what are the basic metal working tools?

[CAMAROBOY69]

My budget is modest. Space is somewhat limited.

I'd like to get into modifying my floor pan etc.

I've been looking at a cut off saw and pondering a small drill press. I'd never considered a grinder with a cutting wheel.

Are there brands that I should stay away from?


The drill now makes quite a bit of noise and has over a 1/4 of play front to back.
The jig saw randomly squeals and stops moving the blade up and down.

You and I are in the same situation. I am on an extremely tight budget and everything I do is with only garage tools. I HIGHLY recommend a grinder. My girlfriend and I do all our sheet metal removal with just a Milwakee grinder and 4" cut off disks. It is amazing how much metal you can cut thru with these things. Then you can slap on a grinding wheel to clean up any rough edges. 4" disks are only about $1.75 each and last quite a while. 1 disk can easily remove 2 rear quarter panels from a car.
Dont use the jig saw. Those can warp metal really bad plus you go thru so many blades and they are a lot slower than a cutting wheel.
As for name brands. Its like anything else, you get what you pay for. I would recomment Dewalt and Milwakee any day. My cut off wheels are very thin.