Special Tools for Special Restoration Tasks

One of the best things about becoming a volunteer at the museum is that special skills are not necessarily needed. There is always something to do, especially when restoring an old Thunderboat. My work history consisted mostly of things like door-to-door doughnut sales, several paper routes, dishwashing gigs and eventually a senior program manager at a large aerospace company.

In other words, my experience with hydroplanes consisted mostly of taking my girlfriend to the beach and watching the races.

Upon my retirement I decided to visit the museum and see if they could use my skills. Not only was I put to work on Miss Wahoo, but learned a lot of things and actually found some I was especially good at. Metal preparation and polishing became a sort of specialty for me especially on aluminum transoms.

So it was with tears in my eyes when I was presented with a custom-made tool from Randy Mueller and the other members of the Blue Blaster team in recognition of my talents..

Try and find one of these babies at Harbor Freight or in the Snap-On truck.

No, it's not for sale.