Hammers, dollies, chisels, and punches rank highly on the list of must-have tools. Any tool that is used for hammering or driving something into place needs to be a high-quality piece. Don’t get caught up in the luster of cheap tools; get the good stuff, and it’ll last forever.
You’ll always wish you had a couple more Vise-Grips in your toolbox. Regular Vise-Grip pliers come in handy for just about anything, but special ones, such as these C-clamp pliers, can do the work of three of your friends trying to hold that panel in place.
If you’re going to do anything more than simply bolting on aftermarket components, you need to invest in a good welder. MIG welders are affordable and easy to use, whereas TIG machines require a little more expertise and a bit more money.
A good collection of hammers is necessary for any car build. Dead-blow hammers are great for whacking on parts that need a delicate touch, but you should have a mini-sledge at your disposal for when things get serious.
Shown here are two great tools for anyone who plans to work with metal. A bench grinder is one of the cheapest and handiest tools ever, although the drill press saves lots of time and effort, compared to using a hand drill.
Sometimes a hand drill is the only option, so put a cordless drill on your wish list. Another tool that is super convenient is a cordless impact wrench. The battery life is great in most cases, and it takes a lot of the effort out of loosening and tightening bolts.
There isn’t a designated list of necessary tools to perform a Pro Touring build because each build requires a different approach. Some builds are quite simple, with only bolt-on additions, whereas others are very extensive with lots of cutting, welding, and custom fabrication. Both ends of the spectrum are covered, with the build-up featured in this book; it includes a great mix of bolt-on components and hand-fabbed goodies. Obviously, the fabrication aspect of a custom build requires a number of specialty tools, but it’s a simple matter of how far you want to take it.
Air tools are a must for any complete build but you can get by with a good assortment of regular hand tools if you’re making simple upgrades to the suspension, brakes, or steering system. If you’re digging into the engine and drivetrain, specialty tools are must-have items. Some of the most-used tools in the shop are clamping pliers of all shapes and sizes, a big hammer, and a few cordless power tools, such as an impact drill and reciprocating saw.
If you’re planning to plumb the braking system or fuel system using hard line, you need a good hand bender. Bending lines over your knee sometimes works but hand benders are cheap and a little more precise than just eyeballing it and hoping for the best.
A tubing flare tool is also a must-have for fabricating hard lines for the braking or fuel system. You may not use this tool every day but it will prove its worth many times over. Flaring tools are generally cheap enough to add to your tool collection even if you plan to use them only once.
Electric tools, such as grinders, drills, and saws, are also important items to have; many of them can take the place of air tools if you do not have an adequate air compressor. In many instances, one of these tools will get you out of a bind that a regular hand tool just can’t handle. Be sure to have plenty of drop cord with the correct gauge of wire (12-gauge is suggested for all power tools) for this sort of project, and always keep a shop light handy. If you’re willing to throw in some extra cash, you could always opt for cordless tools. Even if you have air tools and an assortment of electric tools, a cordless impact belongs on the must-have list.
A good welder should be on every wish list; a MIG welder is sufficient for almost any project. Although most professional shops use a TIG welder for items such as roll-cage tubing, it isn’t the most practical machine for the novice welder. You can pick up a MIG welder without breaking the bank, and it really comes in handy if you like the idea of making your own brackets or repairing sheet metal. Most cheap MIG welders are not suitable for welding thick steel, such as the material used on chassis and suspension components, but it’s certainly a must-have tool if you’re planning to rebuild a car.
One of the most versatile and simplistic tools is a vise. You’ll use it every day, whether it’s clamping something in place to make a cut, tighten a bolt, or weld two pieces together. It also serves as a great anvil.
You may not see the need to invest in a hydraulic press if you plan to build only one car every five years but it sure saves a lot of time when it comes to suspension components. Ball joints and control-arm bushings are generally pressed-in items, so having a press in the shop saves time.
Mild or Wild?
A mild build may consist of minor upgrades to the suspension and drivetrain but no big tasks that require fabrication or major welding. These types of builds are generally short-term projects that keep your vehicle up and rolling, instead of torn apart in the corner of your garage.
You probably have tons of ideas floating around in your head regarding your dream Pro Touring build. Regardless of whether the dream build is realistic, you should determine the extent of your build before you jump in. It’s important to know your limits; choosing between mild and wild can sometimes be a tough decision, especially if you are confident of your abilities. Sometimes it’s a matter of budget and sometimes it’s a matter of practicality when the car is completed. The choice is yours and the door is wide open for all sorts of great combinations of aftermarket components.
New springs, shocks, sway bars, and maybe an upgraded set of brakes can totally change the way a muscle car handles, so that may be the extent of your build. If so, you’ll likely enjoy the difference in performance, but hardcore guys want to continually get faster, and that’s when wild combinations are created. A truly wild build will likely have a big price tag because of the high-end parts as well as the labor costs involved in a professional build. But that’s not to say that a high-end car can’t be built in a home garage without the use of high-tech equipment.