[OneMoreTime]

There are 4 basic tools every car builder needs to have..

1) A camera to take pictures of cars..now I am not talking about the neat car show pictures..I am talking about pictures of construction details that can show how something was done..

These are also a big help to the guys here as those pictures can show just what is being worked on..so you get better answers..

2) A interesting device called a tape measure..measure that thing..do you want to know if that seat fits your interior..well measure it..will that chassis go under your body..well??

Using a tape one can tell one a lot about what fits and where..

3) A note pad..take notes..lots of them..that way one can remember just where something was seen or what size was it..will it fit the current project..

4) A pencil to write notes with..Make sketches of what you have in mind..It does not take a pile of expensive software to design a car..just good notes and dimensions..

This is how things were done before the internet..still works..

And get out and go check out the swap meets and pick-a-parts for stuff that may work..amazing what you may find..

Thanks for reading my rant...

OMT

[willys36@aol.com]

WOW! It's the big one (clutching chest and slumping to the floor in excruciating pain)! I don't think I can stand this much common sense being spewed in a single post!! Follow these 4 recommendations and half the threads would instantly disappear off this board!! I would sorely miss that great question, " how long is the bolt I am holding in my hand as I type this post with the other hand?"

[280zxWith305]

the best ones are "how do you remove rust" my answer is "type this question on a bulletin board and magically it will disappear" amazing what good ol' fashioned sand paper and naval jelly will do.... hmmmm.......

[red65mustang]

use the friggin phone....call the manufacturer and ask....what to buy ....otherwise it's your choice, your problem!

questions to clarify/agree/disagree after the phone call fine....

..............................................
now that Jon has the basics link (thank you Jon!!!) it is easier to answer and direct tne newbies and young. Wish it was a direct link on the first page.....in text 2" tall

[tresi]

Tool number five would be a manual. I just look at how many times someone has spent $500+, sometimes thousands of dollars and then they're on here asking something that is in a $15 manual.

[danielvds]

As a total and complete newbie I am dumbfounded that you guys have had to point this out but I 10000% agree.

I refuse to touch my project until I've read all the manuals and bits, measured everything, taken a photo or two of everything, written it all down, and then done it again.

then I'll probably bug all you guys in here some more just to be on the safe side

[willys36@aol.com]

You MUST be new. Wait until you have read your 1000th, "How much horsepower will my . . . have" and you will become as jaded as we are.

[danielvds]

If having my passion for hotrods released from its cage for about a week now counts as new then yes I am.

I can completely appreciate your positions though. Oh - and a newbie comment - some of your articles/journal entries have been awesome for information willys36.