Homemade autobody tools

[Gmonkee]

I was in need of a few basic tools to repair dad's little accidents with his car, he's 72 and seems to do that now. I have worked as a helper in a few bodyshops and seen what the old masters use, but being a smaller town these tools just don't exist in the stores.

My solution was to first research existing tool designs and then to copy (as best I could) those tools for myself.

These are the best, all the practice peices and utter failures have been tossed or given away. Not high tech or difficult at all to make or use. Saying of course that I am no pro at bodywork, just trying to save a buck where I can. A few of my co-workers are using some that I have made and like them. That is the best praise a tool gets.

The hammer is more a rebuild using 7018 weld to rebuild the backside of the round face and convert a pointed end into the tee end. A simple polish to get rid of rust and a new handle finished it.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

Awesome, sometimes making a tool is the best way to get a certain job done. Looks like you did a good job!

 

[Abbott]

Pretty cool Monkee!

 

[willy3486]

Those tools look great!! That one with the balls on the end I wish I had it when I was doing my old truck years ago. What did you use for the ball end? Back when I did the truck I made some as well. I used a block of wood to form bends and such. I ground down and made a hammer tool. I made a sanding block about 30 inches long to sand down my truck when I redid it.

 

[Gmonkee]

willy, those are small car ball joints from the steering rack end of the tie rod. Mostly Nissans and VW have that type. Just cut away the cup part and cut the length you desire. I chose square stock because its easier to reference inside the fender. (you will know where the ball is easier by the face of the handle)

It also works great for paintless dent removal by massaging the dent out from the inside.

 

[willy3486]

willy, those are small car ball joints from the steering rack end of the tie rod. Mostly Nissans and VW have that type. Just cut away the cup part and cut the length you desire. I chose square stock because its easier to reference inside the fender. (you will know where the ball is easier by the face of the handle)

It also works great for paintless dent removal by massaging the dent out from the inside.

Thanks I will keep an eye for some old ball joints at a scrapyard I go to. I go to one that gets lots of new metal from factories that have been cut but still good. Then they have the usual scrap metal as well. So I might find the square tubing and ball joints all in one shot. I don't really have a desire to do any more car bodies but I might need to shape metal for some project in the future. I have gotten more into woodworking but I do hope to redo my tractor one day. And the sheetmetal has some dings. I like redoing and building stuff,even if I may not get to use them often.

 

[e-tek]

Great work. Definitley will do many jobs.