Should we start a pool of speicatly tools for our cars. You would be able to post your tools you have available and request the ones you need. Of course you would need put some kind of deposit down and pay for shipping, but I know I'd rather pay shipping than go but new speicalty tools everytime I do a project. Dont know exacty how we would work it, but that is what this poll is for, suggestions?

 

My suggestion,, forget it.

 

It might work if your in the area....

 

The way I was thinking of it to work, there would have to be a pool of money to buy specialty Corvette tools in the first place and for management -- thus, a need for a nominal membership fee.
And, there would have to be a central authority to manage the thing.

Then, for members, a deposit fee to "rent" the tools with a reimbersment when they are returned in good shape.


Tom Piper

 

Thats what i was thinking Tom.. Membership would be a must, and Ofcourse no deposit would be returned until the owner could inspect it. I am very well versed in tool inventory and accountability. It wouldn't be that hard of a system to initiate.

If you have negative feelings for the program, please expline your consern, so it could be addressed.......

 

It would probably me most useful if we just listed the exact bolt sizes and tools needed for a particular project.

Its something I try to keep up with and write down on my website if I can think of it....but lately I havent had time to compile.

 

ttt

 

I like the idea... many tools, like the special Kent-Moore tools, are very expensive, and I don't want to buy them for one use.

It would be neat if 100 people could pitch in 20.00 to buy a selection of these special tools.

I would not object to using www.c4guru.com as the headquarters for this.

 

Sounds like it might work....

BTW Bogus, on C4guru what happened to the step by step how to's??? Are they coming back??

 

Visa/MC

 

That's a tough one. If you could make it work, and people didn't steal tools, it would be a great thing to have.

Unfortunately, I don't have that much faith in mankind anymore. I'd be willing to cough up $20 to give it a shot though. I don't think it will work, but you never know...

 

It's all part of the new software... hopefully, they will be back up soon!

 

I'd say no, since most of the tools are pretty cheap to make/buy, and are priceless when you need them.

For expensive tools, not such a bad idea, but expensive tools are big or very heavy and a pain to ship.

edit... Now.. if you're talking engine building tools, transmission rebuilding tools, GM specialty tools, you might be on to something. As far as getting ripped off, that's what the deposit is for. You pay for the entire tool, use it for a week, get your money back when you're done with it. I don't see a risk of getting ripped off there.

Kind of like Walmart. Except legitimate.

 

I see this as a step on the road to hate and discontent. Tools get beat up and sometimes even break without misuse. Some people are ham handed and seem to be able to break a sheet of armor plate. So what happens when someone sends a tool back that is broken or abused and is pissed when they lose their deposit because in effect they are paying new tool replacement price for a tool that is used? They may have received it in a damaged state and so it broke due to no fault of their own.

For example, I hate using the base hobby shop because many of their tools are AFU and I go to the desk and show them the cracked sockets, ratchets that skip and other defects that they just issued me. These are quality tools (SNAP-ON) that some Jack A$$ misused, in front of the shop help and got away with. Mail order it is even going to be worse. I believe that Corvette Forum should remain as it is, and if someone wants to loan tools to someone they trust, COOOOOL! Or better yet, sell the specialty tool in the for sale section with the caveat that when that guy is done it gets resold on the board!

 

I kinda like this idea of a central pool with membership...it doesnt necessarily have to be run as a CF project...some entrepreneurial member(s) could just do it. Do like Autozone, a deposit equal to the replacement value, pay for shipping and maybe a small rental fee.
On the other hand, I have tools I would be glad to loan out; after all, most of them are not going to be used very often.

If any member wants to 'borrow' my tools under the above plan, I'm sure i would have no problem: ive got an Auto X-ray OBD1 scanner and various sother special tools.

True some tools are too heavy and / or bulky to ship, but hey, if you have a pickup truck and live nearby, anyone here can use my engine stand , cherry picker, jack stand, jacks, whathaveyou. Some tools are too cheap to bother renting, such as voltage testing probes or what have you. Maybe just a sticky thread would do it: Here is where i live, what ive got; what I would like to rent. Another thing i would find useful is to see if any CF members want to sell their experience and provide mechanical/electrial services above and beyond the call of duty to CF brotherhood. For example, I paid a CF member to help get my car running; and I still need help with other things, and am wary of going to a mecanic that doesnt know vettes and from whom I would not learn anything or be able to participate. I also would pay to have someone help me pull the engine, set lash, etc. I also have an Accel DFI Gen VII system i would give half of my kingdom to have someone help me get set up and tuned. So if someone lived nearby, they could make some dough helping me. Im sure this would be true all over the country.

This forum does a great job with the C4 parts for sale/wanted. Why not serve as a similar interface for tools have/need, services needed/provided?

 

On a somewhat related note, i just checked out Vader's site. It is very well done and has a LOT of good info on it..Many members here have useful sites and links. I'd love to see these-semi organized in a sticky. Nathon's page kicks *** esp. for new owners confronting performance upgrade choices, and Bogus is getting his C-4 How To up and running, and there are others out there who have sites devoted to special topics: Mo Bandy for coil overs, SkateparkDave for nitrous, etc. if we put these links in one place for people to check out, it would be great.

 

Since there would be shipping costs both ways and you can get "common" tools for a desposit at Autozone/Advance Auto Parts, it seems to me this would only be usefull for specialty Corvette tools.

I think a depost for tool would be necessary -- I think Autozone actually charges a deposit more than the value of the tool, but you get it all back when it is returned in good shape. This is a good incentive to return the tool promptly.

And, there are going to be cases of disagreement -- like someone will think they did not damage the tool and object.
And, someone decides they want the tool for a couple of months while others are waiting.

One excellent tool for this would be a Vetronix Tech-1A and software. With this, you can trouble-shoot your ECM, CCM, ASR/ABS, Air bag system, C68 climate control, Bose radio, etc. And, it is bi-directional, where other scan-tools are for just the ECM and not bi-directional.
The only problem with this is the tool deposit would be steep. One could probably be purchases used, but I am still betting the deposit would have to be $1000. But, don't damage it and you get your money back.
Plus, a good instruction manual would have to always go with the tool -- most people would have to learn how to use it.


Tom Piper

 

I second this.


BTW, I think that the idea of a specialty tool organization, in theory, is really a great idea. Someone needs to be in charge, though, and that could really end up becoming a full-time gig. If someone comes up with a good workable model, I'd be all for supporting such a thing.

 

Me too. As far as the purpose built tech forum/reference, I've wanted the same, there just isn't enough time in the day. Most of what I have on my website was done when I was unemployed.

 

Yep it is a good idea except for the guy(s) that has to route the tools around.It could be a little time consuming to ship and keep the books and charge cards etc.....