Mk 5 30th Anniversary arrival day.

Okay, built the shed, cleared the garage (so now shed is full) emptied shelves ready to take boxes.

So now just looking at the space in the garage.

I havent started tool buying yet, I am a complete newb to this so while I have most home improvement stuff, dont have anything specifically automotive. Does anyone have any advice on what things if any i need specifically for arrival day? This is going to be a super needy thread when it gets going, but into a challenge and looking forward to owning one of the most beautiful cars in the world when I finish it.

MkV 30th anniversary with pretty much every option
FF Coyote 4X

Thanks all.

You're certainly in the right place, we all love spending other people's money:)

A list of tools is not easy to make for you, some of it depends on how much work you want to do yourself like front end alignment for example. And what tools that might be one or two time use, can you rent or borrow them? Are there other builders in your area?

You definitely need a good quality torque wrench, not fun driving down the road with bits falling off. A good cordless drill and aircraft drills for the rivets, either 1/8" or #30. Don't buy cheap. Rivet puller, I have an automated one.

Attachment 214483

1/8" and 3/16" clecos and pliers.

2 ton floor jack, I have a HF aluminum one and like it a lot.

Jack stands, getting crushed under your car ruins the experience.

I'm sure others will jump in with suggestions for you.

I will list the tools I purchased specifically for my coupe build and then generic stuff I like to have, not repeating what Mike called out above:

Specifics
Large metric wrenches and sockets - 18mm through I think 23mm or 25mm (not at home so I can't look). These are pretty important for bolting together the suspension.
Ball joint socket
10 pack of #30 drill bits (I have only broken one so far)
Power Probe
12v power supply

Generic
Regular and deep well sockets - SAE and Metric
Same as above for wrenches
Air compressor with cut off tools, air drills and blow gun
Tape - blue, yellow and duct
Good, small flashlight
Straightedge
Several fine point sharpies
Quality rivnut tool. I have a Marsen and like it a lot but I don't pull larger than 1/4" rivnuts. Even those are Popeye strength.

Drill Press. I've used mine extensively. A good Allen wrench socket set. Heat gun, variety of marine shrink sizes and good crimpers for electrical fittings and weather packs. Multi-Meter.

Post your location, may be some builders near you that can lend a hand and advice

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Originally Posted by UKSNAKE

Okay, built the shed, cleared the garage (so now shed is full) emptied shelves ready to take boxes.

So now just looking at the space in the garage.

I havent started tool buying yet, I am a complete newb to this so while I have most home improvement stuff, dont have anything specifically automotive. Does anyone have any advice on what things if any i need specifically for arrival day? This is going to be a super needy thread when it gets going, but into a challenge and looking forward to owning one of the most beautiful cars in the world when I finish it.

MkV 30th anniversary with pretty much every option
FF Coyote 4X

Thanks all.

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I think the thing I have used the most is my cordless drill. After that I have used my wrenches the most. Finally Allen wrenches.

my advice to you! As a builder in the thick of things, hardly knowing what to do, is to try and keep your shop as orderly as possible, take things in small chunks and have as much fun as you can. It is very very satisfying to have your first f panel installed. Don’t get me wrong, you will obsess about the fact that you are 1/8th of an inch too high on one side, but as you go along you will just fall in love with the fact that you are building this awesome machine. It won’t be perfect (what is?), You may be humbled by some of the artists and amazing builders here (I am). But this one is yours. Enjoy it. There is no perfect list of tools or steps to take. Just lean in to the fact that you will learn as you go,

Have a ball! It’s a special thing.

Dan

My advice is to get your shop all set up and ready before the delivery. Our Mark V kit was delivered while the shop is still being set up. My first screw up of the build was over estimating how long it would take FFR to ship the kit and under estimating the amount of work I had to do to finish the shop. Now I am chomping at the bit to get started but as said above things need to stay organized.

The build manual has a reasonably complete list of tools required. Start there. How much more you add often depends on how closely you stay to a stock build. The list gets longer when you start doing mods and fabrication. Nearly everything is relatively available. So take your time and add tools if/when needed.

I agree with everything suggested so far. I'd add that a good bench vise is invaluable. It seems I use mine almost every time I'm in the garage.

One last item - if you have space, a decent bench or layout table is really nice. You can use it for all sorts of things like assembling sub-assemblies, laying out parts to figure out how they go together, etc.

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Originally Posted by danmas

take things in small chunks and have as much fun as you can.

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This is very true, it's easy to get overwhelmed thinking about everything that needs to be done. I find it's best to think of building a car like eating an elephant. You do it one bite at a time.

Assuming there's a Harbor Freight near you... Inside Track membership.

I think all the core tools have been identified and should get you most of the way there. I wouldn't get too far in the weeds trying to figure out every tool you will need, as Paul notes, a lot of that depends on what modifications/substitutions you choose to do. My advice is get the basic tools at the start, but then wait to get the tools you need, when you need them.

Something that has not been mentioned is a lift. I decided to use a lift primarily as a parking solution after the build and purchased a 4 post lift after I was about 2/3 the way done. Had I realized how useful a lift would be, I would have bought it at the beginning of the build. You certainly don't need one, but they sure are nice to have.

James

I bought one of those folding tables, either H F or Lowes.
It folds up small, but opens large. The plastic top is tough. It will take a box cutter, or drill bit all day.
I said, I would throw it away, after the build. Nope, folds up and out of the way.
I threw a furniture pad on it, while tuning up the windshield.

I have been really surprised at how much I have used my 20 year old belt sander. As mentioned a good bench vice and drill press are super handy as well. Get some dremel cut off wheels. Lastly get your tools organized, which it sounds like you are already doing. I had to transition my shop from a wood working shop to a “build a.car” shop and I resisted for a little bit but once I committed to it I was happy with the efficiencies I gained from good organization.

Im in North Virginia in Reston. Delivery has been postponed from this week to between July 9 and 11 as turns out Stewart cant get 3 Mk5's in the truck at once and mine was number 3 this week so got bumped. Sadly they found that out with my car.

Thanks Dan, I will certainly be in that same category. I still walk around my house looking at things that no one else sees and thinking, could have done that better

Lots of good suggestions already. Having a Harbor Freight or Northern Tool store close by is a huge advantage.

In addition to the things mentioned, I got torque wrenches in 3 sizes (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 drives), complete socket sets for eash drive size, allen wrench sets (metric and standard), a tap and die set (a skill I picked up on this build), a pack of 1/8" drill bits (the #30 are best for drilling the aluminum, the hardened 1/8" better for drilling into steel), disc grinder (for cutting and smoothing aluminum), a set of large drill bits, a set of tin snips, hacksaw & sawsall, plenty of shop towels, acetone, silicone, anti-seize, blue & red threadlocker, WD-40, painter's tape, zip ties, and an engine lift (preferably borrowed) when the times comes. Some basic safety gear like protective glasses, hearing protection, mechanics gloves. Some of this is on the build list, but items I can think of that I used constantly. You will get the rest as you need it. And Amazon.com is your friend for random things you'll need as well.

I was surprised that I could build the car largely with a basic set of hand and power tools. There are some specialty items needed, but you can get by without spending big bucks for specialty tools if you want to.

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Originally Posted by JMD

Lots of good suggestions already. Having a Harbor Freight or Northern Tool store close by is a huge advantage.

In addition to the things mentioned, I got torque wrenches in 3 sizes (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 drives), complete socket sets for eash drive size, allen wrench sets (metric and standard), a tap and die set (a skill I picked up on this build), a pack of 1/8" drill bits (the #30 are best for drilling the aluminum, the hardened 1/8" better for drilling into steel), disc grinder (for cutting and smoothing aluminum), a set of large drill bits, a set of tin snips, hacksaw & sawsall, plenty of shop towels, acetone, silicone, anti-seize, blue & red threadlocker, WD-40, painter's tape, zip ties, and an engine lift (preferably borrowed) when the times comes. Some basic safety gear like protective glasses, hearing protection, mechanics gloves. Some of this is on the build list, but items I can think of that I used constantly. You will get the rest as you need it. And Amazon.com is your friend for random things you'll need as well.

I was surprised that I could build the car largely with a basic set of hand and power tools. There are some specialty items needed, but you can get by without spending big bucks for specialty tools if you want to.

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Very good list! Now don't be shy about using those torque wrenches.

New tools I have found invaluable include the 8/16" wrench, lots of 10 mm, and a metric crescent wrench.
Ralph

Unless I missed it... quality crimp connectors with heat shrink insulation. A quality crimper and butane torch for the heat-shrink.

Hey UKSNAKE, I'm just down the road in Fairfax VA. If you ever need a second or third set of hands, let me know. Also, I've got ALL the tools now, so if you want to borrow anything let me know that as well. Especially the engine hoist - no sense in both of us owning a one-time use tool!


John

Had a new Mk5 added to GCC today, and a Coupe the next day

Hi UKSNAKE, I'm a little farther away from you than John but if you need help with anything I'd be happy to help. Just let me know.
JR

Seeing your location I am sure there are plenty of places to buy tools close by. So one recommendation is don't go buy huge sets of wrenches etc. There are sizes in most sets that you will never use so $ wasted. Also when you are looking at the large sizes, Harbor Freight quality is just fine as you will be using them only a few times. On a slightly different topic find you local ACE or TrueValue for nuts and bolts. The quality and selection at most of them is much better than L or HD.

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Originally Posted by rponfick

New tools I have found invaluable include the 8/16" wrench, lots of 10 mm, and a metric crescent wrench.
Ralph

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Chuckle…