1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

5 Must have tools for restoring?

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Chuck, May 7, 2005.

  1. Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    I would like to increase my tool/equipment inventory to help ease the restoration project I have now and the many others that are planned. I would like the members to offer their thoughts on what would be the most useful tools/equipment for full restoration projects.

    Excluding these tools:
    * Mechanics tools set
    * Compressor with impact gun and ratchet
    * Floor jack and stands
    * Engine hoist and stand
    * Mig welder

    In order of importance please list your next 5 must have tools/equipment, feel free to add more. Thanks in advance for your help.
     
  2. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    4" angle grinder with cut off wheels and wire wheel
    Bench Grinder w/ wire wheel
    Dremel with assortment of bits
    Garage sink
     
  3. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    1. money.
    2. more money.
    3. a long pipe + breaker bar
    4. someone to help you
    5. some kind of welder
    6. what mike said.
     
  4. duke54

    duke54 Member

    :beer: :beer: and more :beer:
     
  5. Old Bill

    Old Bill Aggressively passive....

    Not really in order of importance, I just kind of acquired as I needed....

    1...4" angle grinder. All kinds of wheels available for that...cutting, stripping, grinding, sanding, wire wheel, etc.

    2...Hydrualic press. You will thank yourself.

    3...eletrical tools. Wire stripper, crimper, assorted terminal ends, soldering gun, etc.

    4...Measuring devices. Good graduated steel ruler, dial calipers, and dial indicators. I prefer digital, but any will do to help set up the transfer case and diffs. Calipers are a very easy way to compare bearings, bolts, holes, etc.

    5...Drill press. Get one that will hold a 1/2" bit. You will thank yourself.

    6...Good set of taps and dies.

    7...Large/heavy bench vise. And bolt it to something SOLID. Can double as press for smaller items. You will thank yourself.

    8...Good assortment of band aides. :D

    HTH
     
  6. tallyjeeper

    tallyjeeper Member

    1) A large bank account
    2) Lots of :beer:
    3) 4" angle grinder w/ an assortment of wheels
    4) A large, heavy duty bench vice mounted to a very secure surface
    5) 24" breaker bar and an additional piece of pipe for extra leverage
    6) Many, many, many gallons of Blaster,WD40, etc.
    7) A computer in the garage, so you can ask these guys questions while you work.
    8 ) Lots of patience!

    and most importantly..........


    9) Have fun ;) !
     
  7. Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    So far the first tool of choice is the 4” angle grinder with an assortment of wheels, 3 for 3.
     
  8. SandhillMike

    SandhillMike Moderator

    sandblaster
    BFH
    electric and pnumatic sanders
    vibrating small parts cleaner (like rock polisher)
    bolt outs/easy outs
     
    Ray Hogan likes this.
  9. schardein

    schardein Low Range Therapy

    Good bench vise
    Bench grinder/wire wheel
    Dremel w/assorted bits

    Uhhhhhhh.....nobody has mentioned a good tap and die set

    and I assume you have a good torque wrench...maybe it's just me, but I actually use mine to torque my wheels to 65 lbsft every time I rotate tires. Click-type snap-on.

    That's five, used 'em all this morning assembling my new motor.
     
  10. air-powered cutoff tool.
     
  11. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    what vanguard said
    oxy/act torch set
    air chisel
    hole saws
    the time to do it all
     
  12. kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Jeep maintenance manual
    Jeep parts manual
    safety glasses

    Impact wrench
    air compressor
    jack and jack stands
     
  13. JZ

    JZ Member

    What Mike said. (Hint, do not insert finger into running die grinder...)

    In hind sight, my Jeep restoration project has been a good excuse to purchase more and more tools.
     
  14. Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Great, I've seen 10 items mentioned I don't already own.

    Mike B. I have the sink just have to install the plumbing. Thad, bought a slide type Caliper last week at Sears. :)
     
  15. Jeep Friends! :beer:
     
  16. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Not really tools...but things I just assume..

    - Good lighting
    - Lots of workbench space
    - Lots of power outlets
    - Retractable trouble light in garage center
    - Music
     
  17. jeepguy616

    jeepguy616 New Member

    1.a few dozen tape measures (I loose alot of them)
    2.Dust mask or resiperator (if you paint or grind bondo)
    3.Combination square
    4.fully stocked fridge with your preffered bevarage of choice :D
    5.a full face sheild for grinding (metal in the eye sucks)
    Im sure theres more. May not be a top five list but all pretty important for the stuff I do.
    Also another vote for a 4 inch angle grinder
     
  18. 73cj5

    73cj5 Member

    1) Creeper
    2) Big Hammer 5+ Lbs
    3) Torches
    3) Mig welder
    4) Grinder
    5) Complete set of hand tools
     
  19. 66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    multiple 5" grinders (1 w/grinding wheel, 1 w/flap wheel and 1 w/wire wheel)
    1/2" impact
    3/4" socket set w/impact
    cordless drill
    plasma cutter
    power hacksaw
     
  20. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    1) torch set up
    2) parts cleaner
    3) blast cabinets are nice
    4) tap and die set
    5) whatever drill bit one uses to drill spot welds (hint,HELP here :mad: )

    4 of these 5 were missing on my first build, 2 still remain missing from the arsenal, 1 of 3 JEEPs is currently operational

    Good luck.