What tools do you use?

[68C30Flatbed]

I am assembling a workshop and am interested in knowing what tools you find useful for repairing/restoring your truck, and those you're disappointed in. What comprises a minimal shop. How about a dream shop?

Links to a buying sources would be great if you have them. Thanks!

[CPNE]

Compressor, mig welder, torch, and sawz-all

To me a torch is a necessity. You can't wrench 35 year old rusted bolts

[Brainchild]

CPNE said what I was gonna say,don't forget an air ratchet,and impact,a good set of wrenches,and sockets.And a good strong garage jack,and jackstands.Nothing worse than trying to work under something and it barely being chest high.

[bobs409]

Add a sandblast cabinet to that list. I built my own. The quality of your work will go way up with one of these.

[Brainchild]

Originally Posted by bobs409

Add a sandblast cabinet to that list. I built my own. The quality of your work will go way up with one of these.

Ya got any pics of the sandblast cabinet,I might like to make one of those myself,if you don't mind

[stickshift_or_walk]

Originally Posted by Brainchild

Nothing worse than trying to work under something and it barely being chest high.

Agreed, and my chest (gut) gets "higher" all the time. Why not put one of these on the wish-list, too?

10,000 Pound Asymmetric Lift / Wide

If you're building a shop, you might want to at least beef up the concrete pad where you would want to put one of these. I've been watching them become more widely available for the past few years.

SSOW

[JIMs70GMC]

or a parts cleaner. Also, specialty tools- pullers(steering/balancer etc...) a press would be nice.

[Rusty Rider]

buy two sets of wrenches. you will run into alot of bolts that has the same size nuts backing them.

[Tx Firefighter]

I have big stuff of.....

jack and stands
MIG welder
torch
blast cabinet
parts cleaner
engine stand
engine hoist
Caterpillar diesel front end loader for lifting heavy stuff


tons of electric tools like grinders, sawz-all, etc....

[dallas71]

bob...how did you make your sandblast cabinet???

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by dallas71

bob...how did you make your sandblast cabinet???

I built it from 3/4" plywood and it stands on 2X4 legs. I bought a pair of gloves from Eastwood and put in a glass window and hook a shop vac up for ventilation.

Mine is about 2' X 2' X 4' but I'm planning on building a larger one this winter with an improved air flow system and the ability to fit at least a cowl panel in.

[bobs409]

I've been toying with the idea of putting a "pit" in my garage. I know that I'll never have the money for a lift and there isn't enough ceiling height anyway so I thought of putting in a pit about 4' deep. That way, I can use a rollable stool under it and work with ease.

Should be cheap enough as I'd do all the work myself. Cinderblocks, concrete and maybe some angle iron to go around the opening.

Anybody else considering doing one? I'm open for suggestions on the how to.

[68C30Flatbed]

That's a good idea. I don't see why it would have to be inside the garage either. If I put one outside, I could put it anywhere. Heck, I could occasionally roast a pig in it.

[68w/sbc406]

Originally Posted by bobs409

I built it from 3/4" plywood and it stands on 2X4 legs. I bought a pair of gloves from Eastwood and put in a glass window and hook a shop vac up for ventilation.

Mine is about 2' X 2' X 4' but I'm planning on building a larger one this winter with an improved air flow system....

Two shop vacs???

[1971 Cheyenne]

I built a sandblasting cabinet this winter, a MUST for the restorer (tons of little parts that would keep you running back and forth to the sandblasting shop all day). I will never sit there with a wire wheel and sandpaper again... If anyone wants pics or info, just send me a PM. I will be happy to help.

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by 68w/sbc406

Two shop vacs???

Good idea! LOL

Actually, I will be building mine right into a wall in my workshop that has a window. I am hoping to design some type of a push fan to blow the dust outside rather than have a noisy shop vac running. (and blowing dust out anyway!) Possibly use a furnace filter over the window??? The dust is incredible with these and is the biggest problem to overcome. I'm still in the planning stages but did aquire 2 large oven racks for the bottom of the work area which will be nice.

A tight seal is a must. My old one is lacking in that department and I wear a respirator while using it. (not a bad idea anyway)

[Tx Firefighter]

TIP makes a great build it yourself kit for blast cabinets.

[cdowns]

i've got to the age that it seems like the 2most important tools in my workshop are the air conditioning system and the refrigerator

[Brainchild]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i've got to the age that it seems like the 2most important tools in my workshop are the air conditioning system and the refrigerator

lol me too,but I can't seem to part with the funding,I can always spend it somewhere else

[72 CustomCamper]

Don't forget a BFH for when your friends bring their ford by to work on it...


Chuck

[roj2323]

let's see so far i have found these items usefull

grinder
air chisle -great for poping ball joints apart and getting ribbits out
impact
2 3/8's rachets one with a swivel head
2 sets of open/closed standard wrenches
2 sets of 3/8's standard sockets one short one long ----get 6 sided there stronger
extentions 1in 2in 6in + a really long one for reaching odd areas
1/2 to 3/8's adapter - i have found it faster to use this than changing air tools
small hammer
big hammer 5lbs
pliers
needle nose pliers
wirecutters
dentist pick
1/2in sockets 5/8's-1 1/8th
4 jack stands
floor jack
ziplock baggies
permnate marker to mark whats in the bags
torch or something to get bolts hot so they come out
penetrating oil
a bottle of fast orange - abrasive hand cleaner
a small hand held sandblaster and a face sheild
a computer with a helpfull posting board such as this one
engine stand-usefull if your going to build one otherwise don't bother
an overhead hoist for lifting engines in and out and lifting off major body parts
fabric tow straps for lifting those body parts off -use 2 or 3
set of screwdrivers
drill
drill bits - save time buy the good ones.....a good set will cost around $200 or about $12-20 a bit
a soft plyable air hose - you may have to make one but it's nice to not have to fight it.
air compressor
ajustable wrenches
razor blades
air cut off tool -also called a whizzer
sawzall and plenty of blades
power washer optional but great for cleaning parts



body tools:
hopefully someone can fill this in i haven't gotten there yet


hope this helps,
ondrew

[69 Short Fleet]

Thread chaser set, oil seal driver kit, a decent digital multimeter (Fluke are highend unitis and worth it! IMO) that can give you dwell angle measurements, a decent set of taps & dies.

[chickenwing]

lots of lights, lots of 20amp plugs, at least 1 220 outlet,drill press, floor model if you have room bench model otherwise. Bench grinder at least 3/4 horse, equiped with various stones, wire wheels and buff pads. Creeper. Good resperator if you paint/sand blast. Eye protection. At least a 6" vise. Shelving, shelving, shelving. Epoxy coated floor (my GOD it's nice!). Beer fridge, tunes and band-aids. I also have a dedicated shop garbage can. It's nice to rummage around in just dirt for a part/box/label/instruction you screwed up and threw away by mistake.

[poff]

Don't buy too small of a MIG like I did. Harbor Frieght has good prices on Ingersoll-rand air tools. thetoolwarehouse.net has good prices on OTC and other brands. My brother runs a Huskey air compressor at his shop, runs it pretty hard and it works well.

[Brainchild]

I bought a small mig,cause well money is the dictator,but I have a nice arc welder for the big jobs

Also just picked up a tire changer,and stereo with a CD player is a must.

And A nice big broad broom.