auto body skills, send me in the right direction

[Dodgenut64]

im interested in auto body work and was wondering if you guys had any tips for beginers. like what types of tools, welders, and other things needed. also tell me how you began. im gonna look into schools around here and see whats availible. any book or videos that are good to get me started? thanks for any help.

[race-rodz]

here is my suggestion....... if you have time for schools, then maybe go check around local collision shops, explain wanting to learn the trade, and the willingness to work for free as a "custodial engineer" in hopes of picking up a few "free" lessons.

this will give you a hands on deal where you get to see first hand how/what tools/materials are used for different applications. it will also allow you to see first hand what kinds of "shortcuts" collision shops take that you would never wanna do on your own personal projects.

oh...and the best part, instead of paying to spend time in a school, you spend that same time learning in real world conditions.

[Diognes56]

I am still in the learning stages as well, so I don't presume to give out much advice. However, here are some things that have helped me out .

Autobody Online

Schools

These are some books that I have. They are good way to learn some of the basics and tools.

HPBooks: Pro Paint & Body by Jim Richardson and Tom Horvath

Welders Handbook by Richard Finch

I have more stuff at home, but I am not quite sure what they are at the moment . Anyway, race-rodz is right, the best way to learn autobody is to be around people that are doing it and doing it yourself. Tools are pretty dependent on what you want/need to do.

David