Since I started wrenching i've always wiped my tools down after use. I've found that after a day of work, collecting all my things, cleaning them and putting them away makes me feel better the next day as opposed to walking into a shop with tools left all over the place or a big pile of dirty wrenches next to my box.
Thinking about it, i've noticed that I try to display the same respect for things that i'm working on. I like to take something apart, wipe the parts off and lay them out. Take parts out with as little force as possible, and then take a minute or two trying to understand how it works or what possibly went wrong.
When I first started spinnin wrenches I was a brute. I still have my moments.... But I've become more gentle with some of these things. Taking my time so I don't break an electrical connector that i've never seen before and most importantly using the right tool for the job. A wrench is not a hammer, a screw drivers not a chisel...
I don't know.... Thought i'd write this out because I feel that respect for things start with the basics and If you apply it to the rest of your life, it'll take you far.
Well said. I think I do this with all aspects of my life. My shop, tools, home, vehicles, they all have to be clean and well maintained or it drives me crazy. I take pride in not only my work but in my assets and those things that I am a steward of. I also apply the same principles to every vehicle, motorcycle, ATV of others that enters my shop.
I think it is called OCD.
That is what the wife tells me.
Like most people I will clean my tools thoroughly after each job is finished. I'll also dress chisels or similar tools that may have gotten nicked up. There are times when I will delay the cleanup until the next day such as when I finish the job at 2:00 a.m. or something. After all, sometimes it will take another 1/2 hour or so just to clean me up. In any case, the tools don't go back into the toolbox unless they are wiped off or cleaned.
I sometimes clean tools during the job when they get unusually grimy, particularly if I don't want to transfer the grime to a clean fastener. Just like I clean my hands periodically during a job.
Same here. If I knick a chisel or drill bit, it gets dressed right away. The tool doesn't get put back into the toolbox unless it is in "ready to use" condition and awaiting its' next task. I too clean tools if they get especially messy during a task, such as a ratchet/socket getting oil soaked as I drop a transmission pan will get cleaned/wiped down before I even set it on the toolcart. It then gets thoroughly cleaned prior to going back into the toolbox.
One would have OCD if he had two stages of rags for cleaning - one pass with a regular rag and a second pass with a clean rag.
Then I guess I would fall under that criteria. I have different stages of rags/paper towels. Clean ones that are in my pocket for cleaning things that are already fairly clean, somewhat dirty ones that still can retain grease/oil and not get your hands dirty by using and they they progress to the stage of being one step before the garbage. Those are used for wiping up a spill or drip on the floor and then into the garbage can.
All tools are generally cleaned with a somewhat clean rag while working. It is actually more of an unconscious reaction now to just wipe a tool off before I set it down even if just setting it down on the workbench or tool cart.
ALL tools are thoroughly wiped down with a clean rag prior to being placed into its' home in the toolbox. If they are greasy such as the new Snap-On grip handles on the screwdrivers or pliers which seem to retail some grime, then I give a shot of brake wash onto the towel and wipe the tool off prior to putting in the toolbox.
I am the same way with components of vehicles/motorcycles. As the vehicle is coming apart I decide which parts need light cleaning and which ones need heavy cleaning and set them aside accordingly. Again this is more of a habit or reaction now that consciously thinking about it. Those parts are cleaned by either the solvent tank if really bad or a quick wipe with a semi-clean towel and some brake wash or Power House cleaner so when I get the parts I can simply put things back together and everything is clean awaiting assembly.
It generally goes much quicker than it sounds and actually I can work much faster with a clean shop, clean tools and clean parts than when things are filthy.
Mike.
