TOP 10 AUTO BODY TOOLS FOR BEGINNERS
Working on a project car that desperately needs auto body repairs? We've compiled a list of tools from auto body hammers to metal brakes and welders that will help you along the way.
THE LINEUP
1. Auto Body Hammer and Dolly
If you plan to work on automotive sheet metal, the first thing you'll need is an auto body hammer and dolly set. Different dollies will help you hammer sheet metal into the specific shape you're trying to form. We picked up a set from Harbor Freight, but you can find a nicer set like the Fairmount too.
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2. Right Angle Die Grinder
A right angle die grinder is one of the most versatile tools you can own. It will help you cut out rusty sheet metal in tight places and you can use die bits for fine-shaping edges too. A right-angle die grinder can take different attachments like wire wheels, sanding pads, and an emblem remover too. We use the Ryobi cordless right-angle die grinder, but the Milwaukee M12 right-angle die grinder is a bit smaller which can fit into tighter spaces.
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3. Welding Table and Clamps
A welding table provides a solid work area for welding together different types of sheet metal and you can mount tons of items directly to the welding table boreholes too. Our Klutch welding table also came with different clamps allowing you to clamp flat and tubular metal in place for welding on the table.
4. Bench Vise
A bench vise works very well for clamping down parts you need to sand or grind before welding back onto your car. You can mount the bench vise directly to the welding table boreholes as well. Any 5 inch or larger bench vise will do. We bought a bench vise on Harbor Freight, but you can grab one from Eastwood.com too.
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5. Sheet Metal Brake
A sheet metal brake will help you make perfect bends into sheet metal. We have a 20” sheet metal brake, the Versa 20 from Eastwood. The nice thing about the Eastwood Versa, is it also mounts directly to standard welding table boreholes. Just mount the brake to the end of the welding table and you'll have plenty of room to bend all the sheet metal you want.
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6. Stretcher and Shrinker
Do you need to make curved sheet metal shapes? A stretcher and shrinker can put curves into your sheet metal with ease.
We use the Eastwood Shrinker and Stretcher Kit which can also be mounted directly into a welding table borehole with just one bolt.
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7. Step Bits
Step bits are handy for drilling different-sized rusty holes out on your project car. A step bit creates a perfect circle you can then fill and weld with varying sheet metal plug sizes. You can pick up a step bit and varying sheet metal plugs from Eastwood.com to help you plug weld small holes with ease too.
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8. English Wheel
If you need to put a slight curve into a longer piece of sheet metal then check out this Mini English Wheel also from Eastwood. You can even use it to smooth out a piece of sheet metal that’s been hammered too.
9. Bead Roller
A bead roller can create different impressions or shapes into sheet metal. With a set of different bead roller dies you can create different edges or even angles for replacing things like complex door trim edges. We currently use an Eastwood 8-inch bead roller which is small enough to clamp right into our 5 inch vice.
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Once mounted, just swivel your vise into position and start bead rolling. We’ve made all kinds of interesting shapes and have even used it to stiffen replacement sheet metal floor pans.
10. Welder
Last but not least is a welder. I'd recommend a multi-process welder that can do Flux, MIG, TIG, and stick. This way you can start with flux or MIG and then move up to TIG at a later point in time. We use the Eastwood MP140i, but Harbor Freight and others have good options too. Check out our welder comparison for cars here.
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