Making do with what's available....

[gromit]

As my father-in-law becomes less active I've had to load up my trailer with things he isn't going to use any more.
Some of the items he's made to overcome problems or he's adapted over the years as the usage changes. A lot made from whatever was available at the time.

Welding bench

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/141.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/CxbKRR)DSCN4533 (https://flic.kr/p/CxbKRR) by Colin Radley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152321353@N07/), on Flickr

Lawnmower wheels, car jack to raise & lower, lots of brackets and bits welded on for goodness knows what.
Swing up handles for moving.


'Forklift'

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/142.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/E3ULSJ)DSCN4597 (https://flic.kr/p/E3ULSJ) by Colin Radley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152321353@N07/), on Flickr

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/143.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/22bLY4V)DSCN4598 (https://flic.kr/p/22bLY4V) by Colin Radley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152321353@N07/), on Flickr

He made a storage system for his Suzuki Jimney and this was used to install & uninstall it. Too heavy on his own so made a forklift from scrap and another car jack.

This is being scrapped if anyone is interested.

Car Trailer

He had a trailer made to tow the Jimney behind his motor home.
Had a look the other day. Pulley in the middle so you can put the winch wire round it and pull the trailer forward.
Solar panels on a frame above the car. Bracket so that the winch could be hooked up to lower it for maintenance.

Series I

As a young bloke he owned a Series I which got modified over the years.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/144.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/CxcgfR)Scan10147 (https://flic.kr/p/CxcgfR) by Colin Radley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152321353@N07/), on Flickr

At one point he had a sluice box in the back and he used to back it into the Goulburn when he was digging for gold.


He's like me and has stuff he's hoarded for years so some of it has to go to the tip.
This welder is older than he is.....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/145.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/22bLWwX)DSCN4599 (https://flic.kr/p/22bLWwX) by Colin Radley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152321353@N07/), on Flickr



Ever the practical man he's getting a bit depressed now he's less active. He's in his 80's and I guess it gets us all in the end.




Colin

[Cowboy Don]

101 uses for all those car jacks laying around or found at trash 'n' treasure for $5.
Keep posting as you find more stuff, I'm already getting ideas!

I work in aged care, as a maintenance man, and it's heartbreaking to see our men move out of their home and into the facilities or villages. There's little to nothing for them to do, it's all geared towards the women. That's the way the industry has been set up because traditionally, us men didn't make it that far, but things are changing and we're living longer (good or bad). I hope the industry starts to change quicker than it seems to be right now.

[JDNSW]

That welder is the same as my father's one, which I used until a few years ago. It was bought in the 1950s.

[trout1105]

If you look around just about any farm workshop you will find hand made tools all over the place.
Necessity is the Mother of invention and if you need a tool you dont have all you need is a bit of imagination and some engeneering skill to make one[thumbsupbig]
Been there Done that [biggrin]