The realities of tool ownership...

[JobandKnock]

pretty much that was the only make available apart from Wolf at the time I left for California, 50 years ago.....

You missed both Stanley-Bridges and Arcoy which were on the market in 1971... My first drill (for work) was a Stanley-Bridges

Ford could build a Transit world beater to take on Sprinters should they wish....

Surely that's the wrong way round? Vans like the Sprinter, Crafter, Vivaro, etc came about because Ford built the Transit. But that was a joint effort with Cologne, wasn't it?

 

[Bigegg]

Hitting that sweet spot is a real skill, probably the best at doing so are car manufacturers, a modern car is a near perfect balance of durability and economy.

This is why I own a 20y/o Lexus:
Cost me £1500 with 250,000 miles on it:
You'd be hard pushed to believe it's not 4years old with 30,000 miles on it.

My last lexus cost me £800 and I kept it for 8 years: never failed an MOT. never needed anything except brakes, tyres, and servicing - and drove better than my GF's brand new Ford.

I only sold it because I needed an estate - and it's still on the road somewhere up Newcastle way.

My daughter just got a french thing: new. It's been back to the dealers three times already.

 

[Bigegg]

You missed both Stanley-Bridges and Arcoy which were on the market in 1971... My first drill (for work) was a Stanley-Bridges


Surely that's the wrong way round? Vans like the Sprinter, Crafter, Vivaro, etc came about because Ford built the Transit. But that was a joint effort with Cologne, wasn't it?

If Ford made a transit with bodywork as indestructible as their 2.5n/a bananananana engine, nobody would ever need to buy another.

 

[JobandKnock]

Mercs are hardly problem free, though. Mk.1 Vitos were absolute rot boxes and Sprinters have had their problems as well. Current Vitos are a lot better, but the VW T5 is better still (at least in rust terms). I've had a couple of Transits in the past, but they were the ones with separate chassis (and coach built bodies). They didn't seem too bad in terms of rust other than the front wings, maybe because they had a chassis, which is readily accessible

 

[clogs]

my Volvo 740 got retro fitted with a bannana Ford lump....I did it because the 5 cylinder VW they were using was cr@p.....
it gave me 1/2 mill miles before she had to go, n thats cos the wife wouldn't drive it....

My old 2002 lwb 311 sprinter would out do anything a similar year ford Transit could do and use less fuel....
the Vito fell down cos they went front wheel drive and ate gearboxes that because they teamed up with Chrysler...Chrysler got the engines and Merc got the g/box....
the Vito MK2 went back to RWD and was much better thought of.....
(My last Merc car got left behind in S Africa, a 300D turbo.....wish I had it now)....
forget about the rot they all do.....but Ford messed up when they put the electronic main pump on...endless trouble even if u could find anyone to fix it....all the pump reconditioners I used flatly refused to have one in the place......
YES Ford were the first to build a decent modern van, I remember the MK1....so much better than the Thames garbage of before.....
but then like always they sat on it....and didn't re invest....typical Brit management....and as u say later Cologne got involved....fancier bodies and extras but what about the engine just before the Bannana, the dealer's couldnt give em away....I worked for a comp that had a fleet of over 100 of them....as soon as the bannana engine came out they all got auctioned off.....
I still wouldn't buy a Ford.....
and it's a pity Lexus didn't make a van but then we do have the world best selling pick up truck from the same group....but thats another story....
tara.....have a good weekend.....

 

[Bigegg]

My old lexus (GS300) had a GTW of 4.2T with a kerb weight of 2.2T.
Translation: it could pull a 2T trailer(!)
That was a 1.5T payload in my twin wheel box -
Which is _more_ than the transit could carry.
(Although, tbf, although the van only had a 1.2T payload, it could also tow a 2T trailer at the same time).

My newer lexus (IS300 Sportcross) will tow 1.5T - but towbars for it are so rare I doubt I'll _ever_ be able to find one.
(It took me 5 years to get one for the GS)

 

[heimlaga]

A modern car is just about as far from a sound ballance between economy and durability as one can get.

When it is old enough to become an affordable commuting vehicle for a not very well paid worker..... that is let's say 15 or 20 years old everything is crumbling and everything its built to make it as expensive and difficult to repair as possible.
However there is not much else one can do......... there is no money is smuggling wash basins and pitchforks and colour TVs and coffee theese days...... and very little money is smuggling tobacco and diesel fuel. Burglaries are too risky and all municipal dumps are off limits to scroungers.
So...... either you need to win the lottery without buying a ticket.... a rater unlikely occurance..... or drive a crumbling car.

My 1984 model Opel Kadett E (sold as Vauxhall Astra in UK) is actually much closer to a good ballance. With 350000 kilometres on the meter it is still a good user bringing me from point A to point B with minimal trouble. Not because parts last forever but because they can be repaired or shifted out with minimal effort whenever they fail. The only problem being the steadily worsening shortage of spare parts.

 

[JobandKnock]

So does that mean you are suggesting we return to driving Morris Minors? OK, the way this government in the UK is heading that might still become a reality for some... At least then I'd be able to service and maintain the things with just a basic tool kit (like I once used to). Ah, the mighty engine...

 

[Spectric]

I cannot knock the transit, or any other ford for that mater as they were what I first learned to weld, escorts and capri's with struts coming through the top plate and battery trays gone, not to mention floor pans, seatbelt mounting points and sills. With transits it was chassis and cabs but once you could weld a rust bucket you could weld anything.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Many, many years ago I went to B&D for an interview in their finance area. Given the disciplines they had in place at that time to monitor costs and variances on a monthly basis I can completely believe that products were progressively engineered down in cost to maximise profit.

Early on B&D were market leaders with limited competition - B&D was to drills what Thermos was to vacuum flask. Plastics technology was less advanced and metal castings were used extensively.

Roll on to the 1990s and lots of new brands started appearing - cost cutting was key to profitability.

People on this forum make frequent use of tools. Most folk do DiY very occassionally. Complex or difficult tasks - call in a handyman or expert.

So the typical user will put up a shelf, fix a cupboard to a wall, drill a couple of holes for a hanging basket bracket etc. Not every day, not every weekend, but occassionally. Over the course of a year they may use the drill half a dozen times for a few minutes run time.

If a tool lasts 3-4 years this is perceived as OK. If fortunately it lasts 5-10 years - brilliant product!!

 

[stuart little]

So does that mean you are suggesting we return to driving Morris Minors? OK, the way this government in the UK is heading that might still become a reality for some... At least then I'd be able to service and maintain the things with just a basic tool kit (like I once used to). Ah, the mighty engine...

At least all parts for a MM are available!

 

[stuart little]

I cannot knock the transit, or any other ford for that mater as they were what I first learned to weld, escorts and capri's with struts coming through the top plate and battery trays gone, not to mention floor pans, seatbelt mounting points and sills. With transits it was chassis and cabs but once you could weld a rust bucket you could weld anything.

The old Tranny diesel did the 'knocking', one needed ear defenders when working under the bonnet with engine running!

 

[stuart little]

A modern car is just about as far from a sound ballance between economy and durability as one can get.

When it is old enough to become an affordable commuting vehicle for a not very well paid worker..... that is let's say 15 or 20 years old everything is crumbling and everything its built to make it as expensive and difficult to repair as possible.
However there is not much else one can do......... there is no money is smuggling wash basins and pitchforks and colour TVs and coffee theese days...... and very little money is smuggling tobacco and diesel fuel. Burglaries are too risky and all municipal dumps are off limits to scroungers.
So...... either you need to win the lottery without buying a ticket.... a rater unlikely occurance..... or drive a crumbling car.

My 1984 model Opel Kadett E (sold as Vauxhall Astra in UK) is actually much closer to a good ballance. With 350000 kilometres on the meter it is still a good user bringing me from point A to point B with minimal trouble. Not because parts last forever but because they can be repaired or shifted out with minimal effort whenever they fail. The only problem being the steadily worsening shortage of spare parts.

In 2001 I bought a new SAAB 9-3 2.0t auto, still got it with 30k miles, but since coviditis struck it's on a SORN, but although it's a 'car tax' rip-off @ £360/yr. I've no intension of buying anything else. I was self employed in the motor trade until retiring in 2009, before the newer 'unfixable' cars got to my workshop!

 

[niemeyjt]

my Volvo 740 got retro fitted with a bannana Ford lump....I did it because the 5 cylinder VW they were using was cr@p.....
it gave me 1/2 mill miles before she had to go, n thats cos the wife wouldn't drive it....

Ah yes - I was warned off diesel 740s - and ended up with a 4 cylinder (2.3L?) petrol version - lovely car until Suffolk Police became involved.

Apparently the VW diesel Volvo used was from an LT van - where it was fitted inclined by 30 degrees or so. Fitting it vertically in a Volvo was behind at least some of the issues.

Talking of not getting what you expect, my current Toyota has a BMW engine - I only found out when I got a recall notice on it - the EGR catches fire or something like that.

 

[stuart little]

Ah yes - I was warned off diesel 740s - and ended up with a 4 cylinder (2.3L?) petrol version - lovely car until Suffolk Police became involved.

Apparently the VW diesel Volvo used was from an LT van - where it was fitted inclined by 30 degrees or so. Fitting it vertically in a Volvo was behind at least some of the issues.

Talking of not getting what you expect, my current Toyota has a BMW engine - I only found out when I got a recall notice on it - the EGR catches fire or something like that.

Porsche used the LT petrol engine in their 944.

 

[hairy]

I bought a B&D drill in mid 70’s, 1/2 inch chuck, two speed hammer drill. Used it extensively, you could remove the chuck and add on attachments like circular saw, jigsaw, sander, bench holder etc. I remember borrowing a circular saw attachment.

I used it extensively, hammer action went first, bearings rattled, had to rebuild the switch but when you pulled the trigger it went round and round. It ended up permanently in a bench clamp with a grind stone in it till I obtained a bench grinder. Threw it out in a house move.

It lasted a lot more than 3 hours. Perhaps the 1980’s policy lead to its demise, from one time market leader.
Picture of drill model (not the actual one) attachedView attachment 115681

I've still got one of those that was my Grandads. I love it cos you can see the sparks from the pixies feet as they run round and round the magic wheel that drives it. Stinks too

 

[stuart little]

I bought a Wolf 1/2" drill back in 1969/70, it was used 'a lot' & lasted into about 2002, until an silly person in a neighbouring unit borrowed it & burned it out. I made do with cheapie ones after that. Good thing too as my Ferm corded drill sprouted legs! So only cordless until retirement & 'serious hobby DIY', then cheapies replaced with DW - NO loaning!

 

[Cooper]

So does that mean you are suggesting we return to driving Morris Minors? OK, the way this government in the UK is heading that might still become a reality for some... At least then I'd be able to service and maintain the things with just a basic tool kit (like I once used to). Ah, the mighty engine...

Not such a bad idea. I have just come back from Germany where we used a brand new hire car which had all the modern fandangos (an up grade) As I drove along if it didn't like the line I took birds sounded like a tropical jungle, when I passed other vehicles and had to leave space the steering wheel jumped as though I had driven into a trench left by heavy goods. Driving home from Stansted in my Y reg Fiesta was a delight.

 

[Noel]

Porsche used the LT petrol engine in their 944.

Didn't they develop a new 2.5 ltr unit for the car? Basically one bank from the 928's V8?
Perhaps you are thinking of the 924?

 

[stuart little]

Didn't they develop a new 2.5 ltr unit for the car? Basically one bank from the 928's V8?
Perhaps you are thinking of the 924?

AH, you may well be correct there mate, me & numbers & it was about 30yrs ago!