A lesson i learnt from my late dad, never pay another person to do something you can do your self. Never buy anything you can make cheaper as long as it will do the job to the standard you require. The enjoyment when you stand back and take in something you have made is second to none in my opinion.
Fitzee, you're a man after my own heart. I'm old school also. I too built a similar brake about 1988. On the crank downs, I put a couple old valve springs. I am lucky enough to have a bridgeport mill. It's a 1962 model that I have made parts for and rebuilt. I knife edged the clamp for a sharper bend and made some radius dies to bend radius. I'm 70 yrs old and work in my shop everyday. Like you, I enjoy making my own tools.Praise to you my fellow fabricator. I enjoy watching your videos and have picked up a lot of your tips. Thank you
Dat dere is good ol’ Newfie ingenuity my friend.... I was raised the same way... my old man never believed in buying what you could build or paying someone to do something he could do himself ( well not quite by himself)... That trait has been passed on to me... We live in a disposable world today and unfortunately these traits are disappearing rapidly...keep up the good work....
Fitzee, you never cease to amaze me ! . Every young person that is interested in our hobby should watch your videos . Thanks for sharing your knowledge, even us old guys can learn a great deal from you . Cheers
Thanks for the tour of your Brake. You called it a vice then corrected your mispeak. It jogged my memory. The thread pitch on a vice are very similar to threads on a caging bolt for air brake spring brake chambers. They are 1/2" bolts about 5" in length and threaded full length. They have a matching nut and flat washer. Most truck repair shops toss old ones in the recycle bin. Being a scrounger myself, I have rescued several for projects where a 'quick turn' thread is needed. They might be useful for anyone building their own Brake using your 'Nothing Fancy' design. Good health and long life to you and yours.
Well, I know what Im building tomorrow. I was bending 16g by hand and the end results were not pretty. I think a 28" wide brake will work perfect for me.
I hand made a lot of parts in the body shop and every now and then I learned something new. I learned a lot of things watching you. My hat's off To you! Thank you sooooo much for all of your fantastic videos.
You are great person and really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and skills. Love to watch your stuff. I'm from Europe originally an live here for more than 44 years now and have to make to your neck of the woods.
