eseemann Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Good Morning All, I found something at my favorite thrift store in Madison Al that I did not think existed outside of a Roger Corman movie called a "Leg Stretch Machine". These are used (according to websites that sell them) are used "to allow you the optimum amount of stretching of the leg and hip areas". The reason I bring this up is for $20.00 bucks I have a 1"+ thick by around 12" long steel Acme screw, nut, 2 steel bevel gears and a wheel to turn them. I also have a bunch of thin wall square and rectangle stock for good measure. Might be worth looking around if you need a good size screw and if you catch the right sale you can get these cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Greetings Eseemann, The machine was used for martial arts to increase your leg stretch for the high kick. Had one and yep it hurts. Lots of possibilities for repurposed stuff. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionel h Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Good score that can be used to fix post vises and plenty of steel to make several other things . You could even make you own vise . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 I plan to use it to build a post vise, should be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 That's great vision. I would have walked past it. It looks like you can make your post vise AND a 2x72 grinder with the bones of that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 I picked up a bag of skateboard wheels another day for the grinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 You need to take me shopping.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Lou, Map out your local thrift stores and look for ways to help them. If they have tools that might go together (that you don't need) let them know. The run down looking stores have the best stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 By thrift stores do you mean pawn shops or used tool stores? We had an amazing used tool store nearby that closed recently. I've been looking for other places that may have the things I may want but they are hard to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 And while you're waiting to make something from it, you can always work on your stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted August 21, 2016 Author Share Posted August 21, 2016 Lou. In Alabama we have more churches than we can shake a stick at and some of them have stores that operate like the Good Will or Salvation Army. People donate things and they sell them. The catch all term for such junk (or Junque if you are fancy) shops is thrift store. Not every thrift store is attached to a non-profit but they all take donations. For example there are (at least) 3 different thrift stores connected to animal rescue/protection groups both public and private. If you have never been to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (play on words) you might want to take a look. Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore 500 Cottage Grove Rd Orange, CT (860) 519-0828 Take a look around for junk stores that look kind of "gone to seed" and you may find some good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 Thrift stores are good browsing grounds, there's no telling what you'll run across. I don't have a Gee Whizz! story about a thrift store find though. <sigh> Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Thanks eseeman, that's exactly the lead I needed for guidance. I'll check out that spot and now have a few other possibilities as well. I've recently discovered that I have access to free coil springs and 300 pound leaf springs from security trucks. If I can add some great find to that I'll be quite pleased! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Lou X out "Vietnam Vets of America" they have 15 trucks a day going around CT picking up what ever people want to donate ( with limitations in size) and I was just told they have a Thrift store some where in the state( didn't ask where). Tools are one of the items they pickup. We are moving and we have them scheduled every 2-3 weeks to stop and even I have given some old tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Thanks! I found it. It's called the Red White and Blue Thrift Store in Waterbury. Not too far away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eseemann Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 Lou, Let us know how your scouting trip goes. Ernest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I found a thrift shop associated with Big Brothers/Big Sisters right nearby but they didn't have anything really....just some cheap hair dryers. I really tried to be creative. I think they move lots of stock so I'll go back. Haven't made it to Waterbury yet. My schedule has become packed. I'll get there soon as I can! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Great to know where it is, we are only about 20 miles from there but try never to stop in Waterbury, grime a bit much for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 One thing about thrift stores, especially ones run by volunteers, is they may not know there is a market for the rusty old tools they get donated. I remember visiting a Salvation Army thrift store where the staff was having trouble dumping a load in their trash truck so I helped and found that they were throwing out a perfect condition wood worker's vise and a lot of other great stuff---they told me I could have anything in the "trash" I wanted but I "bought" the trash load so I could get all the goodies there myself that day! So talk with them; tell them you will buy all ballpeen hammer heads rusty or clean handled or not and get them to start piling them up for you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Notownkid, I think even the people living in Waterbury feel the way you do. Sad because it has such amazing history. Thomas, I thought to talk to someone there and ask about tools but not a one of them looked like they knew anything about anything. They were just shuffling through racks of clothes and it seemed they'd look at me like I was crazy. Now I know to go back and ask. Thanks for the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 The Goodwill donation center across the street from my shop had some goodies tossed in their scrap metal dumpster that we were given just for asking. The complete rotor to rotor FORD I beam front suspension with factory tags still attached was too deep to get out, and the 1950's chrome dinette set was the same..... Both were worth a fast $300 at the time. This is what happens when you hire people who earn low wages, and just don't care.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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