Must have shop tools

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AdamR

AdamR

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Ive decided for my 30th birthday present to myself I'm really going to work on starting my own restoration and repair business. I've been playing with these cars long enough were I have a pretty good arsenal of tools but Ive been making a list of some things I know I need to get like a real bench vise a blasting cabinet so I can stop paying to have stuff cleaned and a hyd press for doing suspensions, U-joints and trannies. My friend is planning on getting the lift, and Id like to build a rotisserie but then I need to worry about were to store it when its not in use.

So whats the one tool you couldnt live with out ? (besides the Sawzall and duct tape !)
 
I think some shop tools that are a MUST HAVE are like Jack said a set of Torches plus a drill press, a mig welder, hydraulic press, parts washer, a large compressor. I have a 60 gallon now and would like to get an 80 gallon.

The one thing I can not live without is my compressor.
 
yeah I'm thinking I'll buy one of those pizzy little rotiseries (2 hydrolic rams @ about 800 bucks) with tax refunds. It looks easy to store away at best.
The smallest bench mounted drill press (49.00) from Harbor Freight has sure been handy.
If there is anything I wouldn't want to part with it would be the jackstands made from scaffolding stands. They dont hiegth adjust and you gotta get up high to get on them. They have 5" wide X 4" long channel welded to the tops.
2 pieces of 4X4 lumber span across tem and 1/2 sheet of plywood makes an exellent work table also. I have 2 other pieces of channel iron 36" long with holes drilled for 1/2" allthread rod. Those sandwich the 4X4 timbers and I can remove the vise from its rotating base on workbench and bolt it through the channel again with allthread at those times when I need the vise in a wide open location at about waist high. Floor space is my issue. Sometimes I need a car there and sometimes I need a table. Sure folding tables or sawhorses are handy but they cant handle heavy workloads.
 
Wheel dollies are nice too in case you need move some carcasses around with no drive train. Another Harbor Frieght special. I would love to have the ones that the tow truck drivers use with the hydraulics.
 
I've got more tools than a man has a right to, I don't use
half of them and I can't hardly get in the grudge.
I used to be a tech.
I'd look on Craigslist, I've seen some pretty good deals on there!
 
I HATE working with or on any dirty/greasy/rusty crap or any combination there of...therefore I cast my vote for my parts washer and my wire brushes... Yeah, I know - I took two choices - so sue me!!!

:toothy5:
Ray
 
Let's see, when I hit the shop I usually do the following,
- open the door (overhead 16')
- turn on the lights, have plenty of lights - the more the better
- turn on the radio
- open the air compressor valve
- start looking for whatever tool I need...

So, I guess I would go for plenty of tool cabinet/storage space. You will probably be amassing lots of small hand tools and air tools. Specific places to put them are sure nice. Shelving for tools, parts, paint, etc. Good sturdy workbenches. Wood will do for most things, but you will want at least one metal bench for welding/cutting on.

Then, I have a set of wood sawhorses that I built from a simple pattern. I made them just a little taller than normal so that I can use one and the tailgate of my pickup truck for the other end - it just makes it a little more versatile. They are also stack-able for less space when not in use, and the legs are made from pressure treated 2X4 so they can store outside. I made them several years ago and they are still plenty sturdy. Right now they have my Duster body sitting on them. Let me know if you would like the plans or a picture and I will see what I can do for you.

You mentioned a rotisserie. We have one and it darn sure makes restoration work on the underside a lot easier. It doesn't take up a lot of storage space either. It can make that work on the underside so much more easier and therefore quicker to fix. Time is money...

How big is your shop?
Good luck, keep us all posted!
C
 
Ive got lots of cabinets for storage. Also all ready have a mig welder, plenty of air tools, body hammers and dolly's I have a huge compressor. I have a set of torches but never use them. I use a smaller bottle for sweating pipes that works great for heating fasteners and takes up less room.


Parts washer is a good idea, a bigger shop would be nice, LOL wish I had a taller door to. My shop is 2 bays with a tall 20ft ceiling. I would look in to a bigger shop but it doesnt make sense till I have a steady flow of work.



I think my list is
Blasting cab
Press
Parts washer
drill press
 
Drill press, vise, sheet metal brake and a shrinker/stretcher. About a month ago I picked up a pnuematic flanger/hole punch that has has save me a ton of time, for the 80 bucks, it's way worth it.
 
ramcharger said:
Drill press, vise, sheet metal brake and a shrinker/stretcher. About a month ago I picked up a pnuematic flanger/hole punch that has has save me a ton of time, for the 80 bucks, it's way worth it.
Click to expand...

Ditto on the pnuematic flanger/hole punch. It's the best for hanging quarters.
 
I think I have a flanger some were. If not Im gonna need one to patch my roof. A air long board needs to go on my list too. It sucks doing it by hand all the time.
 
I added one electric outlet to a light circuit so when I turn on the lights my radio comes on and all the various battery chargers get power from a strip.
I dont trust batteries and those little chargers not to start a fire.
 
I forgot to mention, a good CPA! You will be able to charge all these tool purchases off on your taxes if they are small tools and depreciate them off if they are more expensive. I done this with a woodworking business. Ended up with a shop full of tools and a new computer for -0-.
A good insurance policy will also be a must for you.
C
 
power brush wheel.....

assortments of steel of shapes, sizes, gauge.

a large cabinet full of sorted out bolts in all sizes,washers,lock washers, and nuts <-----thats my favorite

auto real air hoses...mounted of the ceiling!

lots of cans of good spray paint

soon i will be getting a plasma, im sure it will be great

suction cups for getting out some dents

O! break in kit for getting into cars that have the keys locked in

a good used tire changer, maybe balancer

pressure washer! pressure washer!!

mild acid for cleaning


the list can goo on. when i go to the shop ill try and think of some more
 
Just added a couple dye grinders,and a nice double flarring tool kit to my collection.
 
AdamR said:
Ive decided for my 30th birthday present to myself I'm really going to work on starting my own restoration and repair business. I've been playing with these cars long enough were I have a pretty good arsenal of tools but Ive been making a list of some things I know I need to get like a real bench vise a blasting cabinet so I can stop paying to have stuff cleaned and a hyd press for doing suspensions, U-joints and trannies. My friend is planning on getting the lift, and Id like to build a rotisserie but then I need to worry about were to store it when its not in use.

So whats the one tool you couldnt live with out ? (besides the Sawzall and duct tape !)
Click to expand...

See the Snap-On man he will take care of all the tools you will ever need!!:)
Good luck with restoration business
 
What about a very important tool...

A mini fridge to keep the beverages cold!
 
i agree with what everyone has mentioned the one thing i dont see and maybe i just missed it but a good pressure washer it will really come in handy if you buy the rotissire will clean off all the old grease and gunk and they make a kit to put on the pressure washer that adapts a sand blaster to it so you can blast the on the car and it keeps it the metal cool and you dont get the dust from the sand it works great and would probably save time on the undersides of cars with the combo but i really recommend at least the good pressure washer
 
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