Sorry if this has been asked/answered, but I searched and couldn't find a compiled list.

What are the basic "you gotta have it" tools to start out with in working on a project car? Excluding sockets, ratchets, wrenches, and screwdrivers... I guess those (even to me) are a given that you gotta have.

Air compressor? Air tools? Floor jack(s)? Jack stands? MIG welder?

Another question... will an engine lift work with a 8' ceiling?

Thanks,
Mark

It depends on what work you want to do, how much room you have, how much money you have, what year the project car is (Metric/SAE), there are a million answers to your question. An air compressor isn't necessary unless you plan on painting but it IS a luxury if you are doing a lot of wrenching. The list you have with the question marks is a good start. The hoist question depends on what vehicle you plan on pulling the engine out of. If it is a jacked up truck you might have clearance issues but you always have the option of pulling the front clip. You should be fine on cars if you hook up short when you are ready to pull.

Okay, thanks. I was talking about what you really need to get started. I realize a very general question, but just trying to make plans and budget some money.

I have a 24x30 air-conditioned shop with an 8' ceiling (wish it was at least 10'). I mainly do woodworking in this shop - mostly turning on a lathe. I'm cleaning and rearranging now to make room for a car. I know it will be a tight fit, but there will hopefully be enough room to get it done.

I already have a 60gal IR air compressor, HVLP spray gun, sockets/ratchets/wrenches/etc, a nice 5" ROS and 1/4-sheet sanders, drill press, grinders, buffer, and a few other things that will probably come in handy.

I have been wanting a welder even before this car project came up, so I'm shopping around now. It has been a while since I've welded anything, but I have a bunch of scrap metal to practice on.

band-aids. Lots of 'em.

the tool rentals at the chain auto parts stores are a great thing to have, used it many times myself for those one time use tools. sounds like you have a good start on tools. you're way ahead of where i was when i started on my project. a good set of jack stands and a floor jack for sure. An air chisel has been a valuable air tool for me. A long breaker bar. An assortment of punches. i've got a lot of other odd tools, just thinking of the ones i've used a lot and been glad to have right there when i needed them.

Socket set, 1/4 1/2 3/4...home workshop need not be expensive tradesman but not elcheapo. also extra extentions and universals
Set up ring spanners of reasonable quality, and a set of elcheapos
The elcheapo are handy to cut or bend onthe spur of the moment to make a custom tool
eg a bent 8/16 to get to the dizzy hold down bolt, and another for the trans cooling lines when in the car, and starter motor with some headers.
1 small adjustable wrench...
A set of pionts spanners and files
A good hacksaw and files.
Oil filter strap wrench
Harmonic balance puller and steering wheel puller
Tie rod/ball joint splitter
Good torque wrench middle range cost
Floor jack small 1/2 ton will do..not a chinese one
Axle stands...4
Scewdrivers, get a good set with hardened tips
Set of drifters , hole punches (gasket making)
Small and medium crow bars
Mediun sided tap wrench
Tap measure
Drill and good set of bits, polishing wheel, stainless rouge (white grade) 3m stripper wheels, brass and steel wire wheels
A set of taps and dies.
Impact screw driver, and a set of impact sockets is also handy.
Side cutters, get good ones needle pliers, pliers, circlip pliers
Mechanics stethoscope, timing light, and tach/ tune up meter
Hydrometer
Bench grinder and wire wheel
Feeler gauges
1" wood chisle...good for cleaning gasket surfaces
Kitchen fork with center prongs removed..removing interior window winders etc
A LPG torch with several tips small to large.
LPG pen torch..

A small Drill press is always handy
Compressor, very handy, even for just checking typepressures and cleaninfg the vaccuum cleaner lol..but size, decide IF you MAYBE going to in the future do a bit of painting...get something that also covers the future
Mig welder...get gas, not gas less, get a little bigger than what you intend to use on.
Engine lift...well depends how many times u think u will use it, as against hiring one for the day...the fold down ones work with a 8' ceilling ..just
Engine stand, real handy, not something to hire becuase u can use it for months on end..they are not hard to build with your mig...if u need one
Lathe ..always handy..but a luxury, as with a small milling machine

And a big sign. " I dont Lend tools out, and if you want to use them use them here, If you put everything back clean"

Okay, lots of good suggestions... THANKS! I have quite a bit of the things I need to get me started, and will add the others as the budget allows. I picked up a brand new 1/2" impact and 1/4" ratchet (air) today, along with 4 jack stands and an 1/2" and 3/8" ratchet. My son got me (us ;)) a 3-ton floor jack for Father's Day and I have a few hydraulics already. I've got plenty of air power for running my HVLP spray rig. I've sprayed lacquer and alcohol-based dyes, but never paint. That's an experience for on down the road a ways...:)

I do have another specific question. I have a buddy who has a welder like this (225/150) for sale - used, but in excellent condition. I'd love to hear some feedback on it from those in the know. It isn't MIG, and that's all I've ever used... but this one is priced right, if it will work:

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/stick/thunderbolt_xl_ac_dc/ (http://www.millerwelds.com/products/stick/thunderbolt_xl_ac_dc/)

There are a number of "specialty" hand tools that come in very handy.

I have a 3 bolt puller that I've used hundreds of times taking off steering wheels and harmonic balancers.
Also a 3 jaw puller with reversible jaws. An engine rotating device is handy, I have a socket that fits on the crank snout, tho sometimes I've wished it was the type that bolts to the balancer.

Some measuring tools can be really handy. a 6" mechanics rule is a must, and a dial caliper is suweet!

And of course (electrical stuff being a specialty) some good crimpers, soldering iron, misc heat shrink tubing, spare terminals (NOT those nasty hardware store ones!) and a cheap digital voltmeter.