[AT] 14 questions to ask yourself before you begin a tractor restoration

[Dean VP]

I need to respectively disagree with the criticism of the 11 questions. My recommendation
would be there probably are 20 or 30 questions that need to be asked upon considering an
antique tractor restoration including these 11. I would want to establish what the
objective is before asking any other questions. Is this intended to be a learning
experience or intended to be a profit oriented project? IMHO opinion many collectors have
been misled into believing they are investing in a hobby that will bring them profits
later. Only later to find out they have invested way more time and money in the project
than what they will ever receive when it is sold.  The exceptions are the really rare
tractors. So instead of a hobby some have been led into a business venture that will never
pan out.  Once a potential restorer understands that, then the appropriate questions and
answers will follow. 

Dean VP
Snohomish, WA

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson


-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com [mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com]
On Behalf Of Larry Goss
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 7:59 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] 14 questions to ask yourself before you begin a tractor restoration

Thanks for that, Spencer.  I read the article earlier today, and concluded that several of
the questions just shouldn't have been asked.  They had the "wrong" philosophy behind
them.

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Spencer Yost" <yostsw at atis.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 9:35:38 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] 14 questions to ask yourself before you begin a tractor
restoration

My last post may have came across as a harsh assessment of the article, but I did not
really mean for it to.  But early in my restoration hobby I realized that just jumping in
and doing it to the best of your ability, with the resources you had at hand, is more
important than meeting some arbitrary standard.   Your first project, no matter how hard
you try, will not be up to level of competence you will be able to achieve on your third
or fourth project.  Knowing that, why not turn it into a journey?  An evolution if you
will.

One of the things I have learned from George Willer, Steve Sewell, and Brice Adams and all
the other great folks on this list is that the process of learning, is more important than
trying to match your results to someone else's idea of success.

George had a look on his face, when I would begin to agonize on some small point, that
said "Don't make it harder than it is".  Great advice for folks - young and old, new and
experienced.   Just think it through, be careful and realize you won't finish the project
overnight and you will learn till you die.

Easier said than done but great advice to have ringing in your ears nonetheless.

Spencer

Sent from my iPhone
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