Does tool selection compound the complexity of the job?

[Steevo]

I was in the middle of a job today, and started wondering whether the fact that I have certain tools at my disposal makes a simple job become far more involved.

My wheelbarrow had a flat tire Saturday. Instead of fixing it, I rummaged around and found a small tractor front wheel/tire that would work . . . . with some modifications. The axle bore was larger than my wheelbarrow axle, so I found a piece of tubing that fit the bore, but was too small on the i.d. to fit the axle. I chucked the tube in the lathe and used a long drill bit to increase the i.d. to fit the axle, then chucked the axle and polished it a bit with some emery cloth, then fit it all together. It needed some side spacers to center the wheel on the axle, so I fabbed up a couple from some pvc pipe.

Two hours later, the wheelbarrow was back in service, and I finished the job I was doing.

Today. I was straightening up in the shop, and that flat tire/wheel from the wheelbarrow was on the bench. I decided to break it down and find the leak. Once I got the tire off the rim, I saw that it was a case of rusty rim due to water in the tire. I used an abrasive pad to scrub the tire bead clean, and set it aside. Then, I cleaned up the rim, taped up the bearing/axle openings and popped it into the blast cabinet, where I spent 40 minutes completely stripping it to bare metal inside and out, eliminating all trace of rust.
Now, I will have to prime and paint the rim, install a new valve stem (tubeless), and re-mount the tire.
Counting the Saturday wheel swap and axle-spacer machining time, today's tire and wheel cleaning, and tomorrow's prime & paint, then the re-mount and swap of the wheel back onto the wheelbarrow, I'll probably be into this at right about six hours.

Thinking about it while I was bead blasting that rim today, I realized that in different circumstances, when the tire went flat Saturday, I would have simply laid the wheelbarrow upside down, pushed the beads in, smeared a bit of silicone around the beads, and aired up the tire. Maybe ten minutes, tops, for basically the same result, a working wheelbarrow.

How often do you find yourself working longer and harder for a "fix" simply because you have the tools and capability to do so?

 

[Murphy4570]

Sounds more like you love to waste your time making the smallest things perfect. Just air the damn thing up, get the job done, and toss the wheelbarrow next to your shed to sit till you need it again.

My pop's old wheelbarrow is older than I am, and the tire still holds air.

 

[tgb]

Probably won't have a lot of guys respond to this because we are most likely all guilty of it, lots of jobs could be solved by bending something out the way with pliers but we spent 8 hours removing and redoing it instead.

 

[abvw]

If you can do it right, why not?

 

[southalabama]

I had my buddies tire shop stick a tube in the wheelbarrow tire but I understand what you are saying.

Growing up our first color tv was a heath kit dad built.

Why? Because he can

 

[MN4x4]

First, let me say that I am guilty as charged.

What would it cost you to replace the tire and wheel at the local hardware or big box store? If it was - say $18 - you just paid yourself $3 an hour to do what you did. Then again, you got the satisfaction of not being wasteful and doing the job right.

 

[PFSard]

How often do you find yourself working longer and harder for a "fix" simply because you have the tools and capability to do so?

Also guilty of this. Then again, I've often taken "shortcuts" when I had the tools to do the job correctly, and have ended up spending excessive time with the "shortcut" method.

 

[greasemonkey44]

I swapped my two wheeler tires for flat free tires. Cuz I hate fiddling around.
Sometimes I use extra extensions or remove wheels to fit an impact in.

 

[bczygan]

It's called ADD.

You go in the shop to get a pencil and paper to write something down, and you notice some rust on a tool.
So you search for and find some steel wool, and then you look for some lubricant.
Then you dig out the air grinder and scotch brite pads.
Then you decide it needs to be painted......etc. etc, etc.

And so it goes...

 

[joel63]

It's called ADD.

You go in the shop to get a pencil and paper to write something down, and you notice some rust on a tool.
So you search for and find some steel wool, and then you look for some lubricant.
Then you dig out the air grinder and scotch brite pads.
Then you decide it needs to be painted......etc. etc, etc.

And so it goes...

It all sounds too very familiar.

 

[Packard V8]

What would it cost you to replace the tire and wheel at the local hardware or big box store? If it was - say $18 - you just paid yourself $3 an hour to do what you did. Then again, you got the satisfaction of not being wasteful and doing the job right.

Then, again, even at $3 an hour, it's a helluvalot more profitable than all the hours most of us spend farting around here and other sites and watching TV at $0 per hour. (Those of you who watch **** get some tangible end result, I suppose ;>)

 

[jim1987]

Umm no? Time is money. After a certain degree of time, buy new.

 

[rice rocket]

Then, again, even at $3 an hour, it's a helluvalot more profitable than all the hours most of us spend farting around here and other sites and watching TV at $0 per hour. (Those of you who watch **** get some tangible end result, I suppose ;>)

I think being around here causes the net effect is negative once you count all the frivolous tool purchases.

 

[woodstockva]

I spent over an hour yesterday fixing a rusted up 1/2" ratchet I got from a flea market.....completely disassembled it, soaked the guts in PB blaster while I wire wheeled the handle....then individually cleaned up the internals.....lubed it up....reassembled.....an hour later it worked fine again.

Then I looked for the part # on ebay & found a NOS one that looked new for $19.99.....looks like I wasted my time, but it was satisfying fixing something that was obviously past its prime & seized with rust/corrosion.

 

[north]

looks like I wasted my time,

No you didn't, because:

it was satisfying fixing something that was obviously past its prime & seized with rust/corrosion.

 

[Matt_C]

Nope. I don't have time to convolute jobs "just because". Jobs tend to convolute themselves enough as it is, and the reason I have a bunch more tools than most of my compadres is because when a job gets complicated, I need the right tool to get it done, rather than faffing around trying to get by with something not up to the task.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

This is an issue of the tool operator, not the tools.

I find that I can do things that used to take me all day, or multiple days, in a few minutes, since my tool collection and knowledge has grown. It only gets better as I get more.

If you enjoy doing it, then you're doing it the right way, it sounds like you enjoy it. If you just want the job done, (no offense) you're a fool, and entirely incapable of managing yourself.

I like tools, I like cars, and all that manner of things - so doing more than making it barely work is often worth it, simply because I enjoy it. You sound the same way (like pretty much everyone here, in fact).

 

[UIUC-Mech-E]

I don't know that the availability of tools makes my projects more complex so much as it makes me willing to take on more complex jobs. Of course I'm a compulsive list maker so I break down most jobs well before I start them and I'll have a pretty good idea where to cut the fat. My problems start when I notice something I'm capable of fixing because I had the "forethought" to acquire the necessary tools or knowledge. Then it gets added to the never ending list of things that need doing.


(Insert catchy saying here)

 

[Craftsman1]

I find doing the job right reduces future repairs. If you take the extra hour today it'll save you 2 hours next summer when you have to use your wheel barrel again. There will always be plenty to do but at least that wheel work work for quite a while!

 

[48RON54]

yes, yes it does.

Quite often I spend so much time and effort repairing something and at the end of the day i realize i could have just about replaced it for the amount of time and money i have involved.

In these cases i tell myself that I am helping the environment by not throwing away the old wheelbarrow (or whatever the item might be) and buying a new one that had to be shipped here from china. I don't really believe my own BS though lol. At the end of the day the enjoyment I get from fixing something is well worth whatever time I have into it dammit.

 

[Outlander]

Depends, sometimes I have more time than money. Some periods, just the opposite.

 

[kenburkholz]

Einstein's lesser known but more relevant equation, E=MC $ Time is money. Ken.

 

[metaldad]

I believe it's tool FINDING that can compound a job.
seems i always find 4 or 5 of the wrench/driver/socket/scraper/shackle/chain/grinder/saw/hammer/puller/punch/pry bar/utility knive/etc., after a new one is bought

 

[Gmonkee]

As a kid into young adult I attacked every problem with a fist full of dual purpose tools and most of them worked after I was done. I really didn't think I needed more at the time.

Later on in life I became a collector of tools and really overstocked myself. Then I discovered I was spending more time routing through a mountain of tools instead of just fixing whatever was on the table. And it was fun but probably less productive. Surely it was more costly in the tool investment.

Now I'm back to filling a smaller handbox with my key tools and the best I have, selling off a lot of the modern excess stuff. I seem to be faster at 90% of the jobs I tackle working with less tools, and most everything gets repaired that simply isn't too far gone or short parts.

Funny how that works really, I would never have expected this result.
My pile of collector and antique tools slowly grows and I find myself using those when I can too. The ones that aren't worn out after 70 years are still pretty good worker bees but I wouldn't bring them to work as a full time mechanic again.

I have come to understand how granddad made due with only a handbox of tools, probably half handed down from his father, all his adult life.

 

[d.mcfarland]

This topic is where the hobbyist are separated from those who work in garage professions for a living, in my opinion. Hobbyist fool around. Pro's accomplish a task.

 

[crewchief888]

i do it all the time.

keeps my hands occupied,
and my mind working.

 

[richfinn]

If you have to ask if your wasting your time then you probably are.

I personally would only put 6hrs into a wheelbarrow if it had some kind of
Sentimental value and I enjoyed doing it.

That said I do enjoy farting about and trying to improve things myself (cars mostly).

Maybe you just need a new project

 

[Westly]

Hobbyist fool around. Pro's accomplish a task.

A general way of putting the same thing is productive people are goal-oriented. They don't sidetrack themselves They don't lose focus. Time is too short for that.

 

[gearhead1]

I can relate to some degree. There comes a point where something isn't worth fooling with and you're better off to buy new. However, I like to get the job done right. I am not a perfectionist, I do not have OCD or ADD, but get accused of it from time to time for the fact that half-assed things don't last. I will do safe temporary fixes, but I'd rather have it done right, there can be more than one right way, but I can't stand the half-assed way.

I have a tractor with a 4in1 bucket. There is a switch on top of the joystick to actuate it. It quit working, so I troubleshoot and find the stupid clamp connector thing where they tapped into a hot wire has power. I take it apart and find three splices (using **** connectors) in 3 feet of wire. To me that is half-assed, I used one piece of wire and I soldered the connection then slid the heat shrink tubing over and heated it. It took more time the way I did it, but it is a right way, a way that is not half-assed and will last. I don't want to keep fooling with it in the future.

 

[Danglerb]

I was in the middle of a job today, and started wondering whether the fact that I have certain tools at my disposal makes a simple job become far more involved.

How often do you find yourself working longer and harder for a "fix" simply because you have the tools and capability to do so?

That isn't working, you are having fun with your tools.

 

[Galvonzo]

Reading this thread it becomes apparent to me there's two types of people when it comes to work. Those who do what it takes to accomplish the task at hand and no more. Then there's those who does what it takes, and then some.

My boss told me today you must be a perfectionist because I did very nice work, but that I also take a hair longer than he would like. Sure, I can half *** it in my eyes and meet the bare requirements and be done with it, but then I'm not proud of my work. My hands follow my brains commands. As long my brain says it's not happy with the work yet, my hands will keep moving.

This type of thinking crosses over into other parts of your life though. One who only meets the bare requirements also only strives for the bare requirements. I can't have that. In doing so, I can tell when others put the extra effort and let them know my appreciation. As cheesy as it sounds, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra bit.

 

[gearhead1]

Reading this thread it becomes apparent to me there's two types of people when it comes to work. Those who do what it takes to accomplish the task at hand and no more. Then there's those who does what it takes, and then some.

My boss told me today you must be a perfectionist because I did very nice work, but that I also take a hair longer than he would like. Sure, I can half *** it in my eyes and meet the bare requirements and be done with it, but then I'm not proud of my work. My hands follow my brains commands. As long my brain says it's not happy with the work yet, my hands will keep moving.

This type of thinking crosses over into other parts of your life though. One who only meets the bare requirements also only strives for the bare requirements. I can't have that. In doing so, I can tell when others put the extra effort and let them know my appreciation. As cheesy as it sounds, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra bit.

You hit it, it crosses over into other areas and doing that extra little bit is the extra mile. The people who do everything half assed I would guess typically aren't as successful in life in general. I've built my career on doing the basics well. You'll never do anything elaborate or fancy if you don't have the basics down and part of the basics is not doing things half assed. Other people always look for a magic wand or elaborate plan. There is no magic wand, it's called work, not half assed work either.

 

[Piles]

Reading this thread it becomes apparent to me there's two types of people when it comes to work. Those who do what it takes to accomplish the task at hand and no more. Then there's those who does what it takes, and then some.

My boss told me today you must be a perfectionist because I did very nice work, but that I also take a hair longer than he would like. Sure, I can half *** it in my eyes and meet the bare requirements and be done with it, but then I'm not proud of my work. My hands follow my brains commands. As long my brain says it's not happy with the work yet, my hands will keep moving.

This type of thinking crosses over into other parts of your life though. One who only meets the bare requirements also only strives for the bare requirements. I can't have that. In doing so, I can tell when others put the extra effort and let them know my appreciation. As cheesy as it sounds, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra bit.

This X1000

I find with Mechanics as a trade in general people seem to think the quickest are the best technicians and IMO that is a pretty narrow minded way of viewing it. I might not be the quickest guy in the shop but my jobs never come back, almost always are diagnosed properly the first time around, and make time. But since Im not splitting the book time in half, Im somehow a lesser tech than the guy beside me who chucks parts at stuff and regularely has come backs.

Not that these acusations have been made about me or anything. Just a general conception I have noticed in this trade. Time is money is spouted way too much imo, and can cause shoddy work.

Now that I got my little rant out of the way, I find in my home shop I am guilty of what the OP was saying. Mostly because I just enjoy the work I do. At work it comes down to what the company wants and thats usually replace rather than repair.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I was in the middle of a job today, and started wondering whether the fact that I have certain tools at my disposal makes a simple job become far more involved.

My wheelbarrow had a flat tire Saturday. Instead of fixing it, I rummaged around and found a small tractor front wheel/tire that would work . . . . with some modifications. The axle bore was larger than my wheelbarrow axle, so I found a piece of tubing that fit the bore, but was too small on the i.d. to fit the axle. I chucked the tube in the lathe and used a long drill bit to increase the i.d. to fit the axle, then chucked the axle and polished it a bit with some emery cloth, then fit it all together. It needed some side spacers to center the wheel on the axle, so I fabbed up a couple from some pvc pipe.

Two hours later, the wheelbarrow was back in service, and I finished the job I was doing.

Today. I was straightening up in the shop, and that flat tire/wheel from the wheelbarrow was on the bench. I decided to break it down and find the leak. Once I got the tire off the rim, I saw that it was a case of rusty rim due to water in the tire. I used an abrasive pad to scrub the tire bead clean, and set it aside. Then, I cleaned up the rim, taped up the bearing/axle openings and popped it into the blast cabinet, where I spent 40 minutes completely stripping it to bare metal inside and out, eliminating all trace of rust.
Now, I will have to prime and paint the rim, install a new valve stem (tubeless), and re-mount the tire.
Counting the Saturday wheel swap and axle-spacer machining time, today's tire and wheel cleaning, and tomorrow's prime & paint, then the re-mount and swap of the wheel back onto the wheelbarrow, I'll probably be into this at right about six hours.

Thinking about it while I was bead blasting that rim today, I realized that in different circumstances, when the tire went flat Saturday, I would have simply laid the wheelbarrow upside down, pushed the beads in, smeared a bit of silicone around the beads, and aired up the tire. Maybe ten minutes, tops, for basically the same result, a working wheelbarrow.

How often do you find yourself working longer and harder for a "fix" simply because you have the tools and capability to do so?

I just grab what I need before hand to eliminate the "I bought this I need to use it syndrome". Actually helps with the job planning because I end up having to visualize before I get started.

I think 100% of the people on here have too much stuff just in case but that's not a bad thing. Just in case tends to happen too often and it ***** to have to buy stuff while you're in the midst of doing something.

 

[Jarhead0408]

My mind is exhausted from the work day, so I don't have a specific example, but yes I am guilty of this as well.

Can't say I ever regret it though. THe chance to use my tools and possibly gain more knowledge in how to use them is worth any "wasted" time.

 

[richfinn]

A general way of putting the same thing is productive people are goal-oriented. They don't sidetrack themselves They don't lose focus. Time is too short for that.

That sounds like management speak to me

It's true all the goal/target men are there to help a company acheive it's objectives.

But the boss usually comes up with the ideas and products by farting around
In the shop

 

[honcho]

I do not think that more tools always equates to more time spent on a task

Right tools and right choices create the environment for an efficient and effective completion of a task.

The OP chose to spend those hours fixing his wheelbarrow the way he wanted it done. No harm in that unless it caused him to neglect some other aspect of his life but only he can make that assessment

I like to see things done correctly but, that said, it's important to remember that regardless of how much or how little money one has, TIME IS THE MOST PRECIOUS THING WE POSSESS!

Once we use or waste time, it is gone forever, never to be retrieved (except in science fiction stories).

Everyone has to make their own priorities and if a job done well gives you a sense of accomplishment and well being, then go for it. If plugging the tire with a piece of gum to get the immediate job done so you can spend time with your family or friends, go for it. Of course, if you can do a job fast, effectively and at a high quality level that's best but generally you can only choose two: good, fast or inexpensive.

 

[sberry]

I do some of each and resting here.
But if I am remanufacturing I do consider its core value, I always have to some extent but didn't always do the math. Now I will often do nothing first, it all works out about the same way.

 

[woody 73]

Reading this thread it becomes apparent to me there's two types of people when it comes to work. Those who do what it takes to accomplish the task at hand and no more. Then there's those who does what it takes, and then some.

My boss told me today you must be a perfectionist because I did very nice work, but that I also take a hair longer than he would like. Sure, I can half *** it in my eyes and meet the bare requirements and be done with it, but then I'm not proud of my work. My hands follow my brains commands. As long my brain says it's not happy with the work yet, my hands will keep moving.

This type of thinking crosses over into other parts of your life though. One who only meets the bare requirements also only strives for the bare requirements. I can't have that. In doing so, I can tell when others put the extra effort and let them know my appreciation. As cheesy as it sounds, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra bit.

You hit the nail on the head

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I bought a new wheel barrow a few years ago.. It has two wheels and a a durable "plastic" tub that will never need to be painted...... I still have a wheel barrow that I bought in 1975; It could use a paint job and a new pair of handles.. The tire on that old ****** holds air better the newer one.....Just can't force myself to throw good stuff like that out the door..
Not sure if I should fix my wheel barrow,
Seek a therapy group (GJ) ,,
or both..... (most likely choice)