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Jul 23, 2007 13:20:17 GMT
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A local chap came to see me yesterday, nice enough fella, late 40s, maybe 50. He has a 60s yank he has recently bought, we've had a couple of brief chats, anyway his AC pump has packed in and the pulley is siezed or loose or something. He wanted to know if I knew someone who would come out and have a look at it as he didn't dare drive it like that. Anyway TBH I was on the loo when he knocked at the door and in the middle of a ton of DIY so I didn't have a ton of time to devote to him, but I said, if you're worried just whip the AC drive belt off and you'll be OK to drive it up and get it looked at.
"I don;t have any tools" he said.
I find this flabergastable as a statement.
How do you get to near 5 decades old, and own a 40 year old car without owning enough tools to remove a belt?
Or am I being harsh on the guy?
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jul 23, 2007 13:29:59 GMT
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No - the guy is clearly a complete fool.
Say to him 'buy some tools and I'll show you how to do it'. Oxfam don't go ploughing fields for peasant farmers in East Africa do they? They give em an old tracotr or a donkey and let those boys fathom out how to look after themselves.
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1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS
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"I have no tools"arthurbrown
@GUEST
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Jul 23, 2007 13:30:29 GMT
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It happens, I'm sure. Maybe he's like my dad, who has -many- tools, just doesn't know where any of them are, buried under decades of old bikes, broken lawnmowers and various other items that he'll "get round to one day, once he tidies up and finds his tools"....
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markbognor
South East
Posts: 9,970
Club RR Member Number: 56
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"I have no tools"markbognor
@markbognor
Club Retro Rides Member 56
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Jul 23, 2007 13:30:59 GMT
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Because any time he's needed something done ,someone has come and had a look at it. He probably has a drawer in the garage with a couple of toffee tipped screwdrivers, a pair of compination pliers and 1 1/2" paint brush for DIY emergencies.
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"I have no tools"Robinxr4i
@robinxr4i
Club Retro Rides Member 143
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Jul 23, 2007 13:35:16 GMT
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Or am I being harsh on the guy? No, don't trust anyone who don't have tools. I mean for god sake if you were correct with you age diagnosis. Whats he been doing for the past 40/50 years? I mean this whole heartedly! I would guess hes brought the car due to a mid-life crisis and hes not a car person.
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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Jul 23, 2007 13:35:36 GMT
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I was on the loo in the middle of a ton I would be scared stiff to own my car without any tools. Hell I'm too scared to drive it without carrying tools ;D
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Jul 23, 2007 13:52:08 GMT
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Now I'm only 25 and i have more tools i can store!! in fact, the Missus bought me a ****-off big toolbox for my BIRTHDAY. i love tools! i want MORE tools!
The guy is clearly (and pardon the pun) not the sharpest tool in the box and deserves to stress about his purchase!
I wouldnt dream (as with jonny69) of even taking my car down the road without at LEAST a full spanner + driver set, ratchett and full wrenches plus e-z-start, WD40, a litre of oil, a jerry of fuel crammed in the back!
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Your car is not 'epic', this thread is not 'epic'....the OCEAN is epic, the UNIVERSE is epic.... please stop misusing this word!! It would appear Hotrods are the new VWs - aint fashion funny! '69 BUICK LESABRE 350
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Jul 23, 2007 14:00:13 GMT
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i can see why u would be surprised by this but some people just don't do anything themselves they just open the phone book and ring an expert to come and do whatever needs doing, so if this guy is one of those types then he wont of bought any tools.
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Jul 23, 2007 14:03:23 GMT
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If I had the money to pay other people to do all the hard work I wouldnt have any tools either.
he cant do diy, he probably does somethin else instead, i can fix cars and computers and know how to exterminate pests, couldn't represent anyone in court or design a jumbo jet though.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Jul 23, 2007 14:13:11 GMT
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Well, I gave him the number of a garage my mate has as I know he'll at least look at yank stuff. Thing is though its a ÂŁ70 tow-in as a minimum - when he could remove the belt...
I think he was hoping I might go have a look at it for him.
I agree with Mr Toaster, we all do what we can do, but if you plan on adding "own 40 year old car" to that list you would think you'd at least plan on getting some skills and tools or know in advance the people to call in the event of a problem.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jul 23, 2007 14:18:06 GMT
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pretty dim not having a tried and trusted repair team after 50 years if you cant do your own repairs i'll agree.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Jul 23, 2007 14:20:09 GMT
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I think you understand your friend there now AK people think cos you get grimey with ya own overindulgent collection (me not you, well maybe both of us! ;D ) that you have the time and enthuiasm to do someone elses. And of course for free, can you put a price on this stuff... Errm no, no time or effort, nuff probs. let the the soliciting Jumbo Jet designer pay the garage
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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"I have no tools"BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Jul 23, 2007 16:35:06 GMT
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Meh, I'm sure there are loads of people who run classics and don't know a torque wrench from a timing light. I think it's a good thing - it keeps independent classic garages in business. If I didn't do all the spannering on my car, I wouldn't be able to afford to keep it. That said, I think if I could afford a garage to do the work I'd still do it myself - I really enjoy it!
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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"I have no tools"mk14dr
@mk14dr
Club Retro Rides Member 85
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Jul 23, 2007 16:43:12 GMT
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just tell him to get some garden shears/secateurs and cut the curse word off ;D least he'll be able to drive it
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,937
Club RR Member Number: 71
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"I have no tools"bstardchild
@bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member 71
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Jul 23, 2007 22:54:58 GMT
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I think you understand your friend there now AK people think cos you get grimey with ya own overindulgent collection (me not you, well maybe both of us! ;D ) that you have the time and enthuiasm to do someone elses. And of course for free, can you put a price on this stuff... Errm no, no time or effort, nuff probs. let the the soliciting Jumbo Jet designer pay the garage Hammer nail head
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dclane
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,037
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Jul 23, 2007 23:12:25 GMT
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I can understand this guy a bit AK. I've got some tools (half a shed full), but there's jobs I just wouldn't do. These include brakes and anything air-con'y. I'll do some basic engine stuff and other bits, but generally leave most of the work to the professionals. Why? They're the specialists and knowing me, I'll make a mess of it. Also, I earn enough to be able to afford it. . . But then I drive a 1997 Saab. Maybe I don't earn enough
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Current vehicle collection: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero convertible - in mid-life crisis yellow No new retro as yet ... all attempts to sneak one onto the drive have failed.
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LOO-ZAHR.
i 'inherited' a workshop full of junk from my da, and his da. i don't know what half the stuff in there does, but golly gosh its handy having tools you can make do something they were totally not designed for...
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I would have thought my wife could manage to remove an air con belt?
There is a garage business within 100 yards of my house.
There is a groovy independant garage in the village centre where the proprietor owns a Mk2 Consul. Well within walking distance.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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dclane
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,037
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But he probably though you'd do it for free.
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Current vehicle collection: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero convertible - in mid-life crisis yellow No new retro as yet ... all attempts to sneak one onto the drive have failed.
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at 6pm on a Sunday... I should also point out that one time this guy randomly offered me twice what the Oldsmobile was worth. Just wanders onto the drive when I'm working on it and asks me how much I want for it. Then, even though its not actually for sale starts talking numbers. Nice enough guy but I think he is convinced I'm running some sort of business here.
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Last Edit: Jul 24, 2007 7:20:12 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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