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"Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
#1729677
01/14/15 02:24 PM
01/14/15 02:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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I'm looking seriously into a flowbench upgrade, like something that can pull 450+ cfm @ a real 28" H2O test pressure, instead of relying on major correction factors like I have to use w/ my current bench. So, that got me wondering about other people are into this type of car stuff as a hobby who also have set themselves up w/ what would otherswise be considered "overkill" professional-level equipment, tools, etc. Anybody else want to jump in to help me rationalize this more easily? 
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: BradH]
#1729678
01/14/15 02:41 PM
01/14/15 02:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
Crizila
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,506
Az
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I have no problem rationalizing it - selling the wife is another story.  She walks around the garage now and sez, "when's the last time you used that?" Using a correction factor can still be pretty accurate.
Fastest 300
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: Crizila]
#1729679
01/14/15 02:48 PM
01/14/15 02:48 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
sixpackgut
Drag Week Mod Champion
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Drag Week Mod Champion
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,225
Charleston
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the only pro level anything to be used as a hobbiest I would even consider is the size of the garage. My garage is 2000sq ft and its not enough.
Gen 3 power 6.22@110, 9.85@135
Follow @g3hemiswap on instagram
performance only racing, CRT, ultimate converter, superior design concepts, ThumperCarbs
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: cudadoug]
#1729681
01/14/15 03:57 PM
01/14/15 03:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,392
nielsville, minn.
quickd100
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,392
nielsville, minn.
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I've got my Land&Sea dyno, it was easy, 'I wanted it, I needed it, and I deserved it!' If you want something bad enough you'll always find a way to get it and justify it.Dave 
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: cudadoug]
#1729682
01/14/15 03:57 PM
01/14/15 03:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I just have a few machines that are above the normal.. a mill and a lathe... hand tools.. and the bore gauge and 0-6" mic set.. and of course my welders and I have a 4' sand blaster, sheet metal break and roller, bead roller... I've sold off all my chassis bending tools like the hyd bender and I sold my old flow bench.. thats about all the big stuff.... and there is always the space issue.... LACK OF IT EDIT I've had this BIG desire to buy a engine dyno the last couple of years... that might be next if I can figure out the space 
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 01/14/15 04:03 PM.
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: cudadoug]
#1729683
01/14/15 04:10 PM
01/14/15 04:10 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,892
Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,892
Spahn Ranch
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Can you rationalize anything in this hobby? Tools are probably one of the only things you can rationalize since they are in fact needed to perform certain tasks. If you don't have what you need, you're paying someone else to do whatever it is you need done. How often do you need heads flowed? Can you justify the initial investment over paying someone else to do it however many times? You could eventually make some money back and do it as a service for others if you were inclined. When I was a tech, I had to rationalize most everything I bought from the tool trucks. This was especially true if I only used something a handful of times or just wanted the latest and greatest mousetrap. But, if I could open my tool box and get what I needed without having to borrow it, that was reason enough, .
'71 Duster
'72 Challenger
'17 Ram 1500
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1729685
01/14/15 04:26 PM
01/14/15 04:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,392
nielsville, minn.
quickd100
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,392
nielsville, minn.
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Quote:
I just have a few machines that are above the normal..
a mill and a lathe... hand tools.. and the bore gauge
and 0-6" mic set.. and of course my welders and I
have a 4' sand blaster, sheet metal break and roller,
bead roller... I've sold off all my chassis bending
tools like the hyd bender and I sold my old flow bench..
thats about all the big stuff.... and there is always
the space issue.... LACK OF IT
EDIT
I've had this BIG desire to buy a engine dyno the
last couple of years... that might be next if I can
figure out the space
Space is my big issue, I need to put up a new shop of my own. Mike once you get a dyno you'll wonder why you didn't 40 years ago. You'll also lay awake at nite dreaming up crazy stuff to try on it.Dave 
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1729686
01/14/15 04:27 PM
01/14/15 04:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,602
Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,602
Fulton County, PA
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Some people write the check, drive away in the car and are satisfied.
For others, having the knowledge and ability to envision, design, fabricate, and put all the pieces needed together is the object of the exercise.
Nothing brightens up a shop like a new piece of equipment.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: CMcAllister]
#1729687
01/14/15 04:48 PM
01/14/15 04:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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Quote:
Nothing brightens up a shop like a new piece of equipment.
Too bad the pic below doesn't show the associated laptop w/ the digital readouts... 
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1729691
01/14/15 05:23 PM
01/14/15 05:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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Quote:
I know you said 'professional level' but have you looked into building one yourself?
I don't know what you have now, is it something like this?
http://performancetrends.com/ez_flow_system.htm
A PTS flowbench is actually a build-it-yourself bench (see flowbenchtech.com for more info).
What I have now is a SuperFlow SF-110:
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: BradH]
#1729692
01/14/15 07:36 PM
01/14/15 07:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,285
fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,285
fredericksburg,va
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Every tool i have now is the result of not having to beg, borrow or steal from someone else. Its was always "I'll get to it next week maybe" or X number of dollars and would they do it right. Don't skimp on quality tools, human error is enough the tool doesn't need to add too, they are an investment. After almost 50 years of owning a cabinet shop you can never have enough tools.I have 4200 ft for my work and 3300 for the cars and can hardly move around in either, you can NEVER have too big a building.
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1729694
01/14/15 09:50 PM
01/14/15 09:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 715
Central TEXAS!!!!
sr4440
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 715
Central TEXAS!!!!
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Quote:
I just have a few machines that are above the normal..
a mill and a lathe... hand tools.. and the bore gauge
and 0-6" mic set.. and of course my welders and I
have a 4' sand blaster, sheet metal break and roller,
bead roller... I've sold off all my chassis bending
tools like the hyd bender and I sold my old flow bench..
thats about all the big stuff.... and there is always
the space issue.... LACK OF IT
EDIT
I've had this BIG desire to buy a engine dyno the
last couple of years... that might be next if I can
figure out the space
I bought my dyno after realizing that no one around here had one or they would not dyno Mopars. I bought a top of the line Superflow. I will never be able to make the money back that i have in it, one reason, like Dave said i keep adding "stuff" to get more information. it adds up quick, Blowby sensor 2k, 8 O2 sensors 3k, getting BSFC number for mechanical fuel injection (worth it's weight in gold)$1500. here's a cheap deal to check on different ign boxes magnetic hysteresis.
My next purchase will be a in cylinder pressure tester in order to know when peak cylinder pressure occurs.
Joe
Without Data, you’re just another guy with an opinion.
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Re: "Hobbyists" w/ pro-level tools, equipment, etc.?
[Re: Stanton]
#1729695
01/14/15 10:12 PM
01/14/15 10:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
I weigh the amount of use I'll get out of something and budget accordingly. Buying "used" can save you a bundle. I see a lot of guys with huge loaded tool chests and they don't do any more with their stuff than I do with much less. Maybe they can get at a nut or bolt a little easier but the end result is the same. Big expenditures need a return on the investment - my welders and metal working equipment make me money so they're easily justified. Sometimes I just treat myself. A hoist would be a "treat"!
I have a hoist now but I'm looking at a new one..
the new one goes up 8" higher.. that way I can walk
or drive under it... I bang my head on this one
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