Well it isn't much and the welds look really bad and it is a little crooked even though I tried to weld it straight but the important thing is ... IT WORKS ! It works great ! I just tried making 3 tucks to see how it went and all 3 were exactly the same, exactly where I wanted them and were just the size of tuck I wanted. What a great tool. I made this tucking fork from steel rod from an old shopping cart a friend gave me. A little cutting, grinding and welding and now I can get back to my track-T nose. I love this stuff. But I sure hope my welding improves soon. I need a lot of practice.
When I got into this game in 1960, I belonged to the Strokers car club which had it's club house in the lower level of a large barn. The upper level of the barn was used by a local appliance store to store it's trade-ins. These machines were a constant source of odd parts and metal to build our hot rods. Today that appliance storage is called Summit. Jim, I have seen you make many parts and tools out of non car related supplies. You are really a renaissance hot rodder. Good work.
Warren
It may be hard to believe but I tried to do a roll of dimes or quarters when I welded it. I just can't seem to stay on seam yet and I think I saw 'the bubble' once. I just need a lot more practice I think. But on the up side, what a boost to my moral to get this kind of support. Maybe someday I'll be good enough to actually be able to help somebody else with their build.
Jim, you built the tool and it does what you want. There's nothing wrong with that, good on ya. I have an old hammer my Dad made about 60 years ago, just a 14" square head bolt threaded into a 2lb hunk of solid copper. Works great still to this day - plus, since he's not with us any longer I think of him every time I put it in my hand. You're home-made tools may do the same for someone else one day, family or friend.
When I started my mechanic’s apprenticeship many years ago, I spent some time in a welding shop for training. The first thing they had me make was a chipping hammer and I still have it. I have others I bought but I use that one too. It still works great and it reminds me of the “old” days, the ones that are getting older by the day. Your tucking tool is a great inspiration to build one – thanks for posting.
I started in the auto trade in 1963 and the fellow who trained me had been in the trade since the mid 20s. He showed me how to make a few tools i would need and they are still in my toolbox to this day and they still get used.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and these stories are great to hear. Sounds like there are a lot of old tools and a lot of memories to go with them.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and these stories are great to hear. Sounds like there are a lot of old tools and a lot of memories to go with them.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and these stories are great to hear. Sounds like there are a lot of old tools and a lot of memories to go with them.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and these stories are great to hear. Sounds like there are a lot of old tools and a lot of memories to go with them.
Who are you calling a old tool ???
We prefer the term Well used.
..........Well Used.........you mean like massaged?.........