Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

I’m in a good mood this evening because — after months of trying over the past year — I finally was able to save the original Craftsman 4-1/2 inch grinder that I bought and used in my body shop in 1985. The problem? The abrasive disk that was mounted on it was frozen solid by rust. And of course, I can’t remember just how many years — or decades — that disk was mounted on the grinder. Let’s just say it was a hell of a long time.

Over the past year, I’ve taken time to apply nearly every type of rust penetrating solution known to man, included Kroil, ATF/acetone, and other name brands. I’ve never been able to break the damn flange loose.

With my new toolbox ready to put in place (and the need to clean out my old red Craftsman tool box), the first thing I saw was my old Craftsman grinder. Poor thing! It has layers of overspray on the case, the power cord is complete and safe but still a little wonky.

I went to Tractor Supply a couple years ago and replaced the Craftsman grinder with whatever brand it is they sell (Porter-Cable, I think). I was welding patch panels in the 56 Plymouth fender and door and needed a grinder for my welds. Anyway, after I replaced it, it fell off my priority list.

But today, I decided to either fix the damn thing or throw it away — which would be unusual for me to throw ANYTHING away if it can be fixed.

Today I decided to try again to get the damn flange nut loose. Using a drift and a framing hammer, I wailed away. No go. Then I remembered a discussion board regarding a stuck bolt on an old Plymouth where a guy used what he called his “flame wrench,” … i.e. an torch to heat the stuck nut. The only torch I have is a propane torch, so I fired it up and applied it to the flange nut until the oil soaked into the grinding disk began smoking heavily. I reapplied the drift and hammer, hitting it with all my might, and finally, nut broke loose!

I spent time working over the nut and the grinder shaft with some oil and skotch-brite, and got it cleaned up nicely. After 40 years, the grinder is ready to get back to work!

TRI-FIVE MAGAZINE. I received my first issue of the Tri-Five Association’s magazine. Its 48 pages of very slick, well-printed photos and a number of ads. The topic is the Nomad’s 70th anniversary, a theme at his past year’s Tri-Five Nationals. The main feature is a Nomad that’s more handmade than Chevrolet. All the body panels were fabricated from scratch. The car is built on a unibody style frame. Damn little Chevy left, me thinks, but its sure slick and a nice hot rod.

They have two other pictorials, the second is on a resto-mod Nomad, the third is on a restored award-winning Nomad. The text of the articles is as much advertising for the vendors as it is about the car, but that’s to be expected.

SHOOTING CONTENT. My hope is tomorrow or this weekend to start tearing apart the driver’s door to replace the glass and vent window, rework the vent window and rework the window regulator. I still need to put my new toolbox in place, but I also need to get my door reworked, along with new fuzzy tracks.

More to come!

-30-