New Tool - DF

Dan Foley

Speaking of Papa, we almost lost him a couple of weeks before his vacation. He was heading to jobsite early one morning doing about 65 on the Greenway. His right rear tire blew causing the truck to swerve to the right shoulder. When he hit the gravel, the front tire caught and the truck rolled several times. Luckily both Papa and his summer help (his son) were wearing their seatbelts and suffered only scrapes and bruises. The truck was totaled.

Papa refused the ambulance and would not go to the hospital. Luckily, my service manager, Bill, was close by and insisted they go to Loudoun Hospital which was only a couple of miles away.

After being checked out by the ER, he was released with some pain medication and sent home. Tough guy Papa instead came to the shop and insisted we head to the dealer for a new truck. I told him, "If you wanted a new truck that bad, all you had to do was ask!" We picked up a new E-350 Super Duty with dual rear wheels. I think all the weight in tools and fittings contributed to the blow-out. Anyway, someone was looking out for Papa that morning and we are very thankful he wasn't hurt. I can replace the truck but there's only one Papa! -DF

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Dan Foley

Tool

My lead installer, Papa, returned last week from a month on vacation in his native Bosnia. He brought back various valves, fittings, "kutchina" - what we would call hemp, and this interesting tool. It looks like a cross between Channel-Locks and a Ridgid pipe wrench. He has a full set of various sizes. After using them for a week, our other techs are asking for their own set.

Papa has contacted his relatives overseas to send back several more wrenches. He could find a second calling as a tool salesman. -DF

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heatboy

Chad's Tool Box

has them, Dan. I spend way too much money on tools there!

http://chadstoolbox.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=196

See you in Hartford.

hb

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Ted_9

tool

I know a guy who worked in France for some time and he brought a couple of pliers like the one you showed. I think they are called Klinks or some thing like that. Actually, I bought a crimping tool from Unico. I think it's the same brand.

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J.C.A._3

Very glad to see.....

That everyone was O.K.... Seat belt's work...and there isn't any question about it!

I get ridden hard about wearing mine for all trips in my truck, but tell all riding with me that THEY will pay for any offense if they choose NOT to wear one.

Mr. Milne has even started to wear and enforce the rules in his Jeep, and found some to embrace...and some to work around the rules, stupidly!

I've been a seatbelt wearer since I was in the Coast Guard..When I worked there, we were still part of the DOT, and a big supporter of wearing them. Heavy fines for NOT playing the part were always a threat...but I just figured it was a good thing, and have been a user since.

Like I used to tell my step-daughter..."Buckle UP...or I'll BELT ya". (1985) Chris

clammy

standard plumbing pliers

dan i had seen them in germany years ago but was so packed with other goodies that i could not fit them ,i know rems also makes them they are called s pliers and are not cheap but they work great they are mauch better then plumbers plierws peace and good luck clammy great tool

Tony Conner_2

These Guys...

... have them:

http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=178&no_cache=1&L=1

We started using the "Cobra" water pump pliers a few years ago, on the recommendation of somebody on this site. We got one pair to try, loved them, got the set, and never looked back. They are awesome. WAY more adjustment positions than the "blue-handled" arc joint ones we had been using. Push button, spring loaded adjustments that you can make with one hand. And the size setting stays where you set it, unless that button is pushed - even if you drop them. The jaws have a much thinner profile than other makes - they'll fit into places where you can't get competing brands.

And, for those of us with a few miles on us, you don't have to keep squeezing 'em after they bite. As long as you keep pressure on the top/outside handle, they work just like a pipe wrench.

Their other pliers are also excellent. Middle son is an auto mechanic. He tried the side cutters, wire strippers, etc. He liked the Knipex ones so much he put them in his box at work, and took his Snap-On ones home.

Brad White

Until you see those photos

that accident is hard to believe, Dan. To see Papa sitting by the side of the road having a cigarette shows true savoir fare! I am so glad for the good outcome- without seat belts the potential for tragedy is amply illustrated by the wreckage.

I would think a shot of good Bosnian schlivovitz would be in order (after the accident, of course..)

Tony Conner_2

What Kind...

... of tires were on the truck? There was a news story here a while ago about a recall of aftermarket light truck tires made in a particular country in Asia that were very much sub-standard. Just by coincidence, I was driving home on the night the story ran, and passed a Ford half ton pickup on the shoulder of the road. One of the rear tires had come apart very much like the one in your pictures. The guy I passed hadn't crashed, but then he wasn't loaded - there was nothing in the back.

Glad your guys are OK.

Darin Cook_5

Dan

Very happy to hear that Papa is ok!! It must have been the Dead Mens sticker on the front of the truck that gave him an "aura" of protection! Make sure he gets one on the new truck immediately.







Darin

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Dan Foley

Hartford

Jeffrey,

Looking forward to catching up with you in Hartford - it's been awhile. I get in late Tuesday. -DF

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Dan Foley

Papa

Thanks for the comments, Brad. Papa's as tough as they come. He fought in the war for six years. He says this was nothing compared to what he's been through.

Chris, I used to be lax about wearing my seat belt but no more. There is no question that they would be dead if they were not buckled in. The contents of the truck, front and back, were strewn everywhere.

Papa has brought me a few bottles of schlivovitz - strong stuff. You either drink it sitting down or you will be soon. - DF

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Dan Foley

Darin

Hi Darin,

How's the new venture? Papa has already plastered the new truck with Dead Man stickers - good karma! -DF

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Tony Conner_2

Here's The Link To The Tire Story

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-06-25-tire-recall_N.htm

Dan Foley

Tires

Hi Tony,

I don't recall what brand of tires were on the truck. It was five years old and had gone through multiple replacement sets. Most likely, there was just too much weight in the back for these tires. That is why we went to the dual wheels on the new truck. Thanks for the link. -DF

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mtfallsmikey

Dan, looks like this happened

Near Sycolin Rd / Belmont Ridge area on the Greenway? I had seen these skid marks...wondered what happened, now I know. Hope this didn't happen at rush hour. Also, watch for deer out there, regardless of time of day....mfm.

Darin Cook_5

Dan

The new Biz is going well. I am staying busy and more people are calling everyday. I got my first lead from this website last week. Thanks for asking!





Darin

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