I've made a couple posts, yet this is the first I had seen the "Intro" forum. My only project worthy of this board is a '37 flathead I picked up locally for $5. I've pulled the heads and am having a futile time trying to remove the pistons. Originally, this was going into a FED backed by a C4 that I was going to build for a friend. He sorta backed out, so at present, it is just going to get built for a future project. I have a '65 Mustang coupe project that will just be a cruiser, a '63 Fairlane Nostalgia Super Stock drag project that will get an FE. I won't post about those on here, but I do enjoy reading about techniques for doing things that can be taken to other projects as well. Right now, I'm in the process of my "Extreme Garage Makeover". I've finished up my bench and laundry tub project, need to finish some shelving so I can get back organized. My 'major' tool/toy list includes a Miller 130 MIG that will get a big brother in a TIG one of these days, a ToolKraft floor mount drill press, a bench grinder, a 40 gallon tank-type parts washer, a Whirly Jig rotisserie and my wife just bought me a great Christmas present - a Delta 80 gal. 6hp 2 stage compressor. I also have a Craftsman arc welder and half of a Oxy/Act rig (have O2 bottle, regulator, hose and a welding tip I picked up off Ebay in Tulsa for $20. The welder needs new leads and a plug, but I think it'll work. I need to finish installing a couple 30a 220 outlets and putting in my hard air lines. My future tool wish list includes the aforementioned TIG, maybe a plasma cutter, a blast cabinet, a tubing bender, an english wheel (a local company makes kits), a 4' finger brake, a shrinker/stretcher, and a 4' sheer. I'd also like a 40'x60' shop with a Rotary lift. I'll be 40 in February and I've got 3 kids ranging from 6 to 14 so I'm slowly trying to collect the stuff I think I'll need once they're out of the house and off to college (longer if they don't get scholarships). I wrecked my $300 truck a couple weeks ago (my 6 y/o son was with me, but we were both okay) and my wife and family thought I needed a more reliable everyday vehicle, I haven't had something nice to drive of my own since '93 ('92 Mustang GT) so we talked and prayed that we could afford another payment (we had gotten her a '00 Windstar last December) and came across a smoking deal on a '03 Sport Trac. I can haul all 5 of us in it, have a small bed, it has a towing package so I can hook up my 5'x7' tilt trailer or even haul a car on a car hauler. It should get decent milage, but it's a payment and slows my toy acquisitions somewhat. I love working on vehicles, but only when I want to, not when I have to, which is usually when it's raining, snowing, after 10 pm and have to get to work at 8 am the next day, etc. I want to scratch build something one of these days, been thinking along the lines of a two person scaled up soap box derby looking car with tall skinny wheels, but will be rear engined (probably a 4 banger), maybe with a V drive from a boat that comes up between the seats then returns with a Model A rear end. Actually, a AA rear end with some big wheels/tires would be cool. Can't make up my mind to put the axles above or below the frame, above would be way cooler, but below would be more practical and easier to manuver in traffic. I want to put on a leather car and goggles and drive it to work. Larry Hampton
The Jalopy Journal
