Old vs. New. Maintain or Replace?

[Sportin' Wood]

I found this Polaski hand tool at an estate sale for $5.00. I was doing maintenance yesterday on some old hand tools that we use on a regular basis and decided to spend a little time restoring this for my son. I have a newer model Polaski that I keep in the truck that has come in handy. The Polaski is a firefighting tool that was my weapon of choice when I was a Firefighter for CDF at station 7 in Riverside County in the late 80s.

It only took about an hour to get this thing cleaned up and make the handle as smooth as a baby's ass. While I was doing this work I was thinking about how we have just replaced hand tools over the years rather than spend the time maintaining them. It really takes little effort to make these tools last a lifetime, yet we tend to leave them out in the weather and handy near where we use them.

Someone mentioned that with inflation we will start to see people choosing older cars vs. new ones. I agree, I tend to prefer older cars for local driving, but cross country it is hard to beat the performance of the newest generation of vehicles. That being said, I'll be spending more time on keeping things running or operational that I have already purchased rather than assuming I can just replace them when they break. I'm wondering how this approach might influence older boats. The younger generations might be challenged by using tools to keep things running.

It also brought me a lot of joy, working on this $5.00 tool. I had no idea it would be so rewarding to bring an old hand tool back to new-like conditions. Much cheaper than restoring an old car or boat. I figure this old tool will last another 50 years if taken care of. It is just broken in.

What say you all great and powerful RDP? Do we see a shift to maintaining older stuff or do we keep tossing things in favor of replacement?

Linseed oil is what I use on the handles FWIW.

 

[coolchange]

Wow looks great. I fix stuff. Personally and for a living.
Look at YouTube on restorations. The amount of hits on a guy doing a crappy job on a toy or vice is rediculous.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I found this Polanski hand tool at an estate sale for $5.00. I was doing maintenance yesterday on some old hand tools that we use on a regular basis and decided to spend a little time restoring this for my son. I have a newer model Polanski that I keep in the truck that has come in handy. The Polanski is a firefighting tool that was my weapon of choice when I was a Firefighter for CDF at station 7 in Riverside County in the late 80s.

It only took about an hour to get this thing cleaned up and make the handle as smooth as a baby's ass. While I was doing this work I was thinking about how we have just replaced hand tools over the years rather than spend the time maintaining them. It really takes little effort to make these tools last a lifetime, yet we tend to leave them out in the weather and handy near where we use them.

Someone mentioned that with inflation we will start to see people choosing older cars vs. new ones. I agree, I tend to prefer older cars for local driving, but cross country it is hard to beat the performance of the newest generation of vehicles. That being said, I'll be spending more time on keeping things running or operational that I have already purchased rather than assuming I can just replace them when they break. I'm wondering how this approach might influence older boats. The younger generations might be challenged by using tools to keep things running.

It also brought me a lot of joy, working on this $5.00 tool. I had no idea it would be so rewarding to bring an old hand tool back to new-like conditions. Much cheaper than restoring an old car or boat. I figure this old tool will last another 50 years if taken care of. It is just broken in.

What say you all great and powerful RDP? Do we see a shift to maintaining older stuff or do we keep tossing things in favor of replacement?

Linseed oil is what I use on the handles FWIW.


View attachment 1278835

View attachment 1278837

I think the question is broader.

We are in an “As A Service” based economy. In essence all that you mention around changing cars, boats and toys every few years is a subscription service in the form of a payment, if you are leasing or buying.

Will we see people tapping out of the “As A Service” based economy is the broader question?

I don’t think there is a clear answer. Some will and some won’t. The people that can’t or won’t turn a wrench will certainly stick with their service subscriptions out of necessity. There are people that don’t want to be slaves to their possessions - The own nothing and like it set.

Then there are others that realize they can learn and do new things. There may be mistakes and lessons along the way, but keeping and maintaining something like a boat or car is cheaper, and possibly brings some satisfaction.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I think the question is broader.

We are in an “As A Service” based economy. In essence all that you mention around changing cars, boats and toys every few years is a subscription service in the form of a payment, if you are leasing or buying.

Will we see people tapping out of the “As A Service” based economy is the broader question?

I don’t think there is a clear answer. Some will and some won’t. The people that can’t or won’t turn a wrench will certainly stick with their service subscriptions out of necessity. There are people that don’t want to be slaves to their possessions - The own nothing and like it set.

Then there are others that realize they can learn and do new things. There may be mistakes and lessons along the way, but keeping and maintaining something like a boat or car is cheaper, and possibly brings some satisfaction.

Great points. I agree.

One of my job duties is working in new product development and we are always considering how to switch our offer to subscription-based services. A lower barrier to entry is what normally makes this attractive, but we have customers with older equipment who have realized a much better ROI. I see items like shop equipment selling for pennies on the dollar that have aged out. I always dream of filling my home shop with cool old restored machinery.

The car subscription thing is interesting. I would like to see a lower cost entry price and pay for the items I want and nothing I don't. I'm surprised no one has built a truck without the bells and whistles, but I guess you can buy used and achieve the same thing.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

I like bringing old stuff back like that.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I've always been the fix old stuff person. First by necessity, then by frugality and now kind of back to necessity. With the covid shortages, it became somewhat important. Knowing the basics, like soldering and welding, kept me busy, and kept others able to work as well.

There will always be those that "can't" do stuff. Some have the money to pay others, some will elect to do without. I'm sadly related to another type, those that feel some manual labor is below them. Those that don't want to, or can't do things, are the ones that keep my lights on. I'm glad there are different types of people, it helps make the world go around.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Great points. I agree.

One of my job duties is working in new product development and we are always considering how to switch our offer to subscription-based services. A lower barrier to entry is what normally makes this attractive, but we have customers with older equipment who have realized a much better ROI. I see items like shop equipment selling for pennies on the dollar that have aged out. I always dream of filling my home shop with cool old restored machinery.

The car subscription thing is interesting. I would like to see a lower cost entry price and pay for the items I want and nothing I don't. I'm surprised no one has built a truck without the bells and whistles, but I guess you can buy used and achieve the same thing.

Yes in the long run the sub is always more. In my industry firms have learned hard lessons as they attempt to transition to cloud computing and are billed on subscription and consumption.

On the car front I think people like “buying up” as opposed to “buying down”. Leasing a BMW vs. buying a Honda for example

I think within a decade we will see a complete suite of “subscription options” for cars. We are already seeing it subscription options creep in.

While I agree, I’d love to buy a brand new 2004 Chevy Silverado truck with 20 year old tech for $30k.. it’s never going to happen.

I’m looking for something 20-30 years old that is driver quality to bomb around town in, and take solo to Havasu for errands
when needed. S10 Blazers seem to fit the bill.. but finding a decent one is a challenge.

 

[OC Mike]

I found this Polanski hand tool at an estate sale for $5.00. I was doing maintenance yesterday on some old hand tools that we use on a regular basis and decided to spend a little time restoring this for my son. I have a newer model Polanski that I keep in the truck that has come in handy. The Polanski is a firefighting tool that was my weapon of choice when I was a Firefighter for CDF at station 7 in Riverside County in the late 80s.

It only took about an hour to get this thing cleaned up and make the handle as smooth as a baby's ass. While I was doing this work I was thinking about how we have just replaced hand tools over the years rather than spend the time maintaining them. It really takes little effort to make these tools last a lifetime, yet we tend to leave them out in the weather and handy near where we use them.

Someone mentioned that with inflation we will start to see people choosing older cars vs. new ones. I agree, I tend to prefer older cars for local driving, but cross country it is hard to beat the performance of the newest generation of vehicles. That being said, I'll be spending more time on keeping things running or operational that I have already purchased rather than assuming I can just replace them when they break. I'm wondering how this approach might influence older boats. The younger generations might be challenged by using tools to keep things running.

It also brought me a lot of joy, working on this $5.00 tool. I had no idea it would be so rewarding to bring an old hand tool back to new-like conditions. Much cheaper than restoring an old car or boat. I figure this old tool will last another 50 years if taken care of. It is just broken in.

What say you all great and powerful RDP? Do we see a shift to maintaining older stuff or do we keep tossing things in favor of replacement?

Linseed oil is what I use on the handles FWIW.


View attachment 1278835

View attachment 1278837

NIce Work!!
A lot of satisfaction bringing something back to life.

 

[4Waters]

One of the guys at work broke the handle so into the trash it goes, I grabbed it and put a new American Hickory handle on it

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Yes in the long run the sub is always more. In my industry firms have learned hard lessons as they attempt to transition to cloud computing and are billed on subscription and consumption.

On the car front I think people like “buying up” as opposed to “buying down”. Leasing a BMW vs. buying a Honda for example

I think within a decade we will see a complete suite of “subscription options” for cars. We are already seeing it subscription options creep in.

While I agree, I’d love to buy a brand new 2004 Chevy Silverado truck with 20 year old tech for $30k.. it’s never going to happen.

I’m looking for something 20-30 years old that is driver quality to bomb around town in, and take solo to Havasu for errands
when needed. S10 Blazers seem to fit the bill.. but finding a decent one is a challenge.

I'm looking at a mid-70s F350 with a powerstroke swap that I would like to buy. I'm torn between the comfort of a new truck versus the ease of maintenance on an old truck. I'm guessing for the price of a new truck, I can totally trick out an old one. The issue is that you can buy new and make a payment, get it now, vs. pay cash, doing all the work rebuilding, and be patient that in time you have a vehicle that could last a lifetime.

You won't win any races, but a Cummins 5.9 swapped older truck with a Dana60 front axle and solid low-tech drive train can be upgraded to achieve some comfort, while allowing a half-decent mechanic the opportunity to fix almost anything themselves.

While they might not be blinging, there are some heavy-duty trucks on the used market that can perform well against today's new offers. The challenge is for those who live in states with smog laws that make this strategy difficult. Thankfully I don't have that issue. Rust is the biggest challenge.

 

[sixdays]

Pulaski…

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I'm looking at a mid-70s F350 with a powerstroke swap that I would like to buy. I'm torn between the comfort of a new truck versus the ease of maintenance on an old truck. I'm guessing for the price of a new truck, I can totally trick out an old one. The issue is that you can buy new and make a payment, get it now, vs. pay cash, doing all the work rebuilding, and be patient that in time you have a vehicle that could last a lifetime.

You won't win any races, but a Cummins 5.9 swapped older truck with a Dana60 front axle and solid low-tech drive train can be upgraded to achieve some comfort, while allowing a half-decent mechanic the opportunity to fix almost anything themselves.

While they might not be blinging, there are some heavy-duty trucks on the used market that can perform well against today's new offers. The challenge is for those who live in states with smog laws that make this strategy difficult. Thankfully I don't have that issue. Rust is the biggest challenge.

Looking for a decent S10 blazer here. Plan will be to get a 5.3 with a 6 speed out of some GM vehicle and drop it in. It is pretty much a weekend job, if you prep and plan ahead. All bolt it in, no real fab work aside from exhaust. Then swap the rear gear to a 2.73.
If a 5.3 gets 21-22 mpg in a full size Tahoe, this will get high 20s MPG easily and have enough juice to launch the boat.

 

[Orange Juice]

Looking for a decent S10 blazer here. Plan will be to get a 5.3 with a 6 speed out of some GM vehicle and drop it in. Swap the rear gear to a 2.73. If a 5.3 gets 21-22 mpg in a full size Tahoe, this should get high 20s MPG and have enough juice to launch the boat.

Find one of these unicorns.

Chevrolet S-10 EV - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Chili Palmer]

Pulaski…

Beat me to it
Polonski was that kid who sat at the back of his class who ate his boogers and had ear wax crumbs in his ears all the time.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Looking for a decent S10 blazer here. Plan will be to get a 5.3 with a 6 speed out of some GM vehicle and drop it in. It is pretty much a weekend job, if you prep and plan ahead. All bolt it in, no real fab work aside from exhaust. Then swap the rear gear to a 2.73.
If a 5.3 gets 21-22 mpg in a full size Tahoe, this will get high 20s MPG easily and have enough juice to launch the boat.

The Canadians had an S-10 pick-up V8 factory variant.

Is there a ready-available wiring harness?

 

[shan]

Older is generally better and worth the effort.

 

[samsah33]

Yes, chronic fixer here, I'm the recovering dad in the insurance commercials... "Why would anyone throw away a perfectly good flip phone...?" "Look, somebody left a pile of good lumber on the side of the road..."

BMW tried the subscription on heated seats but it didn't go well so they eventually dropped it. Subscriptions make sense when you have something that needs to be continually updated like software or consumables, but if you want me to pay a monthly fee to access a stationary item or benefit, then I expect some additional consideration in return, like in this case, a guarantee from BMW that they will fix the seats if they ever break down...

BMW drops plan to charge a monthly fee for heated seats

BMW’s microtransaction experiments have not always been successful.

www.theverge.com

 

[77charger]

I’ve become a keep older and repair vs buy new. Yes new shit is nice but I like my lifestyle of less work more fun and part of that gives up the pricey items.

My take on life you live once you can’t take the money with you why slave til you die. My house will be paid off my kids can manage with an inherited house I wouldn’t leave them broke.

 

[callbob]

I’ve tried to maintain an old tool but doesn’t matter how much linseed oil I put on it, still won’t work as it used to. Maybe I should use some tongue oil? Asking for my little friend.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I’ve tried to maintain an old tool but doesn’t matter how much linseed oil I put on it, still won’t work as it used to. Maybe I should use some tongue oil? Asking for my little friend.

You win the internet today.

 

[Sharky]

Looking for a decent S10 blazer here. Plan will be to get a 5.3 with a 6 speed out of some GM vehicle and drop it in. It is pretty much a weekend job, if you prep and plan ahead. All bolt it in, no real fab work aside from exhaust. Then swap the rear gear to a 2.73.
If a 5.3 gets 21-22 mpg in a full size Tahoe, this will get high 20s MPG easily and have enough juice to launch the boat.

If you can find one with the 4.3L TBI, that engine was pretty much indestructible. And, TBI did not have the problems like the poppet valve/spyder injector that came later.

I have seen old S, T trucks & M, L vans with over 300K miles and the 4.3L TBI still running just fine when they came in for service. Had an Astro van with 200K miles. 4.3L. Came in because of an engine miss and poor fuel economy. Needed the original spark plugs, cap & rotor replaced.

 

[rrrr]

I could make a long post discussing my old tools, like the Lisle valve spring compressor I bought when I was 13, or the small Dayton bench grinder purchased in 1973 when I was 16.

It's really satisfying to pick up these old friends and put them to use. They sing memories.

 

[spectras only]

I'm missing my Lisle spring compressor I had for 40+ yrs. It walked away at one point since my son started wrenching on cars.
Now, I have to replace it with a new one like it [ possible China POS ] to replace all the springs on my Formula Ford.

OBSOLETE AT FACTORY - 16550 Overhead Valve Spring Compressor

Compresses Valve Springs for Keeper Removal without Removing Cylinder Heads.

www.lislecorp.com

Yesterday I broke two springs at the track while pushing 7200 rpms, trying to tag along with the Radicals.
Have to keep the rpms below 7000 now if I want the engine live till the end of the season.
Luckily, one member has a set of new springs so I don't have to wait too long to order from Pegasus Racing.

 

[endobear]

Tools, cars, home repairs and toys...
I could probably afford to just replace or have someone else fix but I could never have what I have if I couldn't fix or maintain it myself. It may take alot of my time. But I enjoy doing it. And I make sure it's right.
All my junk is older. Except I try to keep the wife's car newish.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

I found this Polaski hand tool at an estate sale for $5.00. I was doing maintenance yesterday on some old hand tools that we use on a regular basis and decided to spend a little time restoring this for my son. I have a newer model Polaski that I keep in the truck that has come in handy. The Polaski is a firefighting tool that was my weapon of choice when I was a Firefighter for CDF at station 7 in Riverside County in the late 80s.

It only took about an hour to get this thing cleaned up and make the handle as smooth as a baby's ass. While I was doing this work I was thinking about how we have just replaced hand tools over the years rather than spend the time maintaining them. It really takes little effort to make these tools last a lifetime, yet we tend to leave them out in the weather and handy near where we use them.

Someone mentioned that with inflation we will start to see people choosing older cars vs. new ones. I agree, I tend to prefer older cars for local driving, but cross country it is hard to beat the performance of the newest generation of vehicles. That being said, I'll be spending more time on keeping things running or operational that I have already purchased rather than assuming I can just replace them when they break. I'm wondering how this approach might influence older boats. The younger generations might be challenged by using tools to keep things running.

It also brought me a lot of joy, working on this $5.00 tool. I had no idea it would be so rewarding to bring an old hand tool back to new-like conditions. Much cheaper than restoring an old car or boat. I figure this old tool will last another 50 years if taken care of. It is just broken in.

What say you all great and powerful RDP? Do we see a shift to maintaining older stuff or do we keep tossing things in favor of replacement?

Linseed oil is what I use on the handles FWIW.

Very nice job. I am up to my neck in a couple projects now, but I have a 35-40 yr old McCleod in my shed. I can see that getting the same treatment some day...oh, and they ain't 5 bucks if ya go look for a good one...that one has some stories to tell, and that, to me is what makes old stuff cool..

 

[throttle]

That looks great, its ready for 20 more years of service! Nice job.

A few years ago, I cut my hand when closing a compartment door with a Polaski in the other hand. Anyway, the Dr. asked what tool I cut my hand with? When I said a polaski, his response to me was "aren't there younger guys for that type of tool?". I replied telling him, "yes there are, but they don't like to work".

I returned fire to the Dr. asking him to tell me how he knew what a polaski was, he said he remembered reading in a book about hand crew firefighters years ago.

BTW, today it is still my "go to" hand tool of choice. I use it and then pass it on to someone who has been avoiding the heavy workloads.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

I always wanted a Hooligan Tool...we borrowed one from the Fire guys a couple time on serious high-risk warrant service. Last time I talked to one of the guys on the team they have one now. I dunno what I would do with one, but I'd like to have one just fer the heck of it.

Hooligan Entry Tool

These heavy duty halligan entry tools were designed to pound, puncture, pry, twist, and cut most obstacles you may encounter.

www.edarley.com

 

[mjc]

Looking for a decent S10 blazer here. Plan will be to get a 5.3 with a 6 speed out of some GM vehicle and drop it in. It is pretty much a weekend job, if you prep and plan ahead. All bolt it in, no real fab work aside from exhaust. Then swap the rear gear to a 2.73.
If a 5.3 gets 21-22 mpg in a full size Tahoe, this will get high 20s MPG easily and have enough juice to launch the boat.

Forget that get this

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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4 door s10's are cooler when you can find one.

 

[lbhsbz]

Looking for a decent S10 blazer here. Plan will be to get a 5.3 with a 6 speed out of some GM vehicle and drop it in. It is pretty much a weekend job, if you prep and plan ahead. All bolt it in, no real fab work aside from exhaust. Then swap the rear gear to a 2.73.
If a 5.3 gets 21-22 mpg in a full size Tahoe, this will get high 20s MPG easily and have enough juice to launch the boat.

I'd avoid the S10...they're kinda pieces of shit. I had my 2002 Zr2 for a couple years, and I can't think of a single thing I liked about it. It was gutless and got the same mileage as my 3/4 ton GM with a 6.0L....and being a '90s era GM truck...they all feel pretty worn out over 100K miles.

there's a reason 1st gen tacomas are $10K and S10s are $2000....

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Forget that get this

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

4 door s10's are cooler when you can find one.

Agreed.. just lost me at 4wd only on those.

 

[rrrr]

I'm missing my Lisle spring compressor I had for 40+ yrs. It walked away at one point since my son started wrenching on cars.

Now, I have to replace it with a new one like it [ possible China POS ] to replace all the springs on my Formula Ford.

OBSOLETE AT FACTORY - 16550 Overhead Valve Spring Compressor

Compresses Valve Springs for Keeper Removal without Removing Cylinder Heads.

www.lislecorp.com

I pulled mine out of the drawer for a photo, and discovered it's a K-D, not a Lisle. This is one of the first tools I owned. I bought it to work on my sister's '58 Impala. It's funny, at age 13 I wasn't afraid to open up that 283. I had experience with the small block Chevy, my Mom had given me a Revell Visible V-8 for my 11th birthday.

I also took a shot of my K-D drum brake tool kit. The spring pliers are around here somewhere. I actually use the brake tools on my '66 F100!

 

[rivermobster]

I have an OLD set of bolt cutters I took apart and glass beaded a Long time ago.

Everything is still rust free.

I want to have em powder coated and put em all back together.

It's on my to do list, but pretty much at the bottom!

 

[rrrr]

I'd avoid the S10...they're kinda pieces of shit. I had my 2002 Zr2 for a couple years, and I can't think of a single thing I liked about it. It was gutless and got the same mileage as my 3/4 ton GM with a 6.0L....and being a '90s era GM truck...they all feel pretty worn out over 100K miles.

there's a reason 1st gen tacomas are $10K and S10s are $2000....

Have any of you seen videos of the S10 Blazer that runs in spectator races at Seekonk Speedway? This guy kicks ass on just about anything that challenges him. It's good stuff.

.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Have any of you seen videos of the S10 Blazer that runs in spectator races at Seekonk Speedway? This guy kicks ass on just about anything that challenges him. It's good stuff.

.

You can make them AWD with 400 HP pretty easily. It’s nearly bolt together.

 

[monkeyswrench]

You can make them AWD with 400 HP pretty easily. It’s nearly bolt together.

There was a kid in Central CA with an awd S-10, 6.0 4L60 I think. Videos were pretty cool. I have one of the "Typhoon/Cyclone" transfer cases. Thought it would be cool to build something like that. Then I started looking into the newer awd T-cases, with the ability to cut front or rear torque application with a signal. That could be real fun!

 

[spectras only]

I pulled mine out of the drawer for a photo, and discovered it's a K-D, not a Lisle. This is one of the first tools I owned. I bought it to work on my sister's '58 Impala. It's funny, at age 13 I wasn't afraid to open up that 283. I had experience with the small block Chevy, my Mom had given me a Revell Visible V-8 for my 11th birthday.



View attachment 1279612

I also took a shot of my K-D drum brake tool kit. The spring pliers are around here somewhere. I actually use the brake tools on my '66 F100!

View attachment 1279613

Picked up the valve compressor [ it's a PT copy of the KD ] that I couldn't use for the Formula engine springs. Those are made for longer/larger springs you find in the domestic engines. Have a universal tool that has a lot of different parts to accommodate most imports as well. I used it for the Miata, when changing valve stem seals. So, I set it up on the narrow FF1600 head and it worked great, until did the last spring I was going to drop the valve locks in. The lever slipped and one half lock snapped out and flown across the garage. Can't find the bugger anywhere, using magnet to sweep the floor and removing stuff around the direction the lock went. Pegasus has the locks, but none of the local auto parts stock valve locks anymore. The lock is for a 3 grove 7 degree 8mm valve, similar to Gen III Hemi. I bet, local Chrysler dealer don't have those lock in their parts department either.
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