Essential TOOLS for CONVERTING a VAN | Ford Transit Conversion

[@QUANGNguyen-kw3lf]

U are a genius. What a detailed video and explanation of the tools. Perfectly perfect

[@markt7754]

Just discovered your channel and am loving it. I’m a big Ryobi fan b/c of the 280+ tools available here in the states. I always share with people that you are investing in a “battery universe” and Ryobi has the biggest universe at a great entry point. Once you have a few batts they sell tool only versions at a great price. I just bought a cordless brushless compound sliding miter saw and am checking out the table saw. They also started offering their own 8 slot, 18v battery “generator” and solar panels. Some of my other favs are 5 gal. bucket misting fan, bug zapper, LED lighting, and power head with interchangeable expand-it yard tools. I started out 20 years ago with the Ryobi Ni-Cad powered blue tools. They were the only company that didn’t make you start over when Li-ion came on. I quit my Mikita tools then. I have no affiliation with Ryobi or anyone else. Just a retired solar installer, building scientist and tiny home builder sharing his opinion. Keep your videos coming. Cheers

[@saltyvanventures]

Thanks! Yes it’s really hard to beat Ryobi for bang for buck!

[@pavel9652]

Alternative to cordless tools is to use power bank or the van system. I purchased Bluetti AC200MAX with battery extensions B300 for a good price as the energy system and will use it to power tools if needed, 8 kWh capacity in total. It has a good inverter with a strong continuous and peak wattage, plus passthrough. I have mix of power tools purchased about 10 years ago, still in great shape, not used much, but almost all are corded except cordless drill. It might be easier to handle 1-3 large batteries with solar charging than dozens of small ones and expensive cordless tools. Nice set, though! ;)

[@saltyvanventures]

That’s an interesting idea. I still just love not having any cables to worry about.

[@kamijay1104]

Wow 🤩 I can’t believe you’re not a tradey.. I have subscribed and watched and liked heaps of these videos because I want to build my own van out and I 💯 thought you had to be a tradey for all the extra things you have thought about… you have given me hope that if I just take it one step at a time and watch your videos that I can do it too.. thanks for all the great content 🎉

[@QUANGNguyen-kw3lf]

U are amazing for all the work you have done ❤ what a genius

[@saltyvanventures]

Thank you so much 😀

[@juanitadaniels7511]

Nice, very helpful and people often underestimate the types of tools needed.

[@saltyvanventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewcheshire244]

Idk why I watched this video, 25 years on the tools, but your voice is kind of soothing amidst my rage at not being able to return to NZ and do a proper build out of my VW crafter.

[@andrewcheshire244]

1 year and 2 months in exile. FUK Aus/NZ Govt criminals and the douchebags that enforce their illegal actions.

[@saltyvanventures]

Haha thank you so much. Oh no we fell your pain with border restrictions. We hope you can get back soon. We are also waiting for the day we can return to Chile and finish our van conversion there too!

[@WishfulWanderers]

Very hand and great list! An idea to speed up your 45 degree table saw cuts is to drill 2 holes in your sled and fit dowels into the 45 degree piece to make it easy to put in and take out :)

[@saltyvanventures]

Thats actually a super great idea. Wish i had thought of that when i was building. Definitely something to keep in mind for next time round. Thanks!

[@matthewappleby8272]

I started buying up my tools now so I can do a few jobs before getting the van (12-18month wait in Australia now), such as framing for fans etc and to get used to using them. I just picked up the Ryobi 2000W 254mm Dual Bevel Sliding Mitre Saw and have been trying some cuts with scrap timber, it actually is doing a really good job of angled 45 degree cuts.

[@edditto1540]

Hey, man…just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your videos and I've been using your Amazon affiliate links to buy the cordless tool kit I'll soon be using to do my own build. One thing to mention: having a cordless tool kit means you can set up on the outskirts of a hardware store's parking lot where you won't disturb anybody and work there as the need arises. Make sure you check with the store manager ahead of time, of course. I see so many build videos where people constantly have to go back and forth to buy screws and wood and such, when they're standing in front of a portable shop system--sawhorses and cordless tools, etc. Just make sure to clean up your mess when you're finished--sweep up the sawdust, pack your trash out, make sure you didn't leave any tire hazards on the ground, and so on.

[@saltyvanventures]

Thanks so much for the support. They are a great tool for their price. Yes i also have seen so many people parked outside the big hardware stores and building their vans from the car parks. Makes the trip back to the store when you forgot something much more bearable! Best of luck with your build!

[@edditto1540]

@@saltyvanventures Followup: I'm in the US…do you have an Amazon Affiliate account set up for here? Otherwise the shipping time and cost is gonna be prohibitive. If you do, please let me know the URL.

[@saltyvanventures]

@@edditto1540 the links work both in the US and Aus i think but yeh thats all i can do. I don't have any US specific links sorry.

[@Vlaid65]

I concur with you comment about screws. The van is like a black hole for screws.

[@saltyvanventures]

Right!, If I have one tip, buy in bulk at the start of your build what you think you might use, and then double it!

[@contactingrichard]

Very helpful. Thank you. Why Ryobi throughout, please?

[@saltyvanventures]

I just like their quality for price.

[@charlietipene7818]

you are simply awesome. another great video

[@saltyvanventures]

Wow, thank you!

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Thanks! Very nice explanations.

[@saltyvanventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@solovjud]

Thank You!

[@saltyvanventures]

Your welcome

[@olivetrees342]

Thank you so much for this video!! It is so helpful.

[@saltyvanventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kevingalloway9338]

Thanks for another great one

[@saltyvanventures]

My pleasure!

[@juliewright6889]

Thanks! That was super helpful. 😊

[@saltyvanventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thanktheknife]

been diggin the videos Marcel. Really enjoy the attention to detail you put in all aspects of the build. Curious to what your day job is? You have gathered alot of knowledge/skills in many areas, keep it up bruh

[@saltyvanventures]

Im actually a mining engineer by profession but have always enjoyed creating, building and inventing things.

[@adamcoombe8803]

Sorry mate I ment the plastic compartment you put in the side of van that the gas went in

[@saltyvanventures]

Oh right. The link is in the description for the gas video

[@garywishart9448]

Hey mate , have a link to what model your ryobi table saw is, and how you made your sled for it please , great videos , very inspiring.....

[@saltyvanventures]

This is the table saw i have www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-1800w-254mm-table-saw_p6210593?store=7092&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtMCKBhDAARIsAG-2Eu_k3VajfsxVEVVfPF53So9SFH5C8gqkhQCHBmnqIsz4R7L08HNjyvcaAoA-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[@saltyvanventures]

I don't have a video on the sled but there are tonnes of videos on YT that will explain it much better than i could. You need to do a few key things to make sure the sled is all square

[@garywishart9448]

Thanks , your videos are so well done , keep up the good work

[@sarahharoleon5375]

Do you think a multi-tool can do some of the jobs the grinder does on the metal? I was keen to avoid having to use a grinder..

[@saltyvanventures]

Some things but with a multi tool the piece. you're cutting has to be solid otherwise it will just vibrate like crazy. Things like cutting the windows out and cutting through the flimsy sheet metal probably wont work. Remember a grinder is also really handy for aggressive sanding when you want to take lots of with a sanding disk too.

[@MikeMasonCa]

Great video. Are you ever worried about metal shards from the angle grinder? I've heard someone else call the shards/sparks a "rust magnet" so that kind of makes me worried about using one.

[@saltyvanventures]

Not particularly worried. Most of the time were were doing any grinding we had catch shields up like an old woollen blanket so it wont burn. When i needed to cut in awkward areas like in the gas box i used a neodymium magnet to pick up as much of the filing as i could from the cavity. Sometimes you need to use it and can't avoid it.

[@jackthomson73]

One thing you to watch for is sparks hitting any glass panels. A hot spark can actually melt into the glass and then when it gets wet it will rust and streaks will appear. The embedded spark can also stuff up seals as well when the window goes up and down. This is experience speaking 🤦‍♂️😂. Have a great day 👍