any good Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals to be found?

[toadster]

curious minds want to know! you guys are great at spending my money!! :)

LOL

[egchewy79]

I was curious about the same. Is FFR having their black Friday sale this year? I want sure given the pandemic and probable supply chain issues.

[RBachman]

I've been looking at sales all morning. 'Not sure about FFR, but there are some great tool deals out there right now. Lowes, Home Depot, ToolTopia, Red Tool Store, The Tool Nut, Cyber Weld, and others all have door busters right now. It's a great time to stock up on consumables also...drill bits, tape, adhesives, grease, oils, lubricants, tool batteries, flash lights, electrical stuff (wire/connectors/shrink wrap, tape, tap-and-die sets, safety equipment and more. I generally buy a few smaller "cheap" tool sets this time of year also, and who doesn't need a restock of 10mm sockets? (LOL). Other, larger, items are also on sale. Things like welders, lifts, tool chests, air compressor, engine hoists, grinders and etc.

It's a good time to buy tools that are great to have especially for building an FFR but not really "needed." I'm thinking of things like extra jack stands, wheel dollies, battery maintainers, jacks, cordless rivet gun, M18 right angle drill, cordless caulk gun, cordless hacksaw, and more. I put a specific "wish list" together last year just for tools that would make the build easier for me and hit a lot of the sales then. Very happy I did. (If anyone is interested I can share my "list" of things that help make building a lot easier.)

[toadster]

yeah post the wish list! always helps the current and future builders!

[CFranks]

This circulated last year and a bunch of folks got them, really great quality. They’re having Xmas sale, when you checkout the price becomes $58 for the pair.

https://shophunziker.com/collections/casual-driving-shoes

[RBachman]

yeah post the wish list! always helps the current and future builders!

Most of this stuff is NOT required, but are additional things I personally enjoyed using. They make building easier and a lot less painful if you have injuries/arthritis/bad back/bad knees/etc. I reference Milwaukee products below because they are what I have, (and I'm stuck with their batteries.) But also because I haven't managed to tear one up one yet. Here's my ongoing list.

Cordless Hacksaw
It’s not needed, but it is a great tool to have with multiple uses beyond the build.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076JHJKR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Milwaukee Cordless Rivet Gun
WOW is all I can say. The rivet gun is probably my overall favorite build tool. Arthritis makes squeezing a rivet gun is a rather unpleasant experience. This thing is a solution and it gets into more areas than my manual guns. Just pull a trigger and perfect rivets.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Specialty-Tools/Rivet-Tools/2550-20

Automatic Center Punch
Most of the cheap ones fail or work intermittently. However, this one lasts. After thousands of uses I’ve only dressed up the tip a time or two. It's a forever tool with multiple uses.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006J4Q5U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Right Angle Drill
I have the M-18 Milwaukee. It's great for tight spaces and does a pretty good job. It’s slow, but small compact angle drills generally are.

Milwaukee 12-Volt Cordless Caulk Gun
This is another application where a cheap manual caulk gun will do the same work, just not as fast and not as neat for most of us. If you have arthritis in your hands or wrists, it’s a blessing regardless. It provides a very nice consistent bead of caulk and helps you keep a steady hand during application. I use less caulk with better and more consistent application with it. If you go this route, start at a slow speed…like 1.5 or 2. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-10-oz-Caulk-and-Adhesive-Gun-Tool-Only-2441-20/203639359

Cordless Grease Gun
This may be the least beneficial tool I purchased during the build, but I got it more for other equipment I have to maintain. I only mention it here because of the benefits if you’ve bad wrists and multiple vehicles to care for.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Grease-Gun-2-Speed-Tool-Only-2646-20/204064020

Car Lift
The benefits provided by a car lift are enormous. I put a lift in when building a new garage, so it wasn’t purchased for this project specifically. If buying just for a build I’d get a smaller less expensive portable unit. If you get a two post lift, make sure it is installed such that the arms are not further apart than needed to lift your car. Mine was installed a bit wide and the arms barely reach across enough.

Jack Stands
Don’t buy junk. Get something decent, safe, reliable and reputable with a wide enough footprint to maintain stability. And use them.

Battery Charger/Maintainer
I consider these essential for any garage. This one has a good reputation and is reasonably priced at $60. (You can also buy the same thing in red with "Snap-On" written on it for $200.) But there are many like it and most perform well.
https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automotive-Pro-Logix-PL2310-Maintainer/dp/B007P7ABE6?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIA3UEVTLIG7AIKFA&tag=alexander0d9-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B007P7ABE6

Magnetic Floor Sweeper
It won’t pick up aluminum, but helps with steel shavings and finding parts that go hiding in plain sight. A big help if your garage floor is a speckled epoxy where things quickly disappear.

Multimeter and Jumper Wires/leads
A multimeter is a necessity. At a minimum find one that will read VAC, VDC, resistance/Ohms and continuity. One that will read current is also beneficial but not usually necessary.

SAE & Metric Nut/Bolt Sizing Tools
I used these frequently, and more than I thought I would. With the FFR kits combining SAE and Metric fasteners, they come in very handy.

Mechanics Stool/Scooter Dolly
These are not terribly expensive and make life a lot easier. I used mine daily during the build and prefer ones with a tray and drawer under the seat to hold tools and parts.

Hand Truck
Another tool that most homes should consider. I found it very useful in moving larger boxes and heavier items.

Mechanics Cart
Just a wheeled cart to hold tools and materials/parts being used at that time. There are many available. I used a rather simple one with just a sectioned tray top. It’s great for laying out parts and tools as you complete steps, while the portability of a table keeps things right at hand.

Torque Wrench
You need it. I'm not a big Harbor Freight fan, but this one from HF is proven to have superior accuracy and repeatability than even Snap-On’s at a fraction of the cost.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-digital-torque-wrench-64916.html

Inclinometer
Another tool I already had that’s been beneficial. However, mine is 6” long. A smaller more compact unit is more adaptable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TXJZX7P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Soldering Gun
I’m partial to Weller guns because I’ve used them for more than 45 years and still have the first one I purchased years ago. Don't go overboard. 100 to 140 watts is all you want for most connections.

Small/Propane Torch
A small torch is always handy for a multitude of tasks.

Heat Gun
This was primarily used for heat shrink tubing. It provides a better result and is less likely to burn the house down than open flame.

Air Compressor
If only doing tires, blowing things clean, etc. you should be fine with a smaller/job-site unit. If using air tools, surface blasting, etc., make sure the compressor rating and duty cycle is adequate for your expected loads.

Impact Wrench/Driver
A heavy duty pneumatic works well for things that need a lot of persuasion. For the build a decent cordless works well. If you're new to an impact wrench, be careful. It's not difficult to over do things or break off a bolt, and you can quickly surpass torque specifications. Always use impact sockets with an impact wrench, Sunex makes a reasonably priced quality set.

Delphi WeatherPack Connector Kit
A bit pricey! But they are good connectors and it makes work go fast having everything needed right there in front of you. All my lights and any connections between body and chassis use these. Note that the terminal release tools are easily bent, so careful when using.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AJUGN2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Weather Pack Crimp Tool
A great tool, precise, perfect crimps, and much easier to use than the cheaper ones. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GB698KV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

General Safety Equipment

Glasses, shields, respirator, gloves, fire extinguishers, absorbent spill pads or granules, wheel chocks, etc.

LED Flash Lights/Work Lights
I have three that I really like and use most often. One is a set that goes around your neck, another is more conventional with magnets to hold it in place on the vehicle itself, and a headband type. Of these, the neck light is my favorite.

Readers
BiFocals get hard to use when you’re on your back under a car, or laying head first into an engine compartment. If you have to keep tilting your head to find a focal point, a pair of cheap full-lens readers (w/safety glass) make life a lot easier.

Parts Bins
A shelf kit with various bins included helps organize various parts and consumables (nuts/bolts/rivets/clecos/fittings/connectors...). I half filled mine with hardware I already had scattered about before I even got to the car stuff. LOL, should have gotten one 20 years sooner.

[Gordon Levy]

I could probably be talked into a a free shipping Friday. That can save a ton on my Wilwood brake kits as well as engine and suspension packages

[kmseddon]

Thank you for posting. I feel it's not said enough. The generation that is starting our builds (me) truly appreciates the effort and detail you wise gurus put into this forum and posts like this. In case you think no one is listening, at least I am and I appreciate it!

[kmseddon]

Thank you for posting. I feel it's not said enough. The generation that is starting our builds (me) truly appreciates the effort and detail you wise gurus put into this forum and posts like this. In case you think no one is listening, at least I am and I appreciate it!

[RBachman]

Just saw this at Home Depot, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Left-Right-and-Straight-Aviation-Snips-3-Pack-48-22-4533/302716414

Milwaukee straight, right and left tin snips. One of each in a three pack for $23

[toadster]

i see Digital Guard Dog keyless start is 20% off...

https://www.digitalguarddawg.com/

I ended up getting this with the GPS and starter lockout - saved $150...

[Hoooper]

This circulated last year and a bunch of folks got them, really great quality. They’re having Xmas sale, when you checkout the price becomes $58 for the pair.

https://shophunziker.com/collections/casual-driving-shoes

Doesnt appear possible to select size on that website, have you tried ordering from there?

[CFranks]

Doesnt appear possible to select size on that website, have you tried ordering from there?

I just tried and seems to work. I think you need to keep on clicking, when you see the shoe you want, click on it again and see if it gets you to size choices. Worked for me.

[Hoooper]

I just tried and seems to work. I think you need to keep on clicking, when you see the shoe you want, click on it again and see if it gets you to size choices. Worked for me.

Yeah I sent them an email and they were having a site malfunction I guess. Its fixed now.

[Hacksaw84]

I thought some of the Eastwood deals were pretty good and they extended it to Dec 3rd.

https://www.eastwood.com/cyber-monday-sale.html/