Which Tools?

[ValerieP]

This has probably been talked about before, but I can't find it, and I'm totally perplexed! I really do wonder why everything I need to do in this van becones a new learning experience....
Which tools will I need to cut the plywood for the floor, make the box s around the wheel wells, screw the brace wood to the sides, and build the bed? Will a jigsaw be able to do all the cutting, or do I also need a skill saw? Will a drill work to screw the brace wood into the sides, or do I need an impact driver? 
This power tool business is too confusing!
Thanks!

 

[Trebor English]

When you buy plywood you can get the store to make long straight cuts.  A jig saw is probably sufficient for the rest of the cuts.  If you are using 4 x 4 lumber for the bed consider 2 x 2 instead.

To put screws into ribs a drill is enough.  An impact driver is good for more torque than you need for sheet metal screws.

 

[PattySprinter]

Valerie - don't forget corded or battery ... and I noticed that the drills come in different sizes - I saw 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 inch ... I do not know what that means though.
Also, which bits and blades and bobbles ... It seems a jigsaw and drill are fundamental.

 

[ValerieP]

Thanks! Dang I didn't know drills came in different sizes, too! I did narrow them down to rechargeable because I watched Bob's videos. Unfortunately, I can't remember which video and I didn't write down which tools to buy. He did recommend Ryobi.

 

[Trebor English]

Mine are all regular corded tools.  I use the 400 watt inverter to run them all.  Some people like cordless.  I like having just one battery for everything.

My drill is 3/8 inch.  That's the biggest diameter drill that will fit.  It is reversible and variable speed.  It is pretty basic low price.  

Jigsaw blades come in different size teeth.  Big coarse teeth are good for softer wood and plastic.  The package usually says what they are good for.

 

[sephson]

This has probably been talked about before, but I can't find it, and I'm totally perplexed! I really do wonder why everything I need to do in this van becones a new learning experience....
Which tools will I need to cut the plywood for the floor, make the box s around the wheel wells, screw the brace wood to the sides, and build the bed? Will a jigsaw be able to do all the cutting, or do I also need a skill saw? Will a drill work to screw the brace wood into the sides, or do I need an impact driver? 
This power tool business is too confusing!
Thanks!

A skill saw is good for straight cuts. A jig saw is what you need if you want to cut curves.

Valerie - don't forget corded or battery ... and I noticed that the drills come in different sizes - I saw 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 inch ... I do not know what that means though.
Also, which bits and blades and bobbles ... It seems a jigsaw and drill are fundamental.

The sizes, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" refer to the size of the opening in the chuck. The chuck is the part that actually holds and tightens down on the bits. For most jobs 1/4" or 3/8" should be fine. The 1/2" is more likely to be needed for larger size drill bits and hole saws.

I did a little bit of looking on the Home Depot site at cordless kits. Among the Ryobi, which are on the lower and of the price scale, but which should be sufficient for your needs, the only kit I found that included a jig saw was this one.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Combo-Kit-12-Tool-P1896/300342953

It's just under $600 and is frankly, more tools than you need. Sure it would be great to have all these tools and some parts of the build would be easier, but you don't need them.

I think going for a more basic set will better fit the needs of building out a vehicle.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Starter-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-P825/203466900

As long as you drill pilot holes for your screws, you won't need the added expense of an impact driver.

Purchase a jigsaw in addition to the above kit.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Jigsaw-Kit-P1892/206736697

Make sure you get the one that comes with a battery. It costs $20 more, but that extra battery will come in very handy.

So for about $180 investment, you should have all the cordless power tools you need for this and any future projects.

 

[Gideon33w]

A jig saw with finer teeth blades and a drill will get you through a build.
Obviously, more tools and better tools are ... well ... better.
But just those two have built many a vandwelling rig seen on here.
Since you only need them for one job just get cheapies from Harbor Freight.
Make sure you get wood AND metal drill bits too.

Next levels: Staple gun, skill saw, brad nailer, etc etc etc

A lot depends on your budget and how nice of a finish you need.

But, if you're inexperienced with these tools and DIYing it ... Just go basic.
No amount of tools will help the inexperience so might as well go cheap/simple.

 

[ValerieP]

Thank you for all the help!!! I'll get the ones pictured above. I'm not going to go to far into this build until after RTR, but I am going to get started!

 

[Almost There]

I already had the 1/4" drill and an odd assortment of drill bits of questionable quality so I bought a fairly substantial drill bit kit. I did need to add some larger 'spade' drill bits for drilling larger holes like for the 12V receptacles and you're better off buying a 10 pack right from the start of the 1/64" drill bit that is used for pilot holes for screwing things together. You'll break more of them than you think.*

The 1/4" drill was more than sufficient to handle the job, no need to go bigger.


A jig saw was the only saw in my repertoire because I hate the way circular saws kick back on me...it's one thing I admit to being afraid of! All the big cuts were done by the lumber yard for me. It meant having my layout done before I headed to the lumber yard but that's good because then you get to think about it while you're driving.... If you plan your cuts properly, you can have it so that the less than stellar cuts are hidden under something else.... (ask me how I know this... )

I bought one of the multiple blade kits for the jig saw and the one kit did the whole build with lots of blades left over.

The most important tool that I bought was the Kreg pocket screw jig - I used the Kreg Jr that only does one hole at a time and truthfully, I never needed the ability to drill 2 holes side by side in the whole build. I do recommend that you use Kreg screws for the job, they do work much better than regular wood screws. This tool eliminated pounds and pounds of angle brackets and made the job much neater and easier.

You'll need a yardstick and a metal tape measure. I had a carpenters square already and they really are quite handy. I used golf pencils because I had a stock on hand. I did use my french curve from the sewing room to help with the curvature on the wall but there are other ways of working around it if you don't already have one.

Don't believe the guys who tell you that the more tools the better...   Trust me on this one, it's a guy thing!!

 

[sephson]

Oh! Something I forgot to mention, you should also get yourself a pair of safety glasses and some earplugs. Your eyes and ears will thank you! If you already wear glasses, you can get safety glasses that will fit over them, protecting both your glasses and your eyes.

 

[ValerieP]

Thanks! I wouldn't have thought about safety glasses or earplugs, even though I use them at night to block out noise. I'll be doing this out in the desert, so I'm going to take the wheels off my rolling carts, Raskogs, from IKEA to use as saw horses! Good thing, I've taken some time to think!

 

[frater secessus]

Used corded power tools can be found for $5 or so at garage sales. I guess people are all upgrading to cordless.

I picked up a skil saw, jig saw, and 3/8" drill for less than $5 each in the past year. Old and not pretty but they all work.

 

[sometimesido]

I wanted to add. I have $30 corded skillsaw with good blades(i picked up Diablo) and it makes a difference. A clean cut with no splinters most of the time. So, Good blades make a difference!

 

[PattySprinter]

Which tools will I need to cut the plywood for the floor, make the box s around the wheel wells, screw the brace wood to the sides, and build the bed? 

I picked up speed squares as recommended by HDS and others.
Here is a YT video (that I found) from one of my fav YTers - on speed squares (for dummies/beginners):

 

[makenmend]

Thanks! Dang I didn't know drills came in different sizes, too! I did narrow them down to rechargeable because I watched Bob's videos. Unfortunately, I can't remember which video and I didn't write down which tools to buy. He did recommend Ryobi.

All of my tools are based on the Ryobi 18volt system, Not the highest quality tools but more than adequate for the home handy person.
Originally purchased at the big box store, now I use these folks and have been extremely pleased.
https://www.cpooutlets.com/on/deman...lets-Site/default/Search-Show?q=ryobi+18+volt
 Have built quite a few boats, house remodels and lately a van conversion with never a failure.

MM

 

[PattySprinter]

now I use these folks and have been extremely pleased.
https://www.cpooutlets.com/on/deman...lets-Site/default/Search-Show?q=ryobi+18+volt

I bought all my tools from the same site! 
I am curious - did you buy new or factory reconditioned?

 

[Weight]

For over three years. I use a 18 volt Ryobi 1/2 inch drive drill, smaller will disappoint at some time. I use hole saws and larger diameter drill bits as needed. I abuse the drill, and I use it for a driver as it has the adjustable clutch. I have a driver, but that has no clutch and causes trouble. I also have an impact driver. That is handy when working on van nuts and bolts. But really doesn't get much use. My 8 inch circular saw had much use when cutting plywood for the floor. A light duty (cheap) jig-saw will wander when making straight cuts in most material. Avoid Harbor Freight electric table or miter saws, they have excess run out and without careful re-alignment of the blade mounting they are unsafe. The little more you pay for something at Home Depot or Lowes will be that much better. With care a back saw and miter box can be used to make reasonably square cuts in 1x3 or 1x4 lumber for furniture building. I can go on, but better quit here.

 

[makenmend]

I bought all my tools from the same site! 
I am curious - did you buy new or factory reconditioned?

All reconditioned, they are every bit as good as brand new.

 

[PattySprinter]

All reconditioned, they are every bit as good as brand new.

Oh good - I thought that might be so and got the reconditioned also.
Thank you for replying  :shy:

 

[ValerieP]

How long did it take them to arrive after ordering?