So you’ve decided which van you want and you’re ready to start building your dream home-on-wheels. The next question to ask yourself is what tools do I need for a van conversion?
Here are the essential tools you will need when building a van: drill, jigsaw, mitre saw, metal grinder, holesaw, caulking gun, socket set or wrench, tape measure, level and plastic pipe cutters (to name a few). In this article we will go through the tools you should have on hand to make a complicated job as easy as possible.
1. 18v Cordless Drill (or 2)
You’re going to get very acquainted with your drill throughout your van conversion. For pilot holes for fans and window cuts, cabinet building and everything in between we strongly recommend going cordless as this will make manoeuvring around the van much easier. You can buy a set of 2x 18v Makita Brushless Drills like these for $250 USD on Amazon
2. Jigsaw
A Jigsaw is a must have tool for a van conversion with all the intricate cuts required, especially within the non square-bodied vans. You will use this for larger hole cuts for windows and fans, as well as cutting wood to fit the body shape of your van. Again we recommend purchasing a battery powered jigsaw which will prevent you from getting tangled in the cord and make life so much easier when clambering around a van. You can Buy a 18v D-Handle Jigsaw from Amazon,
3. Skillsaw (Circular Saw)
While a jigsaw is great for those more intricate cuts, a skillsaw is perfect for longer straight cuts like slating and cabinetry. Again we recommend a cordless version, allowing you that freedom of movement. The Makita Cordless Circular Saw 18V is available to buy on Amazon.
4. Mitre Saw
This tool will save you hours when building your van as you’re going to be cutting a lot of custom length wood, whether it be for your cabinetry, flooring or battens. This is probably the most important and useful tool to have in your arsenal when tackling a van to campervan conversion. We recommend something similar to the DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw, 12-Inch (DWS779) which is available on amazon for $460 USD.
5. Holesaw Kit
You will need a range of holesaw bits for your van to campervan conversion and you will need bits for both wood and metal. You will use these to cut holes in your roof for solar cord inlets and in your cabinetry for cables and plumbing. It’s worth getting a selection of sizes as you’ll find you will need a range! You can buy holesaw kits such as this set of 13 on Amazon.
6. 8m Tape Measure
Measure twice and cut once, as they say! You’re going to be making a lot of measurements and remeasurements in your van build; every part of your van build will require a carefully measured design, so grab yourself a decent quality tape measure. We recommend an 8m tape measure as this will be plenty long enough for a van build. If you’re building out a bus you might consider going longer!
7. Caulk Gun
Another must have tool for any build – you will need a caulk gun to cleanly and precisely apply adhesive and waterproofing silicon in all the right places. They are a reasonably cheap tool so consider grabbing yourself a couple if you don’t want to be constantly changing out the adhesive and waterproofing cartridges.
8. Clamps
Clamps help you keep components together while adhesive or sealants dry. We recommend grabbing 4-8 of these as you will be surprised how many tasks these can help you get done, from window framing to wood cutting. A must have for any conversion.
9.Level
It’s surprising how off your eye can be, so don’t risk it! A level is a simple but crucial tool for ensuring your structural framing lines up perfectly.
10. Wrench
Essential for tightening bolts throughout the build; you can also choose to go for a socket set if you have a good idea of the range of sizes you are going to need. The advantage of a wrench is that it’s adjustable by nature and can be used for a wide range of jobs.
11. Staple Gun
If you’re planning on managing your upholstery, a staple gun is an important addition to your tool belt. From overhead lining to trims, a staple gun is an effective tool.
All The Other Important Bits and Pieces
- Metal File (to clean up all your metal cuts)
- Plastic Pipe Cutter (for cutting your water piping)
- Wire Cutters / Stripers (if you are going to be tackling your electrical set up)
- Pocket Knife / Utility Knife (cutting insulation / boxes etc)
- Plumber’s Thread Tape (for plumbing fittings)
- Painter’s Tape (to protect areas you don’t want painted)
- Electrical Tape and Heat Shrink (to insulate your electrical terminations)
- Electrical Lugs (electrical connectors)
- Wood Pencil or Marker (to mark all your cuts and measurements)
- Sandpaper and Sandpaper Blocks (for wood preparation)
- Paintbrush
- Insulation (aluminium tape to finish edging insulation)
Essential Safety Equipment
The most important equipment, which is easy to overlook, is safety equipment. If you want to be able to enjoy your build after it’s finished make sure you grab yourself the following safety equipment:
- Safety Glasses (you are going to be cutting and grinding metal and wood, don’t risk it)
- Safety Mask (for all your wood cuts and toxic sealants)
- Ear Protection (for noisy tools that can get quite loud in the van)
- Knee Pads (Optional but recommended, you will be spending a lot of time crouched and on your knees)
Which Is The Best Van For Campervan Conversion
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