Essential Workshop Tools

JohnM70 · Aug 2, 2015

Having started the re-build of my 110, I am left wondering where all my tools went - I had a selection of them but they seem to have all vanished and I can only find 2 of my Snap On metric spanners - I had a whole set at one point - so, tool storage is sorted as just ordered a Sealey Top Box.

This one:

It's fine for what I need and will add a roll cab at some stage - if it stops tools escaping it's worth it!

I'm also thinking that I should probably invest in either an air compressor or welder (or both!) as I plan to do the spraying myself - have done it before with good results - not too sure on the welding TBH, as would need to learn, but for small stuff, I think I can do it.

So, air compressor - 3hp 50L thing should do for basic air tools & spraying?
Mig - I have a cylinder I picked up some time ago, so what's an ideal size welder?

If you were doing a restoration / workshop job, what else would you get?

owl · Aug 2, 2015

I have a 50ltr 3 hp compressor and TBH it can only supply a small spray gun for about 5 mins and then the pressure starts dropping, I have just purchased an Ingersol Rand 20 cfm with a big tank for spraying. Also the small compressor won't run my impact nut gun flat out either. It is a quality little compressor, but the tank is to small and the built in pressure regulator doesn't flow enough to run my nut gun.
As for a welder, get a 185 amp job, it will do anything on a Land Rover.

Brown · Aug 3, 2015

I've got a 3 HP 50 litre compressor I got at one of those VAT free days at Machine Mart. I don't find it too bad in terms of its capacity. The other advantage is that I can lift it single handed and get it in the back of the Land Rover with room to spare for other tools. Maybe for continuous use a larger tank would be better, but working single handed I don't tend to have my finger on the trigger continuously so the motor has time to catch up. If I did a lot of grit blasting, I'd probably need a bigger one.

People on here seem to think very highly of the Portamig range of welders. I might treat myself to one one day. A bit dearer than the budget Machine Mart models but very good apparently. If you've got a lot to do, it's worth paying attention to the duty cycle claims as I seem to remember spending most of my youth waiting for welders to cool down when I had a big job on.

owl · Aug 4, 2015

I have a Portamig 185 and they are very good, Swedish wire feed and Brit transformer + quality switches. I made a Series Chassis from scratch with it and must say you do have to take your time, it never cut out but the quality of weld drops of after a few feet of weld and it is best to stop and let it cool. Though the same goes for the chassis, best to do a bit and then let it cool to avoid distortion.

chrisstdt · Aug 4, 2015

Horeses for courses realy ,i have a 50 ltr compressor and it wont realy power my impact gun and its not big enough for large spray jobs so if you can id go for a 100 ltr if you dont plan on moving it about much
And if it were me id be very peed off if id lost almost a full set of snap on spanners !

doriz · Aug 4, 2015

chrisstdt said:
Horeses for courses realy ,i have a 50 ltr compressor and it wont realy power my impact gun and its not big enough for large spray jobs so if you can id go for a 100 ltr if you dont plan on moving it about much
And if it were me id be very peed off if id lost almost a full set of snap on spanners !

+1 I used to have air tools and spray guns when I restored a triumph and the 50 Litre was frustrating, buy a 100 or better.

huffhuff · Aug 4, 2015

Couple of buckets of patience? A few litres of sweat? A box of swear words? A whole packet of bloody blisters? More knocks and bruises than you could possibly need?

waldershelf · Aug 4, 2015

And a good selection of hammers my favourite is a Thor size 3 with one hide face and one copper face, for the delicate jobs. For the more serious stuff a 7lb sledge is just the job. I've been working on Land Rovers for so long I can swing it with one hand.

wattfield · Aug 4, 2015

I know exactly where my tools are.
Some of them are in the kitchen, some in the back of the Landy, but mostly they're on the garage floor.

chris7 · Aug 5, 2015

A decent trolley Jack, plenty of axle stands, an Engine crane, ALL the imperial or metric spanners and sockets you can lay your hands on, a workmate, a torque wrench, a dial gauge, different steel rules,a steering relay tool (easy to make if you can weld) a level, a spring balance, a brake pipe flaring tool, adjustable reamers imperial or metric, a vice, metal folder,angle grinder, quality drill,a 200 litre compressor, a 160 mig will cope with EVERYTHING, Respirator for spraying, masks for rust and fine steel particles, gloves latex and cotton, a large box of twinnings tea and a jar of Netscafe good luck. Regards. Chris

simonm15 · Aug 5, 2015

chris7 said:
A decent trolley Jack, plenty of axle stands, an Engine crane, ALL the imperial or metric spanners and sockets you can lay your hands on, a workmate, a torque wrench, a dial gauge, different steel rules,a steering relay tool (easy to make if you can weld) a level, a spring balance, a brake pipe flaring tool, adjustable reamers imperial or metric, a vice, metal folder,angle grinder, quality drill,a 200 litre compressor, a 160 mig will cope with EVERYTHING, Respirator for spraying, masks for rust and fine steel particles, gloves latex and cotton, a large box of twinnings tea and a jar of Netscafe good luck. Regards. Chris

Erm, you forgot biscuits

doriz · Aug 5, 2015

Damn multi meter or a circuit tester is a must

Essential Workshop Tools

JohnM70

Well-Known Member

owl

Well-Known Member

Brown

Well-Known Member

owl

Well-Known Member

chrisstdt

Well-Known Member

doriz

Well-Known Member

huffhuff

Well-Known Member

waldershelf

Well-Known Member

wattfield

AKA Dirk Diggler

chris7

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simonm15

Member

doriz

Well-Known Member

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