I'm going to add some tool recommendations since half of fab work is the tools you have and how you use em.
Had some recent experience with the ole carbide tipped 7.25 circular saw blades that Mike Had recommended to me quite some time ago. I've been meaning to pick one up for a long while and then when I saw one at the local hardware store I figured why not. There's a wide range of brands at various price points, I've been using this one...
http://www.amazon.com/Lenox-Tools-21881 ... uctDetails
![saw blade.jpg](./download/file.php?id=4441&sid=6831d6d41c82f14eb1a35e0e672adad5)
- saw blade.jpg (33.43 KiB) Viewed 50804 times
I was skeptical, but I'll be damned if it didn't make a 2-3 minute cut with an abrasive wheel into a 5 second cut... keep in mind I don't use a lot of pressure when I'm cutting as I've found it's mostly a good way to dust abrasive wheels and it tends to ruin cutting edges. I don't think I'll ever go back to abrasive wheels as my primary cutting tool. The definitely have their place. But zipping through 3/16", 1/4", 1/2" plate isn't it. Just toss it in the ole circular saw and go. Woulda cut my front bumper fab time down by weeks and probably woulda knocked a day off my rear bumper build. As an added benifit clean up is easier than with the abrasive wheels and the part is cold to the touch after cutting.
You will find a face shield necessary....
I have the el cheapo face shield. I recently got to use the one Mike recommends earlier in this thread and it's nice and it's comfortable and it covers your face better. I'd recommend going this route as it keeps shit from bouncing up into your face a lot better.
http://www.amazon.com/Sperian-Protectio ... vex+bionicJust a side note, when you're closed up in the garage and painting, toss on a respirator. I have one, I keep it bagged up with extra cartridges to absorb organic vapors so I always have the option of wearing it. I chose not to while using a duplicolor self etching primer and before the night was over I found myself in the ER coughing uncontrollably an endless supply of hand fulls of clear mucus as my lungs apparently were trying to clean themselves out. More than a week later I still can't run up a couple flights of stairs without being seriously winded and I'm still using two different inhalers to combat the symptoms. I know better, but I was in a rush and was being stupid. Don't be like me. I'm an asshole.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Series-Facepie ... B000FTEDMMAlso of note
Harbor freight dead blow hammer is pretty alright, took me two years to break mine, I use it frequently and often with a serious disagreement with the part I'm using it on.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-lb-neon- ... 41800.htmlI've used these chisels with some serious abuse and they hold up well
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... -4885.htmlBreaker bar... I've put 4 ft of pipe on this thing to start crushing crush sleeves and it flexes but is still solid. Occasionally I've had to tighten the allen head screws on the head, but it's a non issue.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-drive-2 ... 67933.html