Alternative Tooling

Being a body man, I know the cost of tools is what you pay to play. For some of us, we just can't keep up with the constant demand for more and more tools but we always find a way to pony up our product of labor so we can do our labor. So with that said, there's always a thousand ways to skin a cat and when there's a will there's a way, and it's this very desperation and creativeness that compelled me to post a blog about creative tools, alternative tools, and out of the ordinary tools. These are a few things I've came across, whether it be my idea or someone elses, I'm sure there's plenty more. So if you're reading this please let me know yours and I'll re-edit this and include your idea!


PLASTIC PACKAGING WRAP



You will usually see this stuff wrapped around packaged appliance boxes,
like dishwashers, fridges, microwaves, etc, This plastic is tough, sharp,
and won't scratch your paint. This cuts right through double sided tape,
which is used frequently on your modern production vehicle. To use
just swing it back and forth like a saw. Total cost=FREE!!!


COPPER MAGNET

Not everyone uses copper but I think most can agree that it does
have its moments of clarity. As far as copper magnets go, only one
brand that I know of offers them and there's a lot of conflicting opinions
out there on the strength of magnets used. Over at Autobodystore.com
( the best auto body site period!), a fellow name Slorio made
a copper magnet with magnetic welding grounds and smashed
copper pipe. It was a brilliant idea! I decided to make one as well but
when I got to the store to get my copper pipe I saw they also had strong
magnets. So for $10 I made myself a copper magnet! Total cost=$10




CLECKOS

Commonly used in the aircraft industry and gaining popularity in the auto body industry, cleckos are used to hold panels together for welding. They are great for quick mock ups. They do not have the pulling power of a screw so often I use them for quick mock up and use screws the final time, and as a side bonus you'll get the tightest fit possible cause screws always hold the tightest the first time tightened. Total cost=$12




PALM NAILER W/ HOMEMADE BITS

Meet the poor man's version of the planishing hammer. For final smoothing of sheetmetal used with a sandbag, this thing will give you extremely good results. For $40 who can complain? Total cost=$40



To make the bits find grade 8 bolts that will fit snug into the impact area.
Then get thick washers or metal. You then weld your bolt into the washers
that are welded onto each other and shaped. I go this idea from
The Great John Kelly, inventor of the shrinking disk.


Total cost=$1.50

COPPER WIRE W/ CHIP

This silly little design actually works good and comes in handy when a hole is too small to justify a patch but too big to fill, and your copper magnet isn't suffice. Just pull the wire through the hole and pull up your chip til it's firmly seated on the sheet metal. If the surface is round you can also bend your chip to accommodate for the curve and give you a tight fit to the surface. once you get it started let it drop back through the sheet metal and weld shut the hole. Total cost = $2








HOMEMADE SHRINK TUCKER

These are great for fabricating compound curves on sheet metal.
I don't see myself needing one often so instead of paying $30 for
a simple hand tool that you have to pay shipping for, why not make
one? For $3.99 you can get 2 hardened steel pry bars at HF and that's
all you'll need! cut it up and weld it up and you've saved $26 and some
waiting time! Total cost= $3.99




COTTER PIN EXTRACTOR

This tool works extremely well for belt mouldings on some late model cars. The tool they make for belt mouldings is just a joke. Get this instead. Just be sure to not open it up too much, close it back up tight before putting it back on, and it doesn't work on all belt mouldings. Look for clips!
Total cost=$5