Hi,
This time I’m going to give you some advice about obtaining tools for pennies.
If you are new to panelbeating and spraying you won’t know what tools you need and what they look like. I’ve copied some pictures from the Machine Mart Catalogue to give you an idea what’s out there and how much they cost new:
The first set is the cheapest but fibre glass shafts can break without warning whilst the second has hickory shafts which are the better option.
Snap On, Mac Tools, Sealey, all sell panel beating tools but as the quality improves so does the price.
The dollies you can see are the ‘Comma’ dolly, ‘Heel’ dolly, ‘General Purpose ‘dolly and ‘Utility’ dolly. What they don’t show you is the most used ‘Toe’ dolly, and at this stage all you will need is a Pick and Finishing Hammer(that’s the one with a point at one end)and a ‘Toe Dolly’:
Unfortunately, and as an indicator of its usefulness, Machine Mart don’t sell one and the cheapest on the internet is around £20 – £30.
Spray Guns abound and I’ve included a page from the Machine Mart catalogue to show you a few of the choices:
You can just about make out the prices of between £20 – £30, however, I spotted this at a car boot sale just recently:
It was spotlessly clean and was going for a fiver.
Which brings me back to the point of this blog – toolkits for pennies.
Car Boot sales, Yard sales, Jumble sales, auctions all sell assorted boxes of tools. As an example:
The first thing you must have is a toolbox. There are many sorts of toolboxes but as this is the about saving money I’m going to start with the most basic –
The Plastic Toolbox
This type of toolbox can be purchased new for about £6 – £10 depending on size and sometimes comes with an interior tray.
Then there’s the cantilever toolbox. This one seen at a car boot sale even comes with a set of tools:
This is my Snap on Top Box I bought new 30 years ago at a price that would make your eyes water even today, but I was offered one the other day at an auction for less than £100. You’ll see cheaper versions around with the same features, a lift up lid and front with drawers inside and a tool tray:
A lockable box is a good start.
The basic point of all this is you can get tools for next to nothing but you have to know what you’re looking for and what you are going to need. If you see a toe dolly at a car boot sale be prepared to pay at least a fiver for it but you could get it for a song. Spray guns should cost no more than a few pounds unless they are Devilbiss, which are quality.
If you are going to be spraying then you’ll need a compressor. I saw an excellent compressor at Aldi a few weeks ago. It produced 9cfm(cubic foot a minute) priced under £90. You’ll need at least 6cfm for spraying or air tools. A bargain as it came with an air line and a few tools.
I purchased a Mig Welder at auction a few weeks ago for £50:
Yes, it was a Snap On. After some TLC, a new liner, earth cable and a few bits and pieces it is working well. I shudder to think what it cost new but it had reached the stage where it was unusable to its previous owner. Look for bargains like this but only if they are within your capacity to fix what’s wrong, or if you have a mate that can!!
Pliers, snips, hammers, files, the list is endless but the golden rule is look for a makers name. If it was made in Germany or Sheffield it should be good even if it has been abused; chisels can be resharpened, as can drills and screwdrivers. Old tools are priceless because you can’t get quality new tools nowadays without paying a fortune for them. There’s a lot of mass produced rubbish out there that isn’t worth owning.
As my blog develops I will be introducing you to the different sorts of tools you will need and how to use them. Start going to car boot sales now and get that toolbox. You’ll need it.