always invariably forgetting a tool I need for a job

[jd_1138]

I went over to install a ceiling fan for a disabled friend. Her live-in boyfriend has very very limited skills. He put a fan up a few years ago, but he must not have read the directions, as he left off the motor housing and another bracket where the globe screws into. And some of the blades had fallen off, so they couldn't use it anymore without it wobbling a lot.

I went to the basement and looked at their breaker box. It is fairly new but nothing was labeled except 2 things -- the HVAC and stove. Doh. So I just shut off the main disconnect.

She bought a new fan for $50 at Lowes. I haven't installed a ceiling fan in like 10 years so I forgot how they go together and what fasteners they use. The pre-existing fan's mount was connected with 1/4 nuts. I would've brought my ratcheting wrenches had I known. And the only wrench I had in my general basic toolbox was a larger adjustable wrench. (not sure were the small and midsize ones went to). Luckily the new fan used screws for its mount, so I didn't mind rounding off those nuts knowing I wouldn't be using that wrench to install the new mount.

And another important tool I could've really used was a magnetizer. My screwdrivers were barely magnetized, so it made it really hard to install all these little screws I had to install to get this thing mounted. There were about 40 small screws I had to screw in at awkward angles above my head or with my head sideways hitting the ceiling.

It took me 2 hours to install it because of the lack of properly magnetized screwdrivers, so the screws were hard to install. Thankfully after I finished, the fan and the light both work well.

 

[dscheidt]

It took me 2 hours to install it because of the lack of properly magnetized screwdrivers, so the screws were hard to install. Thankfully after I finished, the fan and the light both work well.

superglue works well for that. Keeps the screw on the driver until it's started, then it breaks free. I keep an unopened tube in my portable kit, for this, and other glue uses. But sometimes, the right thing to do is go home and get the tool (or go buy one.)

 

[PCustoms]

Pretty sure last fan installed required strippers (new construction) and a Philips driver.

Not sure what your issue was.

 

[nadogail]

I always try to have a full set of all the tools i can reasonably expect might be needed to do a job, not having a needed tool is unprofessional.

 

[jd_1138]

Pretty sure last fan installed required strippers (new construction) and a Philips driver.

Not sure what your issue was.

My issues are lack of experience and incompetence. I did have wire strippers that I used on the wiring off the fan, as only like 1/4 inch was exposed.

I have a cheapie $20 set of Felo screwdrivers in that general box of basics that I took. Also thankfully I had electrical tape, as the directions called for wrapping the wire nut connections with electrical tape.

 

[jd_1138]

I always try to have a full set of all the tools i can reasonably expect might be needed to do a job, not having a needed tool is unprofessional.

I am not a professional. I was just helping a poor disabled friend. Though I am a GJ member, so I should know to double check my box and put in the things I need.

 

[2mJps]

Two years ago i work a day job at a shop that belonged to a trucking company that also owned several farms and other stuff then i also had several pieces of equipment my self to keep going. I would have loved to had a van or truck with a utility bed loaded full of tools but i still wouldnt have had every thing every time,

 

[Renegade1LI]

Good job on helping a friend! Experience takes time and even the pros forget things. The trick is to adapt what you have in hand to complete the job, i hate going back if i don’t have to.

 

[BarrelRoll]

Welcome to the nightmare some of us live daily. I used to work field service and now work at a mine where it's sometimes half an hour or more to get to my tool box. You get really good at improvising with what you have on hand. I carry an 8" crescent wrench, little knipex, pocket pry bar, and a utility knife in my bibs. I can do a lot with what I have on hand before making the trek back to my tool box.

I was actually talking about this the other day with my snapon guy about some of the specialty stuff he sells like an offset head ratchet that in the right situation makes life a lot easier. An auto mechanic is usually close to or at their box depending on shop setups, spending 30 seconds to grab a different tool that saves them 5 minutes is worth it for them. Not so much for someone like me. We usually grab what we think we need and don't realize we need the specialty stuff till we are deep into a job and at that point it's not always worth the trip back for the tool.

 

[danski0224]

In my experience, the slightly more expensive fans are designed to be assembled with a minimum amount of fasteners.

The super cheap ones are quite the opposite.

Choose a nicer fan next time.

Also make sure that the correct fan mount box is above the ceiling.

 

[FTWingRiders]

Nice job helping a friend out!
I’ve come to accept that any job around the house will require A: at least two trips to the shop to get sometime forgot, and B: larger jobs will need two to three trips to the hardware store.
Just the way it works for me and I’m too tired to get worked up about it.

 

[mike93lx]

It's frustration like that why I grab a big ridgid box and fill it with tools.when going to a friend's house for a project. I used to get comments about the "ridiculous" amount of tools, but I've never regretted having them.

11in1 screwdrivers, cutters/strippers, linesmans, flush cutters, needle nose, a voltage detector, and my parts organizer full of consumables are the minimum I grab for anything electrical away from the house. Add the impact, a drill, flashlight, small socket set, knipex cobras and a utility knife...makes a pretty complete set that can get most anything done

 

[Dave455]

I really sympathise with this.

I seem to be doing a stack of jobs away from base at the moment, and it’s never easy to work out what you need. I’m not even a pro (at least not at the jobs I’m doing) but with decent tradesman fully booked (and not generally interested in small jobs anyway) what do you do?

I’ve ended up with basically one mechanics “road box” for automotive / mechanical work, and another for property maintenance tasks. The latter just started out as a few screwdrivers that I regularly needed for minor electrical jobs, but has grown with the tasks.

I tend to take a bit driver and pliers everywhere now. Chromed pliers are nice if you are carrying them about.

I’m also take a small 1/4” drive set (typically the Wera below) to a lot of jobs. I even took it on a decorating job, and needed it - there was a TV bracket that had to be removed.

 

[Squankum]

Was that house devoid of magnets? Can you magnetize a screwdriver with a normal magnet?

 

[ecotec]

I did residential before I did commercial/industrial. I do not remember ever needing my screwdriver to be magnetized ever.

I do remember needing an offset screwdriver, on occasion, when fan canopies were tight.

 

[ez-duzit]

This showcases the importance of having a well organized tool kit. As a professional (I customize yachts) I have developed a general plus many specialty tool kits to support fabrication, installation and repair. Photos show my general kit (which is virtually always with me) and electrical kit. There are separate drill kit, etc. And I make up as required kits for other specialties such as plumbing, etc. Tool bags are handy with their multiple pockets and they don't scratch fine finishes.

 

[jd_1138]

In my experience, the slightly more expensive fans are designed to be assembled with a minimum amount of fasteners.

The super cheap ones are quite the opposite.

Choose a nicer fan next time.

Also make sure that the correct fan mount box is above the ceiling.

She had bought it a year ago, and it sat in her basement unopened all that time. I don't know the brand -- never bothered to look, but the directions did have "Builder's Series" written on it. So you know how the builder's products are -- made to be as cheap as possible to be tossed into a new house build or cheap apartment.

Probably a Harbor Breeze. The directions were pretty good. Tasks like this are much easier the more often you do it. I've only installed 2-3 in my lifetime -- last one being a decade ago. I can see why installation costs run $100 to $300 according to Home Depot's pro referral service. Especially if the ceiling wiring is sketchy and needs to be sorted out.

It was kinda disheartening to see the electrical panel not being labeled. She just bought that house 3 years ago, and the owner had a lot of work done to it -- including a new breaker box. And you can tell it's new. The electrician gave zero fooks (not that it was a real electrician -- may have been a handyman disguising as an electrician). When I have more time, I will go over and take a small corded digital clock from room to room to figure out which breakers control which room(s).

 

[RTM]

Take a radio or two, set to different stations, and listen to what stops. You can cut your number of steps in half.

 

[speed bump]

Rule of thumb for anything electrical is 11-1 screwdriver, Klein curve strippers, and a meter. 95+% of the time all of your basic needs are covered doing that.

 

[jd_1138]

Rule of thumb for anything electrical is 11-1 screwdriver, Klein curve strippers, and a meter. 95+% of the time all of your basic needs are covered doing that.

I used to have a nice set of Kelin strippers. I think they're in a different box in the garage. I had an el cheapo HF one in this box, but I was glad I had at least something. I don't like using lineman's pliers, utility knife, etc. to strip a wire. Too much trouble and risk of damaging wires.