Metalworking Tools
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
Metalworking Tools
I'll begin repairing my birdcage and floorpans in the next week or so. I already have a welder. I'll be needing to make patches for both the floor and birdcage - specifically where the seat belt retractor bolts to the floor and the lower windshield corner, where the front clip attaches to. Which tools do I need to make patch panels? Ball peen hammer? Anvil? I have a nice die grinder and electric makita grinder as well. I'm talking sheet metal patches, not frame rail patches. Please, I am in need of opinions of the tools which I will need...there are so many choices.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
A good vise, assorted sizes of heavy pipe for radius bends, and a small sheet metal brake. And a good set of aviation tinsnips, left, straight and right. Should get you started..
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Ocala FL
Metalwork is more art and practice than science.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
In addition to those mentioned above;
- Hand Brake
- Punch and Flange tool unless you're doing all butt weld seams
- Lots of wide jaw vise grips
- Lots of those magnetic triangle things
- Copper Spoons for backing up butt welds
- Harbor Freight shear http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92115 This is the best thing for cutting blanks out of sheet stock.
- Right Angle Grinder and Straight Cutoff Wheel
- Eastwood Spotweld cutter
- Hand Brake
- Punch and Flange tool unless you're doing all butt weld seams
- Lots of wide jaw vise grips
- Lots of those magnetic triangle things
- Copper Spoons for backing up butt welds
- Harbor Freight shear http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92115 This is the best thing for cutting blanks out of sheet stock.
- Right Angle Grinder and Straight Cutoff Wheel
- Eastwood Spotweld cutter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I did just fine with my 4" grinder/cutoff and my big Chinese anvil.
Cheap money.
Get some flap disks for the grinder - for final cleanup welded seams.
Yeah - the magnets are key - need a few of those at a minimum.
Cheap money.
Get some flap disks for the grinder - for final cleanup welded seams.
Yeah - the magnets are key - need a few of those at a minimum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I used a 4" cutoff wheel, jig saw with metal blades, 3lb short handle sledge, a big vice with anvil and a piece of carpet to shape the inside bends. I used the vice, hammer and large flat chisel to form the bead for the glass on the lower WS frame corner.
I didn't have ANY sheetmetal experience, but I cut a pattern out of cardboard and went from there.
I didn't have ANY sheetmetal experience, but I cut a pattern out of cardboard and went from there.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Everett WA
I've built entire cars with a die grinder, hammer, vice grips, and a vice. Cut, bend and hold are the absolute essentials. Everything else makes life easier and nicer but is not necissary. If you have the money, a plasma cutter is the most wonderful piece of equipment ever made. I'll never go back. It makes clean percise cuts in no time. Surgical removal of old metal is a easy.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
really you need just cutting tools and a variety of hammers......use carboard and fabricate your pieces in metal after making a mock up of it in card board.....and remember you can weld things together as well as beat them into submission