We'd like to start this by saying that we were really really lucky that our friends and family (mostly our tool-hoarding dads) lent us many tools for our van build, so get out there, buy the essentials then beg and borrow!
Every DIY van conversion is different so this is going to be more of a list of what we think are essential tools that you can't build a camper van without, and then extra tools which can make your build easier.
Essentials
Safety Kit
Safety is key when working on any DIY project, there is no point hurting yourself before you get to enjoy your home on wheels. gloves, safety glasses, ear defenders and strong boots are a great place to start.
Tape Measure
This tool will hardly leave your hand throughout your build so this is your new best friend. Remember, measure twice, cut once!
Low Budget - 5m Stanley Tylon Tape
Higher End - 8m Stanley Dual Lock Tape
Square
Spirit levels are useless in a van build as your van won't ever be level, and the more weight added to the van the more it will change! A square allows you to cut straight and create perfectly square cupboards and drawers.
Low Budget - Silverline Square
Higher End - Stanley Square
Caulking Gun
A caulk gun is what you use to apply your other new best friend - Sikaflex! As well as any other sealants, caulks and silicones for fixing in windows, roof vents, sinks and shower trays.
Low Budget - ProDec Caulking Gun
Higher End - Wolfcraft Caulking Gun
Combi Drill
You can use a combi drill to put holes into wood and metal, as well as drive in screws. If you can afford to, it's a good investment to buy power tools all of the same make. This way you can use batteries across all of your devices, and even buy some bare (battery-less and therefore cheaper) tools once you have a stock of batteries, We are a big fan of the Makita LXT Range but that's just a personal preference!
Low Budget - Black+Decker Combi Drill
Higher End - Makita DHP482
Bit sets
For your combi drill you will need a selection of drill and screwdriver bits in more shapes and sizes than you could ever imagine. If you are new to using power tools be ready to wear and break some bits, that's all part of the process so you can't be too precious!
Low Budget - Amazon Multi Bit Set
Higher End - Makita Accessory Kit
Clamps
An extra pair of hands is always useful at any stage of your van build! A good set of clamps can stop you trying to hold that awkward shaped thing in that awkward position with your face while you try to screw it in.
Low Budget - Workpro Clamps
Higher End - Irwin Quick Grip Clamp
Jigsaw
You can get through the majority of your van build solely with this saw. From cutting holes in your van's body for windows and roof vents to cutting tongue and groove for your internal cladding. Having a hand saw and a mitre block alongside this would be sufficient for the majority of builds, however if you can afford to add some luxuries to your toolkit the saw department is a great place to start.
Low Budget - Black+Decker Jigsaw
Higher End - Makita DJV182
Something key which we have missed out of this 'essentials' list is plumbing and electrical specific tools. These really range depending on what kind of install you are doing and where in the world you are! Keep an eye out for upcoming blogs that cover this!
Extras
Socket Set
Working on any vehicle is made easier with a socket set, I got mine for my birthday when we started our van build and haven't stopped using it since!
Low Budget - Rolson Socket Set
Higher End - Sealey AK692
Circular Saw
As we mentioned in the essentials section, the saw department is a great place to expand your toolkit. A circular saw allows you to cut quicker in straight lines compared to a jigsaw. In our build we used ours to cut sheets of 18mm plywood for our false floor.
Low Budget - Black+Decker Circular Saw
Higher End - Makita HS7601J
Chop and Table Saws
Chop and Table saws are very similar to a circular saw - one big circular blade which you either move towards your wood, or move your wood against! Chop saws are great for cutting your timber for framework or tongue and groove for a ceiling while table saws are best for sheet materials.
Low Budget - Einhell Chop Saw
Higher End - Makita Slide Chop Saw
Low Budget - ParkerBrand Table Saw
Higher End Table Saw - Einhell Table Saw
Hole Saws
From cutting a hole in your ceiling for a puck light to a hole in the side of your van for a water filler point, hole saws are a great addition to your toolkit and can be easily used as an attachment to your combi drill. Once you have an arbour (center drill bit) you can attach to it holesaws of any size.
Low Budget - Bi-Metal Hole Saw
https://amzn.to/36EtQ5l *including arbour.
Higher End - Starrett 70mm Hole Saw
https://amzn.to/2JZaIYb *plus arbour.
Pocket Hole Jig
A Pocket-Hole jig can be a life saver in a van build, allowing you to make perfect hidden joints throughout. We didn't use one on our build but it would definitely have sped us up!
Low Budget - Wolfcraft Jig
Higher End - Kreg Jig K4
Sander
We got through most of our build using a good old fashioned sanding block and sandpaper, however even the most basic electric sander can save so much time on your van build.
Low Budget - Black+Decker Mouse Sander
Higher End - Makita DBO180Z
Angle Grinder
Depending on your van build an Angle Grinder may be absolutely necessary. We had 10 metres of Unwin rails with rusty bolts to chop out which would have been almost impossible without one!
Low Budget - Bosch Angle Grinder
Higher End - Makita DGA452Z
1/4 Hex Angle Screwdriver
This little gadget is finishing this list as it saved us more times than we would like to admit! There is always one final screw which you just can't get the right angle to drive in which is where this comes in handy, allowing you to work at 90 degrees to the screw.
Low Budget - 90-degree Screwdriver Attachment
Higher End - Trend Angle Screwdriver Attachment
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