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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 | I'd like to start sheet metal repair but need suggestions on what I absolutely need to get started. It would also be nice if someone could point out a web page or book for the novice on basic techniques and applications of the tools.
I know Harbor Freight has cheap sets and I saw online that Martin tools has a 4 pc. set. Some have said Eastwoods has good stuff. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 66 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 66 | The first thing that you need is some patience. Go slowly and methodically and don't overwork the metal. A great book , worth every penny, is Eastwood's "Key to Metal Bumping" http://www.eastwood.com/key-to-metal-bumping-book.html . Some of the HF hand body tools are fine. Good technique is probably more important (I'm probably going to have people disagree with me on that one). I made a few nice "slappers" from a hunk of old leaf spring and a trowel handle. A really good web site is http://www.metalmeet.com . Pertains to all kinds of body repair, welding, fabricating, patching, etc. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,388 | Also, buy your filler (bondo or the like) in gallon pails....That's all I have to ad.
Seriously, it's cheaper, and most of it ends up on the floor after being sanded off anyway. Around here, where I am, a gallon of evercoat is about $13. Hours of entertainment for that $13!
You can do some pretty sweet sculpting with that gallon bucket... Hahaha. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Unless your really serious about doing body work the HF tools set will get you by. They
are really to heavy for most fine body work. I think they are more geared for the guy the
just need to bang out some big dent so he can fill it up with that gallon of Bondo that
Chris mentioned.
Martin tools are the top of the line now days and for a single martin hammer you’ll spend
as much if not more than that HF set will cost you. I believer the Eastwood starter set is
made by Martin but it might be their second line.
Agree, that metal bumping book is a must for any beginner.
DG
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 581 | Sounds like; "The key to metal bumping", harbor freight, and stock in Bondo. Thanks | | |
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