Any Tinners out there

[Tractor Seabee]

ALL: i'm hoping to maybe pick up a few things on this thread from the pros cause having this skill could be very useful in some of my DIY projects. I picked up this Tin Knocker's anvil that sits on I think and old Model T gear and maybe one day I'll shine it up.

did any of you make toolboxes like this in class or for your tractor? I think they also call them a preacher's box?

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Starting in the trade, you made your own personal tool box, exactly like the one in the picture. Joints were soldered to make it rain proof. Full of you basic hand tools it weighted in around 50#. The last picture shows a mold we used to shape different shapes by hand like a square to round transition. Shops had a bench made purposefully to mount a wide variety of those hand molds. All a lost art now. I have looked at the 3' brake HF has but have not bit yet. Reviews are very mixed.

Ron

 

[drivesitfar]

SeaBee: when you say starting in the trade i'm guessing you are talking about in the 1960's or when or are there still tin knocker's classes now making these toolboxes that are built like a tank?

Yep I've seen a lot of hardies for benches and anvils that are similar to my old tin knocker's anvil on it's stand and I know it will come in handy one day if I need to shape something.

I can see the Southworth ferry from my living room across the sound from you so you're not far.

did you make one of those PREACHER'S TOOLBOXES or let's call it a Tin knocker's toolbox? and do you still own it?

 

[52wej]

Building a standing seam roof is quite an art, not just a skill. My dad taught and helped me to install one on my house in 1980. He borrowed the tools from an old timey carpenter. I would love to get my hands on some of the tongs and the peening block we used. Last I heard the son of the old timer has those tools and he is now in his 90s. Best condition I have ever been in my life was when i finished installing that roof. Every single seam was turned by hand. Some of the panels were 27 Ft long. My hat is off to you SeaBee. W. Jones

 

[MF RED in MT]

It is kind of a prickly occupation.
I recently made a 4"x4"x2" box and drew blood twice.

It is a must have, for a current tetanus shot and follow up with tetanus booster shots as required.

Back in the day there was no reversible electric drill motors, no tek screws just #10 x 1/2" long slotted panhead screw and an awl and a screwdriver for installation of ductwork.

A piece of a white tee shirt and duct tape usually would stop the bleeding so one could continue working...

KC

 

[drivesitfar]

All: I'm not trying to start an arguement, but my bride is allergic to TETNUS so I started to consider not getting one every time I got cut or scraped with a rusty something of other and it's now been 45 years without a shot. I do like to let it bleed out and also try to clean it if i can fairly quickly, but just saying a shot isn't always a good thing.

 

[MF RED in MT]

All: I'm not trying to start an arguement, but my bride is allergic to TETNUS so I started to consider not getting one every time I got cut or scraped with a rusty something of other and it's now been 45 years without a shot. I do like to let it bleed out and also try to clean it if i can fairly quickly, but just saying a shot isn't always a good thing.

This was back in the day, years ago (over a half a century ago +5), and now things changed.

Tetanus shots were usually good for 5 or 10 years, can not remember.

KC

 

[Tractor Seabee]

SeaBee: when you say starting in the trade i'm guessing you are talking about in the 1960's or when or are there still tin knocker's classes now making these toolboxes that are built like a tank?

Yep I've seen a lot of hardies for benches and anvils that are similar to my old tin knocker's anvil on it's stand and I know it will come in handy one day if I need to shape something.

I can see the Southworth ferry from my living room across the sound from you so you're not far.

did you make one of those PREACHER'S TOOLBOXES or let's call it a Tin knocker's toolbox? and do you still own it?

I had one my Dad made when he was in the CCC camp learning the trade. It is long gone. By the 40's when I worked with him starting out he set me up with a kit of tools and that box. Till you brought it up never thought anything special about it. I went to a vocational high school in Phoenix AZ and learned the right way to do what we had been doing my dad's way since I was 10 years old. After high school I drifted into the refrigeration side of AC and gave up tin knocking. That eventually led into being an industrial pipefitter. Long story. Learned welding as part of the sheet metal course. Last 30 years of my work days I drifted into general construction Project management and my own consulting company the last 10. Im guess I should write a book before the good Lord carries me home.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Building a standing seam roof is quite an art, not just a skill. My dad taught and helped me to install one on my house in 1980. He borrowed the tools from an old timey carpenter. I would love to get my hands on some of the tongs and the peening block we used. Last I heard the son of the old timer has those tools and he is now in his 90s. Best condition I have ever been in my life was when i finished installing that roof. Every single seam was turned by hand. Some of the panels were 27 Ft long. My hat is off to you SeaBee. W. Jones

52, how things have changed. Our old hand methods were superior to the new crap fostered on us in the name of progress. We never had leaks in roofs like today. 90 % of roof leaks are related to flashing problems not the roof covering. Can't beat rivets and solder. If the buildings still stand that we did copper SS roofs on I bet they are still leakproof. We did one church that had many intersections and crickets. All hand formed copper roof, flashing, gutters and downspouts. Manufactured components did not get popular in the 60s, no choice due to competition. Re-learn the trade.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

This was back in the day, years ago (over a half a century ago +5), and now things changed.

Tetanus shots were usually good for 5 or 10 years, can not remember.

KC

First tetanus shot I received was thanks to Uncle Sam's Navy. We got that one along with all the rest before deploying to Vietnam. That is where my Seabee handle comes from. 33 years active and reserve and retired as a W4. In all my long life, I have never had an infection from a external laceration or other wound; and I have had more than my share.

Ron

 

[MF RED in MT]

First tetanus shot I received was thanks to Uncle Sam's Navy. We got that one along with all the rest before deploying to Vietnam. That is where my Seabee handle comes from. 33 years active and reserve and retired as a W4. In all my long life, I have never had an infection from a external laceration or other wound; and I have had more than my share.

Ron

Back in the 60's, I just started recording the date of my Tetanus shot on the back of my family doctor's business card.

I used this as a reference years later when I was asked when was my last booster shot, and all I needed to do was pull the card out of my wallet to look at the date.

KC