I spend some time perusing other forums. Tractors, trailers, 4x4s, what-have-you: I like to see what other people are doing and I like to learn new things. I came across one forum that seemed interesting at first. It is focused on vehicle modifications to increase fuel mileage. Alright, maybe that's a different type of hot rodding, so I took a look. Cutting to the chase, the hot dogs on this forum are doing extreme things to improve their mileage. That includes things like increasing the aerodynamics of their cars. And this gets me to the point of this post. They are doing it with cardboard, duct tape and, if they are really at the top of their game, taped-on scraps of aluminum siding. Seriously. Meanwhile, back at the HAMB, folks are welding and beating and rolling and otherwise fabricating everything from workbenches to perfect reproductions of vintage tin. I've noticed similar things on other forums, too. On one off road forum, it's a big deal if you bolt an ammo can as your Jeep's center console. I am not taking anything away from other forums, not trying to criticize them or their members or anything.....BUT....goddamn if this HAMB is not comprised of the some of the best craftsmen (and craftswomen) around, in some seriously heavy-duty projects. It's quite refreshing.
Yeah I hang out on some other forums as well. It always amuses me when someone says they can weld and everyone is in awe. I've also seen guys patch frame rails with JB Weld and the like. Unreal. Then I come back here and look at Bass's coupe....
we had a guy here once that made a shifter and used an ammo box as a console....he was a trailblazer!!!!
The Hamb is the only website I even consider spending money to support. This place has some of the best folks out there doing stuff that is absolutely gorgeous, AND they are willing to share their experience and skills. The HAMB rocks!
Here is an example from some other forum - a 9 page thread on the merits of an air dam - but the darn thing is cardboard taped on. At least by the end of the thread they had painted it black. LOL My point is that we tend to see a higher level of craftsmanship on the HAMB than is evident on many other forums.
Without a doubt ! There are some extremely talented people on here, I spend lots of time surfing in the archives
You just hit it on the head. I don't think there are too many goldchainers on the HAMB, hence most of us are crafty.
I think this is what our world is coming to. It is my generation they are all retards. Not one person at my high school even know what vice grips are I mean come on. I wish I could have grown up in the '30's or '40's craftsmanship was crazy back then. I mean they don't even make a lot of the tools that they used to have back then. At least people on the HAMB get it. Who wants to see some water-jet or whatever it is cut some ugly shit out for your trailer queen when you car fabricate it with your hands. VIVA LA HAMB as soon as I get back to Nor Cal in September I am becomeing an alliance member. I can't even look at other forums. They go on to talk about all the horse power they are making with their new K&N filter from NAPA I mean shut up and learn how to weld you bums.
A lot of truth there, but all is not lost. There are others like you. There was some other kid recently on the HAMB who is like 22 and is fabricating sheet metal like some old school craftsman. Guys like you and him will just have more to inherit from us old bastards, that's all.
LOL. The sad thing is that these other modifications I am seeing on these other boards, they are not jokes. They are seriously driving around with cars taped together and Jeeps slim shadied together and they think it's all good.
This is the best site for info and craftsmanship that I have found. Great people to, dont beleive me go to the HAMB drags and the hotel parking lot on Fri night.
The other problem is I try to get close to some of you old guys but you must think I am just another ricer. I want to learn the old school ways but a lot of the old guys just think all us young kids are the same. But there are some of us willing to learn the tools of the trade and work hard at mastering them.
I'm 30 years old. So I'm a little younger than the majority of the guys on here but I'm building a 30 coupe. I love it. My craftsmanship is no where near what some of these guys can pull off but I'm learning so much and my coupe will be on the road this summer. Funny thing is I also own an Evo VIII and a turbo 240sx. I like em all for different reasons. No doubt the model A will be the most fun. And I've hung on to it longer than any other car I've had. (owned the body for 10 years lol) the point is ; hang out here and learn as much as you can. This site is the BEST
Be respectful and be persistant. Sadly, it's very hard to trust people these days. Not many have good intentions anymore. As for the work done by the members here, MASTERS! Between paint and metal work...... just damn.
Yep! The WEB, and Ryan's work help us keep the craft moving forward. Trust is still something to be earned, and I suppose part of the "hazing" was to see if you were serious about learning the trade.
There was a time when you weren't taught anything until you showed you could run with the big dogs. That means taking the guff and being smart about how you dealt it back. Keep at it, be persistent, don't ask the exact same question fifty times, show that you're picking it up, and above all, don't try to show what you know, because odds are you're gonna run into the guy that came up with the idea! ...it seems to me that a lot of lesson's aren't being passed on by fathers anymore, whether it's because they're not around or they don't know, common sense "man" stuff isn't being taught. It's a shame, because kids are the same as they always were, it's the adults that are lacking...
it seems to me that a lot of lesson's aren't being passed on by fathers anymore, whether it's because they're not around or they don't know, common sense "man" stuff isn't being taught. It's a shame, because kids are the same as they always were, it's the adults that are lacking... I about half disagree with this. I have tried for 10 years to teach my step-son some of what I know. Granted, I am not extremly patient, but I have tried. All I get from him is "What's in for me?". While I know "What's in it for him" at a later date he is only interested in now, not what will come later. He doesn't realize yet what will be in it for him later.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
It's not just what we know that we pass on to kids, it's how we carry ourselves, how we act around others, the respect we show for people, and ultimately how we act when no one else is around. ...and hey, I ignored a lot of what I was told too, that's just being a kid. If you're taking the time to talk to them, whether you realize it or not, it's sinking in. It might take some time for them to realize what you meant, but at least it's THERE! llonning, he'll come around...just keep the faith
I'm not looking to derail this thread, but I think the folks on those forums try to squeeze every mile out of a tankful of fuel while spending as little money as possible on the modifications. Otherwise, what's the point, right?
Thanks, electrodude. There are times that I do see some promise. I also watch and listen, sometimes I am suprised at what I have tried to teach him, has actually sunk in.
Unfortunately - many of the old timers are leaving us every day and the knowledge leaves with them. I take every moment I can to learn from the true pioneers in our craft in hopes of learning something new everyday. I hope to pass on my knowledge to my son when he’s old enough. The HAMB is by far the best source of knowledge and skilled people around.
Aren't we after the same thing? Maybe not mileage, but the best 'whatever' we can achieve for the least cost. I don't care how miserly you are or how noble your intentions, taping cardboard onto your car as bodywork is a hack. Potentially unsafe, too, if you happen to be the poor SOB behind him when it all blows off at highway speeds. I'm not talking about people using cardboard to make a pattern. I am talking about cardboard as the FINISHED PRODUCT. Other forums show poor craftsmanship in other ways. On one off road forum folks were oohing and aahing over someones additions to his Jeep. Mismatched bolts, too long, wrong use of washers, crude bracketry, parts misaligned, tape used to cover raw edges -- in short, a hack -- yet there this guy was king of the hill. Not taking away anything from anyone. Just passing along credit where it is due, and, generally, that is to the level of talent we see here every day.
The hamb is a great source of information, and is the finest online gathering of hotrodders craftsmen, historians, gurus and degenerates(among other things). Thats why I joined the Alliance to help make sure its around for others for a long time from now. Yes it has its highschool drama from time to time, but im not here for the drama im here for our hobby.
The Jalopy Journal
