Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 17
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    BrisVegas
    Posts
    71

    Question Van fitout as mobile workshop - what tools required, how to best approach this?

    Hi all,

    It looks like I will be making bit of career change, basically requiring a van that is fitted out as a mobile mini-workshop. Seeing as how I've always been keen on learning about metalwork I figure this is the perfect opportunity, now or never. So why not do the fitout myself?! Aside from actually wanting to do it, there's the monetary benefits (or restrictions). I can't imagine this kind of fitout would be cheap if done by an engineering shop, so anything I can do myself while learning new skills is like a double bonus.

    Some requirements of the fitout:
    • workbench
    • cupboards & racking for general storage
    • most likely various custom racks/holders for specific gear
    • tie down points for larger items
    • ramp for loading/unloading


    Aside from some fairly straightforward cutting & welding, there may be a need for some custom brackets - for example I may attach gas struts to a folding ramp for easy lowering. Would likely need brackets to bolt down all the shelving, workbench etc.

    Without knowing exact layout details I just thought I would try to get an idea of how this would best all come together? For example can I cut the materials myself, or would it save a world of trouble if I just get the suppliers to cut things to length? For any brackets or other machined parts I'm thinking I would just go to a shop and get the parts made.

    I have a welder (MIG/TIG) but nothing else that specifically metalwork related. I'm just wondering if there are any tools that could make this kind of job a lot easier? Or do you think the best approach would be to just stick to welding, and get someone else to do cutting and fabricating the various brackets and machined pieces?

    Cheers for any tips & guidance!

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    4,304

    Default

    Well a small drill press would be a start....

    vice

    quiet generator to run the above fitted somewhere where it will not gas you..
    Light red, the colour of choice for the discerning man.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,756

    Default

    Mobile workshop - sure - but used to do what? would be the first question that would need answering.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,478

    Default

    I'd get a quote from an established company and see how they would attach the shelving. Probably bolts/screws onto the internal ribs.

    Then do it myself

    Check out a few plumbers vans in the Reece parking lot. Maybe a traytop ute with roller door work cabinets would be a better go. Tray makes great work bench.

    Depends what you are going to do or want to carry. Fit a vise too.

    Also handy to fit a 240 ac inverter - 600 watt is OK from standard battery, or fit a secondary deep cycle/marine battery if going larger.


    Rob

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ballarat
    Age
    65
    Posts
    2,659

    Default

    Brace yourself Mugget. I bought an 8' x 5' tandem and built the canopy myself.
    I used it everyday for 7 years and rarely, if ever, found something I didn't have a tool for.
    I have some pics somewhere that I'll dig up and post. All up there is $32,000 worth of equipment on board.

    Phil

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ballarat
    Age
    65
    Posts
    2,659

    Default

    Here are the pics.
    The main ingredients were a 200 amp welder with a 6000watt 7KVA generator, Oxy LP set, slide out work bench and slide out pedestal drill.
    I used the retractable reels for the airline and oxy hoses.
    I have a full inventory of the contents if that would help.

    Phil
    Alex engineering tool Trailer (3).jpg Alex engineering tool Trailer (4).jpg Alex engineering tool Trailer (6).jpg Alex engineering tool Trailer (7).jpg Alex engineering tool Trailer (8).jpg Alex engineering tool Trailer (9).JPG Alex engineering tool Trailer (11).JPG

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,478

    Default

    Great setup. What was the all up weight of the trailer ?

    Rob

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ballarat
    Age
    65
    Posts
    2,659

    Default

    Hi Rob,
    She was just a little shy of 1500 kg

    Phil

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    moonbi nsw Aus
    Age
    69
    Posts
    2,065

    Default

    Mate......I think the first thing to aim at is what are you going to do? Are you going to fabricate, or maintenance or.....With that in mind you can then figure out what tools you need. If you don't I think you will be fumbling in the dark! Have you worked out your hourly rate? Where are you going to find work? Is it a constant or will it sporadic? Have you figured out what insurances and licenses you will require? You are embarking on a huge step which could turn nasty if you are not prepared. You will need a good accountant as much as you will need a good welding machine. A close relationship with an accountant can mean the difference between eating steak or cold baked beans. Do your homework first and be thorough. Good luck
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ballarat
    Age
    65
    Posts
    2,659

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chambezio View Post
    Mate......I think the first thing to aim at is what are you going to do? Are you going to fabricate, or maintenance or.....With that in mind you can then figure out what tools you need. If you don't I think you will be fumbling in the dark! Have you worked out your hourly rate? Where are you going to find work? Is it a constant or will it sporadic? Have you figured out what insurances and licenses you will require? You are embarking on a huge step which could turn nasty if you are not prepared. You will need a good accountant as much as you will need a good welding machine. A close relationship with an accountant can mean the difference between eating steak or cold baked beans. Do your homework first and be thorough. Good luck
    Oops, I just assumed all that had been sorted.

    Phil

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    BrisVegas
    Posts
    71

    Default

    Cheers for the replies.

    Sorry, I should have worded the thread title a little better - as far as tools, I'm just talking about tools for the actual fitout, building the shelves, benches etc.

    For anyone curious about what I'll be doing - basically lawn mowing/garden maintenance. I know what you're thinking, a mobile workshop just for that?? Just throw a lawn mower in the back of a trailer or ute, "she'llberightmate"!
    Well a friend has been doing this for about 20 years, he's just about got it down to a science. Haha. Basically all the guys with the bare essentials (1 mower in a trailer/ute) are making it so hard for themselves. So following the lead of my mowing guru mate I'm going to start building up to have a similar setup as him. Although he has a trailer, only because he doesn't want the cost of a 2nd vehicle (van) since he already has a car. I don't have a car (only bikes) and have always planned on getting a van so this works out fairly well! So as far as the van fitout, it will basically cater to small engine repairs and other work on mowers, whipper snipper, maybe chainsaw etc. But if I'm honest it's really going to be setup so I can do work on a bike if needed at a track day etc. (In pretty much everything I do, the reason has to do with motorbikes!)

    Quote Originally Posted by nearnexus View Post
    I'd get a quote from an established company and see how they would attach the shelving. Probably bolts/screws onto the internal ribs.

    Then do it myself
    Haha, cheers Rob. Yeah if I can't figure out something myself I will be doing just that...

    Syncro seems to have some fairly great stuff, but no doubt costs a packet!

    On that note - does anyone know of other companies that specialise in those kinds of van shelving & fitouts?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    Brace yourself Mugget. I bought an 8' x 5' tandem and built the canopy myself.
    I used it everyday for 7 years and rarely, if ever, found something I didn't have a tool for.
    I have some pics somewhere that I'll dig up and post. All up there is $32,000 worth of equipment on board.

    Phil
    Nice one Phil. My mate has a similar setup, a bit smaller trailer, but he reckons all the mods and tools, equipment etc. are worth about $30k. He had a roof added so he can stand up inside, the tail gate is the ramp and he had a workbench with a small sink installed, cost $3k just for that (and that would have been maybe 10+ years ago).

    On the subject of your trailer - how did you go about insuring all your gear?

    There's lots that will go into this, eventually I will have it fitted out with solar & batteries, LED lighting inside, plus some kind of compressor and air blower. The floor will also have to be waterproof, grippy, without letting water down onto the van floor/chassis, but that is a whole other topic...

    At the moment it's building the actual shelves, cupboards & benches that I'm wondering about. It seems like the most simple way is to do up a plan and get the suppliers to cut all the materials to length, then I just make them up and install? I was just wondering if there's any tools in particular that could make life easier since I don't know much about metalwork. Although somehow I'm thinking that anything aside from basic cutting and grinding is best left to an engineering shop.

    One other thing is the choice of aluminium or steel? I'm thinking aluminium would be ideal because it wouldn't need any special finish and would be fine if any water was splashed around. And it's always good to haul less weight around. I can easily see steel being a pain if it gets bumped and scratched, but maybe a bit of surface rust is nothing to be worried about?

    I will eventually head over to the Motor Vehicles forum to find out about van recommendations... thanks for all the comments so far!

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Ballarat
    Age
    65
    Posts
    2,659

    Default

    Hi mugget,
    Insurance I had was for fire, theft and rollover. As per usual it was never used although there were a couple of attempts to steal it.

    Phil

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,478

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    Hi mugget,
    Insurance I had was for fire, theft and rollover. As per usual it was never used although there were a couple of attempts to steal it.

    Phil
    Going the trailer route saves a lot on rego.

    A van or ute/traytop will be charged at commercial vehicle rate, which is quite a bit over a sedan or waggon.

    Rob

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    65

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    BrisVegas
    Posts
    71

    Default

    I just looked up a rego quote, not so bad actually... about ~$100-150 difference from a passenger car to light commercial/van with 1,800kg GVM. Not sure if I got the GVM right though, not sure how much that changes the price either... in any case if I wanted to go the trailer route, first I would have to buy a car...
    (But I guess you were talking trailer Vs. van rego Rob?)

    Cheers for the Caddy Storage link.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. New workshop fitout
    By Artbartiflast in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 21st April 2012, 10:06 AM
  2. required tools?
    By wileyc007 in forum MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 6th October 2010, 06:22 PM
  3. Mobile Machines in Workshop
    By gatiep in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORK
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 30th October 2007, 11:59 PM
  4. Tools required to Build Deck?? Help required.
    By swazee in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 2nd February 2007, 07:30 PM
  5. Basement workshop lining and fitout
    By numbat in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 20th March 2005, 01:49 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •