Where do you all buy/get all your body shop tools at? I'm just getting started in this and was wondering if someone could give me a basic tool list of what I'm going to need? Am I going to need a brake? I'm not sure what kind or anything about that. I've seen online that Eastwood offers a lot of tools. Is that a good place? Thanks for any help.

 

Just something to get started. I need to do my floor pans first. Thanks for any help.

 

Well, I’m sure I’ll forget something here but for metal fab I use a Hobart 140 and Eastwood 135 mig, basic 4.5” grinder, high speed sander with 36 grit, die grinder/cutoff tool. My air compressor is an ancient loud 60 gal that the pilgrims brought over to annoy the hell out of the Indians.
For body work, an old DA or air orbital sander, an old “straight line” sander which is a must to quickly rough in filler on large straight panels. An assortment of sanding blocks, from short to long.....I even make my own out of super straight 1x3’s if blocking long straight panels....an have made em out of hard rubber to block curved surfaces.
I have used some of harbor freights “el cheapo” paint guns for primer, sand paper, orbital sander, high speed sander and some other stuff with good results. I’ve always used large air compressors for painting and using air tools so I can’t speak of smaller cheaper compressors. Can’t speak of cheap flux welders either.
Each body man will swear by a certain paint gun so I won’t even get into that, but I’ve used some cheap guns that have laid it down just as well as expensive guns.
These are just some of my most used tools. Every body man will have his own preferences and be a bit different.

 

Thanks Jalopy, I really appreciate the list.

 

If doing floors / rockers / cab corners you will need a bunch of welders clamps (vice grip type) of the long & should "C", finger type also.
You can use weights from a dumb bell set to hold the panels down for tack welding.

Welding get a machine that uses gas mix and dont look back. I have used flux core and was OK to start but once you use gas you will not go back.

You will also need hammers & dollies for metal shaping. I have not looked at HF sets but I cant see them being all that bad as a start.
For home use I would also look at the HF air tools & the electric grinders. You will not be working them as hard as a shop would.
I also used an air flanger / hole punch to put holes in the panels to spot weld them in.

If you think the HF air tools are just to bad then look at better ones but dont think I would pay for the name of Eastwood.
Check with your local auto body supply store for the air tools also as they would have better ones.

HF old school for a primer gun would be good. I have also used cheap spray guns that laid down a good paint job.
I just used a 3 gun HVLP kit (start line) I did get from Eastwood as it was on sale and I think it did a good job painting my 81 F100.

Dave ----

ps I had training doing body work, I just dont like doing it.

 

Thanks Dave, you do awesome work.

 

Thanks
I had a great teacher, Dad!
I just hate doing body work.
I dont mine the "tin knocking" (removing the dents) and the metal fab part, it's the mudd part, I hate the dust!
Gets in your ears & eyes, I wear glasses and they get covered also!
Dave ----

 

You have some great advise here already. A welder for sure. I have a Hobart 140. Really all you need, others will disagree but I've done everything with mine. After that it depends on what you want to do. If spot welding your panels, I've just drilled some small holes. I did end up buying a flange/hole punch tool because of a challenge I was having installing door handles. I would start buy figuring out what you want to do, look for some advise, get the tools you need and go from there. You don't need a lot of tools. I have a welder, a hammer and dolly set, a durablock kit and a used 6" DA sander on air. My compressor is a used 60 gal so it struggles with the sander if I go hard at it. and a cheapy spray gun for primer. I am not ready to paint yet so will buy a good gun then.
Started with this about 6 years ago. No knowledge, no tools and no idea what to do next. Asked a bunch of questions, did lots of reading and off I went

6 years later, with 2 years off because of a move and life getting out of control I have this. The only outside help I had was my brother boxing up the frame for me, everything else I have done myself, you will find my build thread here .https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-53-build.html
Oh and I am not a body guy or mechanic. Hoping to inspire others along the way though.

 

I started off in High School working at a body shop in the Winter, there is no tool list because it depends on how deep you are going to go. You will acquire tools depending on the needs of the repair and as far as welders, body hammers you can find them anywhere locally. Number one thing you need is patience and talent, you will go through a learning curve and make small to huge mistakes. Mistakes are devastating financially if you are on a budget. PPE, is a big purchase, buy the cheap or wrong filters, you may end up in the emergency room. Box & pan brakes are handy and do more than body work, the Sky is the Limit on tools and depends on how well your wallet can handle it.

If it is going to be a hobby, treat it as one if you are young and married, set limits and do not let it consume time with the family. I have done 5 70 SS Chevelle's frame up and my last one was a Dodge truck I showed that was a daily driver. Almost cost me a divorce... but later it happened.


.

 

Thanks Max, I would love to do what you have done, except for the divorce

 

Wow, that really got me fired up!! Thanks so much for sharing your story, I'm sure many of us are feeling more confident than before.

 

Wow, that really got me fired up!! Thanks so much for sharing your story, I'm sure many of us are feeling more confident than before.

 

Things have changed through the years, what used cost in material went from $100 to $500 but the panels and parts available have increased to make it easier. 3M came out with a panel bond, have not had a chance to try it but manufacturers use it all the time. I bought a used race car trailer that was wrecked for the Sprint Car we ran and I'll tell you the side sheets had screws at the time and plenty of them.... Never shy away from something new and do not cut corners, it will come back to haunt you.

The Dodge I pictured is sentimental, I knew that truck from time it unloaded off the car carrier which a friend of mine ordered, he has since passed away. The rims are from Art Hill Inc out of California and the only set of Aluminum rims sold in Ohio, the truck never saw the pavement in stock form, the brush guard, rims and roll bar are from 1979. I found the truck and you could throw a dog through most of the panels, the hood is original. Time & patience

 

Check this guy on youtube... ...if you need advise or inspiration. _ Tony.