it seams to i read alot lately about the car hobby on this forum and others. the hobby this, the hobby that, you need a big shop all kinds of expensive tools and lots of money. well i say go piss on someone elses parade. back when hothods where born, no one had a big shop lots of tools no money and definately no off the shelf expensive parts. they actually got off there**** and found the parts wherever they could find them at the price they could afford to pay. Dont get me wrong the biggest thing and most important thing is safety, but that doesnt mean you have to buy the most expensive part in the you see in catologs. everyone has there own interpetation on what "traditional". to me its using what you have on hand, find in the local boneyard and can afford. just because one part is from a ford or chevy or dodge doesnt make it wrong cause its not the right year, then putting a 30 A body on 32 rails is wrong. i see alot of people saying if you dont have experience on working on old cars or the cash dont do it, what the***** is that telling someone they cant do it, hell we started out not knowing anything, because the person saying that has the money to buy the off the shelf parts or have someone else wrench on your own car cuz you cant, dont tell someone else they cant. just man up and give encouagement and help out anyway you can which to me what these forums are here. granted it is nice that there are companies out producing the parts some of us may need, but whats the fun it that you build you car with totally off the shelf clean parts,***** that get dirty and actually work for what you have invisioned in you head. there may be a few pro builders on here, but what I do see are alot of backyard builders that i envy and have real talent getting there hands dirty. point is dont tell someone this or that is wrong just give the advise they are seeking and help your fellow brother or sister out, whether its with parts or your own blood and sweat. ok im done******ing and hope you all have a fun and safe New Years and dive you rides like you stold it
I did it the hard way for years, its alot easier nowadays with the proper equipment. Its just like working as a mechanic you start out with cheap tools, and tackle box. Work your way up to some quality tools, compressor and a rollaway. I think most guys are just jealous of what some guys can do with what little they got, and are mad that they cant do half as good with how much more they have. ps; press the enter key every now and again.
Wow somebody pigged your gauge. Giving help is what its all about. If I never tried, I would of never learned.
You are right on so many points! Encouragement goes a long way and is very motivating to most people. I have really never cared negative things people told me, I just use it as motivation to prove them wrong. If someone tells you that you can't do something, just show them that you can by shoving it up their****!
You gotta start somewhere. I'm sure there's some guy out there right now with only a torch, a hammer, and a socket wrench. Besides, it's like my Pop told me "The best tool you got is the one between your ears."
Your last sentence is exactly what encouraged me to complete the car in my avatar...A "buddy" of mine laughed at me and what I started with.
Encouragement. Surround yourself with friends with like minds. I have a buddies that has the same mentality. We both provide each other with ideas. That and a beer source that never runs out.
Agreed.I have a freind that means well im sure ,but is always telling me that this and that doesnt look right on many cars i've owned.I finally realised one day that who cares what others think .Its my car and im footing the bill ,so i do what makes me happy.As far as buying high dollar parts and not getting your hands dirty .I have changd a many of transmission with a floor jack ,laying in mud ,on a 35 degree day.As a guy with my family as the main priority (and always will be) ,i do what i can with what i have.I have horse traded ,fix'em up a little and sell ,what ever it took to get the things i have now (which still aint much ...
You have to imagine a guy over 6'2", grey hair n beard, semi crooked with*****ed up back at times, also at times a*****ed up attitude. As you read this he's taking a pose like King Kong after he kills the T-rex (original or the latest, both good) and begins a deathly growl and call with fangs out and drool flowing about, arms flailing and pounding on his chest. When you post (insert sarcastic tone of voice) "I build my own..." try to copy Kong. In fact one foot is on that dead horse. Huzaahh! Hooraahhh! Bully for you! Reality check kids! Times are hard and tensions are up. You're gonna have to read some***** now n then as our memberships finds the need to vent. Figure that if they don't vent their frustrations it will build pressures. Once those pressures reach a point your going to have problems with yourself and any helpers or friends that hang about, most likely they'll start passing too much gas. What's next? A bunch of explosive garages everywhere. Oh the horrors! Oh the humanity! I build my own. nyaaa nyaa nya nyaaa nyaa! Aw***** it don't count, I a pro builder/restorer...sorry. Carry on.
you cant bye raw talent ,creativity.and i dont care how many high tech tools u have. at the hands of someone that can not use them they are useless.anyone can spend 50,000 call them self a car guy .but that is not what is about.building something instead of buying it or taken something that is not so nice and maken it nice wih your own hands even if it dont take first at the car show.thats what think it is all about.just my thoughts
Tools are useless with out skills, we all started with a flat blade and a pair of pliers being above our skill level, you either climb the skill ladder or drown in sorrow of stupidity.
I see that this rant was in part aimed at my comments concerning a post made yesterday about a Nash. I still think that you need to go into a first budget build with your eyes open and a realization that it will cost $$. You will still need more than a basic pair of pliers and a flat screw driver. I had a very good conversation with gunner about this and he agreed with my point of view.
^^^I like this, very well put.^^^ For me is all about the vision, i have the final product tattoed in my mind, and i dont stop until i see it materialized in the front yard!
I try my best to make it happen with what i have, sometimes i fall behind, sometimes i need to borrow stuff, or rent it. My shop is basic, im no Ridler builder..or any of that high falutin show stopper type (although i have alot of respect to what goes into that type of build)Try to get by with what i have.. vision..gotta have vision.<--i see after i posted this, that the guy above me agrees with that too. this place has helped push me, and has brought information to my table
I'm with ya! If you don't try, you never learn. Buying stuff from a catalogue never teaches you what, why, or how things work. I work in the OEM world & building rods teaches me new stuff every time I walk into my shop.
Yes, perhaps pugs is right. If fact I think he probably is. I started out with almost the same sentiments. Fighting against the current. The only drawback I can see is his combative attitude. Yeah, you can do it by yourself and follow your own rules, but a lot of guys who do that, wind up building unsafe, ugly, or awkward looking creations...cause they DON'T listen to others...esp. the older guys who have the experience. They are too wrapped up in their "rebel" personality, to try to get along with others in the same hobby, and learn from their mistakes. I learned the trade from an older bodyman/painter, and I had to shut up and listen, and offer up stupid suggestions, just to have them shot down. I had to swallow my pride, and LEARN from this guy, who having been doing it since the 50's, knew a lell of a lot more than I did, though I didn't know it at the time. I learned that a lot of what is important can be subtle. The small things that work, either style wise, or technically, have to be learned by making lots of mistakes, or really paying attention to your teachers. If you have an ounce of sense, pay attention, you'll progress much faster that way! I admire your drive, pugs, keep up that part of it...but temper that with some willingness to try and learn from the guys you're criticizing, cause they've been there and are trying to help, even if they come across as grumpy and condescending.
When I started out on my project (see my avatar), I had people on here and other sites say "wow,,,way cool", others said "WTF,,why a MEL (boat ancor) and ohhh, way too hard without a TIG or MIG and a jig or template or a whacha callit or thing-a-ma-jig or whatever,,,no speed parts for it,,,yada yada yada,,,poor me too hard. Well, for those who have seen the GizzleHopper, I say poor you. No, I had no jig (I used the garage floor and 2x4's), I had no TIG or MIG welder (I used an old stick welder and a gas welder), I searched for or made many parts and I used my brain and desire to finish what I had dreamed of. In fact, just to piss on those traditional sbc (anything else is too hard guys), I am now building an old style digger with an Edsel engine in it. Yep, I said Edsel. Whne it is finished it will also be way cool and different. I like that part. By the way, I still don't have a TIG or MIG welder or a JIG. Happy in Texas.............
Here we go again. . . . . . . . Imagine guys with a vision of their perfect hot rod/kustom. Now imagine some of those guys without time, without skills, without time to learn skills, guys with no garage or workshop, guys who are old and ache, who have physical disabilities, guys whose lives don't afford them the luxury of hand crafting their own vision of perfection. Imagine some of these guys have the money to spare to pay someone else to realise their vision. Are these guys entitled to their dreams, or are they just gold-chainers with nothing better to spend their money on? I'm fed up with this 'more hot rodder than thou' BS. I don't have the use of my hands, but 90% of the ideas on my Kustom came out of my head and that's good enough for me. There are those of us out there that 'get it', skilled or unskilled, and we do our part in keeping this whole thing alive by providing a living for those who run speed shops, Kustom shops, paint shops all over the world. Happy New Year y'all, Paul.
Hmm sounds like a little garage envy! Hey we all start some place I started out laying in the gravel in my parents driveway having my Mom help me install the trans in my 55 Ford Pick up but after over 37 years of the hobby I have a nicely set up shop. The point is it is not a case of the have and have nots it is a case of do what you can with what you have and enjoy every day doing what you love. There is great satisfaction in making something work when others said it wasn't possible! Its not about the destination but all about the journey. I wont apologize for having saved and waited and worked to have the shop I have, so put in your time and effort and show some patience!
Paul..My hats off to you.. determination and drive..that is some pure motivation. glad you keep pushing..others would have given up , with less to face.
Most things I build are not because "I know I can!" rather because "I'm not smart enough to know I can't" Jim Arnold
I agree! Paul you are to be admired we seem to not appreciate what we have until we see someone who has a larger challenge and in your case has taken the challenge and gone to a higher level than some with out the same challenges.
And I also agree. Everyone should go into a build, with the facts about what it might cost, and a view of there skill levels. Then they can plan whether they will enlist the help of others to complete there goals, or try to do it themselves. I think the hamb is a good place for encouragement, and sound advise, (as long as it is not given as fact). If some one puts a car in there garage for years, or has a pro build it over time. It's still there build, and there ideas. Just have fun with it...John
Personally, I don't farm out a single thing, I do all the work on my truck myself.....which is why it's taking so damn long to complete! But it's my therapy, and brings me satisfaction. And since I won't have stupid-money******** in it, I won't have to run for the hills at the first sign of a drop of rain, like so many of the check-book rodders do at our local shows. LOL.
The Jalopy Journal
