To my fellow fabricators, at the current age of 41 have found myself wanting to get into the fabrication industry. mainly car stuff but i'm pretty open minded, my dad was a machinist, i used to help him my adolescent years, cnc machines, bridgeport machines, wetsaws, etc.
things i remember him making in the 90's
torpedoes was the coolest thing, remember taking them to a GA base when i was a kid
metal arm brace support
multiple bolt types and thread
satellite mounts
so even though its been years I've touched metal materials that knowledge seems to never leave your head.
i started with buying a hobart 190 and spoolrunner gun, i haven't gotten a bottle yet, have a vacation soon so money is tight.

what do's or don'ts did you find out the hard way???
what extra equipment was worth buying that made things easier??
what are some definitely need to have tools??

You already have one important thing, the next would be a drill press and a band saw for metal (horizontal).

I built my whole truck with those 3 things.

having been researching quite a bit on tube benders....
trying to find something i can use to bend the hoops i'll need for the bumper and be able to bend exhaust tubing with it as well.
have looked at the
affordable bender
woodward
jd2
but they seem expensive when having to buy the dies.

i believe exhaust tubing is 2.5 in on the 4runner but almost all of the benders i'm finding don't go up to that size. what are you guys using to bend??