Bodywork
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
First and foremost welcome to FTE. May want to post topic in the paint and body forum. Novice 'do it myselfer' and learned body work as I reassembled my 65. Acquired several body tools thru online auto body tool supplier's, auto swap meet, garage sales, etc. Found the 'bent door skin' hammer helpful, not for purpose of removing door skin but found the angle of the head(s) helpful in several hard to get to places. Then the bump and finishing hammer, and the pick or wedge and round head finishing hammer. As far as dollies, wedge, spoon, universal, toe. Posting a website for pic's, suggest shopping around for prices. Posting web page for pic's only, scrol down towards bottom of page for body tools. Did not check, perhaps other brands on web site, suggest check around for prices.
http://www.smartshoppersinc.com/sTECK/toolaid.html
dave
http://www.smartshoppersinc.com/sTECK/toolaid.html
dave
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethtown, PA
I don't like to skimp on tools, but I just couldn't see the difference in price between the expensive 'professional' sets and a decent Taiwan set for 1/3 the price. I think the difference is probably more apparent to someone who makes their living using such tools, and not to the home hobbyist. So long as the handles are comfortable and the face of the tool is machined nicely, they should work decently. I've been using my new Taiwain set on a car project and they seem to work well. I think the set cost me around $40. I did have a body hammer that was a total POS that I bought for a few bucks years ago and won't use it.
More important, IMO, is when you use fillers on your bodywork buy good stuff like Evercoat, NOT anything Bondo brand. The quality of the filler is night and day, and it's much easier to use in every way.
Body repair is an acquired skill. Plan on doing several passes before you get it right. Use guide coats of spray paint to find the low and high spots. Try to work the metal as little as possible so you don't stretch it and make it worse.
My .02 as a beginner.
More important, IMO, is when you use fillers on your bodywork buy good stuff like Evercoat, NOT anything Bondo brand. The quality of the filler is night and day, and it's much easier to use in every way.
Body repair is an acquired skill. Plan on doing several passes before you get it right. Use guide coats of spray paint to find the low and high spots. Try to work the metal as little as possible so you don't stretch it and make it worse.
My .02 as a beginner.
