This is a subject I had on my mind for a while so I am presenting this post as a test of the reception and interest. Please feel free to give me your thoughts.

The idea comes for many years of hearing such comments as "I could never build that" - "but you have all those years of experience" - "but you have built so many cars" - "I do not have the tools for such a project" - "I would not know where to start' etc.

So, I intend to give some words of encouragement and some basic ideas. This information is not intended for any specific reader, rather, anyone who is open to a new idea or new method.

First, basic tools will do wonders. If your hesitation is because of "not having the tools" then begin your collection right away. Of course, basic end wrenches, basic sockets set, basic hand tools are necessary. Beyond that, a few extras will enable you to build much more than you might imagine.

A bench grinder, drill press, assortment of drill bits, and portable band saw will put you well on your way.

A drill press could come under the heading of luxury but a simple, benchtop; drill press is a mighty good tool. Equip it with a good selection of quality drill bits and a few sanding drums and you can fab up all manner of clean, good looking brackets, tabs, etc.

A portable band can be converted to a band saw with a table by utilizing the conversion kit from Swag offroad. Check that web site for information. It is priceless for cutting small pieces and saves so much handwork.

Now consider this, I have made no mention of a welder. And while you may eventually want to add a MIG to your collection, by being creative you can “bolt-on” many small brackets and tabs and such and the result is completely acceptable.

If this idea of some basic fabrication tools and ideal shows any interest I will continue.

Either way, I encourage you to build something, even if it is just a bracket to hold a catch can. You will find a great reward.

I'm in!

I'm never against learning something new. Share away.

It's funny you mention comments like "I could never build that". There are some people believe because they can't you can't. I used to make and sell fabricated aluminum valve covers and took them to all the races I went to and displayed them. Had a guy tell my buddy who was watching the table for me that I wasn't making them, that they had to be made in a factory somewhere. LOL

First thing needed is. I can do it attitude, I find tons of folks who say yea but I can't build everything like you can.Yet they never tried.So they where defeated before they ever started.

Everyone can do it give they do the effort.Yes some it will come easier than others. I call it determination my wife calls it stubborn .

Larry, I like the idea of encouraging, and sharing some basic fabrication projects. Maybe eventually moving it to some more involved stuff, if interest is there.

It saddens me that most public schools no longer offer "Industrial Arts" (Shop classes). All through middle school/Jr. High and High school, I took every shop class I could get. Auto shop, Woodworking, Metal shop, Electric shop, Print shop, Drafting, etc. Learned many skills that I still use quite often.
My first real "fabrication" project for a race car, was creating a firewall to seal off the trunk from the back seat so I could add a fuel cell. Bought several pieces of scrap aluminum and steel sheet metal, and went at it. Seemed real challenging at first, because of the unique size and shape it required, along with allowing for mounting tabs, etc. I finally wised up, and took a couple big sheets of corrugated cardboard box, to draw on, make cuts, and mock it up, until I had a usable template to trace onto the sheet metal. Even though the aluminum was thicker, I found it much easier and more forgiving to work with on that project. Some tin snips, coping saw, aircraft snips, various size & shape hand files, die grinder with cartridge rolls, a drill and a pop rivet gun did the trick.

Like mentioned in other comments above, attitude means a lot. I like challenges, but still was able to go from feeling overwhelmed, to getting nice compliments on the finished product from the tech inspectors. Gotta just jump in sometimes.

Love the idea. I have always been one that needs to figure things out on my own and rarely (never) take my cars (especially race cars) to people for work.

I started fabbing about 15 years ago and now I have enough to build anything in my garge with some pretty advanced equipment. My plan is to reach retirement from my normal job and then take on a few projects throughout the year to easily afford my racing habit.

At 45, I have made a lot of good investments that have me set up very well - this being one of them.

The fact I cant and wont sit on the couch is another reason. I sit there for 5 minutes and look at TV thinking about garage stuff - so I just go out there and do it. Its a curse.

Great idea! Subscribed...

Great idea!

I’m in always want to learn more

Tremendous idea. Im in the middle of a build, always room to learn.

The sign hanging on our garage wall says, We do the difficult immediately the impossible takes us a little longer.

I had a couple of mentors when I was young. The most influential was Bob Flanagan, the night shift A&P Supervisor at Zantop Airways. His attention to detail was simply outstanding, yet his garage was always a mess. He always had the right tool under that pile. I once asked how he had so may tools he said, "When you're 40, you'll have this many tools yourself."

Things for me didn't really sink in until I realized working on the hot rod wasn't a job that had to be done today. You could do it over and over or take as long as it took to get it right.

I think young car people today are conditioned to believe they can't modify or fix that part. It has to be new. After all, isn't that what the auto journalist shills tell them? "Well, our rear axle needs a different ratio so we bought complete flange to flange 9" from Upyour Rears."

Today's yutes don't know they can do it themselves. It's up to us codgers to show them they can, if they're interested.

Just remember if they don't have the fire in their bellies or you can't put one there it may not make a difference.

Great idea, teach us everything you know. Maybe other guys could chime in as well? Thanks Larry!

I feel like I have been very fortunate in that my dad introduced me to drag racing as an infant and also the fact that he was a great fabricator. I spent most of my life in the shop with dad as a child and at 16 was able to start a 5 year apprenticeship to learn sheet metal layout and fabrication. Its amazing how many different applications this trade has helped me with to date. I always told my dad he was a great engineer without an engineering degree. Mr. Woodfin has also had a great influence in my life especially since I lost my dad in 2013. Thanks Larry looking forward to many other race projects.

The advise Gene Winfield gave Bad Chaz's son was (paraphrased) "try anything, if you mess it up throw it away and get another piece of metal and try again. Eventually you will learn how to do it".
I thought that was pretty good. Kind of the way I learned.

Dave

Benchtop mill/drill combo is worth it's weight in gold. DRO kits are readily available on Amazon for a couple hundred bucks. I haven't used my drill press in years. I don't even know why I still have a drill press.

I've slowly collected fabrication equipment and mostly from Craigslist purchases. Said mill/drill, 12x36 lathe, HF Tig, vertical band saw. It's amazing what can be done to a race car with this lineup. Worth every penny.

So much fun and so rewarding to build/modify my own parts. There are a lot of parts on my car you won't see elsewhere.

Great topic. And post pictures!