Tools, Tools, Tools

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is about the tools required for this project. The kit makers say that most of the build can be done by what one would normally have in your garage. Well, maybe, but having the exactly right, high quality tools seems pretty critical already.

So I decided to go through the manual and identify all of the tools that would be required for the build, according to their minimalist approach. Here is a listing of part of that spreadsheet:

Body Support Brace
Magnetic Base Rotary Angle Guage
Drill
Clamps
POR 15 or similar frame treatment
Socket
Open end wrench
Jack stands
RTV - black
Grease
Torque wrench
Rubber mallet
Floor jack
Vise
Anti-sieze lubricant
9/16 x 18 tap
propane torch
1 7/8" Chrysler ball joint socket
loc-tite
small pipe cutter
small hammer
5/16 nut driver
thread locker
duct tape
fuel safe gasket sealant
36" of 3/8" fuel line
5/8 clamp for 3/8" fuel line
wire stripper/utility knife
solder or crimp tool
masking tape
file
riveting tool
glass cleaner
silver silicone
allen wrenches
3/8" brake tool
45 degree flaring tool
wire cutters, wire crimpers
X-acto knife
hack saw
1 3/4" hole saw

I am finding that while I did have some of these things already, they may not be adequate. For instance, my portable drill is a 15.6 volt Craftsman and the bits I had were primarily meant for drilling into wood, not steel, and tend to be on the small side. Drilling the 3/8" holes for the windshield was a MAJOR PITA. Nathan and I both took turns starting with a small pilot hole and pressing as hard as we could, go very slowly. Eventually we went to Sears and bought their top of the line drill bit, made of cobalt, and designed for cutting into steel. It still was very exhausting and slow, but we did manage to get them drilled. Still, I was not expecting to spend $11 for a drill bit that I thought I had, and am wondering now if I will have to buy all new ones for the rest of the holes, about 10 different sizes. We are going to try a different drill next time too, Nathan's 18V DeWalt, to see if it will work any easier.

The bottom line is that I am pretty quickly thinking that my $600 tool budget may be too low. There are some things that most people have that I do not--a protractor, a wet/dry shop vac, a big rubber mallet, etc. And the sizes and materials I am using on this project are a little different, too. Larger wrenches and sockets are needed, for instance, that were not in my normal household tool kit. Harbor Freight is having a big sale this weekend, and I will probably try to load up on some things.

Two things I won't be buying are the biggest dollar items--the 3/8" and 1/2" torque wrenches. That is because I received them as a gift from my dear Sue. They are two gorgeous Craftsman's that are suppose to be the easiest ones to use out there. Special thanks to her and to Kim for getting them for me. I can't wait to use them in chapter 4.

For now, I have removed the trunk lid, the hood, the doors, the dash, front and rear quick jacks, and the side bolts in the cockpit holding the body on. I still need to get the rollbars off so we can remove the body to storage and expose the frame. I have Nathan and Phil coming over on Thursday and hope we can get that done then. First, I need a BFH (big freakin hammer) for the rollbars, and for the snow to melt. Oh, I also had to shore up the shelf on the body buck as it was sagging.