Rick posted a link to this on Facebook.  It isn't exactly VW related . . . but it is.  It's about a machine shop in Texas that has handed down it's building, tools, equipment, skills, knowledge, work ethic, etc. for four generations.  With the pool of air-cooled friendly shops quickly dieing off, it's important that we take the time to learn all we can from those who are left so we can pass it on to the little ones who might one day want to take a ride in their great-grandparent's bug.

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I am very thankful for the way I learned my trade... no technical school, but instead apprenticing under veteran mechanics who taught me all of that little, subtle stuff that never made it into the books.

I was very glad to have acquired the align bore bar from David... Funny how life comes full circle.  First it was David's.  Then he sold it to Jim when he closed up his shop.  Then I used it while working for Jim.  Then, he sold it back to David when he closed up shop.  Only for David to sell it to me earlier this year...   

I feel like the caretaker of a legacy, not just the owner of a tool.

I have watched that video several times now.  You were right, Zen... the world would be a better place if more businesses like this were still around.

Rick posted a link to this on Facebook.  It isn't exactly VW related . . . but it is.  It's about a machine shop in Texas that has handed down it's building, tools, equipment, skills, knowledge, work ethic, etc. for four generations.  With the pool of air-cooled friendly shops quickly dieing off, it's important that we take the time to learn all we can from those who are left so we can pass it on to the little ones who might one day want to take a ride in their great-grandparent's bug.

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If I or any other "old time " aircooled mechanic ever got around to writing a " Aircooled VW Mechanic's Book of Secrets and Tips" it would never be finished and would be larger and have more pages than the many volumes of "The Rise and Fall" of the Roman Empire". I remember my first day at the VW training center in July 1964 when our instructor told us wide eyed "wanna-be's" that their mission was to teach us how to service and repair Volkswagens by the book and when we got back to our dealership "learn" how to service and repair Volkswagen's by using your head for something beside a hat rack . The games began at that point. The first thing you learn is not where the engine is located but learn the METRIC system WELL. (Rick can recall how I use to beat him about the head and shoulders in his informative days over this subject) He would convert align-bore spec's to SAE . They use to look like a formula for some nuclear device. Don't tell me you can't learn the metric system. If you can count the money in your pocket, if you have any left after taxes, you are on your way. I will say this, the Germans out of the goodness of their hearts did mark a few things in SAE. Noting that the hard headed Americans were not embracing the metric system did give spec's in SAE on valve adjustments/ ing.point gap. This kept the frying of "grey-matter" at a minimum for the time being. NOW where is the engine ?

Quote from: Ret.Bugtech on May 08, 2013, 10:49:45 AM

If I or any other "old time " aircooled mechanic ever got around to writing a " Aircooled VW Mechanic's Book of Secrets and Tips" it would never be finished and would be larger and have more pages than the many volumes of "The Rise and Fall" of the Roman Empire". I remember my first day at the VW training center in July 1964 when our instructor told us wide eyed "wanna-be's" that their mission was to teach us how to service and repair Volkswagens by the book and when we got back to our dealership "learn" how to service and repair Volkswagen's by using your head for something beside a hat rack . The games began at that point. The first thing you learn is not where the engine is located but learn the METRIC system WELL. (Rick can recall how I use to beat him about the head and shoulders in his informative days over this subject) He would convert align-bore spec's to SAE . They use to look like a formula for some nuclear device. Don't tell me you can't learn the metric system. If you can count the money in your pocket, if you have any left after taxes, you are on your way. I will say this, the Germans out of the goodness of their hearts did mark a few things in SAE. Noting that the hard headed Americans were not embracing the metric system did give spec's in SAE on valve adjustments/ ing.point gap. This kept the frying of "grey-matter" at a minimum for the time being. NOW where is the engine ?

You should start documenting some of the tips and tricks on this forum... if Bob Hoover can have a toolz thread... WHY CAN'T YOU?

I use to do this once a month when we had a printed News letter a long time ago. The big problem is I don't think about them until someone post a help request and doesn't know how to describe it and what the part is called. Its not their fault. They are just new at it. To bad the club doesn't have a OJT shop with a lift. Then you could show the person not only how to repair something and maybe show them a tip or two.

I think that title would automatically lend itself to the "April Fool's" Edition Newsletter, Russ.

 

Quote from: Russ on May 08, 2013, 04:45:28 PM

We have an email newsletter now, hint hint...the first article could be called Why The Dasher Is So Great by David Johnston.

For use as a artificial reef comes to mine but that might be detrimental to the Sea Critters.Having a Lobster for supper that taste like a really bad ATF leak doesn't sound very appetizing .

I think the problem you have with Dashers is that you gave up on them too soon!  Just because you bought two lemons in a row doesn't mean all of them were bad cars.  Haven't you ever heard "The THIRD time is a charm?"