Must have tools...

[71datsunZ]

What tools are absolute must haves when restoring a car?

I have a lot but I want to round out my collection for my birthday.. so far I was thinking of getting these

Angle grinder

Ball pein hammer

and a punch

What else can I add to the list?

[biddljj]

Do you own:

Compressor

Floor Jack

Jack Stands

Metric and American socket sets

Welder

[71datsunZ]

Dont own the welder yet... I was going to wait for my next project to buy that one. I am having the welding done on my Z by someone else. Next project will be all me though.

I have the rest of the stuff though

[mlc240z]

if you have a good compressor, first addon tool should be an impact wrench.

handy as hell and you probably won't ever snap a rusty bolt again.

[71datsunZ]

the compressor I have is pretty small.. i dont know if it could power air tools.. I guess I could try though

[mlc240z]

just noticed central nj.

what town are you in, Chris?

[71datsunZ]

Not too far from you... im in Piscataway.. you have an aol screen name I could talk to you on?

[240znz]

Digital camera.

Clear plastic ziplock bags of various sizes.

Permanent marker (fine tip).

Take images from all angles before taking any part off you car no matter how easy to remember it is.

Put all parts in plastic bags with the date they were removed.

Store all digital images of your parts in a folder on your PC with title set to the same date as that of the part in the bag. That way you will be able to take that "what part is that" to you PC and check where it was on the car.

You'll be amazed just how hard it is to recognise some parts after a year being in bags.

All electrical connections label as well. Just put a letter on each pair of connectors.

[71datsunZ]

Labeling is one thing I made sure I did =)

Right now the car is totally stripped and the body work is being done at a shop.

The engine was taken out someplace and its coming to my house tomorrow and im going to clean it up so I can put it back inside the car when its ready for it.

Hopefully I will do alright putting it back together. I cleaned out the garage today so I can work on the engine pretty easily.

After not working on it for months im really excited to get going on it again

With this project I am outsourcing a lot of the work because I dont really know what im doing. I learned a lot on this project and I am seeing how some of the other stuff is done. My next project should be done completely by me. Should be a lot cheaper that way =)

[mlc240z]

Not too far from you... im in Piscataway.. you have an aol screen name I could talk to you on?

sorry, no aol.

but one of these days we should meet up to swap stories and hints.

[71datsunZ]

sounds good... im a beginner with this stuff though =(

Whats the story behind your z?

[beandip]

What tools are absolute must haves when restoring a car?

I have a lot but I want to round out my collection for my birthday.. so far I was thinking of getting these

Angle grinder

Ball pein hammer

and a punch

What else can I add to the list?

If your angel grinder is air powered you will need a decent compressor. I have a small one that has two cylinders . The kind for running a number of nailers . I will not power even a small die grinder for more than about 30 seconds. If you are thinking of spraying any primer or paint . Buy once and get a good one . Get the set of hammers , you will use all three at some point. Harbor Freight sells a body kit for around $20.00 that has the dollies and body hammers . This is also a good place to find the air tools to. The tools they carry are not up to professional grade , but for the average person they are great. I have a angle die grinder that I have used a ton . It was only about $9.00 when it goes gunny sack I will just toss it and get a new one. Gary