I’m often asked what kind of tools I couldn’t live without—the “make or break” equipment that helps me and my team turn out the unique, head-turning hot rods that we’re known for at Foose Design.
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You know, for all of the cool gear I have in my shop, on most of the projects I tackle, there’d be no way to get the job done without the basics. Sure, it’s great to have access to state-of-the-art lathes and computer-assisted design programs, but when it comes to what’s in my hands throughout the course of an entire project, it’s really a lot of the same types of tools that you could easily stock in your own garage.
Here are the five tools I think every do-it-yourself builder should have in the box—and which I find myself regularly using on each and every one of my projects.
Sockets and Drivers
A good socket-set matched with a reliable driver is hard to beat when it comes to tackling almost any repair or modification job. Keep a range sizes available—metric and imperial—and try to have larger (3/4 inch) and regular (1/2 inch) drivers available. Depending on the type of work, you might want to look into hardened sockets so you can also use them with air tools.
Welder
Learning how to weld opens up creative doors previously unavailable to you. A welder will let you fabricate your own components—brackets, body panels, or interior panels—and set your imagination free on the vehicle you’ve chosen to modify. MIG welding is usually the easiest for a beginner to learn, and it’s a relatively fast type of welding that can be used with both thicker and thinner metals.
Grinders
If welding lets you build the frame of your automotive sculpture, a grinder lets you shape the clay. A grinder is such a versatile tool: you can use it to cut apart rusted-out sections of a vehicle, smooth over rough spots or welds, and selectively remove metal from your project without having to resort to a saw or a chisel.
Metal Finishing Hammer, Mallet
Working metal is more than just welding and grinding. A good set of hammers allows you to shape a car’s panels to match what you drew up on paper. They also offer a gateway to using more elaborate equipment like an English wheel, which means you can get your metal work ready for an expert to finish for you, saving you considerable cost in the long run.
Heavy-Duty Floor Jack and Jack Stands
If you’re going to be under your car, then one of the best tool investments you can make is a heavy-duty floor jack and a set of jack stands to match. Choose a jack that’s capable of handling more than the weight of your vehicle—you never want to be right at the edge of its capabilities—and always make sure to support your project with jack stands once you’ve got it up in the air. Safety should be your number one concern when jacking any automobile.
These tools will get you through a huge amount of work, and won’t cost you all that much in the process. It’s important to cover the basics before moving on to more complex equipment. Even with all the toys I have to play with, I still find myself using this gear on a weekly basis.
