Tools you wish you had
 

I am looking to pick up a c10 SWB project here shortly. I like to lurk in the project section and have learned alot from watching you guys. I'm not sure how far I will take my project, but at a minimum I want to box the frame and do a dropmember, air ride, c notch. I am going to pick up a tig welder soon and practice on whatever scrap metal I can get a hold of. I just sold my mig from harbor freight because I want to get one with gas. Anyways all my rambling. I am curious what tools have you guys found to be invaluable when restoring your trucks? What does everyone use to make such clean cuts when cutting out sheet metal? What is used to cut out patches for the firewall? I am mainly concerned with metal working. Thanks for any input.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

if your talking cutting, a plasma is a must. a bit expensive, but the quality of the cuts are amazing.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

With as much time as I've spent under my truck, I wish I had a lift :D

I use a cutoff wheel for straight cuts.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

a lift for sure-- i have all the other stuff already but really hate working on my back like a "lady of the evening",lol.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

a lift does have a couple downsides, and iv worked on these trucks while under a lift. for one your arms get tired after a little bit and if its on the ground and you a drop a tool you either crawl between the truck and the lift or wait while you raise the truck up a bit. dont get me wrong lifts are awsome, just be prepared to deal with these things. i personaly would love to have a lift, plasma cutter, and an air compressor that has some balls

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

A lift, I miss the under truck room I had a stock ride height now.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

A welding machine,...but one of these days:metal:

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

The list never ends.
Air compressor
welders arc,mig and Tig
Plasma cutter
english wheel
shrinker stretcher
tubing bender
.........
What can I say,"I'm PanelDeland and I'm a tool junkie"

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

All I want is everything!
Your arms may get tired under a lift,but I wish they made mechanic`s pillows for laying under a truck on your side.It kills my neck.I know you can get neck problems from standing under a lift,too.But,only if you do it fulltime for many years.A lift is definately a great option.You don`t have to use it or everything.I like how you have all positions between on the ground and over your head.Nothing like standing there and working on the brakes.If you get tired of standing,pull the lever and grab a stool.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

I gotta go with:
Plasma Cutter
New Compressor
Soda Blaster!!!

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

A good forklift. talk about not hurting my back when needing to remove the cab or bed. motors or whatever. I could do without a lift, but they do come in handy on my other projects.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

A loaded maatco truck!! or at least one of those hydrolic lifts

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

well, I have a great 80 gallon 2 stage compressor and a decent Lincoln MIG but I would love to have a plasma cutter and a big blasting cabinet. Would love to have a lift at home as well- Ive been a mechanic for 10 years, and really get spoiled by having 2 lifts at work...

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

I vote that a good air compressor is a must to get going with. Unfortunately I bought the welder first and I use the hell out of it but a air compressor would have been an even better first investment.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

Rotisserie is nice for when you get to doing your sheet metal work.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

I bought a used 2 post hoist at an auction half way thru my K5 restoration. It was great for lifting off the body and doing body work on the lower panels. I use it way more than I thought I would. Highly recommended.

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

I wish my wife owned a chevy dealership that still made money so i could just drop it off in the service department!

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

I'm with Shane.
You got that, you got anything you need!

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

Theres a ton I want but I will settle for a CNC Water Jet machine. :metal:

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

I can make that happen for you too. What size you looking for?

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

A lift. It is amazing to me how hard somethings while on your back, and how easy the same thing is standing up. I would also recommend an air compressor. below is my playroom. It is air conditioned also

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

cparman,that is a sweet toybox slash playroom!!!!!!!!!!!:chevy:

Re: Tools you wish you had
 

Have a forklift and a lift, next tool i buy will be a plasma cutter.