Tools need for metal work.

[Zymurgy]

I am going to try my hand at metal work. I was wondering what additional tools I should buy to make my life easier. What I am planning to do is to cut out and replace metal on my work van for practice. I can buy patch panels, so my metal shaping class I took last winter won't be need, too much.

Here is what I already have. MIG welder, basic hand shaping tools (hammer and dollies), I have a compressor and have a 3" disc style metal cutting air tool, and grinder.

What else would you guy recommend? Bind grip holders (size?), magnets, flange/hole punch tool. Any books or videos?

 

[72Fury]

I like this to cut metal. Far easier with no sparks flying.
http://www.eastwood.com/electric-metal-cutting-shears.html

 

[1970cat]

magnets and weld thru primer.

 

[Zymurgy]

magnets and weld thru primer.

What is the advantage of the weld thru primer? Is it just to keep the metal from rusting until it is painted? It made me think of, where do you use seam sealer? Any particular brand I know there is 3M stuff.

 

[67Monaco]

Lancaster style shrinker/stretcher you'll never know how much you can use it until you own one.

1/8" clecos. It makes things sooooo much easier.

I used these just to hang the quarter panel in place. New bridges and holes were used when I tightened up the gap for welding. Works just as well for patches.

Lazze's video on clecos and the bridges;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGY3LhCH-7s


Pick up old files at yard sales, I place them into the coals of the grill and let them soak for a few hours to anneal them. Once annealed they can be bent really easy to make slappers.

One of the electric throatless shears is what I use. Make a mount so it can be clamped to a workbench or stand and they are terrific. I'll get a picture of mine out tomorrow as the mount is much simpler than this one, but same general idea
Like this;



Layout fluid, Dykem, makes seeing your lines easier on the metal.

 

[1970cat]

weld thru primer is either a zinc or copper infused primer that will not burn off with the heat from welding. spray it on the back side of whatever you are welding (areas that are not accessible after they are welded).

 

[Zymurgy]

Great stuff thanks everyone.

 

[67Monaco]

Also forgot to mention two things that made an immediate difference when welding sheet metal. An auto-darkening helmet with the largest viewing window I could find. There was one made by Kobalt I liked better than the ones at the local welding shop and at a decent price. I haven't seen them around lately but this is the model, http://www.lowes.com/pd_396400-4712...L=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=


Second thing, when tacking or stitching, I clip the mig wire for each pull of the trigger. I find it gives a more consistent and controllable arc. Yes it wastes mig wire to the tune of 1/4" to 1/2" for every tack but it saves much more in time etc by not having to deal with blowing holes through the seam.



Thirdly find inspiration in posts like these, 72 pages of goodness;
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6251

 

[commando1]

You need one of these too. Indispensable.

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[MrMoparCHP]

One thing I like about Harbor Freight is they are inexpensive, for the price a quality tools ypou can buy half a dozen Harbar Freight ones and still be ahead. It als alows you to have different bits, or pads and not need to keep swapping bits.

Cut off
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-high-speed-air-cutter-47077.html
Get the thinnest wheels, I think these are them, I have had good luck with them.
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-10-3-inch-cut-off-wheels-for-metal-44812.html

Also (not cheep) but I did my full car with only one package. thick wheel.
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...ff-Grinding-Wheels-3-/_/R-MMM01991_0006436638

Angle tool
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-angle-die-grinder-32046.html
Twist lock arbor
http://www.harborfreight.com/complete-sanding-disc-kit-43029.html

Body chisel
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200337331_200337331


I could go on but that was my common ones.


Alan

 

[commando1]

Harbor Freight: The store that everyone loves to hate but hate not to go to.

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[Zymurgy]

Also forgot to mention two things that made an immediate difference when welding sheet metal. An auto-darkening helmet with the largest viewing window I could find. There was one made by Kobalt I liked better than the ones at the local welding shop and at a decent price. I haven't seen them around lately but this is the model, http://www.lowes.com/pd_396400-4712...L=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=


Second thing, when tacking or stitching, I clip the mig wire for each pull of the trigger. I find it gives a more consistent and controllable arc. Yes it wastes mig wire to the tune of 1/4" to 1/2" for every tack but it saves much more in time etc by not having to deal with blowing holes through the seam.



Thirdly find inspiration in posts like these, 72 pages of goodness;
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6251

Really useful stuff. My cousin has one of the self dimming welders helmet. I have used it a couple of times and love it. Thanks for the tacking tip that is definitely the area I need help in too. My cousin is a good welder but has never welded up body panels it always something thicker.

Thanks for sharing the link too. Some really amazing work posted there. I going to put that in my favorites folder.

 

[patrick66]

Harbor Freight: The store that everyone loves to hate but hate not to go to.

Posted via Topify on Android

I have not stepped inside a Harbor Fright store in nearly ten years, after the debacle on a hand truck I got from them that folded under 220# of load (rated allegedly for 800#)...I'll spend the money ONCE for quality tools at another store, versus buying the cheap $hit from HF. My life, limbs, and other appendages are worth a lot more to me than going cheap at HF.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

That bridge idea with the colecos is great can't believe I have never seen, heard, or thought of that, now I feel like a dummy thank you for that. Butt weld clamps work but need a helper practically and on a blind piece forget it. Shrinker/stretcher is my next purchase before I get into the window areason my charger.

 

[tallhair]

get a needle scaler for descaling and removing undercoating / rust / paint etc

 

[70bigblockdodge]

B.F.H. and a cutting torch.........just kidding but sometimes?

 

[tallhair]

ah yes the blue and or hot wrench

 

[monaco75]

Alan, Thanks for the link to those grinding wheels!! Might have to pick up a set. I've been going through a bunch of the local lowes wheels. They seem to last a lot longer then the Home depot ones lol.

Hate to admit it, but I love me some harbor freight.... I wont buy heavy duty, or precision tools from them, but for the everyday stuff just cant beat it.

I feel like a hickabilly now, after seeing all these nice tools people have, and are using. Sh$t I've been doing all my work with hand sheers, a 1.5inch steel tube, a couple long pieces of 1inch metal stock, clamps, and bare hands, aside from the grinder, and cut off tool lol. Its funny how useful some stuff is when forming pieces. I need to get a shrinker/stretcher when the time comes for my window channel as well.

 

[1970cat]

the silver cut-off tool from harbor freight is good. i've used and abused the one i have for several years. i would suggest the 3m green 1/8" wheels. they are pricey but last longer than most and i haven't had one explode yet. the body saw is another story. i've tried two and they were both junk. the blade would jam and not reciprocate. don't forget to oil your air tools.

 

[67Monaco]

the body saw is another story. i've tried two and they were both junk. the blade would jam and not reciprocate.

Aye. I've gone to using a compact sawzall for the task, Porter Cable tiger cub. It works well for the task.

Really useful stuff. My cousin has one of the self dimming welders helmet. I have used it a couple of times and love it. Thanks for the tacking tip that is definitely the area I need help in too. My cousin is a good welder but has never welded up body panels it always something thicker.

Have him setup the rig for 3/16", maybe 1/4" then use two coupons with very little gap in between. Short stick out less than 1/4" and just blip the trigger, about 1/2 a second should do it for tacking. I used this as practice til I could join the two coupons of sheetmetal without blowing through. Should get good penetration and small HAZ. May have to dink with it a little bit and it's scary at first going in so hot. Took about a weeks worth of practice to nail it and I'm a hack, so a pro should get it no problem.

Page 23 of that link I posted would have the technique demonstrated. It 'aint quick that's for sure.