Woodward Fab roller

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Anyone know if this one is any good for a budget roller?http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/tube...5-p-27736.aspxThanks
Reply:For that price I would go and buy the Harbor Freight roller. I think its 150.00. There are a few guys on here and other forums that use them and seem to have good luck.
Reply:Look similar to the Harbor Freight roller, which cost a lot less.(under $200)The guys over at SWAG have made some nice upgrades for the HF roller.I have one minus the upgrades and it worked OK for what I needed it for.what are you looking to do with it?http://www.swagoffroad.com/Metal-Fab...ools-_c_7.html
Reply:I am wanting to use it to supplement the fabrication tools we have in my high school autobody program.  Building chopper bicycles, cool gas tank stands, anything we can think of to build to develop  practical skills.
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboI am wanting to use it to supplement the fabrication tools we have in my high school autobody program.  Building chopper bicycles, cool gas tank stands, anything we can think of to build to develop  practical skills.
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyDevelop practical skills?? Build your own. They are dirt simple machines.
Reply:We are building a lot of steel storage, work tables, broom holders, lot of stuff to get ready to move into our new facility.  There is a little money available if I buy from an approved vendor, and this fits that requirement.  That would be the reason for not building one right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboWe are building a lot of steel storage, work tables, broom holders, lot of stuff to get ready to move into our new facility.  There is a little money available if I buy from an approved vendor, and this fits that requirement.  That would be the reason for not building one right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboWe are building a lot of steel storage, work tables, broom holders, lot of stuff to get ready to move into our new facility.  There is a little money available if I buy from an approved vendor, and this fits that requirement.  That would be the reason for not building one right now.
Reply:Originally Posted by CraboI am wanting to use it to supplement the fabrication tools we have in my high school autobody program.  Building chopper bicycles, cool gas tank stands, anything we can think of to build to develop  practical skills.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rog02Hey!  I got a not so original idea!  Why not teach the kids to do autobody instead of entertaining them?I was an autobody student in the distant past.  I was taught gas welding (Because at the time the A/O torch was the body mans right hand, now it's MIG), Hammer, dolly, shrink, and file.  My instructor taught us the things that the industry needed us to know as new hires.  We got all the basics in those desirable traits that would make us good employs as well, such as being on time, appearance, attitude, work habits etc.  My instructor (who turned out to be a lifelong friend/mentor) was a combination of Marine Drill Instructor (he had been at a point in his past), an excellent instructor (a lifetime of experience), and a shop foreman.   He kept his boot in our arses and kept us working.  Not a day goes by that I don't use something that I learned in those 2 years of school and I never pick up a hammer without thinking of Louie.  His funeral looked like a Who's Who's of the leading auto shops (both body and fender and mechanical) and flower arrangements from all over the country from former students that had followed the trade to other parts of the world.  Those of us that wanted to pursue the trade as a career had no difficulty finding gainful employment after graduation (some of us found it pre-graduation as well) since the program was known to the shop owners in the area to be a comprehensive training program.  I can not ever remember being asked in a job interview if I could build a chopper or do a mural on a hood.  I was asked if I could do heavy frame work and what type of equipment I knew.  We were frequently given a dented hood panel to hammer out and finish to prime to prove I had the BASICS down.  Being able to metal finish it without resorting to bondo won us points!  I walked out of high school and was working at my previous place of employment the next day as a full timer rather than a part timer.  As a full time employee, my benefits went from basically zero to a full insurance package and commission on top of a weekly guarantee.  I made more the first year out of school than college graduates could and that was in the early 70s.My point is, TEACH them AutoBody!  The rest of the stuff they will develop on their own.  If you concentrate on the basics that will win them jobs in the industry they will learn the other basics along side of it.  As it is, the kids that graduate are not prime pickings for employment, but rather well entertained brats that make lousy employees.  Talk to the shops in your area and see what they need in new hires and adjust the curriculum to meet those needs.  Contact the dealerships in your area and see if they have, or are willing to adopt an internship program.  BTW, I know the Woodward stuff,  As others have stated, it is just the same as Harbor Freight except painted a different color and rebadged.   Horrible Fright has a school program and donates equipment to programs.  Do the TAX PAYERS a favor and keep the budget tight, please.  Just because you have money available is no reason to waste it!  (Something else I learned from Louie)
Reply:Originally Posted by Rog02Hey!  I got a not so original idea!  Why not teach the kids to do autobody instead of entertaining them?
Reply:Build one, that thing is crap with a big price tag. The first shop I worked in 15 years ago we did custom marine T tops and we made every single tool we used. I learned the value of building what you need, and if it dosent exist we made it. I agree, teach the basics that have gone to the wayside these days. Without the basic foundation there is nothing to build upon.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:This will probably be the last I have to say about this since, a lot of the old timers here know so much more about me than I know myself.  This is an email I got from one of my students a few years back.I wanted to take some time out of your day and tell you how much of an impact you made on my life.  Sometimes I don't think I would have made it this far without your guidance.   I was an immature and over cocky sophomore when I joined your class.  Not realizing that there was so much to learn out there in the real world, I blew off all the simple base classes that was just monotonous work and started heading away from school all together (not that my parents would have let me).  Your class taught me more than just repairing a dent or replacing a radiator hose.  I learned patience from you.  When others wanted to stop sanding or just put a coat of paint to finish the project,  You would not let them.  You knew they had the desire, they just needed to be shown how to do it.You taught me respect, and the fact that you have to give respect to gain respect.  One time you were coming from Jones room and did not have your keys.  At the time, all door had to be locked and the common thing was to shake the hell out of the door until someone let you in.  You shook the door and I decided to throw a Dr. Pepper bottle at it instead (maybe a bad morning I don't know).  When you came in and realized it was me you simply said "clean it up".  No other teacher would have done that, I would have been sent upstairs or at least detention.   Realizing that you were treating me as an adult and letting me keep my dignity. I learned so much respect for you.  Most of all, you taught me how to create anything with my hands, even when we had to improvise.  That training has guided me through life and has helped me  overcome many obstacles.  Today I am a Firefighter in Baghdad Iraq, where there is little of anything and much to be done.  It is not like we can just go to Northern and pick up some parts.  Before now I worked my way from being a probation firefighter to my Shift leader, Captains # one, Command on the Rescue Truck, and an Engineer of a very complicated pumper apparatus.All this in three years.   I can take some one's problems, their worst day, when they are so overwhelmed with an emergency, and take it all away from them, let them sit on the side line and observe all being brought back to neutral.  I can do this because of you. Because you taught me how to look past the problem to see the solution.  To consider all possible operations and execute the most efficient.  I want to say thank you, but that is not enough.  Thank you is holding a door open for a woman.  What you have done there is no words for.  I am the man I am today because of leaders like you, and I have to say you have been the best teacher I will ever have.  If you ever need any thing I would be happy to be there.Ray Currently: Firefighter Baghdad Iraq
Reply:I just caught this thread and read through it. Interesting........., an individual asks for an opinion on a piece of equipment and before you know it others are telling him about how to teach, how to budget, and a whole host of other things. Yeah, I know, I am a "teacher" and so I would certainly stick up for him, probably truth in that, so what. He made a statement something to the effect of folks not knowing his situation etc. I definitely believe that to be true. In my book, anyone, and I mean anyone who is willing to teach a shop class to high school students has an instant amount of my respect. Apparently there are a lot of folks who think that his job is one that is simply a walk in the park. I have been to any number of high school programs and seen what these folks have to put up with. Many high school administrators, advisers, and teachers of other programs in high schools look to "shop classes" to be the dumping ground for problem kids and others that they deem of insufficient grey matter to go forth to get a "real education" in their words and thoughts. Kids in high school are not allowed the choice to be in school, they are required, and many of them take that thought to heart and do not look at their educations as a jumping off point to life. Instead, they simply "get by", if they happen to have a teacher that can inspire them and positively impact their lives then they are miles ahead of so many others. I'm thinking that Crabo is likely one of these folks. No one has to agree with me and whether you do or not won't change his impact on his students or likely the way that he operates. As to making the tools to further a student's education as opposed to purchasing them. Check very carefully to see what the regulations are that he is governed under if you don't know; liabilities, responsibilities, and a host of other "legal issues" might have a great impact on his abilities to simply manufacture his tools. Someone gets hurt and low and behold a good lawyer will be all over that and you want to talk about "taxpayers money" and thriftiness. Some of this thread's content just struck me wrong so I decided to add my $.02, if you don't agree it makes no matter to me. I, like him, have students that I have impacted positively. I have been impacted by family, teachers, co-workers, many of you, and any number of others throughout my life. I will continue to do so and to be in receipt of an ongoing life education. Rant over. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Amen, aevald. Could not have said it better myself. I had a welding teacher who was alot like Crabo and his voice is, to this day, always in my head...guiding me through all of my projects. I remember everything that man taught me and is the reason I am a half-decent welder/fabricator today. Crabo is obviously such a teacher. Short rant is over....Last edited by SMC Weldcraft; 06-09-2013 at 07:52 AM.POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.