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volksaddict Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2003 Posts: 1724
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 5:03 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Back in the day before harbor freight a 36 mm socket was not readily available in the neighborhood, would set you back a couple days pay and took up a considerable amount of space in the single hand held tool box that was a person's entire tool collection. Heck, even a metric 3/8" ratchet set was a big expense and not real common. The chisel hack was a life saver. Different times. |
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oprn Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016 Posts: 12632 Location: Western Canada
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 5:47 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Even though it may have been a bit substance induced I still enjoy his laid back outlook on life! _________________ We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age) |
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calvinater Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2014 Posts: 3306 Location: 802
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 6:35 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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some cold winter day I am going to finish coloring in those great illustrations with penile crayons!
For you John Muir haters... when is your book coming out?[/quote]
Cannot wait to see that. _________________ "Albatross"! |
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CanStan Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005 Posts: 1036 Location: Calgary, AB
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:01 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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calvinater wrote: |
some cold winter day I am going to finish coloring in those great illustrations with penile crayons! |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9665 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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I'm on my third Muir book.
The first I gave away to a coworker in the 80's. She bought a lovely 67 vert. And didn't have a clue on how to maintain the car.
The second one went away with wife #2. Good Riddense!
The third is on my coffee table. A 71 addition. It's in fair shape. I bought it on Amazon. I think I paid $19.95 pus shipping.
There are some guidelines in the book that help ya get home. But you better get that issue properly repaired before attempting a long drive.
Now, what pages were the blotter stuffed between? _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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coad Samba Scapegoat
Joined: September 12, 2002 Posts: 7552
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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The best thing about Muir is that you can quickly read through the procedure and get a feel for how difficult/dirty/nasty the job is likely to be. Most manuals are so dry that an oil change reads the same as a transmission rebuild, but if Muir tells you to tuck your hair into your stocking cap and get ready for a fight, that's good to know. |
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FarmerBill Samba Member
Joined: July 25, 2017 Posts: 762 Location: New England
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:48 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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oprn wrote: |
Nope but the one I have ain't going nowhere and some cold winter day I am going to finish coloring in those great illustrations with penile crayons!
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You can get great high quality large prints of those illustrations from Peter Aschwanden's company "Flathead Graphics" I have the exploded beetle drawing hanging in my shop.
volksaddict wrote: |
Back in the day before harbor freight a 36 mm socket was not readily available in the neighborhood, would set you back a couple days pay and took up a considerable amount of space in the single hand held tool box that was a person's entire tool collection. Heck, even a metric 3/8" ratchet set was a big expense and not real common. The chisel hack was a life saver. Different times. |
I guess I forget sometimes that I grew up in a farming community where big wrenches were the norm and easy to get your hands on. Come to think of it, I may have gotten my big socket set at Central Tractor.
People think that John Muir was just a burnout hippy because of the way that book was written, when in reality he was a civil and structural engineer with expertise in metallurgy. He worked for Lockheed and General Dynamics on missile defense and aspects of the Gemini program. He knew the first rule of communication, talk to people so they can understand you. That book was written for young people of the 60s and 70s. If he had written it in the language of a technical manual it would never have sold as ,many copies as it did. You have to look at it like your old 4th grade math book, most of that knowledge is in our minds now so we don't need the simple, basic explanation anymore but, how many folks would have gotten to the level of know how they have now without it? Just because you've outgrown something doesn't make it useless.
I think it's safe to say that the "Idiot Book" helped save many of the air-cooled VWs that are around today. How many would have gone into the smelter if they couldn't preform their basic function of cheap transportation anymore? |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31271 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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I never have purchased the Idiot Book, but over the years folks have given me theirs as they got out of VWs. I don't really like it.
Personally, I like the out-of-print Clymer repair manual and the Bentley. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76760 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
Now, what pages were the blotter stuffed between? |
It was the pages.
oprn wrote: |
For you John Muir haters... when is your book coming out? |
1964
_________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9665 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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The 7th edition of Harold Glenn's book was printed in 67. All 92 pages worth!
$59.95 on Amazon. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8689 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Abscate wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
If you are broken down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or internet and limited tools, the idiot book would be the right book to have. |
Is hilarious that a you tube generation of hacks to keep your. Wheels rolling disdains the printed version of the same. |
My problem with Utube. So much of it is someone taking 25 minutes to show a 2 minute procedure. No organization of thoughts, no production value, bad camera work, worse editing and horrible sound. And that's on the better videos. 99% of it is garbage.
I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry ... or read a manual written by an engineer. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31271 Location: Hot Arizona
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22568 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Q-Dog wrote: |
Abscate wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
If you are broken down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or internet and limited tools, the idiot book would be the right book to have. |
Is hilarious that a you tube generation of hacks to keep your. Wheels rolling disdains the printed version of the same. |
My problem with Utube. So much of it is someone taking 25 minutes to show a 2 minute procedure. No organization of thoughts, no production value, bad camera work, worse editing and horrible sound. And that's on the better videos. 99% of it is garbage.
I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry ... or read a manual written by an engineer. |
+1000
Absolutely false. It’s 99.9% garbage.
If you can find someone to cullg it for you , the 0.1% is great. I still haven’t found a good YouTube to clean snow off my 1971 Bus, though
My fourth wife came with an Idiot Manual; well used. _________________ .ssS! |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 33883 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 1:40 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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The later versions that added the Types 3&4 got too complicated, and lost some accuracy. If you have an earlier Bug/Bus/Ghia the '71 edition is great... simpler, reasonably up to date.
I still use it for the pre-work parts lists and tool lists, unique in repair manuals, and golden for the beginner. Get's my head in the right place, too. Then I check Bentley or others.
The only version worth $100 might be a first edition in super clean shape, probably the unicorn of books.
Last edited by KTPhil on Sat May 01, 2021 3:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 33883 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Cusser wrote: |
Only a True Idiot would pay that much. Maybe that is the seller's goal ! |
You also have to drink a lot of $5 "Smart Water" before you buy an Idiot Book at that price! |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12454
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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I don’t think anyone’s pissed but they remember things through different eyes. What I remember about those times is there was little to no help except these few books. The independent shops guarded the knowledge. I finally fell into acquaintance with somebody a little younger who did train us but we had to work run errands and drive the tow truck. The guy was a genius he did VW repair and also radiator shop for American stuff. He stayed busy and life was good😀 I remember getting excited over going to the public library and using the reference books, looking at official VW workshop manuals. And we walked to school uphill both ways. |
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DurocShark Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 6624 Location: Crappy town in a crappy state. But the beach is nearby, so I have that going for me.
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Q-Dog wrote: |
Abscate wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
If you are broken down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or internet and limited tools, the idiot book would be the right book to have. |
Is hilarious that a you tube generation of hacks to keep your. Wheels rolling disdains the printed version of the same. |
My problem with Utube. So much of it is someone taking 25 minutes to show a 2 minute procedure. No organization of thoughts, no production value, bad camera work, worse editing and horrible sound. And that's on the better videos. 99% of it is garbage.
I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry ... or read a manual written by an engineer. |
_________________ No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow. |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69734 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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FarmerBill wrote: |
People think that John Muir was just a burnout hippy because of the way that book was written, when in reality he was a civil and structural engineer with expertise in metallurgy. He worked for Lockheed and General Dynamics on missile defense and aspects of the Gemini program. He knew the first rule of communication, talk to people so they can understand you. That book was written for young people of the 60s and 70s. If he had written it in the language of a technical manual it would never have sold as ,many copies as it did. |
Heck ya, the really smart people know how to make anyone understand a subject.
Opinion:
If you can't dumb it down, you don't know the topic well enough.
Or you aren't as smart as you think you are.
Or it can't be dumbed down but that is very very rare. _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69734 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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Q-Dog wrote: |
Abscate wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
If you are broken down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or internet and limited tools, the idiot book would be the right book to have. |
Is hilarious that a you tube generation of hacks to keep your. Wheels rolling disdains the printed version of the same. |
My problem with Utube. So much of it is someone taking 25 minutes to show a 2 minute procedure. No organization of thoughts, no production value, bad camera work, worse editing and horrible sound. And that's on the better videos. 99% of it is garbage.
I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry ... or read a manual written by an engineer. |
Part of the problem is that if you have ads, it has to be over a certain length to shows ads / get paid.
So... the 10 minute introduction and lots of dumb filler content was born out of "necessity" in a lot of cases _________________ How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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DurocShark Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 6624 Location: Crappy town in a crappy state. But the beach is nearby, so I have that going for me.
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 6:44 pm Post subject: Re: Is the Idiot's book really that valuable? |
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EverettB wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
Abscate wrote: |
Q-Dog wrote: |
If you are broken down in the middle of nowhere with no phone or internet and limited tools, the idiot book would be the right book to have. |
Is hilarious that a you tube generation of hacks to keep your. Wheels rolling disdains the printed version of the same. |
My problem with Utube. So much of it is someone taking 25 minutes to show a 2 minute procedure. No organization of thoughts, no production value, bad camera work, worse editing and horrible sound. And that's on the better videos. 99% of it is garbage.
I'd rather watch grass grow or paint dry ... or read a manual written by an engineer. |
Part of the problem is that if you have ads, it has to be over a certain length to shows ads / get paid.
So... the 10 minute introduction and lots of dumb filler content was born out of "necessity" in a lot of cases |
I'm the first to admit my vids are absolute shit. But I promised someone I would do it. As for time, I don't have enough subscribers to monetize, so it's just my crap editing. _________________ No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow. |
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