If you’re anything like us, you probably already have your dream conversion preplanned in your head. In this blog, we will go over a few of the most popular “must have” and “must avoid” products.
Our best suggestion for tools is to buy second hand if you do not have them. Look through Facebook marketplace or craigslist to your advantage just like when you bought your bus. You may often find inexpensive, used but high-quality tools for sale locally. If you are going into big box stores, Home Depot and Lowes always have amazing deals during the holidays. Personally, we prefer Home Depot as supplies and materials tend to be at a better cost. Lowes also does not carry Milwaukee, which we are a big fan of.
*Disclaimer, when working on the bus especially with tools use proper PPE. Wear safety glasses, ear protection, and proper gloves*
Below, you will have a list of tools that are must haves when converting a bus on your own. Most of these items can be purchased inexpensively and will last a very long time.
Needs:
Gloves
Hearing & vision protection
Tape Measure
Carpenter Pencil
Cordless drill
Drill Bits (and lots of them!)
Punches
Grinder
Cut off wheels
Hammer
Screwdrivers
200+ piece mechanic tool set
Pry bar
Miter saw
Speed square
Long T square
Circular saw
Miter saw
Sandpaper
Nails
Screws
But most importantly, your desire to build a skoolie! With a vision, anything is possible!
From demoing the bus and removing the seats, to building your sub floor and walls, these are all tools that will be used each time. Some of these tools we even suggest keeping with you while traveling on the road.
The next list contains items that are not “must haves” but instead the list of “sure would be nice” or “gotta borrow” tools. They are not necessarily needed for your build, but they are convenient to have nearby
“Sure would be nice”:
½ impact driver
Table saw
Welder
Torches
Jigsaw
Planer
Band saw
(The list can go on for miles! Once you start building more and more, the more things you will want and need!)
This is just a list to get you started with your build. This does not include tools for electrical work, plumbing or HVAC. In our next blog post, we will go into detail on what you will be using these tools for and how.
As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions or comments!
