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[Debs.]

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.

[Andy B]

plastic headers don't help either

[Dusty]

Sad,but almost inevitable in the modern world Debs. :-/

[Richie London]

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

[shyboy]

Ready made business for you, that, Debs.

[Jimbob]

can you let me know his details, may be able to pass him some work....

[nick v6]

he must only be 1 of very few still doing that

[Dave-C]

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

[Debs.]

can you let me know his details, may be able to pass him some work....

P.M Sent

[Jimbob]

Cheers, Ill pass it on  

[platty]

Fordson Dexta

Brilliant machines, I have a Fordson Super Dexta at home with a leaky rad too!

[cem_devecioglu]

Sad..

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

[Debs.]

Sad..

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

  I daren`t!......but I`m aching to!

[cem_devecioglu]

Sad..

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

  I daren`t!......but I`m aching to!

   

[Andy B]

Sad..

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

  I daren`t!......but I`m aching to!

   

I hope you know what you're laughing at Cem.