The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

10 Tools Your Shop Shouldn’t Skimp On

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Not every tool you own needs to be a Snap-On, Matco or Craftsman. Sometimes a cheap, average-quality tool will do just fine. However, there are some tools that no auto upholstery shop can afford to skimp on. In some cases, they may be expensive – but they’re necessary because we depend on them to make our work more efficient and effective.

These tools are unmistakable. You’ll know one the moment it fails you. You’ll be in the middle of a job when all of a sudden your cheap tool breaks in half, holding your shop hostage for hours. Worse still, it’ll cause you a nervous breakdown because you’ll realize that you have no one to blame but yourself. After all, if you hadn’t been too cheap to cough up a few extra bucks to buy the better model, it never would have happened.

Believe me, it’s not worth the aggravation.

Too avoid the headache, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 tools your auto trim shop can’t afford to skimp on.

1. Steamer

Every auto upholstery shop needs a quality steamer. Without one, it would be impossible to get those last few wrinkles out of convertible tops or stretch and tighten vinyl seat covers. I have a two-gallon Hoffman Pressure Steamer that handles every job I put it through.  Brand new it costs about $1,600, which is expensive until you consider that I’ve had it for over 15 years. When you do the math, that’s a little over $100 a year – well worth the price.

2. Scissors

What auto trim shop can afford to operate using cheap scissors?  My supplier sold me German-made 10” Kretzer Finny Scissors last year for $35 and I absolutely love them.  The ice tempered stainless steel blades cut through leather, cloth, plastic, vinyl and cardboard like butter.  I recommend them to everyone.

3. Sewing Machine

This is a no-brainer.  It doesn’t matter whether your sewing machine is a Singer, Pfaf, Juki, Brother or Consew. As long as you’re operating on an industrial strength walking-foot machine with a wide array of feet, you’ll be in good shape.  I wouldn’t trade my Singer 111w for the world.  It’s well over 50 years old and still runs perfectly. All I do is keep it oiled and call to have it serviced once a year.

4. Cutting table

Take time to construct the right cutting table for your shop.  It must be level, smooth and large enough to roll out your material on.  Also make sure that the area it’s constructed in is well lit.  I connected my sewing machine table directly to my cutting table, which allows me to sew large covers more easily.

5. Measuring devices

I use rulers more often than any other tool in my shop. I keep them right by my cutting table.  It’s important for all shops to have 12”, 36”, 48” and 60” straight edges. A high-quality steel carpenter’s square and tailor tape are also a must. Make sure your rulers are metal, so they don’t ware or warp, and easily readable.

6. Staple Gun

The right tool can make your job so much easier, and staple guns are no exception.  While there are many types of staple guns, the best ones for auto upholstery are 3/8” and 1/2” crown.  Most shops have a snub-nose gun, but should also consider getting a 2” long-nose gun to get in those deep, hard-to-reach places.  I just bought a Spotnails JS5016LN Long-Nose Stapler for a $130.  It’s my first long nose stapler and now that I’ve used it, I don’t know how I ever got along without one.

Having a quality air compressor to operate your gun goes without saying.

7. Fork

A quality fork, or stapler remover, is yet another tool upholsterers shouldn’t skimp on.  Nothing beats a comfortable fork with sharp tips. High-quality steel is essential so that it doesn’t bend or break while removing stubborn staples.

8. Hog Ring Pliers

A quality pair of hog ring pliers can last decades. However, don’t get caught in the hype of automatic hog ring pliers.  They’re overrated and much too bulky to get into the types of tight spaces auto upholsterers need to reach.

9. Electric Foam Saw

For years I cut foam with scissors, razor blades, hacksaws and even kitchen knives.  Believe me, an electric foam saw is well worth the investment.  Most people are hesitant to buy one because they can cost upwards of $350. However, if you find one used you can get a good deal. I bought a Bosch foam saw from a retired furniture trimmer for $20. It has never let me down.

10. Glue Gun

I used to own a pressure-feed gun with a one-gallon pot and long hose. But there were way too many parts and too many places where things could go wrong.  Glue kept clogging the gun and I wasted too much time trying to fix it.

I eventually switched to a siphon-feed gun with a one-quart pot attached directly to its base from Harbor Freight Tools. The whole set up only costs $30 – a fraction of the price I paid for my old one-gallon pot. The downside is that it only lasts about a year. But with the price so cheap, I just throw it out and buy a new one when it dies.

Of course, the smaller pot means I have to refill my tank with glue more often. However, that’s a minor inconvenience compared to the headache of constantly repairing glue-clogged guns.

…Hey, occasionally you can get a better product for a cheaper price!

We want to hear from you: Based on your experience, what tools would you add to the list? Do you have any brand or model suggestions that you think other auto trimmers should check out? How about ones you think we should steer clear of? Any advice that you could provide would go a long way to helping other auto trimmers out.

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Comments

  1. you need that plastic glue line not rubber hose it will clog every time with rubber

  4. Found this site thanks to a news letter from Electron Top. Good info all. Been at this for 31 yrs. Jiffy steamers have served us well the ticket is distilled water a must in our opinion. Have aquired alot of equipment over the year buying out other shops. The shear sharpener was one of the best aquisition. Thanks to all , look forward to more

  5. I used pressure pots before also and found them a bit of a pain. I tried the Harbor freight HVLP gun works great for glue. because it is a gravity feed you never have clog up problems. Its also great working around freshly painted cars you never have to worry about the hose dragging around on the rockers. I am into mine 8 months so far without a problem.

  6. I have switched to a water based adhesive called simalfa…..I dont like the side effects of solvent based adhesive…..overspray is a bit of a hurdle…but the adhesion is good

  7. I didn’t see it listed, if so-my bad…a good quality set of dike pliers/wire cutters for cutting hog rings. I keep a set of Channel Lock brand close by. The pair I use have a little longer handles on them than some others out there and they still have a good edge on them, even after years of use (I bought them used). Great thread (and site, too)!

    • Knipex 10”high leverage cut hog rings better than any other side cutters not cheap but once you use them on a old school set of seats you’ll love them.

  8. HI,JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE THIS SITE. I’M BASED HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
    ARE THERE OTHER TRIMMERS FROM OUR SIDE LINKING UP TO TO YOUR SITE ?
    WITH REGARDS TO TOOLS I THINK A GOOD QUALITY TRIM CLIP REMOVER IS A MUST. SOME OF THOSE PLASTIC CLIPS CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE

    • Thanks for joining The Hog Ring Sed. Our community is comprised of trimmers from around the world. At this time I don’t know of any other members of THR from South Africa but distance has never stopped our members from sharing.

  9. Naseem, thank you for the hyperlink above. I’ve been looking for a 22 gauge upholstery staple gun for quite some time and been waiting to find a great price. I just purchased a Spotnails JS7116 from http://www.nailgundepot.com about 5 minutes ago.

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  11. a tool we use everyday and couldn’t do without, is a cordless drill…we have several high quality drills with as much power as most 240volt drills…cheap ones have no power and are a waste of money!

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    Kildevænget 1
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  19. I am working on my Jag xj6 and I need to know what type and size staples to use on door tim panel trim. Ihave a paslode staple gun US-100.

  21. Hi
    I have just discovered the many uses of Hog Ring pliers not just for upholstery and I very much appreciated your comment regarding the automatic type as I could not understand from the illustrations how they could work in confined spaces
    Thanks again
    Phil

  23. Is there a specific heat-resistant glue you’d recommend for the headliners and other bits like dash which are exposed to direct sun/high temps?

  24. I also think a good set of files , soldering iron. Files to help shape foam, soldering iron to burn clean holes in finished seats for hardware.

  25. Thank you alot for those good Information and I have a question for you do you know any school or training school to do auto upholstery training ? I want to lern this job if yes please contact me on this email
    marwan_abudunya@yahoo.com
    By the way I live on London if you know one around this area
    Thank you