Manx Club

One of the best things I ever did to improve my megre skills as a backyard wrencher was to read some books by guys who were skilled at mechanical things. Roger Welsh (AKA Capt. Nebraska) used to restore a 1930's tractor every year or so, and his tips on what you need in a garage or shop were fantasic. In his various books he describes various teqniques, for example he saved old rags which might combust in a wood buring stove in case they actually DID ignite. He also would make xerox copies of the books he would use for projects. He kept those in plastic pages to keep them from getting fithy and ruined with grease and oil. He belives the Library part of his garage/shop is the most important part What tid-bits have you gleaned and you can't live without? I am just now getting into saving Coffee Cans (which are growing uncommon) to save nuts and bolts in. I love the crazy old-school guys of my Dad's generation who nailed jar-lids to the bottom of shelves. The idea being to use unused space to subcatagorize nut and bolts, but keep them visable. I also use a Pampered Chef cooking oil sprizer filled with a very light machine oil to free up frozen nuts and bolts. I also keep extra sets of eye protection and a breathing mask around because I will then be more likely to use them. (and I know I'm bad about that stuff) I keep a 7000lb floor jack handy, and to my surprize, I use the massive thing all the time. Last year I got a really good hand truck (holds 1600lbs) which also has been fantastic. What about you?

There has been additions to the shop over the last couple of years, the best was the lift, once you have one you will never be without one again. We picked up a used one from a local guy poured the pad and had it installed, use it almost every day for something, Gene is the local guy now, one real big benefit is the buggy will go on before a run and you can inspect almost everything, make adjustments, tighten bolts ect. The next best thing since sliced bread has been the glass beader, beats a wire brush on clean-up on parts anytime of the week. The big draw back is limited size and it takes some time to clean up bigger parts. Try using hydrogen peroxide on those frozen bolts, last, cheap oven cleaner makes a super parts cleaner for those really greasy, oily parts, works great on engines cases also. :hello: also forgot the JD 2 tubing bender and notcher, no more out sourcing for tubing bending :rock:

I think the wiring is one of the most useful things in the garage. We ran 220V to the garage, then broke it out in a sub panel. There is a 220V circuit for the air compressor, but the rest is 110V. We installed a bunch of single tube fluorescent lights and groups of outlets every few feet on each wall. There's always an outlet close to where you need it! Even the Shop Vac that hangs on the wall has its own outlet! A bench top drill press is one of those tools you never use until you have one. Once you do, there are all kinds of uses for it! I have a Harbor Freight floor jack that has served me well. The first one lasted about 8 years, and we used the heck out of that thing! I replaced it with another one when it started to bleed down.

Don't forget an air compresser & air tools, as these are great when speed is needy, a 500# impact wrench makes easy work of those large stubborn jobs, etc & I also have a Millermatic Mig welder.

I've got one of the the old Kymco Torquemeisters. I can't say I've ever used it to torque a flywheel yet, but its real handy for rear brake drums. I've taken it to Pick n Pull and gotten the rear drums off several Type 3s and long/long axles out of some 68s, with no problems, even with the parking brake handle missing from the car.

The tools I get a lot of use on (especially lately) is my Bridgeport & 12" X 36" lathe making Manxter S parts. It also helps to have an aircraft qualified welder friend in the same town. Tom

I have to say I have gotten more use out of my old 1936 Southbend 9 x 48 lathe then I ever expected to. I haven't used my new Miller TiG welder very much, yet. I anticipate making an attempt at wearing it out, this coming summer.

Newest item is a grit notcher with quick change head. I used to notch tubes with a plasma and grinding stone. This way is way faster and makes a much better fit up and weld joint. I have always wished for a Bridgeport and a nice lathe. A large rotary type phase converter is nice to have around as well. ( if you house does not have 3 phase available on the pole)

The best tool in my new shop i am building isss you guessed it. my toilet! Hey after i have a few beers i dont have to run to the house.