> SET UP YOUR SHED TO TACKLE A PROJECT-CAR BUILD WITHOUT WASTING MONEY
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STORY IAIN KELLY PHOTOS SHAUN TANNER & ALASTAIR BROOK
GETTING stuck into a project-car build at home without the right equipment is a sure and quick path to frustration. But while we can dream of having one of those bright, clean, fully stocked workshops you see on TV shows, plenty of people have built righteous rides with far humbler set-ups. Here’s how you tool up for success.
RESEARCH & DEVELOP
SHEDS in residential areas can have some crucial limitations around the type of equipment you can bring in, so do some research on what’s allowable. Before you bash a hoist in, you’ll need to scan the concrete slab to make sure it’s the correct density (MPA rating) to hold one up, and not a tensioned slab with cables running through it.
Another trap for young players is power. If your shed isn’t wired for three-phase power, you may be shocked at the cost of upgrading to a workshop-grade electrical supply. The good news is there are still plenty of excellentquality hoists, welders and compressors that can run on 15A outlets.
Finally, before you go moving large, heavy tooling and cars into your shed, we highly recommend painting the floor in a proper workshop epoxy to cut down on concrete dust, make it easier to clean up fluids, and reflect light better. This will take a couple of days to do, as it often requires grinding and acid-etching the floor before painting. Paying a professional to do this is a capital idea.
It can also be a great idea to line the walls with white coolroom panelling to help brighten the workspace and provide some insulation against the heat and cold. Anything that can make your shed a nicer place to be will help you enjoy the hours you put in there.
THE BARE BONES
BEFORE you go spending the US defence budget on brand-name roll-cab toolboxes the size of a Peterbilt, make sure your garage has the basic equipment outlined on these two pages. Some sheds will come with built-in workbenches, and you may already have a jack and stands, but it’s always good to have more!
THE BIG TICKETS
ANY shed used to build cars will need vital infrastructure like an engine crane, a parts washer and a welder. These pieces of equipment will make it possible to fabricate, swap engines, clean parts and more.
AIR FORCE
RUNNING big air compressors (and power tools) in a residential area late at night while you thrash to meet a deadline can prompt unwelcome visits from your local council. Fortunately, there are compressors available these days from companies like Chicago Pneumatic that’ll run very quietly using multiple motors and still offer 100 litres of air storage.
Spending up to $1500 on a large, well-made, quiet air compressor is a solid idea for anyone tackling a project that includes fabrication and paintwork. A compressor with a large amount of air storage will let you run tools like die grinders, palm sanders, small paint guns, and air blowers (which make cleaning up a literal breeze).
Getting a retractable air hose reel and mounting it solidly is an absolute must if you’re going to run air tools; coiling up plastic hose is a job nobody wants to do and it makes your shed extra messy. Having a couple of stout water traps is another must-have, as you don’t want water ruining your grinder or paintwork.
HANDY EXTRAS
IT’S easy to get sidetracked drooling over hoists, lathes, sheet-metal brakes and all those Hollywood tools. However, some of the handiest additions to garages are usually smaller, cheaper pieces of kit.
My father loves to keep sheets of thick cardboard around his garage; they can be nice to lie on, and are also handy for protecting paintjobs and glass from grinding sparks. Similarly, grabbing large moving blankets to throw over cars while you’re spitting sparks and metal filings all over the place will prevent unwanted scarring.