Tools for the Cobra build

sambo · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:20 PM

Well it's been 5 years since I tinkered with cars and in that time I've had three house moves and slowly sold off most of my gear. I'm left with the trusty red tool box containing not much more than a Repco socket set and a few screwdrivers and other basic tools.

The Cobra is a bit of a unique project to work on, being much lower, more compact and fibreglass bodied (until I can afford a aluminium bodied Kirkham

). The chassis/body doesn't arrive for about 4 months so I'm going to spend the time getting the right tools together and I'd appreciate any suggestions. So far I've come up with the following...

To cut holes in the body for lights, vents, etc - a long list that I'd like to narrow down: dremel with reinf. cutter, roto zip, die grinder, sabre blade, air body saw, hacksaw?

Jack/stands: I like this low profile jack but is it overkill? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MakeTrack=true

Electrical - multimeter, cutters, crimpers, etc.

Air compressor, dust blower, etc.

Flaring tools for brake/fuel lines.

This isn't meant to be a comprehensive list, mainly to get an idea about essential items and build that into the budget. Thanks in advance folks!

dbn04 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:31 PM

dont forget the soldering iron that will get afull workout!

Leeroy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:36 PM

Sambo

I think the best tool I got was a threaded nutsert rivet gun. This allows you to drill a hole in the steel/fibreglass and rivet a threaded female insert. This way you will not be using self tappers or retaining nuts to hold bolt in place. By far worth every cent.

I must thanks Aussie Mike for that was some of the best advise he gave me (and there was heaps)

Leeroy

schipps · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leeroy

Sambo

I think the best tool I got was a threaded nutsert rivet gun. This allows you to drill a hole in the steel/fibreglass and rivet a threaded female insert. This way you will not be using self tappers or retaining nuts to hold bolt in place. By far worth every cent.

I must thanks Aussie Mike for that was some of the best advise he gave me (and there was heaps)

Leeroy

Any of you guys have any photos of the results of using a nut rivet gun? I have a vague picture in my mind of what LEEROY is saying but as they say , "A picture says a thousand words"

cameron02 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 02:23 AM

Any jack that could get my car high enough would not fit under it. So I use a small trolly jack to get the car up a bit then put the big one under the car. Even my next door neighbours low profile jobbie would not fit under the front.

A digital spirit level is good for leveling the engine and adjusting tail shaft angle (I borrowed one).

A good chisel for the dash and console (wood)

Round file, flat file

Jigsaw, for heaps of stuff. (dash, door skins, console etc)

Good drill (obvious) with Hole saw's (metal quality)

Hand held grinder with cutting blades

07cob · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schipps

Any of you guys have any photos of the results of using a nut rivet gun? I have a vague picture in my mind of what LEEROY is saying but as they say , "A picture says a thousand words"

Mick

Have a look at your chassis when you pick it up - tomorrow as I understand it!! Warwick uses nutserts in a couple of locations, the easiest to view is in the cross member where the brackets for the dash are to be mounted. There are a couple of nutserts ready for the dash brackets.

GeoF

schipps · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07cob

Mick

Have a look at your chassis when you pick it up - tomorrow as I understand it!! Warwick uses nutserts in a couple of locations, the easiest to view is in the cross member where the brackets for the dash are to be mounted. There are a couple of nutserts ready for the dash brackets.

GeoF

Geof,

thanks for that and YES, I am picking up the chassis and body tomorrow!!!

Can't wait

Tenrocca · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:33 PM

My small suggestions...

Dremel - definately. A set of ratcheting ring spanners are great. Get the local brake shop to flare your lines - they'll do a better job and it will work out a lot cheaper then buying a double flaring tool.

Cheers

sambo · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:40 PM

Great thanks guys, already some great suggestions. (off to eBay now...)

LoBelly · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:49 PM

Hi Sambo

My car has been constructed entirely from angle iron and cable ties, so for me the things you need are:

side cutters
small angle grinder

if your'e flush - a home mig for zapping some bits together.

Also consider

a bolted down bench with a nice vice and (if possible) a bit of space around it

open and easy to get to places to put your tools while working so they can be put back for next time

kettle/beer fridge/lemon tree - no need to go back into the house.

that should do you

LoBelly

PCC · #11 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 08:54 PM

Sambo,

The bigger the jack the better. Mine is a 2.5T one and I feel far more confident using such a size irrespective of the light weight of the car.

If you don't go for a hoist invest in good quality jack(s) and axle stands.

Got the Bug · #12 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 09:27 PM

Sambo,

The low profile floorjack that you found on eBay looks similar to the one I just bought from Summit Racing.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

The summit model is made by a company called American Forge...I got a kick out of the name, since the jack is made in China!

I'm also buying some new tools and reorganizing the garage while I'm waiting for my car to arrive.

Doug

Rebel1 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 09:36 PM

A workshop vac...you'll be surprised what mess you make.

David Hodgson · #14 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:01 PM

One thing I found very usefull, a cordless vac to clean up any fibreglass swarf and dust from cutting and drilling. You would not believe how itchy that stuff makes you if you leave it lying around

sambo · #15 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:14 PM

Ok vaccuum is on the list. Just hope the missus doesn't get any fibres under her skin while she's using it.

Rebel1 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:24 PM

Do what I did Sambo.....convince the first wife that her vac is broken and she needs a new one.

She'll pay for it outta "house" money, not "cobra" money.

sambo · #17 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:33 PM

Since I will be joining the dark side eventually I might as well start taking advice from you, Les Vader.

Rebel1 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 12:05 AM

Don't take any darkside advice from me Sambo....I'm only a newby to the darkside.

That Aussie Mike is the ringleader of the force. He even set up a web site wherein he assigned a film charactor image to each member.

He had to give that away tho as the images were not too unlike what they all looked like in real life.

boxhead · #19 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 01:42 AM

How is the site going Mike?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel1

Don't take any darkside advice from me Sambo....I'm only a newby to the darkside.

That Aussie Mike is the ringleader of the force. He even set up a web site wherein he assigned a film charactor image to each member.

He had to give that away tho as the images were not too unlike what they all looked like in real life.

Blair · #20 (**permalink**) 03-21-2007, 12:23 AM

It seems that Aussie Mike and Rebel1 are fighting to become the Leader of the 'Dark Force'. Whilst there is this unrest within the 'Dark Force' ranks the resistance is growing!

Nemesis