“The complete guide to tools for DIY campervan conversions. From a basic toolkit to professional power tools — everything you need to convert your van.
Table of Contents
- What Tools You Really Need
- Basic Hand Tools
- Power Tools
- Specialist Tools
- Fasteners and Fixings
- Adhesives and Sealants
- Buying Guide
- Common Mistakes
What Tools You Really Need
You don't need a professional workshop to build a campervan. In fact, most DIYers build in their driveway or garage with:
- A drill/driver – for everything from pilot holes to driving screws
- A jigsaw – for cutting plywood curves and shapes
- A spot welder – for joining metal without burning through
- A Stanley knife – for cutting insulation, roofing, and materials
That's the core four. Add the rest based on your project scope.
Basic Hand Tools
| Tool | Cost | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Drill/driver (Makita 18V) | £80-£150 | Driving screws, pilot holes, mixing paint |
| Jigsaw | £40-£80 | Cutting curves, sink cutouts, window shapes |
| Abrasives (sandpaper 80-240) | £15 | Sanding plywood edges |
| Wood glue (Titebond) | £8 | Strong joints without screws |
| Level (60cm) | £10 | Ensuring flat surfaces |
| Tape measure | £10 | Measuring everything |
| Utility knife | £5 | Cutting insulation, roofing |
| Pliers (needle nose + slip joint) | £12 | Wiring, tightening nuts |
| Screwdriver set | £15 | Phillips and flathead |
| Allen key set | £10 | IKEA furniture, various fittings |
| Hammer | £8 | Nailing, tapping |
| Spanner set | £15 | Plumbing, electrical |
| Socket set | £20 | Engine bay work, van bolts |
| Nail gun (optional) | £60 | Nailing plywood, making furniture |
| Circular saw (optional) | £80 | Long straight cuts |
| Band saw (optional) | £120 | Cutting curves, furniture |
Total basic toolkit: ~£300-£500
Power Tools
Drill/Driver (Essential)
Our pick: Makita DDF485 18V
- Cost: £100-£150
- Why: The only power tool you truly need. Drills, drives, mixes, and more.
- Battery: Buy 2x batteries for continuous use
Jigsaw (Essential)
Our pick: Makita DJV181
- Cost: £80-£120
- Why: Cuts curves in plywood, MDF, and thin metal
- Blades: Buy a variety pack (wood, metal, reversed-tooth for clean cuts)
Angle Grinder (Optional)
Our pick: Makita GA5030
- Cost: £60-£100
- Why: Cutting metal, removing rust, grinding welds
- Use: Cutting exhaust pipes, metal brackets
Heat Gun (Optional)
Cost: £20-£40
- Use: Removing old carpet, shrinking wire sleeves, bending plastic
- Our pick: Bosch GHG 23-82
Specialist Tools
Spot Welder
- Cost: £150-£300
- Use: Spot-welding metal without burning through
- Alternative: Use self-tapping screws with washers
Caulking Gun
- Cost: £10-£15
- Use: Applying sealant, silicone, adhesive
- For sealant: 310 cartridges work for most applications
Pipe Cutter
- Cost: £15-£30
- Use: Cutting copper pipes cleanly
- Essential for: Water system plumbing
Adhesive Gun
- Cost: £15
- Use: Applying 3M adhesive, spray adhesive
Fasteners and Fixings
Screws
- Self-tapping screws: For metal-to-wood joints
- Wood screws: For plywood-to-wood joints
- SS screws: For exterior/salt-air resistant
Nuts and Bolts
- M6 and M8: Most common sizes for van work
- Stainless steel: Avoid rust in damp conditions
Rivets
- Pop rivets: For quick metal-to-metal joints
- Countersunk: For flush surfaces
Dowels
- Wood dowels: For furniture joints without visible screws
- Length: 30mm and 50mm are most useful
Adhesives and Sealants
Sikaflex 221
- Use: Adhesive and sealant for wood-to-metal joints
- Cost: £10-£15 per cartridge
3M Fast Tack
- Use: Spray adhesive for carpet, fabric, insulation
- Cost: £8-£12 per can
PVA Wood Glue
- Use: Wood-to-wood joints
- Cost: £5-£10 per litre
Silicone Sealant
- Use: Waterproofing windows, sinks, doors
- Cost: £3-£5 per tube
PVC Glue
- Use: Plastic pipes, flooring
- Cost: £5-£10 per bottle
Buying Guide
Where to buy:
- Makita tools: Screwfix, Toolstation
- Sikaflex: Amazon UK, B&Q
- Plywood: B&Q (12mm, 18mm, marine ply)
- Fasteners: Screwfix, B&Q, local DIY store
- Insulation: Amazon UK, B&Q, Screwfix
Budget-friendly tips:
- Buy a drill/driver combo (cheaper than buying separately)
- Borrow jigsaw/circular saw before buying
- Buy Sikaflex in bulk (20 cartridges)
- Use a Stanley knife instead of a jigsaw for simple cuts
- Focus investment on quality drill/driver — it's your most used tool
Common Mistakes
- Buying cheap tools – cheap jigsawes wander, cheap drills overheat
- Not buying enough screws – you always need more
- Ignoring washers – everything should have a washer underneath
- Using standard screws on metal – they rust fast, use self-tappers
- Skipping silicone sealant – waterproofing is essential
Updated June 2026. Questions about tools for your conversion? Contact us.
