
Originally posted by m8kwr
i read that you are able to sharpen your lawn mowers blade (so another use), so i take it from that you would be able to shape metal to make sure that the joints are nice and neat before you weld them together?
And THIS for the jobs which you do at the bench.
quote:
Vernier Caliper, and I agree - digital ones are easier to use but have the battery problem.
And since I use as much scrap as possible, I often wish for a plasma cutter (not locost...
)
Ask your fam or friends when there at a flea or car boot look for a tool stall they always have selection boxes of nuts bolts and washers good stockin filler and dead handy to have around ,i also found partion tray to keep your nuts bolts washers in useful,compressor is handy
You cant beat airtools. 90 degree cutter with a sanding and barrel attachment.
I couldnt build a car without a radio in the garage!!!
Vice (and a big selection of hammers to go with it 
)
Dremel clone
Nice selection of files and rasps
Pillar drill- only just recently got mine but v useful...
For my last bday I got a couple of cheap angry grinders off my bro- good plan. They tend to die in a rather sudden way (ie no warning) then the rest
of the days work is knackered. Keeping a spare grinder isn't that much of a luxury. You can also have one cutting, one grinding..... (ie no disc
swapping)l
I would not be without my drill press (and vice). Soooo much better and easier than a hand drill, use it all the time for other DIY jobs since
finishing the car too.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cdp10b-drill-press/p
ath/
One relatively cheap tool that is very handy is a proper electricians wire stripper.
Also the proper rachet connecter crimper.
Cheers
Fred W B
[Edited on 3/11/08 by Fred W B]
80mm hole cutter
I have found a vice essential.
I would second the racket spanner set as I use this every day in the garage.
A multimeter is essential for wiring.
A good drill set.
A pop rivit tool hand held (lazy tongue is good for body panels but won't fit in those awkward places)and I would also recomend a hand held
rivnut tool.
agree with the above
Vice.
Drill press
Decent socket and Spanners ( personal weapon of choice here is the clarkes Pro range also have lifetime guarantee and (snap-on ratchet lifetime no
quibble warranty use and abuse get repaired no questions asked but you pay for it))