Renault 1929 RY1 Monasix

3 minute(s) of a 217 minute read

Hello "Onsafari"

If I told you, you would not believe me! But as you are new to this thread I will briefly explain. I will be 79 years old in two months time, I work by myself 99.9% of the time. The only new tools I have bought in recent times is a couple of posi-drive screwdriver bits to go in one of my electric drills. I needed these to open up the crate that the Renault engine came in from France.

I have two electric drills, an angle grinder and a jig-saw. I have recently bought some new "metal" blades for this saw. I have a collection of ancient "G" clamps, three or four pair of vice-grip plyers, I have a thirty+ year old Oxy-acetelyne torch that is used for welding and heating. and most importantly a selection three of hammers. My favourite has a special handle made from a 1918 Dodge Four wheel spoke, really well seasoned Hickory. I have three pair of "snips" a Right and a Left hand pair of "Aviation" snips and a pair of long handled Gilbrows that I bought almost 60 years ago. Much of the time I work in an open "car-port" where the (natural) light is better. As officially we have just yesterday started 'Spring' here in Australia I should soon be able to put my 'thermal" underware away. Finally there are two or three lengths of 2X1 hardwood, salvaged from the afore mentioned French crate. Apart from these specialised tools, I have three metal tool boxes, one each for Metric, BSF, and SAE/UN spanners, a rack of worn out screw drivers and a tin of mainly worn out files. I have just one trolley jack and a chain lifting "block" and four jack stands and a selection of plyers. On the bench in my 'work space/single car garage' I have an 'off-set' vice at one end and a smaller vice at the outer. I have one bench grinder with coarse and fine wheels and another with a wire brush and a buff. Looking at the attached photograph, I note that I also have a small selection or "hole" saws and an "pop" rivet gun.

I notice that you have a couple of Minis. When our four children were younger (teenage and early twenties) at one time we had fourteen, my wife (Helen) drove a Cooper S and I had a Mini-moke as a run-about. I also built a small trailer based on a Mini rear sub-frame that I towed behind my MG Midget (1275). All the Minis were "modified", one son had a bored & stroked "1480" that would "torque-steer" in top gear on dry bitumen. We also had a Riley Elf. All that was many years ago, these days Helen drives a VW Jetta (diesel) and I have a Peugeot 405 SRi and have had the same 1934 Lagonda Rapier since 1979. I like to have a 'project' car to help keep me (in)sane.

Bernie j.