The Upholstery Forum

Hey guys, I wanted to share some tools I use on a daily basis in fabrication for car audio and interior design. When I started in car audio business a 6 years ago I had limited money starting out. I knew I wanted the best tools possible that would get the job done. At the same time, they needed to be tools that would last the test of time. So something I would try to buy used and others new. Since I started a car audio shop, I focused on dual purpose tools that I could use for other things like power and hand tools. I knew car audio was just the beginning of this business and I would expand to other vehicle work down the road. With anything, needed a good foundation of tools. As jobs got bigger I could then invest more money into more efficient quality tools. So some tools needed was car audio specific (meters, testing equipment) so in this list I will just focus on the fabrication tools needed for interior design and fabrication. Also I will list the tools needed to get started buying new or used. Also only using cash to purchase these tools. Which can help you be competitive in pricing out jobs for clients. No Debt was my goal when purchasing tools. Especially since I only have very few jobs to start. I figured if the business failed, at least I wouldn’t be in debt. I could always sell the tools. Here is a list of the tools


- New Porter-Cable 7518 Variable Speed 3-1/4 HP Motor Only $299
https://www.rockler.com/porter-cable-75 ... motor-only

- New Incra Mast-R-Lift-II-R Designed for Rockler Tables $369.99
https://www.rockler.com/incra-master-li ... ler-tables

- New Rockler Router Table Steel Stand $129.99
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-router- ... teel-stand

- New Rockler High Pressure Laminate Router Table Top $119.99
https://www.rockler.com/rockler-high-pr ... -table-top


Used 10” 3HP Sears/CraftsmanContractors table saw with 24” fence. $150-$250

- New ECO Tray Router bit set $179.99
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... e/eco-tray

- New Smart Ruler Master Kit $349.99
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... master-kit

- New SFS Axis Shape Creator Essential Kit $399.99
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... al-package

- New 1/4” Spiral Flush Trim router bit $49.99
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... hank-upcut

- New pry tool $19.99
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... d-tool-kit

-New 2 sided Template Tape $4.99/roll
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... elect-size

Can you post some things you've made with these?

I've watched a number of "Car Audio Fabrication" youtube videos and seen the Mobile Solutions templates in use. Pretty cool idea. Some of the CAF projects show interesting / useful techniques, but the end result often doesn't work for me. Too flat, or parts of it are out of proportion. But I can certainly imagine some great applications - and the images from the Mobile Solutions classes are totally amazing.

FWIW, I hav three DVDs from Sid Chavers - a well known hot rod upholsterer. He shows some other interesting techniques in them. In particular the seat and door panel DVDs have some good fab ideas (in addition to solid general custom upholstery information).

http://www.sidchaverscompany.com/

@Trimmerman79 Thanks for this great post and sharing this! Ive heard rockler is a great tool company. Probably will buy them in the future. I totally agree with your debt free business model! Congrats on your success.

John wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 10:47 pm @Trimmerman79 Thanks for this great post and sharing this! Ive heard rockler is a great tool company. Probably will buy them in the future. I totally agree with your debt free business model! Congrats on your success.

Thanks John! This way I work on what I want too and avoid jobs that are nothing but trouble when I avoid high overhead.

Joemcglynn wrote: ↑Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:58 pm Can you post some things you've made with these?

I've watched a number of "Car Audio Fabrication" youtube videos and seen the Mobile Solutions templates in use. Pretty cool idea. Some of the CAF projects show interesting / useful techniques, but the end result often doesn't work for me. Too flat, or parts of it are out of proportion. But I can certainly imagine some great applications - and the images from the Mobile Solutions classes are totally amazing.

FWIW, I hav three DVDs from Sid Chavers - a well known hot rod upholsterer. He shows some other interesting techniques in them. In particular the seat and door panel DVDs have some good fab ideas (in addition to solid general custom upholstery information).

http://www.sidchaverscompany.com/

Yeah they are mostly used in car audio vs interior design. Mobile solutions just started getting into the 3d design fabrication on interiors. Which they are using the same technique for car audio builds.

I’ve heard of the Sid videos before, I may have to look into those. Since I’m moving my business more towards complete interior design and audio integration. I do more of stealth builds where everything is hidden out of sight.

Here are a few recent builds I’ve done.

Some of the Tesla build pictures.

WOW, very, very nice!

Hey guys, been really busy past 6 months, haven’t been sewing much during that time. Between moving, remodeling my house and garage/ Shop I haven’t had much time. Hopefully in August I can get back into the swing of things again. I did during this time upgraded some of my fabrication tools and added some. Since the garage was a pure mess when I moved in, decided to clean it up some. So this is now my fabrication work shop for now, til I can build the new shop on the property. Here is the list of fab tools I added

- mobile Solution SFS Axis Shape Creator professional package
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... al-package

- mobile Solutions SFS Animal Router shield
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... ield-naked

- Cross Arc Template Set
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... mplate-set

- Smart Corners - Template Set
https://www.mobilesolutions-usa.com/pro ... mplate-set

Here is the garage/shop room remodel. I did all the work myself to save on money and I needed the shop up and running in two weeks since I had a few jobs coming in. But got it to the state I was happy with for the time being to be able to work in. The garage was a mess like I was saying, needed so much junk to be removed. The garage only had two power outlets and one light on the garage opener. The goal budget was stay under $500 for this basic remodel. This is what it start as when I moved in.

I started with the outlet wiring first, putting all new outlets and lights in.

Next was the drywall and moving junk out.

Next came sanding and filling the drywall. Then primer and paint. I did add cabinets also to list. Since I was already remodeling my kitchen, I sourced the old cabinets from there. Cost $0 for the cabinets.

Next hung a older 42” tv on wall that I just had sitting around. Ran cable also through the walls. But didn’t need to use it since it use Amazon fire stick for content.

All paint and drywall done.

Next I setup my router and miter saw station. I first needed to build the miter station table frame first. I use standard 2x4 that was left by the previous owner. Bought a sheet of melamine for the tops to have a smooth surface. I also used it to make the router bit tray ledge to sit all the trays for the shape template sets. The table was constructed using just pocket hole screws. Once constructed, the melamine tops were cut to size and attached to the table frames.

Close view of the completed station and new template tools on the pro slat wall.

@Trimmerman79 Hey! Good to see you back!!!
That looks fantastic!! what a great space! I cant wait to see the new projects.

Holy Beegezuz, change your forum name to TEMPLATEMAN. I cant wait to see waht you have going on!

John wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2019 11:01 pm @Trimmerman79 Hey! Good to see you back!!!
That looks fantastic!! what a great space! I cant wait to see the new projects.

Hey john, feels to finally getting back in the swing of things after the move. Seems I’ve been doing home remodeling for half a year. Should have some time this fall to tackle a few projects.

BigRig wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2019 12:13 pm Holy Beegezuz, change your forum name to TEMPLATEMAN. I cant wait to see waht you have going on!

Yeah I think I have a good amount of templates to create a lot of good stuff for awhile 😂