Learning "The Hard Way"

When I first started working on my 1950 Dodge, I knew almost nothing about mechanics and had to learn everything the "hard way". The "hard way" can be expensive, and moderately dangerous. No one instinctually knows the real force of a sledge hammer, nor the brittleness of cast iron. We are not born knowing that nuts on rusty threads can attain the heat of nuclear fusion when being forced off a bolt using a 1/2" drive breaker bar. It is only human reflex to instantly reach and grab the red-hot nut before it is lost in the drive way cracks. Nope, the human mind has absolutely no instinctual preparation for working on old trucks - these things have to be learned the "hard way." 

Since my do-it-yourself project was also a learning exercise, I tried to occasionally have a professional check my work. On more than one occasion, I took a part that I had worked on over to the machine shop to get their opinion. Without fail, they always admired my work. On a few occasions, the owner even called over the entire staff to have a look. I can not describe the proud feeling of having a dozen greasy men dressed in overalls staring at your work while smiling and winking at each other. My work must have made their own poor efforts pale in comparison, as I could always hear them laughing when they returned to their work stations. But, generally, these folks looked like they could use a few extra dollars, so I would leave the part, just to see how they would have tackled the problem. I often used the parts just as the machine shop returned them to me, as it was usually too much work to return the piece to the way I had built it.

More useful tips to come, soon!

**** Strictly for entertainment purposes - not to be taken too seriously!! :)