Tools and equipments

[NeilW]

Finally about to start preparations for my build.
Its took some time to convince the missus but now she's on board.
Before i go and spend ££££'s on tools and equipments i thought id ask if anyone has any ideas for what is essential and what is a nice to have (consider low budget)

Also does anyone have an old build table laying around ;)
A mig welder and magnetic brackets for loan would also be nice.

Thanks guys

[TalonMotorFabrication]

whao whaoo whaooo there fella the books called 'build your own sports car on a budget' not 'build a car for free' although that thought seems most appealing....
Christmas is fast approaching and now is the ideal time to learn about a new skill called 'tool acquisition through family grooming' not as nasty as it sounds but it does work!
Lesson one
When asked 'erm any ideas what you might want for Christmas/Birthday/I've won a few hundred on the lottery (it could happen :D) your answer should not be 'I'll have a £600 welder please' your answer is 'I've been thinking of buying a £200 welder...but if every body gave me money I could buy a better one for £300-400..... ok it involves you putting in your own money but it takes the sting out of the price.
Lesson two
With your new 'present' you can do all those MOT welding jobs for friends/family, make that new garden gate, weld the bed back together where you stood on it to change that light bulb (just me then?) etc etc

So far with this method I now have most of the hand tools and even a 200amp TIG in the workshop arsenal.

You should already have:
2t trolly jack + axle stands
rachet sockets
spanners
big Ammer
side cutters
bucket of WD40/KY jelly for nuts and bolts
oil drain kit
rubber/latex + rigger work gloves

To hire/borrow
engine crane and understanding second pair of hands... good mate/very understanding GF/Wife best of luck with one!

you will need
150amp minimum mig buy the best you can afford even if it's second hand it will make a difference trust me!
auto darken welding mask ideal Christmas present!
welding gaunlets/gloves
4-5 inch angle grinder + 60-80 grit flap disks, don't buy the cheapest you can find BUY GOOGLES!!!!
2-3ft sprit level table needs to be level front to back left to right it will help when you start to make things vertical and horizontal on your chassis
decent tape measure or better still 1mtr stainless steel rule
A quick 10min conversation with your neighbours either side of you, tell them you are building a kit car, there WILL be noise at times and yes it will stop after 2-3 or 36 weeks :D

[twinturbo]

There is a guy on here somwhere :p that does ready built chassis, saves the cost of the MIG, build table, cutting tool/media ;) and you get the tricky bit out of the way.

After that there is not much needed special tool wise. Rivit gun, rivnut fitter, brake pipe flare and bender..

TT

[NeilW]

Love the response Phil! Dear santa....
Me thinks that i will convince the wife to list all the odd jobs that require a moderate amount of metal work, followed by 'the old stick welder just isn't enough to do the job, i will have to go buy a bigger one'.

[TalonMotorFabrication]

There is a guy on here somwhere :p that does ready built chassis, saves the cost of the MIG, build table, cutting tool/media ;) and you get the tricky bit out of the way.

TT

SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! don't tell him that for christ sake!
I want a few days off in January to play with some thing other than 25x25 sodding box section....I'm thinking of some thing more relaxing like GRP and filler!

[NeilW]

Tbh i considered a ready made chassis, but due to the financials that one came off the list.
Unless Phil is going to do a special...ahem

[TalonMotorFabrication]

Stop it, stop it now!
Goading me in to selling things cheaper than I want to does'nt work till there is a quiet period with very little work and it's usually 3-4 weeks before Donny and Stone.... oh look there's a squirrel in the garden.

[Davidbolam]

Tbh i considered a ready made chassis, but due to the financials that one came off the list.
Unless Phil is going to do a special...ahem

Hi Neil

I am over in Newcastle if you need any help at any point. I have an engine crane you are welcome to borrow at any point. That will save you a few quid!

When the weather gets better if you want a spin lets know. My folks are from Sunderland so I'm over there fairly often in it.

David

[K4KEV]

Hi Neil and fellow makem it wont take you long to want it off a build table and when you do make sure to invest in a pair of good trestles, believe me it makes life a lot easier .....a decent mig welder should be top of your list and try for the biggest bottle of gas you can get......good luck and look forward to watching you progress
I could have given you a taster in mine but it is off the road now until March/April.

[NeilW]

Cheers kev, yeah it's been a while in the planning.
Had a nightmare moving back to the UK but all done now. Will certainly look forward to April for a ride.

Yeah David that would be great, pm me your contact number and i will get in touch. Cheers

[skov]

Tbh i considered a ready made chassis, but due to the financials that one came off the list.


By the time you've paid for your steel, welder, gas, welding wire, build table, grinding discs, etc etc, there's really not that much in it.

[Davidbolam]

Cheers kev, yeah it's been a while in the planning.
Had a nightmare moving back to the UK but all done now. Will certainly look forward to April for a ride.

Yeah David that would be great, pm me your contact number and i will get in touch. Cheers

The best way is to message me on here and it will come to my emails pm sent with no as well

Where in Sunderland are you?

[MikeB]

Good luck with the build. The expenses do at up. A couple of 100 a month over a couple of years. Always vary when people start on a shoestring, if you have a long term view you will get there.

[flyerncle]

Ditto the above and if you are stuck I run a garage in Gateshead.;)

[NeilW]

Thanks for the offer mate, well i have just ordered the chassis and base plates today. Just wait for the delivery and clear the garage out ready.. :)
Then continue the hunt for donor cars

[Davidbolam]

Thanks for the offer mate, well i have just ordered the chassis and base plates today. Just wait for the delivery and clear the garage out ready.. :)
Then continue the hunt for donor cars

What type of donor are you going to use? MX5 or Sierra?

David

[NeilW]

Mx5 route. Hopefully will secure the donor soon

[twinturbo]

Thanks for the offer mate, well i have just ordered the chassis and base plates today. Just wait for the delivery and clear the garage out ready.. :)
Then continue the hunt for donor cars

So you building from tube or gettingn the full chassis?

TT

[NeilW]

Just building from tubes, phils flat pack stuff.

[Davidbolam]

Mx5 route. Hopefully will secure the donor soon

I bought a donor from here. I have gone down the mx5 route so if you need a hand or want to see how I've done things let me know. I found a company in rowlands gill who dismantle and race mx5s

They have been invaluable during my build

http://www.akautomotive-mx5.co.uk

[alga]

Tbh i considered a ready made chassis, but due to the financials that one came off the list.
Unless Phil is going to do a special...ahem

Building a chassis is a satisfying and educational experience. All you need is a steel chop saw, an angle grinder (two would be better: one with a cutting disk, another with a flap disk), and a MIG welder, and some magnets, clamps, and that's about it. The steel stock made up around 2% of the cost of my project. Shipping costs for various bits and pieces were considerably more.

If you trade the price of the MIG for a ready-made chassis, remember that you won't be able to make your own engine legs, wishbones, wing stays, etc.