Tool box collision repair

[sevt_chevelle]

Thought I’d share some photos and do a toolbox tour and show some of my favorite tools. These are the tools I used as a collision repair/restoration tech. Am a bit of a tool snob, I just like good tools that will last, I have no time for junk, also like my stuff nice and clean.

My main box.

IMG_3796 by eric2406, on Flickr

On top Dent fix digital tram gauge, 3 ft AFS or Adjustable Flexible Sander and my Miller plasma cutter.

IMG_3791 by eric2406, on Flickr
Basically a high priced tape measure with pointers.

IMG_3896 by eric2406, on Flickr
The AFS sanders have removable rods and a nice piece of stainless steel for the floorplate, hands down the best sanders made. This model here is 3 ft long.

IMG_3834 by eric2406, on Flickr




One of the guys I used to work with super glued these figurines to my box, can’t find it to throw ‘em out so now they just keep a watchful eye on my stuff.

IMG_3795 by eric2406, on Flickr

Socket and ratchet drawer. Nothing but Mac and Snap on and one IR impact gun.

IMG_3958 by eric2406, on Flickr
IMG_3956 by eric2406, on Flickr

Wrench drawer, Mac and Snap on.

IMG_3918 by eric2406, on Flickr

Don’t know the part number but these are great. Made by gearwrench, you put the bit in the holder which then goes into a special ratcheting wrench. Work wonders when space is limited. Uses the standard 1/4 and 5/16 bits.
IMG_3922 by eric2406, on Flickr



The wrench has a lip on one end to prevent the bit holder from sliding through.

IMG_3924 by eric2406, on Flickr

[sevt_chevelle]

Screw driver drawer. Mix of Mac, Snap on, Wera from Germany and Vessel from Japan. The Wera and Vessel especially are absolutely outstanding screw drivers.
IMG_3802 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3803 by eric2406, on Flickr

Pliers and misc drawer. The yellow plastic mallet is a god send for adjusting body panels without damaging them.

IMG_3804 by eric2406, on Flickr

One of my body hammer drawers, I tend to collect them.

IMG_3808 by eric2406, on Flickr

More body hammers, a door skin install tool and a mallet with interchangeable heads.

IMG_3809 by eric2406, on Flickr
IMG_3811 by eric2406, on Flickr

Air tools. Combination of Mac, Snap on and Dynabrade. Cheap air tools lack the power and longevity.

IMG_3812 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3813 by eric2406, on Flickr

The yellow tool takes out glued in windshields. The drafting compasses in the corner are perfect for recreating style lines or body lines.

IMG_3814 by eric2406, on Flickr

The tool in the red blue-point pouch is a door removal tool for Euro cars. Holds standard 5/16 bits, compact works great in tight areas.

IMG_3815 by eric2406, on Flickr

[sevt_chevelle]

Plastic rivet gun, scrapers for windshield urethane and a steel rivet gun.

IMG_3817 by eric2406, on Flickr

Soldering iron, Snap on tap and die set, bolt extractor and butane torches.

IMG_3819 by eric2406, on Flickr

Block sander drawer. My most used blocks are the AFS in 9” and 15”, the white block from Mac is also a great block. Durablocks compared against the AFS, well they suck, I’ve used them I’ve owned them I’ve gave them away. Also have some sections of rubber hose and door mouldings for sanding blocks.

IMG_3820 by eric2406, on Flickr

Stud gun and pogo stick used for minor pulling. Also have the wiggle wire and pulling attachments. I very rarely use the slide hammer when pulling pins, I use the T handle allows for better control.

IMG_3821 by eric2406, on Flickr


This stud puller is flat out worth its weight in gold. I’ve used it to pull small creases to even frame rails. Each set screw holds a pin and when that pin nears its correct location you just loosen the screw and keep pulling. I bought mine from Matco but H&S autospot makes it.

IMG_3822 by eric2406, on Flickr

Air drills drill bits and die grinder with a carbide bit for the occasional hole enlargement.

IMG_3823 by eric2406, on Flickr

Allen wrenches and nut drivers.

IMG_3824 by eric2406, on Flickr

Specialty clamp drawer. The black vise grips with the cable attached are shunting pliers used for resistance spot welding.

IMG_3911 by eric2406, on Flickr




Clecos, I prefer the draw style clecos with the wing nut as you are able to get higher clamping pressure then the regular spring loaded clecos.

IMG_3912 by eric2406, on Flickr

Side grip clecos really nice clamps. Also the infamous butt weld clamps. When I first heard about these things around 15 yrs ago I bought these. After receiving and looking them over seeing the huge friggin gap they create, I’ve never used them, and simply nothing more than dust collectors.

IMG_3913 by eric2406, on Flickr

[sevt_chevelle]

The U shaped clamps with the thumb screw are also an awesome tool to have. I use when installing door skins to check the gaps before hemming, on quarter panels at the door jam which allow me to close the door.

IMG_3914 by eric2406, on Flickr

Hands down the best clamps ever made IMO. They hold super tight, compact, can close doors and deck lids to check for gaps, perfect for clamping panels together when using panel adhesive.
IMG_3826 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3828 by eric2406, on Flickr

My spot weld removal drawer. Dent fix spot weld drills with removal arms, various spot weld bits, belt sander and spot weld breaker bars.

IMG_3830 by eric2406, on Flickr

The drill is depth controlled so you only drill to a certain depth which you can adjust. Have three different clamping arms. I wouldn’t be without this drill.

IMG_3889 by eric2406, on Flickr

For when I can’t use my spot weld drill, these are my bits I reach for. One the left is made by Blair, my favorite, then wivco and kent. The thing I don’t like about the wivco and kent is that they drill into the base layer of metal, whereas the Blair will not. Sometimes the kent is better than the Blair bit.

IMG_3886 by eric2406, on Flickr

Drill bit on left goes in the spot weld drill. The bit on the right is a wivco that is adjustable. The 1/8 bit is removable/adjustable, I have it setup to provide just a touch of bite before the actual drill part starts drilling. I really like this bit.

IMG_3888 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3887 by eric2406, on Flickr

Mac and Snap on air hammers and Roper Whitney hole punch.

IMG_3831 by eric2406, on Flickr

For punching holes in sheet metal nothing is better. Adjustable depth and hole size, perfect companion when doing plug welding won’t leave burrs like a drill will.
IMG_3892 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3891 by eric2406, on Flickr

[sevt_chevelle]

SAS fresh air pump, face mask and radiator fluid injector. I use the fresh air pump when welding, sanding, and painting. Place the pump in an area with clean fresh air or another room and it pumps air to your mask.
IMG_3832 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3920 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3921 by eric2406, on Flickr

Made this slide out drawer, houses my slide hammer, p-hammer frames, bullseye picks, adhesive gun etc.

IMG_3874 by eric2406, on Flickr

My hammer and dolly box, I have a few hammers to say the least.

IMG_3835 by eric2406, on Flickr
IMG_3836 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3838 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3839 by eric2406, on Flickr
IMG_3841 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3844 by eric2406, on Flickr

[sevt_chevelle]

IMG_3847 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3849 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3850 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3851 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3853 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3854 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3856 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3860 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3861 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3862 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3864 by eric2406, on Flickr
IMG_3865 by eric2406, on Flickr

[sevt_chevelle]

Another great tool to adjust body panels with. Shot filled wooden slapper with leather warped face, used it all the time when doing collision repair.

IMG_3885 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3868 by eric2406, on Flickr

Ran out of room and now they go in a plastic tote.

IMG_3871 by eric2406, on Flickr

Also have this box full of heavy dollies, put the drawers are overloaded don’t slide well anymore.
IMG_3869 by eric2406, on Flickr

Collection of some new Grip on locking pliers from Spain I just got. They make the Vise Grip brand look like fisher price play toys.

IMG_3898 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3899 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3902 by eric2406, on Flickr


IMG_3901 by eric2406, on Flickr


IMG_3903 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3905 by eric2406, on Flickr

A few of my latest additions.

IMG_3894 by eric2406, on Flickr

[mongocanfly]

Show off!!!......haha...that is a NICE collection you got there.....

[MARTINSR]

You should get on ebay and get a few tools, amateur.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

I have to say though Eric, there is no way I would have most of those tools in my box at the shop doing collision work. First off, I have ZERO SAE tools in my box at work! I mean, why, at least working on late model stuff. I whittled my box down to JUST the tools needed and it was so nice, plenty of room and I didn't have that big of a box too.

No storage, I mean tools you are going to USE and that is it.

Brian

[Steven R]

Good lord I knew I needed to find some more and different hammers and dolly's but man.... what do you type in online to find all those types

Speechless.

[WestButteTruck]

Very impressive! I love nice tools.

[Kim57]

very nice set of tools.
Kim

[sevt_chevelle]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

You should get on ebay and get a few tools, amateur.

Brian

That's how one gets a red snap on box loaded up with old junk.

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I have to say though Eric, there is no way I would have most of those tools in my box at the shop doing collision work. First off, I have ZERO SAE tools in my box at work! I mean, why, at least working on late model stuff. I whittled my box down to JUST the tools needed and it was so nice, plenty of room and I didn't have that big of a box too.

No storage, I mean tools you are going to USE and that is it.

Brian

I would agree. I walked away from the collision game several ago now I work for an electric/utility company but help out a good friend of mine who owns a shop and do some small piece meal resto work.

When I did collision my hammer and dolly drawer consisted of 4-5 hammers 4-5 dollies and a few spoons, not the 67 hammers jam packed in one drawer.

Plus I just like tools, if I see something I like and think it will make the job easier, faster and make me money am not afraid to buy it.

When I first bought my Dent fix drill, no one else had one, I spent years and several shops before I saw another tech with one. Same with the Wurth clamps, I just always thought HOW do you guys NOT have these.

[sevt_chevelle]

Originally Posted by Steven R

Good lord I knew I needed to find some more and different hammers and dolly's but man.... what do you type in online to find all those types

Speechless.

Martin makes everything you need.

http://www.martinsprocket.com/docs//...ls-catalog.pdf

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by sevt_chevelle

That's how one gets a red snap on box loaded up with old junk.



I would agree. I walked away from the collision game several ago now I work for an electric/utility company but help out a good friend of mine who owns a shop and do some small piece meal resto work.

When I did collision my hammer and dolly drawer consisted of 4-5 hammers 4-5 dollies and a few spoons, not the 67 hammers jam packed in one drawer.

Plus I just like tools, if I see something I like and think it will make the job easier, faster and make me money am not afraid to buy it.

When I first bought my Dent fix drill, no one else had one, I spent years and several shops before I saw another tech with one. Same with the Wurth clamps, I just always thought HOW do you guys NOT have these.

OMG Yes the Spitsnagle (Dent Fix) spot weld drill is THE tool for "unbolting" spot welded on panels. After I first used a bosses I HAD to have one and have never been sorry I got it for sure, and it's NOT cheap. We have one at work..no one, I mean NO ONE uses it. They used die grinders with cut off discs and now the belt sanders. The belt sanders have their place, they are an awesome tool. But it in no way replaces the Spitsnagle, I just don't get it. The tool does the work for you, I don't get it.

Don't get me wrong, I buy tools, I have tried out many, spent a lot of money on ones that don't do what I thought, I just don't leave them in the box. They are moved out in case I may need it, the box, that is JUST the tools used regularly. And I have found this is very few, you know the ones you use, you know the ones you see in the drawer that never get used, you know what I mean? I just weed out the ones I don't thinning it down to JUST the ones I really need.

Don't get me wrong, I love all your tools and I have similar (not as many for sure though) just with the collision tool box I want my box to be able to roll around over to other stalls to work. Where I work this is a big help to be able to move it around.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

By the way, your dolly drawer is the one I am drooling over. Those are tools you can't just pick up a catalog and order, 90% of the ones you have are vintage and very hard to find, very cool!

Brian

[sevt_chevelle]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

By the way, your dolly drawer is the one I am drooling over. Those are tools you can't just pick up a catalog and order, 90% of the ones you have are vintage and very hard to find, very cool!

Brian

A couple of German manufacturers make some dollies and spoons that are super nice copies of some old P-F and Herbrand designs but be prepared to have your a$$hole puckered up.

Stahlwile, Sykes-pickavanet, Gedore and Picard has some nice hammers as well.
If you have a MAC guy that actually shows up, see if he can get Facom tools out of Italy.

Amazon.de is also a great source.

https://www.kctoolco.com/autobody-tools/?brand[]=50

https://www.kctoolco.com/autobody-tools/?brand[]=41

https://chadstoolbox.com/car-body-re...s-and-pullers/

http://www.sykes-pickavant.com/produ.../panel-beating

https://www.hammersource.com/Auto-Body-Hammers/

https://www.misterworker.com/en/faco...rocessing/1741

[Steven R]

great links and sources I love shopping for this stuff when you are working on a project and think, if I only had a dolly/hammer like ...... tks. going to save this to the drive for sure.

[Macdaddy1]

I don't think NEED ever entered the equation

[rgunlock]

Dang! You obviously have the right tool for every job, but when the job comes up how do you remember that you have the right tool

[MARTINSR]

Eric, I had to show you my co-workers hammer collection. Now, I am joking but not by much. He has about 6 or so hammers, this small one bottom, I am not kidding, I am not making this up, he uses that hammer on about 95% of his work. And he can straighten out metal pretty damn good! He will tap-tap-tap on surfaces moving them a TINY bit at a time until it is damn near perfect.

Brian

[sevt_chevelle]

^^^^ That guy should get on ebay and buy some tools!

I have some pictures somewhere of Italian coach builders building what are now high end classic cars with very primitive tools. Claw hammers, blocks of wood and even some what looks like rocks.

The guys in the Czech Republic I believe, whom built the infamous Russian MIG fighter jets of the 50's did so with simple tools.

[ryans69chevy]

Eric, that is an amazing collection! Thanks for sharing! Pretty cool idea!

[sevt_chevelle]

Ive had several people on different forums ask me about the vise grips that I have. They are Grip on out of Spain and rebranded by Snap on, Proto and a few others. These are some I just picked up, would be great to clamp a quarter in place at the weather seal and be able to close the deck lid and not drill it full of holes for screws.

https://www.grip-on.com/locking-pliers-clamps/

IMG_3963 by eric2406, on Flickr

IMG_3961 by eric2406, on Flickr