Some tools you need, some you just want
Some you can make, others you have to buy.
One of the most important tools to buy is a good Dremel type tool.
The Black & Decker Wizard I picked up on clearance for $15. It is easy to use and the switch is easier to use than the Craftsman I have.
I picked up a Black & Decker RTX and it is the best I have found. It is the fastest and easiest when changing bits a lot. It is the orange one on the right.
The Black & Decker Wizard I picked up on clearance for $15. It is easy to use and the switch is easier to use than the Craftsman I have.
I picked up a Black & Decker RTX and it is the best I have found. It is the fastest and easiest when changing bits a lot. It is the orange one on the right.
Pick up a polishing kit for your dremel tool too. This is especially handy if you want to try to get the SpectraFlame look. With it you can polish a car to a mirror finish. I use Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish. I also have a big polishing wheel on a bench grinder but it tends to sling cars across the room and I do have been injured from it ripping the car out of my hand. The polishing wheel on a dremel is much safer.
Get a good solid pair of needle nose pliers.
The scissors I use are hobby scissors for doing the lexan bodies on radio control cars. They are strong enough to use on thick plastic pieces, windows, and even the thin sheet metal I use for making some body panels.
The jewelers pliers are great for bending small parts and wire. They run about $5 in the hobby section of Walmart.
The scissors I use are hobby scissors for doing the lexan bodies on radio control cars. They are strong enough to use on thick plastic pieces, windows, and even the thin sheet metal I use for making some body panels.
The jewelers pliers are great for bending small parts and wire. They run about $5 in the hobby section of Walmart.
A small set of files is a must to clean up casting lines and shaping the body parts when you cut and bond parts back together. They are also fairly cheap to buy. Some emery boards for doing fingernails are also a good thing to have.
Sandpaper.
Get grits from 220 all the way to 1500. I get my 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 from an auto parts store. It isn't expensive and a sheet goes a long way. When I use the 1000 and 1500 I dip it in water. Wet sanding takes the dust and paint off the work. It also rinses it out of the paper when you dip it in the water.
Get grits from 220 all the way to 1500. I get my 600, 800, 1000, and 1500 from an auto parts store. It isn't expensive and a sheet goes a long way. When I use the 1000 and 1500 I dip it in water. Wet sanding takes the dust and paint off the work. It also rinses it out of the paper when you dip it in the water.
A real handy little tool is a spot sander. Great for doing small areas like headlights or in the corners by the fenders. BE CAREFUL! This uses glass strands. It will get on you and cause irritation if you aren't careful. You can pick these up in auto parts stores too.
You will need some clamps to hold parts while they are bonding. I like these because they have rubber on the jaws. I also use a lot of tape, rubber bands, and even super glue to hold things together while the JB Weld sets up.
Watch the garage sales and clearance sales for a small vise. It is a lot safer when you are cutting cars apart to put them in a vise. It is also easier to keep from messing something up because you will have a solid base to work from. This one is great because the jaws have rubber sleeves and it opens far enough for any custom project you will do.
A good sized toolbox is a must. I find that a tackle box works great for holding the tools and the extra parts you are saving for another custom. I like the tackle box because it gives me a lot of small compartments for dremel bits, wheels, engines, etc. I don't have to dig through pies of parts to find what I need.
If you have the money to spend this is one of the best tools to cut down your work time if you are doing cutting and fitting. It is a Hobby sander. I got mine at Woodworkers Wharehouse. It is amazing just how much easier and faster this makes your customizing. Be sure to keep a bowl of water close to dip the car in because it will get hot enough to burn your fingers.
I use epoxy, JB Weld, QuikSteel (you work it like clay), and glazing putty doing customs. Don't forget super glue and tape also.
If you want to bake your paint on a car you can stick the car in your oven(can you say "overkill"?) or for $10 you can build a handy little baking oven. Take a 1 lb coffee can and cut the bottom out. once the car is painted set the can over it and set a shop light over it. BE CARFUL!
IT GETS HOT! Use some common sense if you do this and do not burn down the house.
IT GETS HOT! Use some common sense if you do this and do not burn down the house.
