A Complete Tool Checklist for Building a Van
Excerpt from my book Flipping Freedom
When building a van, every inch matters, every tool has a purpose, and using the right ones can be the difference between a frustrating build and one that feels seamless.
After building and selling for five years, I’ve learned exactly which tools are worth having and which ones are a waste of money. Below is the ultimate checklist of tools, accessories, PPE, and solvents I use in my own builds.
I recommend cordless versions of every power tool except the table saw and miter saw. Choose one brand and stick with it — that way, you can swap the same batteries between tools.
The following are the tools I use and swear by.
Covering:
Power Tools – The Core Arsenal
Table saw
For making long, precise cuts in wood or sheet materials.
Miter saw
Versatile for straight or beveled cuts in wood.
Jigsaw
For cutting curves and shapes in wood and metal.
Track saw
For making precise, straight cuts in wood with the guidance of a track system.
Drill
For drilling holes in wood, metal, and other materials.
Impact driver
For driving screws and bolts with high torque.
Brad nailer
For attaching lightweight wood with small nails.
Pin nailer
For securing small, finish pieces without visible nails.
Orbital sander
For smoothing wood surfaces and removing rough spots.
Angle grinder
For grinding, cutting, or polishing metal.
Oscillating multi tool
For precise cutting in tight spaces or detailed work
Heat gun
For heating, softening, or removing materials like adhesive.
Router
For shaping edges, cutting patterns, or trimming wood. My favorite power tool and my ride or die for building Luna!
Soldering iron
For heating and melting solder to create secure electrical connections between wires or components.
Electric caulking gun
For applying caulk or adhesive with controlled, consistent pressure, reducing hand fatigue. Necessary for applying window urethane.
Leaf blower (Optional)
For blowing away dust and debris.
Planer (Optional)
For smoothing and leveling wood surfaces or reducing the thickness of wooden boards.
Dremel (Optional)
For precision cutting, sanding, engraving, or polishing in tight spaces or on detailed work.
Tile cutter (Optional)
Make precise, smooth cuts through tiles and stones.
Sewing machine (Optional)
For sewing fabrics together (specifically for creating cushion covers).
Electric bread knife (Optional)
For cutting cushion and bed foam.
Shopping list:
| Power Tools | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| Table saw | For making long, precise cuts in wood or sheet materials. |
| Miter saw | Versatile for straight or beveled cuts in wood. |
| Jigsaw | For cutting curves and shapes in wood and metal. |
| Track saw (Optional) | For making precise, straight cuts in wood with the guidance of a track system. |
| Drill | For drilling holes in wood, metal, and other materials. |
| Impact driver | For driving screws and bolts with high torque. |
| Brad nailer | For attaching lightweight wood with small nails. |
| Pin nailer (Optional) | For securing small, finish pieces without visible nails. |
| Orbital sander | For smoothing wood surfaces and removing rough spots. |
| Angle grinder | For grinding, cutting, or polishing metal. |
| Dremel (Optional) | For precision cutting, sanding, engraving, or polishing in tight spaces or on detailed work. |
| Oscillating multi tool | For precise cutting in tight spaces or detailed work. |
| Heat gun | For heating, softening, or removing materials like adhesive. |
| Router | For shaping edges, cutting patterns, or trimming wood. |
| Soldering iron | For heating and melting solder to create secure electrical connections between wires or components. |
| Leaf blower (Optional) | For blowing away dust and debris. |
| Electric caulking gun (Optional) | For applying caulk or adhesive with controlled, consistent pressure, reducing hand fatigue. Necessary for applying window urethane. |
| Planer (Optional) | For smoothing and leveling wood surfaces or reducing the thickness of wooden boards. |
| Tile cutter (Optional) | Make precise, smooth cuts through tiles and stones. |
| Sewing machine (Optional) | For sewing fabrics together (specifically for creating cushion covers). |
| Electric bread knife (Optional) | For cutting cushion and bed foam. |
Hand Tools - My Staples
Screwdrivers
For turning screws in various materials.
Adjustable wrench
For turning fittings, bolts, and nuts.
Wire cutter
For cutting electrical wires.
Handheld wire crimper
For securing connectors to wire terminals.
Hydraulic wire crimper
For crimping heavy-gauge electrical wires and terminals
Wire stripper
For removing the insulation from electrical wires.
PEX crimper
For crimping PEX fittings in plumbing installations.
PEX cutter
For making clean, straight cuts in PEX tubing for plumbing installations.
Utility knife
For cutting through various materials.
Staple gun
For fastening materials like fabric.
Hammer
For driving nails or making other impacts.
Rubber mallet
For applying force without damaging surfaces.
Crow bar
For levering, prying, or dismantling materials.
Caulk gun
For dispensing caulk, adhesive, or sealant from tubes.
At least 2 large clamps
For holding materials together.
At least 2 small clamps
For holding materials together.
Chisel
For carving, shaping, or cutting wood or metal.
Kreg pocket hole jig
For creating strong wood joints.
Hinge hole boring jig
For drilling precise hinge holes in cabinets.
Measuring tape
For taking accurate length measurements. .
Plyers
For miscellaneous prying, pulling, and holding
Channel locks
For gripping and turning various sized objects with adjustable jaws.
Speed square
For marking straight lines and right angles.
Paint rollers
For applying paint over large surfaces evenly.
Paintbrushes
For applying detailed or smaller areas of paint.
File set
For smoothing rough edges on wood or metal..
Pencil
For marking measurements and cutting lines on materials.
Rivet nut tool (Optional)
For installing threaded rivet nuts into metal or other materials.
¼ inch trowel
Evenly spreads adhesive or mortar with ridges, ensuring consistent coverage and bonding for tiles or other materials.
Small broom
For sweeping up dust and debris in confined or detailed work areas.
Shopping checklist
| Hand Tools | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| Screwdrivers | For turning screws in various materials. |
| Adjustable wrench | For turning fittings, bolts, and nuts. |
| Wire cutter | For cutting electrical wires. |
| Handheld wire crimper | For securing connectors to wire terminals. |
| Hydraulic wire crimper | For crimping heavy-gauge electrical wires and terminals. |
| Wire stripper | For removing the insulation from electrical wires. |
| PEX crimper | For crimping PEX fittings in plumbing installations. |
| PEX cutter | For making clean, straight cuts in PEX tubing for plumbing installations. |
| Utility knife | For cutting through various materials. |
| Staple gun | For fastening materials like fabric or insulation. |
| Hammer | For driving nails or making other impacts. |
| Rubber mallet | For applying force without damaging surfaces. |
| Crow bar | For levering, prying, or dismantling materials. |
| Caulk gun | For dispensing caulk, adhesive, or sealant from tubes. |
| 2 large clamps | For holding materials together securely. |
| 2 small clamps | For holding smaller or delicate materials together. |
| Chisel | For carving, shaping, or cutting wood or metal. |
| Kreg pocket hole jig | For creating strong wood joints. |
| Hinge hole boring jig | For drilling precise hinge holes in cabinets. |
| Measuring tape | For taking accurate length measurements. |
| Plyers | For miscellaneous prying, pulling, and holding tasks. |
| Channel locks | For gripping and turning various-sized objects with adjustable jaws. |
| Speed square | For marking straight lines and right angles. |
| Paint rollers | For applying paint over large surfaces evenly. |
| Paintbrushes | For applying paint to detailed or smaller areas. |
| File set | For smoothing rough edges on wood or metal. |
| Pencil | For marking measurements and cutting lines on materials. |
| Rivet nut tool (Optional) | For installing threaded rivet nuts into metal or other materials. |
| ¼ inch trowel | Evenly spreads adhesive or mortar with ridges for tiling or flooring. |
| Small broom | For sweeping up dust and debris in confined or detailed work areas. |
Accessories – Plus Ones for your Tools
Shopping checklist
| Accessories | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| Drill bit assortment | For making holes in various materials. |
| Drill extension | For extending the reach of a drill. |
| 90-degree angle bit for drill | For drilling or driving screws in tight or hard-to-reach spaces. |
| Impact gun bit assortment | Includes a variety of bits for use with an impact gun. |
| Jigsaw metal and wood blades | For making straight or curved cuts in wood or metal. |
| Hole saw kit | For making large holes in materials. |
| Paddle blade set | For boring small holes in wood. |
| Countersink bit set | For creating a cone-shaped depression in wood for flush mounting of screws. |
| Socket set (both metric and American) | For working with nuts and bolts in various sizes. |
| Sand paper assortment | For smoothing down wood grain, finishes, and plastics. |
| Router bits set | Includes a variety of profiles for shaping edges and details—especially useful for round overs and smooth, finished corners. |
Solvents & Cleaners
Acetone
A powerful solvent used for cleaning surfaces, removing adhesives, and thinning resins or paints.
Mineral Spirits
A petroleum-derived solvent used for thinning oil-based paints, cleaning brushes, and removing grease or tar.
Denatured alcohol
A solvent used for cleaning, thinning shellac, and as a fuel for alcohol stoves; it evaporates quickly and leaves no residue.
| Solvents | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| Acetone | A powerful solvent used for cleaning surfaces, removing adhesives, and thinning resins or paints. |
| Mineral Spirits | A petroleum-derived solvent used for thinning oil-based paints, cleaning brushes, and removing grease or tar. |
| Denatured alcohol | A solvent used for cleaning, thinning shellac, and as a fuel for alcohol stoves; it evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. |
Personal Protective Equipment
Safety glasses
Protective eyewear designed to shield the eyes from flying debris, chemicals, and other hazards encountered in construction and industrial environments.
Rubber gloves pack
Durable and flexible gloves that protect hands from chemicals, abrasions, and contamination during various tasks.
3m respirator half
A reusable respirator that provides a secure fit and allows for interchangeable cartridges to protect against harmful dust, vapors, and gases. Always ensure you select the right cartridge for the specific hazards you’re working with.
3M 95 respirator pack
Disposable masks that filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, offering protection against respiratory hazards in non-oil environments.
Hearing protection
Earplugs or earmuffs to protect against noise from power tools.
| Accessories | Intended Use |
|---|---|
| Safety glasses | Protective eyewear designed to shield the eyes from flying debris, chemicals, and other hazards encountered in construction and industrial environments. |
| Rubber gloves pack | Durable and flexible gloves that protect hands from chemicals, abrasions, and contamination during various tasks. |
| 3M half facepiece respirator | A reusable respirator that provides a secure fit and allows for interchangeable cartridges to protect against harmful dust, vapors, and gases. Always ensure you select the right cartridge for the specific hazards you’re working with. |
| 3M N95 respirator pack | Disposable masks that filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, offering protection against respiratory hazards in non-oil environments. |
| Hearing protection | Earplugs or earmuffs to protect against noise from power tools. |