W hile preparing the “Take a Kid to a Garage” article by Patrick Knight in this month’s Street Sweeper, I was moved by the question posed: How do I get into this game? It reminded me of something my mother told me as an early teen when she tried to con- vince me people were born with certain genes leading to talent and skills that make them better at certain things than others. I’ve always believed people can accomplish anything they want to if they are driven by interest and desire. One only must look at mankind’s interest and desire to explore and grow throughout the years to realize what’s been accomplished. While pondering the past, turning your dream of building a kick-ass mode of transportation doesn’t seem so unsur- mountable. Growing up on a farm, working, using tools, having unlimited space to store stuff, and even driv- ing, all came at a very early age. Rodding maga- zines delivered to our rural Montana farm or pur- chased at the local newsstand fueled my interest and desire to get into the hot rod game at around eight years old, hence my eventual move to SoCal where the game was being played. I’d never given much thought to the majority who grow up with- out the opportunities rural life brings, especially learning the first real step to getting the job done is action. Sure, all the thinking and planning leading up to action counts, but it really starts with putting tool-to-part to begin some form of disassembly, assembly, or repair. I’ve had a dedicated home shop (daily drivers and lawn equipment not allowed) for well over 50 years, some years to make a living, but mostly as a hobby shop. It seems the older I get the more organized and cleaner my surroundings are the bet- ter I feel, so several years ago I started a journey to “cleanup around the place.” It started on the out- side with things that would never have been thrown away on the farm, but living on the edges of a metropolis like LA, space is a real constraint. Next was an awning and steel shelves behind the shop, doubling the 700 sq-ft interior space. It covers the air compressor, metal storage rack, sandblaster, galvanized parts cleaning sink and storage for hot rod parts that may be used in the future or sold. After all these years you can imagine the toolbox drawers were overflowing, cabinets were stuffed, and all floor space under anything was being used Passion & Desire
for storage. This stage of the cleanup was focused on the question: What do I really use versus what is something I may use in the future (specialty tools)? The transformation makes working in the garage much more efficient and pleasurable. With every- thing off the floor cleaning is a breeze with an air blower, toolbox drawers can now be opened and closed without shuffling the contents and missing tools can be spotted immediately. Whether power or hand tools, the might-need-someday ones are stored to be out of sight, out of mind. The photo shows my 30-foot lineup of tools that basically allows anything to be repaired or even fab- ricated. Starting at the far right is an oxy/acetylene welder, extension cords and air hoses, tig welder, and a thick metal bench and drill press. The machinist toolbox and small bins hold drill bits and end mills for the lathe and mill. The belt sander, bandsaw, combination wire wheel/grinder/polish- ing wheel and a hydraulic press allows a fabricator or builder to apply action to most jobs at hand. Out of sight is another workbench with a large vise. In this world of 3-D printing and carbon fiber exotics pushing our limits and pocketbooks, if you learn about the mechanicals and esthetics of hot rodding and equip yourself with most of these basic tools there is a good chance you can “Get In This Game” in a truly life changing way, not because you have special genes, but instead took action on your interest and desire.
Tom Vogele tomvogele@verizon.net
8 MARCH 2026
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