- Joined
- Feb 13, 2017
- Messages
- 2,128
Yeah, so would be most of the people on this board. The key is to find someone that will feed us in exchange.You would be invaluable in a long term situation.
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Yeah, so would be most of the people on this board. The key is to find someone that will feed us in exchange.You would be invaluable in a long term situation.
I agree, I watch those videos, and wonder how they get the parts they use. I imagine if you look, you may find a commentator for a starter, but they seem to have the right one so easy. Heck, I had a heard time finding brushes for the alt in my 97 Dodge van. I take it they figure there is less time and cost in swapping an alt, then taking it to someone to test and fix it.if you could get half the parts you need and could repair we would be in better shape...
^THIS! Case in point my neighbor asked me where to get rid of what looked like a brand new Craftsman weed eater. I asked him what was wrong and he said the pull start didn’t work. I took it apart and one of the cheap sheetmetal pawl’s was gone. He went to order it and their website was a stupid mess. Took 6wks to get and was wrong. He told them that and they said that’s all they had and don’t bother sending the wrong part back. So both went into the trash.if you could get half the parts you need and could repair we would be in better shape...
Bill,All of this aside, I am, or was, a master electrician. But an "old school" motor and controls electrician. And have a stash of relays, timers, fittings, brushes, and the like. I know how to modify brushes so a motor will work again. And, worst case, can rewind small motors. But all that comes to naught if the power is off. Unless I can fabricate something to make the power. That's where the machine work and carpentry comes into play. I know a lot about "old school" electric gizmos. Things that haven't been used for a hundred years. They still work, just require a lot of monitoring and upkeep. Despite my chair, that's where I shine. Knowledge of how to build and take care of such machines.
Don't buy it until you have a job for it seems to be the mantra of the modern machinist. In normal times that is the best way to avoid tying up money in tooling you might never use. This thought process presupposes that the things we might buy will be avaliable.
As one of those crazy prepper types I believe a time may come when we might not have near instant access to any tool we can imagine. That is why I am willing to tie up some money in cutters and tooling I might not have a job for right now. No need to talk me out of it. It's pretty much done anyway. Lol! Humor me!
Bastards stealing this guys truck. I have heard this story over and over. People are so disappointing, so many think they are entitled to someone elses property.Bill,
I'm fortunate to have a friend that just retired because his work truck with plenty of tooling and equipment was stolen.
He says, I'm 71, I'm not going to start over.
As far as machine tools, I buy things I want, or things I might need when the price is good. I tend to buy metals from the local dealer in 20' sticks even when I only need 6", although with recent prices I've bought some odd pieces online. Having a stock of things is convenient, I dislike waiting, having to order, etc. I've never regretted stocking up on metals, woods, etc. I don't do so out of any sense of oncoming doom, but out of a sense of independence, and impatience. The more I can do for myself the happier I am. If things really go down hill, I have a tractor and 20 acres that could be planted, and 10 acres of trees that will supply plenty of firewood. But that is more from a sense of independence and enjoying country life. I don't need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc. I do a fair amount of my own veterinary work on our horses, although trimming feet is getting harder as the years start to take their toll.
Being able to make, or repair, or modify things is just part of that. I figure it will keep me entertained, and serve me well regardless of the circumstances.
I have a small machine shop in the basement and a large garden in back. All set, you say? BUT I wouldn't want to prepare the soil without the small diesel tractor.....always some fly in the ointment. Biodiesel, anyone? .Yeah, so would be most of the people on this board. The key is to find someone that will feed us in exchange.
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