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Savannah, Georgia, founded in 1733 by English colonist James Oglethorpe has 3 repair shops, and therefore, 3 Z60 dent machines within the city limits.Mr. George Welch, 89, has been a customer for a long time. He still works everyday and helps some other stores, too. His dent machine, lathe and some pliers, all which came from Ferree's, date back pretty far, and they still work jus' fine. This was a great tour. I like to see a properly skilled gentleman, well organized and with good tools.
 Here sits George in the middle of his shop and at right with his Z60 dent machine. 
 Here is where most of the work gets done. Here is the alternate working space. Notice the extra work space provided by the drawer pullouts under both benches. 
 George's homemade buffing machine. George and Me. Robert Moore, owner of 'All Star Music and Sound', has also been a long time customer. He does smaller 'service type' repairs to keep his customers on the go and more importantly, on the job. Mr. Moore is a one man show. If it gets done, he did it. Portman's is the largest store in the area, sporting about 6 or so, repairmen. I went there, specifically, to see Sheldon Kanis, but he was 'on the road' upon my arrival; up at their other shop in Augusta, GA. So I met with, talked and toured with Tony Mirando, the shop supervisor. I also met Vernon Thistle, you can see his Z60 dent machine; Jason Onks, who has a masters in oboe performance, and Assefa Abegaz, who has the tuba corner covered.
 Here is Tony Mirando. This is Vernon Thistle. 
 Here is Tony's REAL bench. This is Vernon's bench. L@@K; what's that Up on the wall? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's ANOTHER Z60! 
 This is Sheldon's bench; or so I'm told. What's this, another Z60? 
 As you can see, Portman's has converted over to the newer Ferree's Tooling. 
 Right down to our Z61base Mandrel Clamp Assefa Abegaz works here, a busy guy! and Setting Nut. [Z61-5 and Z61-8] See He takes care of all the tubas, etc. under the Z60, Z61, Z61E section regarding breathing life into old dent machines such as the old Allied and Strege-Wuttke machines, etc.
Ferree's Tools-"the most copied tools in the world" |
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