How to fill holes? and other questions

Well I can make anything with a hammer and metal, and a welder too

Depends on how deep into bodywork you want to get. If you just want to learn to patch bodypanals and do the basics go to the RBBO site I have a whole section of step by step how to's on the subject to get you started, if you need the link message me if you can't find it on here somwhere.

As for tools to justt get started, a little wire fed mig welder, some hammers and dollies, air compresser doesn't hurt a bit, a good grinder, some cutting discs, a micrometer, a D/A orbital air sander if your got the air compresser to go with it. Some sand paper from 36-180 grit, or if your going to prime and paint to 36-600. Some sanding blocks, I like the thick rubber ones as well as the half inch flexible rubber ones. A filler grater makes life easier, looks like a cheese grater.

Also if you don't have very good patients, a heavybag and a BFH (Big Frikin Hammer) that was toned down for the children . All of that stuff isn't a must have, but it makes everything alot easier, autobody isn't as hard as you think, just takes time, a smooth touch and good eyes.

Let me know if you need some guidance after you check out the how to's in RBBO site, be glad to help.

Faust

Hey Andrew,
Before you go out and buy a welder, ask some buds if they have one and try it out first. There are a lot of welders on the market from a few hundred to a few thousand. You can pick up a decent welder for home for around $400.00. You could probably pick one up used for less if you shop around. One important thing when you do get a welder is to make sure you get one with a gas hookup. You use argon with the welder. This makes for a cleaner weld and to me is as different as day and night. You can rent a large argon tank for around $6.00/mo. and usually a deposit fee of around $30.00 for the tank. A larger bottle will last quite awhile and is around $25.00 to refill each time. For home use you may have to refill once or twice a year if you are not welding on a regular basis. For doing body repair a welder is a must though. Along with a grinder,some dollies, clamps, and a good set of cutters or shears. As far as the metal shears go I would buy a GOOD set of straight shears and you could get by with a cheaper set of L.H. and R.H. shears. When the travelling tool shows come to your town stop in and pick up some tools for a cheap price. Use them and see how they work. If you decide to really pursue autobody repair then you can always replace the tools with better over a period of time. You will need a good book or hang with a bodyman for awhile to find out how some tools work. Using hammers and dollies is a great lesson in itself. One wouldn't thing so but there is different hammers and dollies for different jobs. Pick hammers, shrinking hammers, etc. Body men of today is nothing like body men of yesterday. Good luck and let us know your progress.

Kevin

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin45 ]</p>