Restoration - What is needed?

[au03z71]

OK. Here's the deal. We (my wife and I) are going to sell our house and upgrade to a larger one in a year or so... My only stipulation is that there must be a shop and I must have something to work on in said shop. This stipulation was further endorsed to a 67-72 Chevy C10 or Blazer. I'm saving my coin right now so that I can buy a project that isn't a totally lost cause. I'm also gathering any tools that might be needed. I'm obviously going to need a welder and a sawzall but what other tools might I need?

Thanks

[ChevLoRay]

...A night job at Brink's???

Seriously, air compressor, a multitude of air tools, plasma cutter, hydraulic press, body tools, Y3....all would come in handy. However, there have been many restorations that have been done by accomplished artistes who had very little more than the motivation and a host of ideas. I have a friend who is currently resurrecting a '32 3-window Ford, using sheets of 20-ga steel, a homemade bag, a cheap bead roller, Harbor Freight stretching/shrinking tools and an anvil made from a section of railroad rail. The piece he is fabricating? It's just the lower end of the body, behind the wheel opening where the side of the body mates with the rear panel below the rumble seat. Talk about compound angles, curves, beads, etc. I'll see if I can get a picture tomorrow.

[msgross]

When I started mine two years ago I had basic handtools... so my list has grown to this..

good compressor (10+ CFM)
air tools (impact, die grinder, cutoff tool, DA sander)
sawzall
Miller 110v welder
good drill
good lights
engine hoist and stand
torch
steel workbench with vise
storage shelves
clamps galore...
all basic tools (wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers, )

safety equipment: fire extinguishers, hearing protection, face shields, safety glasses, gloves, welding gloves, welding jacket/hat, respirator, etc...

I used a rotisserie from a buddy and loved it...plasma cutter and lift would be nice to have...

[bigsnookmaster]

I agree with all above! My suggestion is to find a pretty nice piece to start with, it will be well worth the extra coin to have a nice starting point. What you will save in rust and patch panel repair will more than offset the extra cost you started with.My .02

[msgross]

Is this your first restoration? If so then don't follow my example...

I should have purchased a nicer running truck to start with and made small improvements along the way... I would have not only saved money but would have had a truck to drive for the past two years!

Go for body condition over mechanicals... much cheaper to have a tranny or engine worked on then to do major body work and a complete paint job...

[gcburdic]

My very cheap suggestion would be....zip lock bags!!!.....and a sharpie...for bagging parts and labeling so when you finally get to putting it back together you'll know what that dang part is!!!!HA

[msgross]

also forgot my Dewalt 4 1/2 inch angle grinder... without that I don't know what i'd do... wire wheel, flapper discs, cutoff discs, grinding.. all much easier...