After reading how some people got tools for x-mas. I was thinking what are the tools that somebody should invest in to start on a project? I see there are alot of younger hotrodders here and thought this would help them out. later plmczy
Do yourself a favor and get all the hand tools you can. Wait on the power stuff. Craftsman is probably the best deal for quality and price.
This was a post a couple months ago. Modernbeat gave a small booklet outlining everything required to build a hot rod. Try a search on tools. TZ
Two links from the past that I saved. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=31901&fpart=1&PHPSESSID= http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=39579&fpart=1&PHPSESSID= Chris Nelson Kansas
set of GOOD quality pry bars....i've got the snap-on 5 pc. set and they are easily one of my most useful tools.
You can do just about anything with a 4 inch angle grinder and a welder. I think I've killed at least 6 angle grinders over the years. Buy a good one!!! Those cheap swapmeet grinders last about 5 minutes. Clark
My list: Cattle prod Anal probe RailRoad Spike Duct tape Cock Ring Nipple Clips K-Y Jelly (or 90wt gear oil) Really, Start out with a 150 pc. Craftsman set. That should have just about everything you would need. When you start to gain more experience, add onto it, but don't woos out and buy the swap meet power tools..... I stared out with a Craftsman set, and still have most of them, but when I started to add on, I stepped up to the plate and got some Snap-On wrenches. Not that I need Snap-on, just nice to have them when I need them....
I've gotten through just about every car project I've ever done with a basic set of hand tools, a hacksaw, a power hand drill, a file, a couple of hammers, two pry bars, a bench grinder and a sturdy bench vise mounted to a heavy work bench. Everything else required is borrowed or rented as needed! Stuff I still need: Drill press Good tubing bender Good flaring tool More than one file (I'd say a welder and the ability to use one...but I'd be far too dangerous then!)
I think a loaded shot gun would be handy. To think about what your doing, well, Brake shrinker/stretcher shears torch mig assorted solid scrap metal mig drill press lathe mig taps & dies knoledge mig band saw flareing tools patience mig degree finder level mig tape measure compressor 100.00 of harbor freight air tools mig and so on Did I mention a MIG welder....
i would have to agree with SO WHAT, except i really prefer 4.5" angle grinder. get some cut off wheels grinding wheels, and flap discs.also a wire feed welder is always handy. and my favorite tool is actually one of my simplest tools, its a 32 oz. snap on hammer that came free with my impact driver set. other than that hand tools of all types. and ummm if you have some cash, plasma cutters are always fun (but expensive)
[ QUOTE ] ... what are the tools that somebody should invest in to start on a project?.. [/ QUOTE ] Start with the basics, socket set, hammer, screwdriver set and a BIG cold chisel. As different jobs (that require special tools) come along; add the extras. Buy good stuff, and they will last longer than you do!
safety glasses , respirator , and ear plugs.....i hate to sound like and old man .....but these are very important .....the respirator is mostly for pinting purposes but some guys who get their cars that are full of mouse shit etc...that stuff is VERY poisoness ....just be carefull and take precautions...oh yeah work gloves too.......i know you meant actual tools but i really believe these are just as important .......carry on.......
Donnie you are absolutely right! A dust mask is a bare minimum when diving into that project the first few times to clean up and disassemble it. The dust and mouse stuff in the seat of my truck was terrible. (Hacked the stuff up for days). Lesson learned. Ear plugs are also a must. Though thay can be annoying you will be very thankful you had them later in life. (and so will those around you, cuz you won't be yellin at them.) Safety Glasses should also be a top priority. If you ever had a piece of metal in your eye you will never be without glasses again. Eric ps Northern Tools sells ear plugs in a 100 count box for about $20-$25. Think your hearing is worth that much? ============================================================ '49 Studebaker P/U
My respirator and ear plugs are a must. I bought a 250 pc craftsman set up recently and I also bought one of these... Use my sawzall once in a while and have an older miller 110 mig at my disposal
I'd be lost without a Dremel. Great for doing most anything, especially in those tight places.One of the most handy bits is the round thin cutter, not the one they call high speed but the one made of (can't think of the alloy) some kind of super hard and sharp metal. It cuts and grinds anything - cast iron included, without dulling. Great for doing small grinding and cutting and large grinding and cutting when you have to be precise. Its pricey but lasts a long time
if you really have nothing, start with the absolute basics and work up from there, a set of combination open/box wrenches a set of screw drivers, phillips and flat blade a couple ball peen hammers a couple punches and chisels pliers wire cutters vice grips channel locks a hack saw a test light and a box to put it all in. then move up to the socket set ratchet breaker bar speed wrench torque wrench timing light dwell meter grinder drill motor etc. Paul
double flare tool, and a good one at that nothing gives you the shits more than brake fluid leaking onto your primo painted backing plates. And of course you dont notice it until morning! mig and 4" angle grinder. As one hot rodder said to me once. I have an angle grinder and a mig, I can fix just about anything steel
Of all the things you can think of none will be more valuable than the hamb and all people who genuinely share all pitfalls and successe's.....WITH PIC"S fatchuk
that's absolutely right Fatchuk, so at the top of the list make sure you have a digital camera and computer! Paul
... if you are ever in a position where you need to salvage a radiator/vacuum hose, you need a snapon hose hook. Its like a bent icepick with a rounded tip... ya just slide it under the hose and break the seal! Excellent tool!
I have mucho tool but my little brother gets entire cars built with a claw hammer, a hand drill and a pair of fingernail clippers. ..........oh, and a telephone to call his buddys for help.
Add a nail file to that and ya have me! Gotta re-adjust the tail light lense spots... thats where the nail file comes in
obviously a MIG welder is an important tool, but where do I learn to use one without losing body parts? Frankly, they scare the hell out of me.
And for when you attempt to clean the grime off the underside of the pointy edged sheetmetal hood, and you just happen to run your thumb across the edge of one of those points... superglue!
Helluva good question plmczy. I moved out west from the east coast and shared tools w/ pops back there. Decided to leave what tools I bought to him, as he's done a lot for me. Just took a trip to Sears w/ a gift certificate to get going on a solid tool set. Kind of taking the high road this time around & buying professional quality bits and pieces as I can afford, rather than the cheaper (and less durable) stuff. Here's what I picked up: -3 drawer rally box -3/8 drive thin profile ratchet & extension -3/8 drive shallow and deep SAE sockets -3/8 drive shallow and deep metric sockets -8 pack of reversible ratcheting SAE wrenches -8 pack of reversible ratcheting metric wrenches -5 pack of professional screwdrivers Granted, this is about $400 worth of stuff & you could buy the 151 piece kit for $100 on sale. But hey, the quality and versatility of the stuff I bought makes for a lighter tool box and really good quality tools. Those ratcheting wrenches are a God send. On top of the things I purchased above I hope to add the following shortly: -4 jack stands -1 heavy duty low profile jack -1 torque wrench -Good pliers -Vice grips -Hacksaw -10 sticks of dynomite w/ long fuses If you've got the room, you can't go wrong w/ a good compressor, an impact wrench & sockets, and an air chisel.
I don't think it'd be possible for me to work on cars without the aid of my trusty dead blow hammer! You can beat the shit out of anything you want with it, and not mess up the finish of the parts yer workin on!
I throw all metric tools away as they appear. If you don't have the tools for it you can't work on it. Paul
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