Priya's 79 chrome bumper conversion project
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
The Corvette has been the only car I’ve worked on where “ special tools” were required.
(i.e. the spindle bearing set up tool) the kit was 300 bucks.
Paying someone to do this ( like Gary R.) would cost as much, if not more, and there’s shipping back and forth to add to that. The difference is I still have a way to do it again should I ever need to, only this time it’s free.
I have three boxes sitting on bases full of tools,…some of the stuff I haven’t touched in years. I guess it could be argued that it should be sold off as opposed to just sitting around taking up space. And while I concur, it doesn’t matter whether it’s the US or Canada, mechanics tools are in every pawn shop and flea market all over the place, and are potentially worthless to anyone except me.
And even if I garage-sold the stuff I haven’t touched in a decade,…took .25 to the dollar, right after I sold them, It’d be the one I need next.
I guess the stuff will just have to sit and take up space.
(i.e. the spindle bearing set up tool) the kit was 300 bucks.
Paying someone to do this ( like Gary R.) would cost as much, if not more, and there’s shipping back and forth to add to that. The difference is I still have a way to do it again should I ever need to, only this time it’s free.
I have three boxes sitting on bases full of tools,…some of the stuff I haven’t touched in years. I guess it could be argued that it should be sold off as opposed to just sitting around taking up space. And while I concur, it doesn’t matter whether it’s the US or Canada, mechanics tools are in every pawn shop and flea market all over the place, and are potentially worthless to anyone except me.
And even if I garage-sold the stuff I haven’t touched in a decade,…took .25 to the dollar, right after I sold them, It’d be the one I need next.
I guess the stuff will just have to sit and take up space.
Then there's the tools people borrow from you because they're just starting out and can't afford much, they break it and then put the broken pieces back on your tool box and say nothing, or they lose your tool or part of a tool that can't be used without that part and won't pay you for it, or a tool the shop should really be buying for general use you end up buying for yourself because the owner doesn't want to spend the money. One time my husband bought this specialty tool and had yet to use it before the shop started using it to do some fairly regular job they would get in. It wasn't meant for the kind of work they were using it for and the shop really needed to buy the correct tool to do that job. After several of those jobs they destroyed it because it wasn't exactly right for the job but you could make it work in a clumsy way. The owner wouldn't pay for a replacement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
I feel for your hubby. I have had three hernia's from my past work in maintenance in an automotive parts plant. The longer that you stand , the worse the pain gets. It is no fun having one. Lou.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Those 20 year old tools probably have more use left in them than the new China made stuff that you get one or two uses out of then throw away and have to buy a new one.
My 40 year old Skil 1/2” hammer drill finally gave out on me a few weeks ago while I was drilling into a concrete slab for anchors for a new shed.
My heart was broken, because I’ve had it forever, but especially because I know anything new on the market, even a new Skil won’t hold up like my old one.
My 40 year old Skil 1/2” hammer drill finally gave out on me a few weeks ago while I was drilling into a concrete slab for anchors for a new shed.
My heart was broken, because I’ve had it forever, but especially because I know anything new on the market, even a new Skil won’t hold up like my old one.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Those 20 year old tools probably have more use left in them than the new China made stuff that you get one or two uses out of then throw away and have to buy a new one.
My 40 year old Skil 1/2” hammer drill finally gave out on me a few weeks ago while I was drilling into a concrete slab for anchors for a new shed.
My heart was broken, because I’ve had it forever, but especially because I know anything new on the market, even a new Skil won’t hold up like my old one.
My 40 year old Skil 1/2” hammer drill finally gave out on me a few weeks ago while I was drilling into a concrete slab for anchors for a new shed.
My heart was broken, because I’ve had it forever, but especially because I know anything new on the market, even a new Skil won’t hold up like my old one.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
i fixed copiers for 30 years, they charge cust 5 times what they pay the techs. but by his own admission he made a LOT more when using those tools than he does now while using a phone and a parts counter. he needs to go through the stuff. the tools that are for working on specific vehicles that are nearly extinct are also extinct. they are worth more as scrap metal than they are as wheel chocks. also, all those tools makes it impossible to use any of them except for the 3 months you can work outside. only other possibility is buy a car needing the specialized work some of those tools are needed for. and that is right back to being a mechanic. AND a used car salesman!
Last edited by derekderek; Dec 2, 2022 at 10:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
i fixed copiers for 30 years, they charge cust 5 times what they pay the techs. but by his own admission he made a LOT more when using those tools than he does now while using a phone and a parts counter. he needs to go through the stuff. the tools that are for working on specific vehicles that are nearly extinct are also extinct. they are worth more as scrap metal than they are as wheel chocks. also, all those tools makes it impossible to use any of them except for the 3 months you can work outside. only other possibility is buy a car needing the specialized work some of those tools are needed for. and that is right back to being a mechanic. AND a used car salesman!
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,600
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
If it's legal in your area, he could get a business license and perform diagnostic work only (to avoid worsening his med. condition).
The customer could buy the needed parts and DIY.
Maybe there would be a TOOL tax deduction if he took that route?
The customer could buy the needed parts and DIY.
Maybe there would be a TOOL tax deduction if he took that route?
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
He had talked about doing something along those lines several months ago but I haven't heard him mention it since. I would think likely in that situation he could deduct tools from his income, although I kind of doubt he could deduct any of the tools he's already bought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
I should have made it clear, the spouse has not retired unfortunately, we can't afford that yet. He's taken a job as a parts man as the car repair is too physically demanding, he has an untreated hernia that's only been getting worse and says he can't see well enough to see the pin-outs on wire connectors. Another 4 years planned before he retires and it's at about half the pay he was getting. In the mean time he says I'm not allowed to use his tools as I'm pretty haphazard and disorganized and he's afraid (with some justification) that I'll lose them.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I don't know, I'm super squeamish so I don't like to go into detail on this sort of thing. He's had it for as long as I remember but he did say it was getting worse. The doctor is looking at it and I presume now that he's not working as a mechanic he'll take the time to get it repaired.
Last edited by Priya; Dec 4, 2022 at 01:56 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
my dad gave himself a hernia at 82. pulling a kayak out of the water full of water. doc wouldn't operate cuz he knew surgery was worse than the hernia. for 3 years. then he had to get the surgery. then he wouldn't listen to the pros and stay in rehab and not move and heal. then he died. he was 86. not like he died young. moral of story. if he gets the surgery DO NOT LET HIM DO ONE GODDAMN THING if the therapist, nurses, etc tell him "don't do that!" this is his middle. his trunk. the muscles surrounding his organs. they have to heal completely and you heal slower the older you get. a lot of us wish our wives liked these cars better than they do. but we don't want you put back in running that way. besides, you are too far north...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Good advice, I had my hernia surgery 4/1/2021 at age 70. Spent 10 days in the hospital due to complications, but now I'm doing fine. I was on light duty (my wife wouldn't let me do anything) for 5 months.
Glad I followed her and the surgeons orders!
Glad I followed her and the surgeons orders!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
I had this little lump for over 20 years.
3 years ago it decided to become a little sore that just never healed, so I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago.
The doctor asked me why I waited so long.
I just had surgery Wednesday after they found it was a cancerous growth.
They cut out a huge chunk of tissue the diameter of a golf ball.
I’m going nuts because I can’t do anything.
I can’t sit for any time, I can stand for a while, walking is uncomfortable, and going from standing to sitting takes forever because I don’t want to pull the stitches.
Have hubby get it done, before things become complicated.
3 years ago it decided to become a little sore that just never healed, so I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago.
The doctor asked me why I waited so long.
I just had surgery Wednesday after they found it was a cancerous growth.
They cut out a huge chunk of tissue the diameter of a golf ball.
I’m going nuts because I can’t do anything.
I can’t sit for any time, I can stand for a while, walking is uncomfortable, and going from standing to sitting takes forever because I don’t want to pull the stitches.
Have hubby get it done, before things become complicated.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I had this little lump for over 20 years.
3 years ago it decided to become a little sore that just never healed, so I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago.
The doctor asked me why I waited so long.
I just had surgery Wednesday after they found it was a cancerous growth.
They cut out a huge chunk of tissue the diameter of a golf ball.
I’m going nuts because I can’t do anything.
I can’t sit for any time, I can stand for a while, walking is uncomfortable, and going from standing to sitting takes forever because I don’t want to pull the stitches.
Have hubby get it done, before things become complicated.
3 years ago it decided to become a little sore that just never healed, so I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago.
The doctor asked me why I waited so long.
I just had surgery Wednesday after they found it was a cancerous growth.
They cut out a huge chunk of tissue the diameter of a golf ball.
I’m going nuts because I can’t do anything.
I can’t sit for any time, I can stand for a while, walking is uncomfortable, and going from standing to sitting takes forever because I don’t want to pull the stitches.
Have hubby get it done, before things become complicated.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Thanks Priya.
I actually received a call from the surgeon Friday.
He said the pathology report was good and they were able to remove all the cancerous tissue.
So no issues going forward.
I don’t drink, but Kristine and I had a glass of champagne.
Ok, maybe two!
I actually received a call from the surgeon Friday.
He said the pathology report was good and they were able to remove all the cancerous tissue.
So no issues going forward.
I don’t drink, but Kristine and I had a glass of champagne.
Ok, maybe two!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
hey, i just had a thought. as soon as he goes into hospital, toss out all the junk and outdated tools. when he is finally back up on his feet, just remember eddie murphy's line... "wasn't me!"
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan