The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest What was the last tool you bought?

Kevin, I bought it at a garage sale. Had it priced at $150.00. Offered him $100.00 and he took it.

I'm debating whether or not to make an offer on a big radial drill press, one large enough to stand a stovebolt engine block up under the spindle and whittle on the main bearing bores. The Ebay seller has already dropped his price $300.00 below what's in the ad and I believe he would accept a lowball bid. The only problem is distance- - - -it's in Cleveland Ohio! I think a firm offer of $1K would buy it!
Jerry

I grew up in Cleveland, Jerry. I remember the sky pitch black from the Ford plant smokestacks, and the Cuyahoga River was multicolored rainbow ribbons of sludge and chemical colors, dead carp, and stench. Then it caught fire and it was all better after that. A few river burns throughout the year became a social event.

Some have told me that I am a product of my environment. I take it as an erie compliment.

At least you could see what was coating your lungs- - - -by the color of the air you were breathing! Around our neighborhood, the occasional feed lot or pig farm is the primary source of stinky atmosphere- - - -or maybe a pulpwood processing plant. Those things get really gross!
Jerry

Just bought what looks like an original AD truck tool set off eBay. Only need a handle for the jack now. None of that stuff was with my truck when I got it (not surprising.) I did get the engine crank with it though.

Nice score!

That’s a sweet score
very usable and period correct
But if you want original for collectors sake᠁ I spent an unreasonable amount of time researching the tools and chatting with others online about the correct ones
Some look like they might be correct
But the screwdrivers definitely aren’t
The hammer should be 10oz and marked, the bigger or smaller like 8 and 12 oz are more common and not correct
The spark plug tool is slotted so you use the screwdriver as a handle in it, should say VLCHEK on the side, so would the pliers
-s

The wrenches appear to be McKaig-Hatch. One of the manufacturers for GM besides Vlchek. We'll see what they are when they arrive. I was looking mainly for a jack, so the rest of the stuff is a bonus.

Some of the finds on here are really impressive. Being a garage mechanic I don’t have room for all those handy and useful tools.

But I finally broke down and bought a Dremel tool and it’s the best tool I have now. I’ve used it to cut off rusted solid bolts for the bumpers and a bunch of other things.

Happy with the simple things in life.

This one's sort of a Dremel tool on steroids- - - -it uses 1/4" shank grinding stones and carbide burrs, and with a variable speed power supply you can tailor the tool speed to whatever project you're doing. I use mine on my lathe as a light duty tool post grinder, and also port and polish cylinder heads with it.

www.ebay.com/itm/191920891031?

Jerry

I got an engine hoist. Getting ready to pull my 305 and drop in a 350 when it comes back from the machine shop.

I think this qualifies as a “latest tool” to add to my shop. 😉

A well used but still nice and fully functional “bearing stock storage cabinet” was added to my collection during current trip to WI.

Will go well with my other “shop cabinets”. 😎

Dan

Went to an Estate Sale Saturday and scored a set (4) of heavy duty (not Harbor Freight) car dollies and a Harbor Freight cheapie welder. Welder had the welding cart with it. Chicago Electric dual mig. Paid $62.50 for the 4 Dollie’s and the welder/cart, so I think I did ok.

While on an afternoon break from helping care for my Mom yesterday, I managed to acquire this working "IDEAL" rivet setter.

Going to have to wait till I get it back home to MO to test it out, but think (?) it may come in handy for replacing some fender rivets on my rear fender supports and maybe other rivets too?. If nothing else, may be able to use it to reline brake shoes.

Everything moves freely and the handle return spring is in great shape.

Dan

Cool old tool, Dan.

It looks similar to a hole punch I have that was my dad's.

But from the looks of it, you won't be able to use it for the rear fender supports, because the rivets are too close to the edge roll of the fender. I was able to re-rivet mine using a steel plate for an anvil and a hammer-operated rivet set with the fenders on my work table. (BTW, if you need the rivets for them, shoot me a PM)

Thanks Kevin for the info.

Either way, it caught my eye and I just had to take it home. For a whopping $9, I think I did OK.

Still have the rivets you sent me previously (for fender and hood). Awaiting use at a future date.


Dan

Good deal Dan
I forgot that I had sent you rivets.

Today I recovered, did not buy, my old shop rolling chair. It had burn holes, deteriorated foam, squeaky bearings; it was in rough shape.

So, I dug up some vinyl I kept from doing my 51 GMC door panels, threaded, wound bobbins, and got the old 1961 Singer Rocketeer fired up.

I’m almost scared to have it in the shop now! I’m sure happy with it, and I’m learning lots on this ole sewing machine. What a fun afternoon.

Fox,

That looks entirely "too comfy" - LOL!

Did it actually make it's way to the shop???

Nice job!

Dan

Since I'm doing a piston change out on a project, I picked up one of those aluminum tapered ring compressors. I already had one for when we were building the Donovan Hemi, but that isn't GMC 302 4.060" size. So I got one specific to the work I'm doing. In fact, that Donovan is where I fell in love with that type of tool. I also picked up a nice little ring squaring tool for when it comes time to gap or check gap of the rings. Both are a Total Seal product.

Picked up a new plasma cutter. I cant believe I’ve never bought one of these 10 years ago. Cuts like butter. All these years using cut off wheels seems silly now.

After trying to "borrow" a transmission jack, found one affordable at Harbor Freight. I'll attempt to follow up with my "review" once my next task is completed.

Ron, Will be interested to hear what you think. Just my humble opinion, but that security chain looks just a bit on the wimpy side. Are the links welded?

A friend has a tranny jack that's pretty much a copy of that. We've used it a bunch of times to R&R the tranny of a 7.3L truck with transfer case attached. The wings at the corners do a pretty good job of holding it in place, but we usually use a ratchet strap over the tranny instead of the wimpy chain.

I don't think the chains will provide the securing needed. I'll be using a ratchet strap.

Chains on this model work well. Block of wood to level it and a simple bungy cord to
keep it from tilting.

Does your have an "adjustable" hook using a threaded rod? When I reviewed this jack from HF , and their photo showed a threaded hook with flat wash and bolt that would have allowed a person to tighten the chain. However, there is none on this jack. Just a slot to hook the chain. I'll make it work....

Yes, you can make yours work. Also can tilt. Threaded hook

New to me Old Kent-Moore J-1619 bearing puller. It's one of those " a new gear puller is better" but I wanted it anyway stories. Have had this as a saved search on Ebay for awhile and it popped up last week. Might come in handy for the SM420 rebuild that's going ot happen someday....

Nice shape for an old gear puller. A lot of those are really beat up.

Both "legs" are twisted. Not obvious in the photo's. I'll be contacting one of my tool room friends ( machinist, gunsmith, blacksmith ) on best way to straighten them.

I just bought an old 80 lb Vulcan anvil. Not in the best of shape, but I've always wanted an anvil. It's marked II&B CO (Illinios Iron & Bolt Co.) Not sure how old it is, but it's been around a long time. It's a cast iron base with steel top. Some idiot put saw cuts into it, which proves that it's possible to mess up an anvil. A friend has a TIG welder I can use to fix those up and sharpen the rounded edge. Will keep the heat in control so it doesn't damage the joint between iron and steel.

I need to remove my bed, so I can work on the cab corners. For years, I have been wanting an engine hoist, so I used this opportunity to buy a HF 2 Ton engine hoist. This way I can lift the bed in one piece and place it back on the frame when I’m not working on it.

An AD bed is a 2 person lift, but there's always a use for an engine hoist.

My wife already said no, so I’m a one man show!

Yep, it helps if you have a lift.

Mount a small 12v cable hoist to that! Make it a Bumper Mule!

I should have said two MAN lift.
I enlisted my neighbor and he and I did the lifting, while my wife positioned the 2x4's we set it on.

A recent find while wandering a local antique store. A WILDE KCMO CF-70 Spark Plug Gapping Tool for the princely sum of just $2 + the governors cut. Showing its age, but still fully functional.

Saw a Milwaukee angle die grinder, battery powered, and I couldn't resist. Handy when I don't want to file up the compressor. Seems a little picky about being loaded and tends to cut out now and then. Still better than rolling out the air hose, etc.......