Today I was in the stock holder and since Alex has qualified I have had to do all my own clenching, my clinchers were a little worn so I treated myself to a new pair of GE's In comparison with my Old ones that were about ten years old they are chalk And cheese, it's amazing how we put up with worn out stuff and that doesn't become apparent till you try new stuff. I only shod one horse this evening with the new ones but the differences were the handles were 1/2 inch longer and flatter and more comfortable in the hand, also there was a slight taper at the end of the handle to keep them from slipping through your fingers compared with the old ones. The jaw grip was amazing and the rivet was as tight as a German Mercedes gearbox. In conjunction with a clench groover your granny could do a good job with them....
In deference to some on here, Old is not a word to be used...........i ve not heard a complaint bout mature, so use if you can remember! As to worn out tools vs new not worn out, i cannot agree more with you David, I m amazed to see how many push tools and in my opinion their own bodies beyond, GE makes a great line of tools no doubt, and let s not forget the user of any tool decides the finished product. One suggestion, have Alex give you some pointers ! Not to say that with practice you won t become proficient with time , but he probably has more expertise over the last few years. Ray
I finally replaced my old worn GEs after I used my daughter's clinchers(much newer); should have done it a while ago. Like you said, you don't notice how far gone the really are until you handle a new set. Mine had been sharpened numerous times, I never noticed how thin the jaws were.
As I get older the wear and tear on my back increases!!!! 2 years ago I bought one of these tool stations from hoof jack... The difference was amazing. The number of times I moved my box 6 inches in a day with my back bent, contrary to all lifting advice was probly in the 80 / 90's or 100's!!! Now I wheel it.... The product is strong and well thought out, never having to bend to retrieve a tool. It isn't the most expensive of bits of equipment either, certainly aiding my back makes it cheap.....
I used a box without wheels when I started out. After a few years I bought on with wheels. I agree with you 100% David. Regards
My box has wheels but is short. I still have to bend to grab the handle but I can roll it instead of picking it up.
the wheels, used on a mechanics creeper, have worked really well on my box for decades. Actually I think those wheels have been on 3 boxes now, probably 20-25 yrs old something like these http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Swivel-Caster-Wheels-Creeper/dp/B0074BJH9I
I agree about wheels but with this product it's the whole thing, the angle and height the tools are held, the ease with which it moves and the two large auxiliary magnets to make sure all the filings stick to your tools
That's how I get back to the truck after the last horse. When we go to the supremarket, I always get to push the cart so I limp less. I'm lame a bit in the off hind. Poor conformation I think.
I also used a box without wheels when i started ,and for many years after, lot s of times wheels could have been a problem since many of the areas i worked in were on hill sides, muck....less than hard surface, I did have a converter, an ali frame with wheels that i could attach to a box when it would be help full, but nothing like the set up that that old fella over there imported! Now ,with the improvement to the enviroment of the areas that i get to work , my box has wheels and is made out of ali.. My fear is that if a horse got into a fight with my box now the box would win! A thought that makes me think that the plastic box and it s construction like David s might be a better alternative. Ray
The ferries had a plastic tool box on the market some years ago it was a gem they stoped selling it because it cost to much to make
Some years ago , a farrier from Canada an i were working a show, during the slow times we were fantasizing bout a shoeing box mounted on the drive train of a remote control car, controlled by the farrier, thought it would be a hoot to call your box over ,or better yet to have it lead the horse that your going to work on to the correct station. Sounds like David, Bill and Ricks wives beat us to the patent, only they use it,the remote control to steer the shopping cart! ray
David, what does a box like yours trade for over there? I m sure you got a discount since you were probably using money older that the man or lady who sold you the box! John Claudon , at one time marketed a box made of clear , thin poly carbonate, folded corners and riveted. I saw a box made of , ABS, i think, ABS is the one of types of plastic used for bathtubs, as I remember because of the reinforcements to the hand made box it was pretty heavy, it was used in a shop only. Some problems with plastic is that it can be heavy and it is sensitive to the sunlight, meaning that eventually the sun will break it down, probably will take a little longer in England ,Ireland or say Finland than some other places. UV inhibitors are a must in the base product,I mention this because I know that David will now go out and buy Sun Screen for his new shoeing box !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and no spray tan will not work, i d suggest the spf 40! Ray
