Build Tools

[Lowell W]

Originally posted by Lowell W



A year from now, you'll look back at your "$600 tool budget" and get a good chuckle.

Sorry, take that back. A month from now... Heck, that "manly" toolbox will set ya back more than $600!

Seriously, though, just buy what you need when you need it and don't forget to take your wife out to dinner when a large purchase seems imminent. And keep your eyes and ears open for good deals on used stuff; there are lots and lots of good used tools out there.

Most of the guys with good tools don't like to loan 'em, but for stuff like an engine hoist and engine stand-big stuff that's seldom used and hard to damage-you may be able to find a loaner. Probably better not to hang a motor from the ceiling in your garage unless you brace it well and KNOW it can hold the weight. It would really suck to have the motor/tranny fall on the front of your new car.



Good luck! I ALMOST envy you, as buying tools is so much fun, but I definitely wouldn't want to start over!

[jeffko]

It seems as though I have failed to realize that there is a certain amount of bodywork required to just fit the body to the frame. I just assumed that when they were jigged for fabrication the fit would be pretty much there. What kind of fit is required, other than bodywork that should be done at a shop?

Inside and outside micrometers are great tools, but I have also had great success with the lowly plasti gauge. Even pro builders use it quite often. It is deceptive as to how accurate that stuff is.

I have heard the horror stories of kinked brakes lines, so a bender and of course flaring tool are a must for the list.

I have quite a few hole saws which I am sure will come in very handy, but I suspect I will need a few smaller ones. I have a decent set of Klien tools for the electrical stuff. Gotta add these to the list also. I am actually designing a toolbox. It is not such a good idea from a practical view since I will spend in effort and materials what I could buy them for. However, my dad built a really cool toolbox and being a 3rd generation sheet metal worker I want to build one also.

At this point the tool budget is swelling beyond the $600 mark, but I have worked pretty hard on my wife’s house for 5 years. I am now hoping to keep it under $1,000. And she thought golf was expensive!

I hope you guys do not mind teaching this old dog new tricks and it would be silly for me to continually thank you for your very helpful insights, but whether it goes unsaid or not “Thank You”

Jeff


Tools: $629 Rentals: $115
1. torque wrench (ebay $50 Craftsman ½” drive 25-250)
2. piston dead center stop (shop fab from Car Craft article)
3. engine stand ($50 shop fab)
4. dial indicator with magnetic base ($30 ebay)
5. timing light ($20 Chraftsman ebay)
6. cam degree wheel ($20 shop fab duplicate)
7. piston ring compressor (rent)
8. valve spring compressor (rent)
9. Craftsman wrench set ($40 ebay)
10. Craftsman socket set ($50 ebay)
11. dremel ebay $100
12. ‘c’ type, jaw type & paddle vise grips (have 4 of each)
13. drills (have a 3/8” and cordless)
14. multimeter (Fluke 77 $15 ebay)
15. jack stands (shop fab)
16. (4) adjustable height rollers (shop fab)
17. floor jack (AC Delco at sears $40)
18. rolling work seat creeper combo ($80 sears)
19. 4” grinder (have this)
20. drill bits (have these)
21. punch set (have these)
22. breakover bar (have this)
23. hoist (rent)
23. crankshaft socket ($8 sears)
24. tubing cutter, flare tool & bender ($23)
25. Klien wire cutters and lineman pliers ($18)
26. wire connector kit ($15)
27. soldering gun ($28)
28. various sizes of hole saws ($15)



Supplies: $30
1. engine silicone
2. assemblers lube
3. plasti gauge
4. shop rags
5. dry sweep