Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Debs. on 25 February 2009, 16:54:03

Title: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Debs. on 25 February 2009, 16:54:03
I have been helping my neighbour repair his small Fordson Dexta tractor today; it`s nearly 50 years old now.
The radiator terminally leaked, so we took it off and went into a nearby town where there is still an 'old-fashioned' radiator repairer.....he completely re-cored, painted and pressure-tested it in just 1 hour!

Chatting with the repairer (whilst marvelling at his dexterity and soldering skill) he mentioned that it`s now been 3 months since anyone brought a 'car' radiator in for repair (lately, they`ve all been tractor/bus/plant rads.).....he said that eBay, scrap yards and insurance claim repairers replacing with 'new': would seem be the cause, clearly, no-one repairs and reuses car-rads anymore.

The rad-chap is now, well over 70 years old and has no-one to take over the business when he 'goes' in a few weeks (he tried for several years to find an apprentice; but evidently, no-one wanted to do such 'dirty' work)....so, yet another trade-skill will be lost forever.
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Andy B on 25 February 2009, 16:56:56
plastic headers don't help either
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Dusty on 25 February 2009, 16:58:36
Sad,but almost inevitable in the modern world Debs. :-/ :-* :-*
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Richie London on 25 February 2009, 16:59:04
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I have been helping my neighbour repair his small Fordson Dexta tractor today; it`s nearly 50 years old now.
The radiator terminally leaked, so we took it off and went into a nearby town where there is still an 'old-fashioned' radiator repairer.....he completely re-cored, painted and pressure-tested it in just 1 hour!

Chatting with the repairer (whilst marvelling at his dexterity and soldering skill) he mentioned that it`s now been 3 months since anyone brought a 'car' radiator in for repair (lately, they`ve all been tractor/bus/plant rads.).....he said that eBay, scrap yards and insurance claim repairers replacing with 'new': would seem be the cause, clearly, no-one repairs and reuses car-rads anymore.

The rad-chap is now, well over 70 years old and has no-one to take over the business when he 'goes' in a few weeks (he tried for several years to find an apprentice; but evidently, no-one wanted to do such 'dirty' work)....so, yet another trade-skill will be lost forever.

i was an apprentice coppersmith when i left school in 1976, i used to make radiators for lorries andold  boilers for hospitals. nothing like whats made today i think, shame he has nobody to pass it on to now
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: shyboy on 25 February 2009, 16:59:43
Ready made business for you, that, Debs.
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Jimbob on 25 February 2009, 17:10:49
can you let me know his details, may be able to pass him some work....
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: nick v6 on 25 February 2009, 17:15:19
he must only be 1 of very few still doing that
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Dave-C on 25 February 2009, 17:17:43
I think he needs to advertise in Classic Ford, Commercial Classic mags and the likes, mail order service... pretty sure he'd do well...  I was talking to an old mate recently, he's got a business where he'll manufacture to order, petrol tanks in Stainless Steel, swirl pots and generally any stuff for custom bikes and the likes  ::)

I've advised him to get an advert in Street Bike mags...  he'll deffo do well, his work will sell itself...

DC
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Debs. on 25 February 2009, 17:25:11
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can you let me know his details, may be able to pass him some work....
P.M Sent :y
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Jimbob on 25 February 2009, 17:25:47
Cheers, Ill pass it on  :y
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: platty on 25 February 2009, 17:31:01
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Fordson Dexta

Brilliant machines, I have a Fordson Super Dexta at home with a leaky rad too!
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 February 2009, 17:37:18
Sad..

but reality..most of those hand jobs will be lost in time :-/
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Debs. on 25 February 2009, 17:44:14
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Sad..

but reality..most of those hand jobs will be lost in time :-/

 :-X I daren`t!......but I`m aching to! ;D
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 February 2009, 18:05:03
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Quote
Sad..

but reality..most of those hand jobs will be lost in time :-/

 :-X I daren`t!......but I`m aching to! ;D

 :-[   ;D
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Andy B on 25 February 2009, 18:08:04
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Quote
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Sad..

but reality..most of those hand jobs will be lost in time :-/

 :-X I daren`t!......but I`m aching to! ;D

 :-[   ;D

I hope you know what you're laughing at Cem.  ;)  ;)  :y  :y
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: Debs. on 25 February 2009, 18:14:20
Sorry Cem; I was only making a little fun out of what is a rude-phrase in English! ;)
 :-*
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 February 2009, 18:38:30
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Sorry Cem; I was only making a little fun out of what is a rude-phrase in English! ;)
 :-*

my stupid direct translation caused the result :-[
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: dbug on 25 February 2009, 21:41:03
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Quote
Sad..

but reality..most of those hand jobs will be lost in time :-/

 :-X I daren`t!......but I`m aching to! ;D

 :o :o Debs
Title: Re: Another skill slips away.....
Post by: BigAl on 25 February 2009, 23:00:55
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well over 70 years old and has no-one to take over the business when he 'goes' in a few weeks
What he has foreseen his death ! :o