not really, i was able to build my prototype backhoe (above) with what i consider basic tools. for CUTTING steel i had a Makita 10" CHOP saw with composite metal cutting blade and a sawzall. my drilling was done with a small bench top drill press and bi-metal hole saws. my WELDER is a Lincoln SP-100T, 100 amp wire feed mig using .035" flux core wire, running on a dedicated 20 amp household circuit. i would suggest having a bench grinder, disk grinder, assorted clamps, bench vise, etc. just the basic stuff for garage steel fabrication PROJECTS.

not really, i was able to build my prototype backhoe (above) with what i consider basic tools. for cutting steel i had a Makita 10" chop saw with composite metal cutting blade and a sawzall. my drilling was done with a small bench top drill press and bi-metal hole saws. my welder is a Lincoln SP-100T, 100 amp wire feed mig using .035" flux core wire, running on a dedicated 20 amp household circuit. i would suggest having a bench grinder, disk grinder, assorted clamps, bench vise, etc. just the basic stuff for garage steel fabrication projects.