I remember when I was starting out building stuff for the XJ how "fun"
it was to have to cut steel or to join parts together. I DREADED the thought of having to cut or drill any piece of steel that was thicker than 1/16". Anyone else? I remember my cousin, Kendall, and I would borrow his dad's Delta wood chopsaw with the abrasive wheel attached and hold on for dear life cause if that tube got turned the wrong way it would grab like a mother! Or we'd get the HF grinder and cutoff wheel goin', hunker down and start cutting. Half an hour later the bar would be cut through. Or when it came to welding, I'd have to preheat, gap, and bevel so that my 110v flux-core would hold the 1/4" plates together. It worked for most things, but it would have been so nice if I had access to a bigger MIG for a few welds. I also remember wishing for an afternoon to use a band saw - But I didn't know anyone with one back then. And lack of funds didn't help either. Now we have 2 floor band saws, plus a porta-band in the shop, but I still remember the feelings of not having access to one. Or I think about what I could have done back then if I had access to a plasma cutter, drill press, or any other "specialty" or pro grade tool...
Do you know what I'm talking about? Would it make sense to have a list of people on here that have the "specialty"/pro grade tools that others could borrow? Or do you think people who are in need already ask? Sometimes I think there is a general feeling of: "Look what I have in my garage," which would scare away the would-be borrower. Sometimes I think it's crazy when next door neighbors BOTH have to have they're own welder AND plasma cutter AND band saw, etc. Why not each buy one and swap when needed? I could be crazy :-\.
Just my thoughts... Yours?
And I'll be first in line to let someone use my tools.
it was to have to cut steel or to join parts together. I DREADED the thought of having to cut or drill any piece of steel that was thicker than 1/16". Anyone else? I remember my cousin, Kendall, and I would borrow his dad's Delta wood chopsaw with the abrasive wheel attached and hold on for dear life cause if that tube got turned the wrong way it would grab like a mother! Or we'd get the HF grinder and cutoff wheel goin', hunker down and start cutting. Half an hour later the bar would be cut through. Or when it came to welding, I'd have to preheat, gap, and bevel so that my 110v flux-core would hold the 1/4" plates together. It worked for most things, but it would have been so nice if I had access to a bigger MIG for a few welds. I also remember wishing for an afternoon to use a band saw - But I didn't know anyone with one back then. And lack of funds didn't help either. Now we have 2 floor band saws, plus a porta-band in the shop, but I still remember the feelings of not having access to one. Or I think about what I could have done back then if I had access to a plasma cutter, drill press, or any other "specialty" or pro grade tool...Do you know what I'm talking about? Would it make sense to have a list of people on here that have the "specialty"/pro grade tools that others could borrow? Or do you think people who are in need already ask? Sometimes I think there is a general feeling of: "Look what I have in my garage," which would scare away the would-be borrower. Sometimes I think it's crazy when next door neighbors BOTH have to have they're own welder AND plasma cutter AND band saw, etc. Why not each buy one and swap when needed? I could be crazy :-\.
Just my thoughts... Yours?
And I'll be first in line to let someone use my tools
.
