Some people shouldn't be allowed to have tools.

[Musicinabottle]

I swear. I love the older tools, both mechanics and metal and wood working. I've got three tool "quick restorations" going on and I'm amazed at the stupid **** people do to tools in the absence of any form of intelligence. I'm restoring a 1950s table saw right now, absolutely cool little machine, and I am discovering that half the screws and bolts are missing, including the set screws for the pulley's, the crank handles, so it was just a F' it, let the handles slip on the shafts. Luckily the drive pulley's were tight enough that they didn't slip to the extent that damage occurred. Guy I bough the saw from hammered and mangled some of the sheet metal on the cabinet at the angle adjustment, for absolutely no reason other than the mechanism was hitting because the ******** bolts that held everything to the cast iron table were partially missing. Switch was bypassed so that the cord in the receptacle was the on off switch. Hooked it back up, it works fine.

Lots of other things on this saw, but slowly getting it un focked and back in to vintage pride fashion including a new crinkle coat paint job. Has anyone done stupid to your stuff before you got it?

I've been nursing a 1930s Walker Turner drill press back to functionality but that's another story.........

 

[Musicinabottle]

I used to take on some pretty screwed up projects. After spending 4 years mostly unfuching my Porsche 912E I'm done with that. Original paint, interior and engine or I'm just not getting involved. My tolerance for messed up tools is even less.

I agree, but it's still rewarding bringing stuff back, but some people really make me shake my head.

 

[jdlong]

They're too focused on the projects they use the tools on to service the tools properly.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I also enjoy bringing stuff back to spectacular condition and usability. However, the downfall is that the person before me doesn't always think the same!

 

[Bellaireroad]

I swear. I love the older tools, both mechanics and metal and wood working. I've got three tool "quick restorations" going on and I'm amazed at the stupid **** people do to tools in the absence of any form of intelligence. I'm restoring a 1950s table saw right now, absolutely cool little machine, and I am discovering that half the screws and bolts are missing, including the set screws for the pulley's, the crank handles, so it was just a F' it, let the handles slip on the shafts. Luckily the drive pulley's were tight enough that they didn't slip to the extent that damage occurred. Guy I bough the saw from hammered and mangled some of the sheet metal on the cabinet at the angle adjustment, for absolutely no reason other than the mechanism was hitting because the ******** bolts that held everything to the cast iron table were partially missing. Switch was bypassed so that the cord in the receptacle was the on off switch. Hooked it back up, it works fine.



Lots of other things on this saw, but slowly getting it un focked and back in to vintage pride fashion including a new crinkle coat paint job. Has anyone done stupid to your stuff before you got it?



I've been nursing a 1930s Walker Turner drill press back to functionality but that's another story.........

Well, look at it this way, you probably got a killer price on it !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Lots of variations in the opinions as to how things should be used and cared for.

 

[skruft]

Many people view tools as items to be used in whatever way will do the job for them. This is probably OK if the tools are their property.

I remember though when someone took my fairly new hammer, used the handle like you would use a piece of scrap wood to bang on with another tool, then put it back, damaged and with chunks knocked off, all without telling me. All this in a place where there was wood and other scrap material all around. I did criticize this.

 

[SuperCat]

I think the OP summed up the topic of this thread perfectly with his thread title.
Seriously, is a ratchet the same as a hammer? Is a ratchet extension the same as a punch? Is a chrome socket the same as an impact socket? I understand these things happening in a desperate situation, but really, how many desperate situations does a person get stuck in? Yet I see abused and ruined tools at every flea market and at a lot of garage sales.

 

[Swingpress]

Makes me remember.! Had a very nice 1945 farmall B, factory twin seat tractor get backed into our 20ft cattle trailer by a "former friend". Nearly tore the passenger seat off, buckled the floor and mounts, broke a seat spring and mount, wrinkled the passenger fender and twisted the draw bar! Worst part was it had JUST been unloaded less than 24hrs earlier from a full restoration. Wasn't all that healthy for the trailer either. Afterward the B.E.M just stood there with a half-smile on his face and kept saying " I had it in the forward gear"...........thanks for letting me remember that gem!

 

[zendriver]

Maybe some people, are just better than other's.

My Dad, was one of those "stupid" people. He ran a service station, 3 farms and several rental properties, while on ***-kicking epilepsy drugs, to raise 8 kids. Other than a fishing trip or two each year, he never had time for hobbies.

His depression-era upbringing, made him drain motor oil cans, and pinch pennies everywhere, so rigging and patching and buying old stuff cheap, was a huge part of his life, as well mine. hardware and parts cost money, so "meticulous" was not part of our maintenance plans.

Personally, I'd like to think i'd done thing differently and for the most part I do now days, but one thing is sure He died with a hell of a lot lot more money than I'll ever will.

Interesting how easy it is to judge other's without knowing the circumstances.

 

[PugetDude]

I think the OP summed up the topic of this thread perfectly with his thread title.
Seriously, is a ratchet the same as a hammer? Is a ratchet extension the same as a punch? Is a chrome socket the same as an impact socket? I understand these things happening in a desperate situation, but really, how many desperate situations does a person get stuck in? Yet I see abused and ruined tools at every flea market and at a lot of garage sales.

Could be due to not having as many tools as most of us here have...
When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

 

[pastorbob70]

I just thinking anybody on this forum actually use tools or just buy and admire them? I take reasonably good care of my tools have had some of them for over 4o years, built engines for NASCAR, AHRA and worked at chevy and Dodge dealerships but I have cut, welded, bent and whatever to get the jpb done. I also have found out the bolt or nut does not care what brand or how rusty or how scratched the socket or wrench is.

 

[DanielC99]

Maybe some people, are just better than other's.

My Dad, was one of those "stupid" people. He ran a service station, 3 farms and several rental properties, while on ***-kicking epilepsy drugs, to raise 8 kids. Other than a fishing trip or two each year, he never had time for hobbies.

His depression-era upbringing, made him drain motor oil cans, and pinch pennies everywhere, so rigging and patching and buying old stuff cheap, was a huge part of his life, as well mine. hardware and parts cost money, so "meticulous" was not part of our maintenance plans.

Personally, I'd like to think i'd done thing differently and for the most part I do now days, but one thing is sure He died with a hell of a lot lot more money than I'll ever will.

Interesting how easy it is to judge other's without knowing the circumstances.

Agreed, sounds like my dad. He had a harder life than I could ever imagine, but he made it work.


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[DanielC99]

Agreed, sounds like my dad. He had a harder life than I could ever imagine, but he made it work.


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That said, I still can't believe some of the abuse I see inflicted on tools.


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[ssdave]

Sometimes you just use up the tool, and discard it. I'm building a house right now. I needed a jobsite tablesaw. I like, and have owned, several cabinet saws. I'll probably buy another one before the job is done to do cabinetry. I have the ability to make, and have made kitchen cabinets, custom stairs and woodwork, etc. I will buy and maintain equipment capable of doing that before this is all done.

But, I bought a $50 craftsman table saw and put it on the job. It has a bent pulley or bent shaft. I haven't bothered to find out which, although a cursory look says bent pulley. That's a 15 minute job and $15 worth of parts to fix. But, I'd have to take the time to find the part. So, I'm using the saw as is. It vibrates. A Lot. The vibration will kill the bearings. Eventually. So what. At the end of the job, I'll sell it to someone else for $50 and if they want they can fix the vibration. It rips 2x6's and 1x4's just fine for what it needs to do right now. I suspect the blade isn't square and parallel with the table, and I'd be willing to bet that the angle gauges are off too. If I was restoring the saw, I'd take a few hours and get everything straight, parallel and aligned. I'd clean and adjust the handwheels/screws till the saw moved smoothly through the whole range of motion. The saw would do much better work, and would be much more accurate. But, for what it's being used for now, that's irrelevant.

Sometimes using the tool to get the job done is way more important than buying, restoring, admiring and exhibiting nice tools. The guy that buys this saw from me will characterize me as too stupid to own tools if he is particular about his stuff. Not quite true, I could take care of it if I needed to, but no need for what I'm doing and my time is important to me at the moment.

 

[Stadger]

I just thinking anybody on this forum actually use tools or just buy and admire them? I take reasonably good care of my tools have had some of them for over 4o years, built engines for NASCAR, AHRA and worked at chevy and Dodge dealerships but I have cut, welded, bent and whatever to get the jpb done. I also have found out the bolt or nut does not care what brand or how rusty or how scratched the socket or wrench is.

Agreed.

 

[crewchief888]

I think the OP summed up the topic of this thread perfectly with his thread title.
Seriously, is a ratchet the same as a hammer? Is a ratchet extension the same as a punch? Is a chrome socket the same as an impact socket? I understand these things happening in a desperate situation, but really, how many desperate situations does a person get stuck in? Yet I see abused and ruined tools at every flea market and at a lot of garage sales.

if it's about desperation, or the fact that the job has to be done....

ive been pulling wrenches on const eq for over 30 years.....

the job HAS to be done, no matter the sacrifice to the tool.

i probably dont own a wrench that doesnt have hammer marks on it, ive beat on stuff with ratchets and prybars, used extensions and screwdrivers as chisels and prybars...

the average DIY/garage "commando" has no idea/concept that if i get go of part "X" (after taking several minutes to manuveur it into place) to go grab the proper tool from my pristine shadowed toolbox, it's gonna fall in the deepest darkest place known to mankind.

hold it, pry on it, beat it into submission with whatever tool is withing reach, guess what i'm gonna do....?

no offence intended to the "garage commandos" on the forum...
in the garage when i'm in no real hurry, and work at my own pace, things are a little different....

 

[bubinga]

I swear. I love the older tools, both mechanics and metal and wood working. I've got three tool "quick restorations" going on and I'm amazed at the stupid **** people do to tools in the absence of any form of intelligence. I'm restoring a 1950s table saw right now, absolutely cool little machine, and I am discovering that half the screws and bolts are missing, including the set screws for the pulley's, the crank handles, so it was just a F' it, let the handles slip on the shafts. Luckily the drive pulley's were tight enough that they didn't slip to the extent that damage occurred. Guy I bough the saw from hammered and mangled some of the sheet metal on the cabinet at the angle adjustment, for absolutely no reason other than the mechanism was hitting because the ******** bolts that held everything to the cast iron table were partially missing. Switch was bypassed so that the cord in the receptacle was the on off switch. Hooked it back up, it works fine.

Lots of other things on this saw, but slowly getting it un focked and back in to vintage pride fashion including a new crinkle coat paint job. Has anyone done stupid to your stuff before you got it?

I've been nursing a 1930s Walker Turner drill press back to functionality but that's another story.........

LOL, Yep, That's the way to fix it. "All it has to do is work"

I'm sure we've all seen stupid.

 

[bubinga]

I also enjoy bringing stuff back to spectacular condition and usability. However, the downfall is that the person before me doesn't always think the same!

Right, That's a lot of the joy in it too, I like the projects I make, But like a lot of Us, we like fixing up the tools too.
Some, Not so much, just focused on the project.
Not really "wrong" just different.

Yeah, I guess though, when they do that s(%) it make's it harder for us.

 

[bubinga]

Many people view tools as items to be used in whatever way will do the job for them. This is probably OK if the tools are their property.

I remember though when someone took my fairly new hammer, used the handle like you would use a piece of scrap wood to bang on with another tool, then put it back, damaged and with chunks knocked off, all without telling me. All this in a place where there was wood and other scrap material all around. I did criticize this.

Yeah, I hate when people borrow my tools and abuse then!

 

[PugetDude]

I also enjoy bringing stuff back to spectacular condition and usability. However, the downfall is that the person before me doesn't always think the same!

If they did, you'd never have a project.

 

[subroc]

Clearly we all have an idea of what proper use and abuse of the tools and equipment we have is. After all, it's mine, I'll decide.

I am probably only going to restore a couple pieces of equipment. The Craftsman 103.27270 floor model table saw I am in the middle of right now and maybe a drill press down the road. I really want to start with a mostly complete machine. Others look forward to tracking down difficult to find parts or manufacturing some parts. I envy those folks but the reality is, it isn't for me.

To the OP, the best of luck in your restoration.

 

[davethorik]

Maybe some people, are just better than other's.

My Dad, was one of those "stupid" people. He ran a service station, 3 farms and several rental properties, while on ***-kicking epilepsy drugs, to raise 8 kids. Other than a fishing trip or two each year, he never had time for hobbies.

His depression-era upbringing, made him drain motor oil cans, and pinch pennies everywhere, so rigging and patching and buying old stuff cheap, was a huge part of his life, as well mine. hardware and parts cost money, so "meticulous" was not part of our maintenance plans.

Personally, I'd like to think i'd done thing differently and for the most part I do now days, but one thing is sure He died with a hell of a lot lot more money than I'll ever will.

Interesting how easy it is to judge other's without knowing the circumstances.

Pinching pennies and willfully damaging a tool because you're a ***** and have no idea how to fix it are two completely different things. I think people jump to conclusions on this forum. Bending a wrench, or cutting it in half, or welding a socket to a wrench, is one thing. I think table saws fit into a different category. You don't need to remove set screws and damage a piece of machinery "just to get a job done".

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The screws in the table saw fell out at some point in the past 60 yrs. I'm betting they never even noticed the first few.
The other possibility is someone started repairing/restoring it, gave up and just put it back together as quickly as possible.
I've bought a few similar items. Didn't bother me. Good enough to get the job done and cheap.

 

[nh_yota]

I was talking to my dad on the phone last night about helping him this weekend with some chores around his house. He wants tear down the old dilapidated shed out back and throw it in the dumpster he rented. When he said he's going to use his chainsaw to cut it up I damn near reached through the phone and slapped him. I told him "no way are you going to use that nice Stihl chainsaw I gave you for Father's Day a few years ago" and "we both have sawzalls that are made for that purpose".

That type of stuff runs in his side of the family, but thankfully the only good thing I ever got from my mom's side was how to use and take care of tools.

 

[Firebrick43]

I was talking to my dad on the phone last night about helping him this weekend with some chores around his house. He wants tear down the old dilapidated shed out back and throw it in the dumpster he rented. When he said he's going to use his chainsaw to cut it up I damn near reached through the phone and slapped him. I told him "no way are you going to use that nice Stihl chainsaw I gave you for Father's Day a few years ago" and "we both have sawzalls that are made for that purpose".

That type of stuff runs in his side of the family, but thankfully the only good thing I ever got from my mom's side was how to use and take care of tools.

As long as there is no big lags holding it together(or hardened screws) the Amish circular saw(a small stihl chainsaw) is a great tool for demo. i have used one several times with no detrimental effects. I use an older well used chain and throw away the chain and sproket after wards and use a solid nose bar. Let the saw eat without adding pressure and it won't grab nails and will cut them. If you plan it you won't come close

 

[saulvg99]

if it's about desperation, or the fact that the job has to be done....

ive been pulling wrenches on const eq for over 30 years.....

the job HAS to be done, no matter the sacrifice to the tool.

i probably dont own a wrench that doesnt have hammer marks on it, ive beat on stuff with ratchets and prybars, used extensions and screwdrivers as chisels and prybars...

the average DIY/garage "commando" has no idea/concept that if i get go of part "X" (after taking several minutes to manuveur it into place) to go grab the proper tool from my pristine shadowed toolbox, it's gonna fall in the deepest darkest place known to mankind.

hold it, pry on it, beat it into submission with whatever tool is withing reach, guess what i'm gonna do....?

no offence intended to the "garage commandos" on the forum...
in the garage when i'm in no real hurry, and work at my own pace, things are a little different....

[emoji481]

I'm with you man. If the tool is mine then I see no harm in using it whichever way I see fit at the moment. Now, if I borrowed it or something, then I will make sure I take care of it and use it only for its intended purpose.

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[the gypsy]

I'm with you man. If the tool is mine then I see no harm in using it whichever way I see fit at the moment. Now, if I borrowed it or something, then I will make sure I take care of it and use it only for its intended purpose.

Sent from my X522 using Tapatalk

I agree with you that if the tool is yours, you can use it as you wish. BUT I DON' T BELIEVE THAT you will change your habit if someone lends you a tool. We get set in our ways and many will treat the tool they borrowed as their own. In conclusion you will mistreat the tool borrowed. This is my opinion and I wish to point out that no animals were harmed in testing my opinion.

 

[Ancient Iron]

I used to take on some pretty screwed up projects. After spending 4 years mostly unfuching my Porsche 912E I'm done with that. Original paint, interior and engine or I'm just not getting involved. My tolerance for messed up tools is even less.

1976 Einspritzen????If I spelled it correctly I saw one on Wheeler Dealers, Looks like a fun car to drive

 

[zendriver]

Pinching pennies and willfully damaging a tool because you're a ***** and have no idea how to fix it are two completely different things. I think people jump to conclusions on this forum. Bending a wrench, or cutting it in half, or welding a socket to a wrench, is one thing. I think table saws fit into a different category. You don't need to remove set screws and damage a piece of machinery "just to get a job done".

My experience is that set screws can fall out on their own, often without being easily noticed and personally, I have absolutely no idea what the reasons, a previous owner, did what they did, to any tool or piece of equipment.

Maybe they were schizophrenic. Maybe they were tired. Who cares?

I'll just assume that I am better than them.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I agree with you that if the tool is yours, you can use it as you wish. BUT I DON' T BELIEVE THAT you will change your habit if someone lends you a tool. We get set in our ways and many will treat the tool they borrowed as their own. In conclusion you will mistreat the tool borrowed. This is my opinion and I wish to point out that no animals were harmed in testing my opinion.

Yeh what is it with these fools? Had my boss ruin a brand new set of pliers in one sitting, gave it back to me WITHOUT A WORD, so I'm like, screw this you dont ruin my tool and go silent about it, someone shot a man once just for snoring so he says, ehhhhhhh, you can just warranty it.....welllllllllll BOSSY, you would be correct in that, but since it's a store bought, I GOTTA GO TO THE STORE, to do it, PROBABLY ON MY ONE DAY OFF ya jackass....

Anywho, there was another "situation" where a kid, a new kid at work needed an allen key I'm like, sure kid, let me help, so I opens my box to the drawer where the allens are and he reaches in to start grabbing some loose keys ....well, as I said, of what happened to the snoring guy.....dont fkn reach into my box where you are new and I dont even know you KID. The hell.

 

[ssdave]

Followup on my earlier post about my tablesaw. Bought it, and pulley wobbled and it vibrated. I've been using it as is, it works for what I need on a house framing job as a jobsite saw.

Yesterday, was ripping a 2x6 on a diagonal, and the pulleys both fell off. Previous owner had put both on without keys, just tightened the setscrews down into the keyway.

Put in a piece of key stock and a woodruff key, and it no longer vibrates and pulley doesn't wobble. Had to use up an hour of time to get parts and make the saw work. Would have rather not used up an hour that I can't spare, but it is what it is.

The expedients that people go to because of lack of time or lack of knowledge are interesting sometimes. A couple of dollars to replace the keys would have made the saw work a lot better previous to me owning it, and would have probably doubled or tripled the selling price.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

The oxy-ace at my shop barely works, nozzles and manifold all crappified, you have to set the valves in one exact position for it to work at all. The gauges LEAK the bezels are broken off, any striker left near it will disappear in a day or two. Even the cart it uses is ******. I need a new job!

 

[L5wolvesf]

I agree, but it's still rewarding bringing stuff back,

This is part of my thought on getting a lathe. If I fix it up myself I will have learned, hence understood, the tool itself. But some people don't seem to get that.

 

[Hal]

Just spent an hour this morning disassembling a cordless drill to free up the slide for the hi_lo gear change. Pretty sure my helper got oil on it and cleaned it with laquer thinner/brakleen/ reducer, some solvent that glued the slide in place. He misuses his own tools because his box is such a mess that he can' t find the correct ones. I try to keep him away from my more delicate good stuff, but some things catch hell anyway.

 

[F451]

One time while having dinner at my brother in laws house, somehow, don't ask me how, the topic of putting wood utensils in the dishwasher comes up (we're very interesting people aren't we?!). I mention that its not a good idea to put wood things in the dishwasher, that it will ruin them, better to hand wash them.

My brother in law and my wife both look at me like I am crazy, my brother in law says "Who cares! Its a 2 dollar utensil, just buy another one if it gets ruined!" My wife laughed and chimed in in agreement.

Surprised me, I wasn't trying to start an argument, so I just said something to the effect of that it seems strange to do something that you know will ruin something, even if its cheap, that it wasn't about the money.

My brother in law is a great guy, but their family has different ideas on how to treat "things". They basically just use them up. I like keeping things, especially tools, as nice as I reasonably can so they will last as long as they can.

He's the same guy that was astonished one day when I whipped out my pocket knife to cut something. He actually laughed out loud and said "Who carries a pocket knife?!"

I was as astonished as him about that, didn't know what to say, but I did take care of whatever needed cutting right then and there without having to go in the house to get a butter knife to do the job...

 

[Roberts210]

Makes me remember.! Had a very nice 1945 farmall B, factory twin seat tractor get backed into our 20ft cattle trailer by a "former friend". Nearly tore the passenger seat off, buckled the floor and mounts, broke a seat spring and mount, wrinkled the passenger fender and twisted the draw bar! Worst part was it had JUST been unloaded less than 24hrs earlier from a full restoration. Wasn't all that healthy for the trailer either. Afterward the B.E.M just stood there with a half-smile on his face and kept saying " I had it in the forward gear"...........thanks for letting me remember that gem!

Ugh. My brother and I both restored our Farmall H's. Mines a '42 his is a '54. I can't imagine the amount of stupidity it would take to do that. He must have popped the clutch. Imbecile! I'm glad he's a "former friend". Did you repair/replace the damaged parts?

 

[no704]

Not really what I would call a tool, but just a diy screen replacement on my iPhone 6, 6 screws were missing. Had it replaced before at a mall keiosk.

 

[bubinga]

Or, SSdave, Not have sold it @ all. Maybe it worked in your favor?

 

[Parrothead]

Could be due to not having as many tools as most of us here have...
When your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Well said. That and people have different priorities. My father is one of those people. He can fix damn near anything, but he'll do so with the fewest amount of tools possible. A screwdriver is a prybar, a ratchet can be used as a hammer, c clamp and a block of wood is a brake tool. When I offered to GIVE home a breaker bar..."I don't need a breaker bar, I've got that pipe over there". I've seen him hammer vice grips. He would NEVER buy a tool just because and spending money on himself might actually kill him. I would venture a guess you could fit all his tools in a 26" tool box and the man is late 60's. He's rebuilt the engine in two different cars, installed a bathroom where there was none, built and wired a garage where none existed and poured the driveway. All passed inspection and had permits. He made a lawn roller out of some cement, a cardboard barrel and some pipe. He even filled in as the maintenance guy when his quit until he could hire someone at the plant he was managing. Oh, and he never gets dirty. In the last 40 years, he's never worn a t-shirt...period. The man could change the oil in the car, then go out to dinner in the same clothes. I have no idea how.

Point of all this rambling? Tools are just objects to accomplish a task, nothing more, at least to my father.

This same man has no issue dropping $500 or more for dinner for his family, or for going to see an event or show.