Hey ChrisW,

Here's one subject area not catered for.
Surely all the combined expertise of this group (grope?) of builders must have a whole catalogue of fave & highly-regarded tools? Could we start such a section?
The Mig welder is almost an essential, and has been the subject of much discussion elsewhere on this list; David Jenkins has contributed via his website, others (Rorty, Rob Lane etc.) have also added their views, and I anticipate plenty of feedback from Steve Gusterson.
Waddya got?

A section along the lines of:

"Tools, Equipment & Jigs - what to use and how to use it"

??

Ned.

Hey Dick, whatcha trying to say!



Its quite suprising really how little equipment you can get by with to build a car, and in how small and crappy a space too!

Especially when you make things hard for yourself by deviating from 'book' as much as I have.

I recon, after the mig, the second most useful tool is an angle grinder. The 115mm ones are great for general work, and I recommend a 230mm one also for serious cutting work. The larger one it way too much of a beast for general work.


I have bought a fair few tools - like a circular saw - which have been great for making up wooden formers for GRP moulds, but I wouldnt call it essential.


A non-tool, but VERY esential item is a covered heated work area - unless you want to build outside on 10 nice days a year!


atb

steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Axtell
Hey ChrisW,

Here's one subject area not catered for.
Surely all the combined expertise of this group (grope?) of builders must have a whole catalogue of fave & highly-regarded tools? Could we start such a section?
The Mig welder is almost an essential, and has been the subject of much discussion elsewhere on this list; David Jenkins has contributed via his website, others (Rorty, Rob Lane etc.) have also added their views, and I anticipate plenty of feedback from Steve Gusterson.
Waddya got?

---

Digital camera...

quote:

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Originally posted by Alan B
Digital camera...

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quote:

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Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
Hey Dick, whatcha trying to say!

A non-tool, but VERY esential item is a covered heated work area...

---

when I say heater, I mean a 2kw fan hearter fighting a throu draft in a garage. Slightly above freezing may be a better term!

Tools I dont have : A pillar drill, a bench, a decent vice, or any machining equipment.


atb

steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Axtell

quote:

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Originally posted by Alan B
Digital camera...

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Yeah......in due course!! I wouldn't show anybody the state of my lock-up, until it's had a major clear-up. I focus only on the detail, for now.

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This contraption is made up of parts from a cheep angel grinder stand an two tile cutters. It can do long and straight cuts. Almost all pipes on the frame we are building has been cut with it.


I would prefer a band saw but don't have the budget.

Cheers Leif

[Edited on 19/8/03 by leto]

[Edited on 19/8/03 by leto]

I spent 10x on tools what i spent on the car so far, and i'd probably swap it all for a double garage, with lights and power sockets.... undoubtedly this is the most useful asset!

Just have to wait til the mansions finished...!

Stella.....

quote:

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Originally posted by Stu16v
Stella.....

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I was thinking more

artois.


BTW Alan.

thats a beer. You dont seem to have beer in USA if budweiser is an example.



[Edited on 19/8/03 by stephen_gusterson]

Erm...yeah Steve...I know what Stella is..

We can actually get draught Boddingtons here........now that IS beer....

I want a DC Inverter TIG welder, I don't really need it, I can manage without it, it will cost about £250, plus cylinder rental, BUT I WANT ONE!!!!

Thanks for clarifying that Steve, I did mean the beer...

Alan, I trust my little 'secret' is safe with you....

quote:

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Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
Tools I dont have : ...a bench, a decent vice,...

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I make do.

I have a bench at work with a good vice on it.

At home, I have a tiny vice, varous G clamps, 2 workmate thingys and a metal frame from an industrial conveyor that serves as a surface to hit / bend / clamp things to.

atb

steve

quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Axtell

quote:

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Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
Tools I dont have : ...a bench, a decent vice,...

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You some kind of masochist?
In my lock-up there was a bench (now buried under loadsa bits & crap), and an indispensible vice. That's a minimum requirement.

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a quality cigarette lighter, such as those offered by zippo, they even make them with a snap-on logo if you dont see it as a 'real' tool...

personally i favor my jack daniels one given to me by my wife before a short 'buisness trip' to kuwait in january

Well, being lucky enough to have a double garage with power and light, but no heating, I can't imagine how cramped it must be to build a car in a single garage. Essential tool - clamps, lots and lots of clamps and the biggest socket extension you can lay your hands on.

Kingr

So far my entire car has been built with a sawzall, a mig welder, a 4" angle grinder, a tape measure and lately a bandsaw (indespensable really). Some misc hand tools including a metric socket set are required to disassemble the donor vehicle.

A quick drive around the neighborhood will probably be enough to disassemble the car that's taking shape in my garage! Maybe should'a gotten a bigger mig welder!

No heater required for my garage, but I will take an air conditioner thanks! It's still well over 100f out there....