Useful tools and materials:
There are several tools and items, which are so useful, that deserve a special mention.
Nothing replaces removing the seats. Use a cut-off wheel (not the grinding wheel) and cut off the screw heads. I noticed, that first grinding the flat bar on the side of the screw head with a grinding disc made it easier to cut them off. |
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Cordless drill. I like the drill 14 V, it is strong enough for most tasks, but not as heavy and tiring as monsters 18 V. Buy multiple Phillip drivers no 2 and don't be shy to throw them away, when they become dull and stop gripping the screws. |
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There is no cheaper source of angle iron than old bed frames. However, bed frame steel is a tough material and will eat away at saw blades quite quickly. Use a miter saw or miter box, equipped with an abrasive metal cutting disc. |
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| You will also need a woodworking miter box.
I found this Ryobi at the municipal dump! Only, what i had to do, remove it and straighten the bent cover!
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 I don't like crimp connectors, in the end they always fail. I use solder and heat shrink tubing for most electrical connections, making this butane soldering iron invaluable. I also use it in torch mode to solder my oil lamps . |
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Polyurethane construction adhesive is a liquid duck tape, sticks everything to everything and hardens even with 40 steps outside (though slowly). I use this on all my woodworking and between cabinets, partition walls and panels, where it meets the bus floor and walls. |
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Silicone gasket is almost as useful as polyurethane. It is used to seal cracks, waterproofing penetrations through walls or roof with pipes and wires and for patching window seals. |
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 Self-drilling screws are like nails for metal, you can just stick them in there, where you need them. Proceed slowly when drilling into bus fins, the steel on the ribs of the school bus is hard, and too high a speed will ruin the drilling point, before you go. |
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Dremel tools can be very useful. If you are going to buy it, get this one, do not buy a new "ergonomic", is reported, that is cheap. |
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If you live in the North, You will want, for such a heater to keep you warm when working on a bus during the winter months. This one has 18 000 BTU and works pretty well. Store it in a warm place, mine is getting picky, when stored in the garage, I think, that there is moisture in the regulator. Remember, to open the window, because it is a "no vent" heater and needs an oxygen source – just like you. |
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| This is Drill Doctor, drill sharpener, although it is not absolutely necessary, it is good to have sharp drill bits for drilling in hard metal, such as school bus ribs or bed frame angle.
If you spend money on a lot of drills, you usually have a sharp one on hand. But if you spend money on a drill bit sharpener, you'll always have one on hand. |
