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In the process of putting together a workshop, questions

post #1 of 7
5/23/12 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 
We moved into a new house a little less than a year ago, and we have tons of room (it's only my dad and I) so I've decided that I want to turn the existing furnace/ workshop into a case mod and computer workshop.

I'm in the process of cleaning it up now since we used it for storage during the move-in... We already have tons of cables, basically everything we need to build computers (he's a builder too thumb.gif)

Mostly I want to mod existing cases (windows, cuts, paint) but I'd like to be able to build cases from relatively scratch in the future.

So how do I get started here?
Other than the obvious wretches, screwdrivers and such what tools will I need?
What supplies? ( i.e. sheet metal, mesh, paint)

I'm planning on replacing countertops (bench has really beat up plywood on now) and adding some storage somehow, suggestions?

Obviously I'm not trying to Tony Stark the place, but I'd like to able to make almost anything I want to for a case.

Thanks in advance!
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Phantom - Vapor
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post #2 of 7
5/23/12 at 12:18pm
Tools that I recommend are:
Drill
table saw
router
jigsaw
sander
Dremel (I only use it for detail work)
Bench grinder with buffing wheel
spray gun (much better results than a rattle can)
...
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post #3 of 7
5/24/12 at 11:25am
So jealous. I have ZERO space to keep tools...

All links are just the first I saw on google that had a pic. Most can be had cheaper.

Hole Saws are great
Metal Bender (Like this)
Heat Gun
Rivet Gun
+1 for the air brush
Wire Holder (Like this, make crimping and soldering easier)
Soldering Iron if you want to make your own lighting, audio cables, or DIY PCBs
!!!!IMPORTANT!!!! RESPIRATOR !!!!IMPORTANT!!!! This should be worn when you paint, sand, dremel, fiberglass/bondo, .... anything with fumes or lots of dust particles.
Latex gloves - paint prep to finish or dealing with final install to prevent finger prints
If you can, a room for painting inside with a good exhaust system is nice to have.
Drill Press (Link)Luxury, but nice to have
Cripmers
Clamps (Multiple sizes)
Vice
Folding sawhorsex2 (Link) depending on the work area you have, these are convienient. Put a board across them for extra table space.


Materials depend on what you are trying to do.
Different gauge and types of metal
Body filler like bondo
If bondoing, self adhesive patches help a lot(Link)


Others I have and like:

Step Drill Bits (Link)
3M 2060 Scotch Masking Tape (Link) Doesn't leave a residue until about 2 weeks. If there is some left, take a fresh piece and stick it to the area and the excess comes right off.
Files (Varying sizes)
Edited by Kazimir - 5/24/12 at 11:54am
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post #4 of 7
5/24/12 at 2:48pm
Tools that I use practically everyday in my shop include:
- miter/chop saw
- table saw
- drill press
- handheld drill
- handheld router
- clamps
- ruler
- caliper
- blue painters tape
- spring loaded punch thingy

Which allows me to scratch build stuff like this:

LargeRadBox6.jpg

SmallRadBox5_640.jpg

4pTrayV2A-320.jpg

CherrySFF6.jpg

In other words, you don't need a ton of tools to create some really neat cases. Good luck!

P.S. I grew up in Spotswood, NJ.
Edited by Spotswood - 5/24/12 at 2:51pm
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post #5 of 7
5/28/12 at 9:09pm
Thread Starter 
Rep+ to you guys, thanks a bunch. I've started putting it together this weekend with a dremel, small air compressor (bigger one in the garage) with spray gun and a heat gun for now.
Already had the miter saw, table saw, drills, clamps and fiberglass of all things plus other things mentioned.

I'm still in need of a jigsaw, which I would guess is one of the more useful tools for the job and a router until I can start messing around.

@Spotswood thats exactly the type of stuff I'm looking to put together, awesome stuff man.

@All where do you guys get your sheet metals and supplies? Local place or online? I haven't done a ton of looking but it would be nice to here of some reputable dealers.

Thanks again to all of you!
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Phantom - Vapor
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post #6 of 7
5/28/12 at 9:25pm
All of the tools listed before are great ideas. Some things I would recommend would be investing in some cobalt or very nice HSS drill bits. The cheapies from harbor freight and the like just wear out way to fast. Also as Kazimir said make sure you wear a respirator while sanding bondo or painting it will make everything much better.

As for materials I usually go down to my local metal yard. They sell absolutely everything and the will cut pieces to size on the shear etc. The prices aren't to bad they charge by the pound, but it helps that I know one of the guys that runs the place lol. Places like Lowe's and Home Depot sometimes even true value will stock some of the smaller pieces such as flat bar, round bar, angle steel or aluminum, and upto 4' pieces of tubing(at least that what my local places sell, others may have 8'+)

When you finally get the workshop put up post some pictures!!

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk 2
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post #7 of 7
5/29/12 at 1:08pm
You can order metal stock from McMaster-Carr or onlinemetals.com or visit your local weld shop (metal fabricator) as they often sell raw materials at cost. For acrylic, check out USplastics, Delvie's Plastics, or your local sign shop.
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