I’d be far too embarrassed to return it in that situation. 
2 Likes
I am too beat to clean up today 
I wrote that^^ only to feel guilty and went back and cleaned. To mis-quote Jack Nicholson, this thread makes me want to be a better man 
3 Likes
That really isn’t that bad…! I’ve had worst.
As soon as you put your power tools always, things will be much better.
At least you know where things are, at the minute. 
1 Like
Cries in Triumph
1 Like
DAF MX11 euro 5 510.
For when you absolutely, positively have to burst into tears at the torment
The Craftsman brand and line got bought by Lowes during the collapse of Sears- not sure what that’ll mean going forward, and there’s a lot that can be said about Lowes (which is for another place), so there’s that.
1 Like
I can’t vouch for the accuracy, by according to Wikipedia, Craftsman is owned by Stanley Black & Decker, a Connecticut based conglomerate, who also owns DeWalt and Mac Tools. So, I guess that Craftsman could be thought of as their entry level, DeWalt their prosumer, and Mac Tools their professional tool lines. I think that Lowes and Ace Hardware are Craftsman’s primary retailers in the US.
My experience with Lowes is purely from a consumer POV. Home Depot seems to often have a little better quality of lumber and perhaps other products. But there are 2 Lowes near our home an in Charleston, that seem to cater to veterans. They have upfront parking for vets and give an automatic 10% discount. You can show customer service your DD-214 and they’ll enter you as a vet in their system, so you only need to give them your mobile phone number for the discount at checkout.
HD will give you the discount, but seem to be less lenient as to where it applies and require you to show them either a military ID or a DL with veteran designation for every purchase. For sure this is a niche situation, but just relating my experience.
As far as customer service, I used to think that HD stores were better “maned” for lack of a more appropriate term, when needing assistance while strolling the rack forest. But since moving to Charleston, Lowes has either upped their game, or have better regional management than what I remember in Atlanta. Anyway, I shop either when trying to locate a specific product, and sometimes will need to stop and both to complete a project.
While typing this, I am reminded of when I first moved to Germany, understood very little of their language, and went out one day to purchase a lightbulb for the headlight on my Golf at a gas station (Tankstelle) and to OBI for a power drill to mount a light fixture in the ceiling of my apartment. In both situations I encountered individuals who knew little to no English, which was a rare event in Germany.
One would imagine that that would cause both transactions to fail. But hell no, with vigorous hand gesturing and caveman-like grunting between myself and each sales person, I was convinced that the headlight was a sealed unit, which did not have a replaceable bulb, and that I would need a hammer drill to penetrate the concrete ceiling in my apartment, not the pitiful one that I had selected. Success in both cases!
5 Likes
But was the headlight really a sealed unit? I’ve driven a handful of Golf/GTI’s, but those were 90’s/2000’s; I guess the 80’s models were sealed.
I’ve had similar experiences in Germany, although most everyone I dealt with spoke passable English. I took two years of German and ten years ago considered myself nearly fluent, so I really enjoyed being there. Haven’t used it in a long time now.
My Spanish is pretty basic (I call it food-grade because it’s mostly focused on ordering at restaurants! ); trying to find auto parts (air cooled VW heads) in Mexico last time I was down there was pretty funny; no one at any of the auto shops (well away from any touristy areas) spoke any English, so I ended up leaning on Google translate in the end, to my embarrassment.
My copilot thought I was a wizard when I pulled out my iPhone though.
3 Likes
Home Depot and Lowes are massive. I’m stressed the moment I walk through the door. “NO! I DON’T WANT A FREE ROOFING ESTIMATE!” But Ace really is the place. They nearly always have what I am looking for. Good luck getting yellow propane or Acetone at Tractor Supply. But Ace had both. 1” unibit? Nobody. Ace? “We have several to pick from. And the store is maybe five paces, end to end. Love that store!
5 Likes
It’s funny because it’s true! 
1 Like
Both the big boxes do that, at least in terms of the Veterans discount- though if I remember correctly for Home Depot it’s specifically for disabled veterans (it was a financial choice). And yeah, the Lowes (and Harris Teeters) here across the Carolinas have what I call the “You’re Welcome for My Service” parking spaces- and I have stories about those spots (that may be a good series for the “There I Was” thread). Also worth noting that Lowes is the local hero, founded and formerly headquartered in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
3 Likes
Might check Home Demon’s veteran discount policy again @Navynuke99. Dad is most assuredly not a disabled veteran but he is getting the discount. HD has an app for your phone that you have to use for in store purchases but his online purchases are automatically given the discount on qualifed items.
Lowes and HD have added several restrictions on what items qualifies for the discount in the past year though.
Wheels
2 Likes
Yeah, it was a red 79 Golf. I drove the living hell out of it for 2 years living in Munich.
Blah blah blah blah blah
I had an almost weekly gig in Nuremberg. My flat was on the north side of Munich, not far from the Autobahn 9, and it was exactly 161 kms to the studio where I worked. I would get on the Autobahn and literally hold the pedal to the metal for the entire trip. Most days I made the trip under an hour. I think that it had a top speed of around 170 kph, so the engine was just below redline the entire hour 
The Golf would go like hell in the snow too. I drove it many times skiing in deep snow, almost to the floor boards. It had a ski rack and my roommate and I would leave our skis on the roof all week, only taking them off for skiing on the weekend. Therefore it only got a bath in the summer. I bought it from an American for like DM 1500 who was moving back to the States, so it had Zoll (export) plates. Your were required to export it within 2 years, so when its time was up, I sold it to someone moving to Dubrovnik. Shortly after it departed, the war broke out in the Balkans and I worried about my old Golf and if it had died a valiant death.
5 Likes
Thread derail
That’s awesome! Every time I’ve driven on the AB it’s been in a tiny little roller skate that would barely exceed 120km/h. Once I was passed by a Jetta pulling a shed on a trailer! Not fair!
It was amazing how much ground you could cover at those speeds and feel perfectly safe doing so. I remember my travel partner once remarking how large the city of Ausfahrt must be, to have so many exits leading to it!
I love the old VW’s, was born in the back of a MKI Jetta (not literally) and have owned/driven all kinds. Quality, long lasting cars that were fun to drive- although my current Passat TDI/6spd has the jury out on the first point: currently in for a throw-out bearing replacement at merely 70k.
5 Likes
We’ve had this one since 2012 i think. Its such a great old workhorse. But i think she might be at the end. Its got a list of faults. One of which being a serious judder under power which I cant figure out. Possible fuel pump.
Wife has nicked my hilux and fallen in love with it so ive not put a great deal of effort into it. Its a shame though as its a lovely car to drive and pulls like a train normally.
4 Likes
Been following this thread as I too am building an A600 turbo. Not really that far away either as I am in upstate NY. Started mine in
February. Just got my second shipment last month so I’m not that far ahead of you.
16 Likes
Welcome to Mudspike!
That looks quite a bit like a heli already!
5 Likes
Welcome Art. You’re project is coming along nicely indeed. Happy wrenching and update when able.
4 Likes
Hi @Art! Welcome to Mudspike! Keep us updated with your build. We are all genuinely enthusiastic to see yours and @smokinhole come together and fly.
Keep up the great work it looks AMAZING so far
3 Likes
Welcome to Mudspike, @Art!
Congratz on your build and let me tell you the envy is real! But of the good kind…
2 Likes