How analysis are you about your tools?

[MagnumForce]

Well, I made myself kind of sick today. I am meticulous about cleaning my tools and keeping them looking brand new. Wd40, degreaser, parts washer, whatever. I work in industrial maintenance and it can be a challenge but I generally succeed and my stuff still looks brand new after years of use....

Well today I had to replacing some plumbing inside a massive industrial ecoat tank. We make everything from pressed oil and transmission pans to robotic welded hitches for the trucks most of you guys drive... Any of them. Anyway drained out 15000 gallons of ecoat, we needed to replace some anodes, some other plumbing, and the line techs needed to clean out any dropped parts that had accumulated over the last few months. One thing that shocked me is how those parts end up feeling and weighing about as much as plastic after being in that charged environment for so long.

But anyway, get down in the dark, 120 degree, 100 percent humidity, filthy paint tank. Slip and drop my whole pouch in the gunk. 18 inch channies, knipex pliers wrench, knipex cobras and dykes, Maglite, channellock 6 in 1 and 10 inch crescent. Everything is just black with this stuff and it absolutely will not come off. I am just sick. Flipping 250 bucks. It's all still usable but it looks awful.

Am I making too big of a deal? I may turn it into work for replacement but I am not sure how they'd take it.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[Coach James]

How do you get the stuff off of you? The same way might work on the tools.

Coach

 

[Mikerodrig27]

I'm not **** about my tools. I buy them to use them for the long haul. Scratches don't bother me so long as the tool still functions well. I don't want tools that I have to baby. I try to stay away from anything with soft handles outside of pliers. The trick to me is to use tools with longer handles to achieve more comfort or use a rubber mallet to persuade things to move.

I wipe oil off of them so when I grab them next time they aren't slippery but that's really about it.

 

[Itinker]

One of the best cleaner I found for tough stuff is straight Toluene. It has become much tougher to find, but can be purchased at an aircraft supply house for around $20/gallon. In my area, there are several suppliers adjacent and serving our smaller private airports.

Word of caution. It will soften some types of plastics. Test before using too much. I have found it not to be a problem on vinyl tool grips or soft grip screwdriver handles..

 

[MagnumForce]

How do you get the stuff off of you? The same way might work on the tools.

Coach

The skin eventually comes off...

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[Olafur]

*****, yes. But now you know what tools to grab next time you have to go into the damned tank!

 

[shoggoth80]

I try to at least wipe things down. My personal tools get scratched up a bit. I don't care. Steel and chrome can take it. My personal tools get used, and not overly abused. I might also note that I actually like industrial finishes.

At work? I wish I could get time to clean my tools. There is a current managerial mindset of faster faster, more for less. My tools are also issued... so if I am not gonna get a time allotment for cleaning, then they just sorta get wiped down, and if a wrench or ratchet is really gross, hit with degreaser. I have an older set of Proto wrenches with industrial finish that have worn nicely to a patina grey. They don't ask for much. My work tools get abused, because sometimes I don't have a choice. I have a number of impacts that need a wash something fierce.

Basically a rag and some denatured alcohol. When I can.

 

[gooseadrian]

Wipe me down as often as I can. I just hate grabbing a greasy tool.

 

[bcradio]

Don't rush out and buy new right away. Try cleaning them with different products as you hear about it and use them for a month or so. If they are still bothering you then, go out and slowly start replacing them.

Also, start keeping a basic set of tools you don't care about that you can take into environments like that.

 

[kiatech]

I drove over a my 15inch Marco ratchet and knipex linesmen pliers with a peterbilt yesterday...

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm going to guess if your plant is like mine, you don't have **** for harsh chemicals. Take them home to play with. I'd probably start by soaking them in gas and go from there.

 

[Zeke]

How analysis are you about your tools?

I don't analyze my tools much.

 

[winlinmac]

The only thing I use for tool-care is Evapo-rust, works every time

 

[LXCam]

I take it the plant has no replacement policy fr wore out or damaged tools? Since its ecoat and obviously wasn't applied with electrolysis I'd think MEK would clean it up.

 

[b7labelle]

I drove over a my 15inch Marco ratchet and knipex linesmen pliers with a peterbilt yesterday...

Drove over my work bag once....not a good day.

 

[winlinmac]

I forgot to mention, the steel brushes help

 

[logical]

How analysis are you about your tools?

I don't analyze my tools much.

At least he didn't say analicious.

 

[Finky198]

Try brake clean. Or one of the solvent you might have at work I sure there's something

 

[woody 73]

Funny story short version but this week at a garage sale all the people would not touch all the shop tools they looked worse then the op's tools above. I bought 25 hand tools some completely destroyed and I took them back to my shop after an hour they looked like they had many more years of life left in them.

Clean them up as best you can and use them!

 

[MagnumForce]

How analysis are you about your tools?

I don't analyze my tools much.

Yes, when auto correct strikes. And no way to change titles.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[Adam.C]

I say see if you can have that stuff ceracoated. Ceracoat is a proprietary ceramic coating often used on firearms. I think there are some DIY kits. Might be better to send them out tho. Cold gun blue like the sockets in my avatar is another option.

 

[Skin]

x2 on keeping them for the same job in the future. Buy a second set for less filthy jobs if it bothers you so much. Its just mass produced tools, not like they're hand crafted one-off items. If $250 is your worse loss to date i'd say your doing pretty well.

 

[MrGiggles]

As far as cleanliness goes, I'm no tool polisher. They are tools and are used as such. It really doesn't bother me too much if my composite handles get dinged up or the chrome gets scratched. They get wiped down if greasy, but that's about it.

I am more concerned about organization. Drawers of loose sockets and wrenches drive me crazy.

 

[MagnumForce]

They are tools, but they are an investment in my livelihood as well.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[jd_1138]

That's a tax write off? Or at least depreciation?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Would the management in charge of the tank chemicals have any suggestions?

 

[MagnumForce]

If I buy new tools, it is a tax deduction. Yes. We have tool replacement but I don't think they would take kindly to using it for cosmetics.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

If I buy new tools, it is a tax deduction. Yes. We have tool replacement but I don't think they would take kindly to using it for cosmetics.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

They're bean counters, whatta they know.

Here's an angle. Because they are no longer a contrasting color, "I could possibly leave one behind and screw the pooch......sir".

 

[Jacobson]

Do the tools still work?
This may be a "fear factor" opportunity to confront your OCD tendencies.
Are you analysis in many other aspects of your life?
I think there is a silver lining here.
One vote for not replacing the tools.
Be strong!

 

[RedneckWelder]

At work? I wish I could get time to clean my tools

Same here. I wish I could say that every tool gets put back into it's place at the end of the day, clean and shiny.

Well it would if the incoming line wasn't full and I was bringing the next machine in right after I finished sweeping up the bay from the one that just went out.

I'm lucky if I stay after work for an hour once a month and clean up and organize my tool box.

 

[MagnumForce]

I have one of those gravy jobs, wait around playing cards till a call comes in unless there are pm's or projects to do. Sometimes I can't believe I get paid for it.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[Hammer1963]

I'm fairly **** about keeping my tools clean, lubricated etc and this would drive me nuts. I have applied regular Goop hand cleaner and wrapped them with plastic wrap, let them sit for 24-48 hrs on several tools with unknown stains many times with some success. Oven cleaner may also be helpful. Yes I use my tools daily to earn my living.

 

[302]

I clean them before I put them away. My impact gun gets used constantly so it's getting pretty dirty, but that's why I got the boot on it.

 

[Badasssapper67]

The only tools I find myself obsessing over are my Williams Super Combos. I got luck on an ebay auction and no one else bid on them otherwise I wouldn't have got them. Once I unrolled the pouch it was like, "BAM"! These things are awesome! I baby them and worry about getting them scratched, I've never been like that but I was raised really poor and have never been able to afford nice stuff. My other stuff has got "stretch marks" just like the wife. They aint brand spanking new but they've done some pretty awesome stuff and they get the important stuff done right.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

At least he didn't say analicious.

Or 'analrapist'.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[rodsnratfinks]

On topic: I'm pretty careful about my tools. I'm very organized, and I nearly always use my tools as intended. I clean them before they go back in the box, which is usually at the end of the shift after I clock out; or at home, at the end of a project or the end of the day. I've had a lot of my tools since I was 9 years old. It's amazing how many tools I've lost over the years. Not anymore. Now I make myself accountable.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[kiatech]

I have one of those gravy jobs, wait around playing cards till a call comes in unless there are pm's or projects to do. Sometimes I can't believe I get paid for it.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

Same here.

 

[stikman56]

Organized and not greasy is all I care about.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

It's all still usable but it looks awful.

Am I making too big of a deal? I may turn it into work for replacement but I am not sure how they'd take it.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

On one hand I'd say "aren't you too busy making money to worry about looks? Especially as hard as you work 'em??" But I do understand wanting to keep stuff nice.

I'm honestly somewhere in the middle on this issue. I get ticked when someone helping grabs good tools out of my box to work with when we are doing a paint/body type job - invariably leaving me with whatever color is going on the machine on that tool. I hate paint splattered on tools.
On the other hand, I have a 25 YO pair of Channellocks that has a "patina" to it - aged / slight rust from all the work with water systems over the years and a few weld burns in the handle coating from fab jobs -- give's 'em character in a way - I was pissed when the boss borrowed 'em without telling me and I though they where lost 'till they came back.

Overall, the simple answer to the main question I would say is I am not very **** about it - tools are tools to help me get work done - heavy dirt / grime gets wiped of, some stuff stains forever - oh well.......

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I have one of those gravy jobs, wait around playing cards till a call comes in unless there are pm's or projects to do. Sometimes I can't believe I get paid for it.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

Wiat, I just caught this -- this is coming from the same guy who claims he works his tools harder everyday than a full time mechanic working everyday!?


I really am just poking friendly fun -- we all have our stuff to deal with I know.
Some of us have a huge backlog of broken **** that all needs to be fixed right now that really equals out to be a steady flow of work. Others have down time on the clock and then an emergency where TPTB act like the world is literally ending.