Lessons Learned on GJ

[Downwindtracker 2]

I just found this forum fairly recently, but have been on various hunting , machining and woodworking forums for some time. The exchange of ideas and tips are great way to learn . I've found the auto mechanics experiences both interesting and valuable.

- the use of 1/4" drive on modern cars, I bought some good sockets and a couple of fine tooth ratchets. Good 1/4" drive sockets are recent development.

- the effectiveness of 6pt sockets . I completed 3/8' drive metric, 3/8" drive SAE, and 1/2" drive SAE rails. I had a 1/2" drive metric already. To go along with the 6pt, I ordered double pawl rebuild kits for one of my 3/8 SK and a 3/8 Wright. 6pts and fine tooth ratchets go hand and in hand.

On the vintage side

-my ETF socket set is really a Wright. A bit of a relief , I bought it in the late '60s, any breakages or lost sockets can be replaced with similar.

Thanks guys, though the Chief Financial Officer isn't so thankful.

 

[m6z]

Not everything at Harbor Freight is junk.

Tekton - had no idea this company existed

Practically all Craftsman hand tools are made in China now.

 

[orangeblood]

use of my grinder requires A LOT more attention to safety than my current practice

(thank you to everyone that includes grinder safety reminders in their posts)

 

[Parrothead]

I needed 5x the tools I had before I joined.

 

[aka Larry]

This is a re-post of mine, but IMO it's worth repeating.

I came here to learn about setting up my new shop, but have learned so much more. A few things I have learned:

1) No matter if you post about how to use a cotton ball, someone will inevitably tell you how unsafe it it is.
2) It is impossible to wire anything safely that is not to the letter of the NEC.
3) Even if you're a licensed OB-GYN and post about proper way to inspect a p*ssy, someone else here knows more about it than you.
4) HF is the devil. Anyone who buys anything there besides their 44" toolbox is going to hell.
5) Snap-On must be divine. They could make a chrome-plated ***** and some mechanics here would have to buy one.
6) There is actually a forum where there are 190 posts are made about big-a** carp!
7) Don't question a guy's profession that works on a flat rate.
8) If you have a section of track from a railroad, Homeland Security is looking for you.
9)...And finally, last, but not least, seriously....there are some _very_ smart and helpful people here.

 

[lardy1]

Although a recent member, I've already learned to use the other members to justify my own obsessions to my wife.

I'll let ya know how that continues to develop.

 

[PugetDude]

When it comes to HF, don't ask, don't tell.
When It comes to SO, tell, don't ask.

 

[BrandoJames]

Thanks guys, though the Chief Financial Officer isn't so thankful.

Is 'Chief Financial Officer' = your frugal wife, lol. That's definitely true where I live.

 

[kctyphoon]

This forum has probably cost me more money than I’d ever care to tally.

And i had no idea how bad snap on rips people off..

 

[Lassen Forge]

Ditto about the 1/4" sockets - always used to be 3/8 or 1/2, 1/4 was for TV repairmen.

What else? The biggie - how to finally successfully quit tobacco after 40 years of trying.

The Student Discount programs from the truck tool guys, which makes their tools (after adjusting for inflation) about the same as the old-school Craftsman professional tools.

That some pray at the Chinese Harbor Church of Freight, others call them the devil incarnate.

There's a lot of people who claim to have the right answer, but few who actually KNOW the right answer. Even when you can look it up, some will still insist their wrong info is right.

Some people just can't help but inject politics into a non political thread.

Most important lesson, tho - you gotta do what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy and leaves you miserable.

And if someone really pisses you off...

Bang their wife. Especially if they participated in self-suckage.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Not really a lesson but found out about German, Swiss, and Japanese Made Tools. Really broadened my views on what quality tools are and how affordable they can be with some searching.

Also if you post a question, a million people have already asked it haha.

 

[PugetDude]

^^drops microphone^^

 

[Brownsfan]

I learned soldering is superior to crimping and crimping is superior to soldering.

 

[atomicpunk]

That people actually care about the chrome finish on the inside of a socket and will try to warranty them if it's dull.

 

[CJM8515]

i learned on GJ that whenever someone is causing you an issue the solution is to bang their wife

 

[DSLTRK]

I've learned it's best to use the block tool often.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Dave,that's a very thoughtful reply, even it wasn't originally to my post. chuckle .

Another point

- the acceptance and even the respect Taiwanese made tools get. I filled in my 6pt 1/2" deep rail with a $5.49 K Tool sockets out of the clearance section. If Jet ,Tekton, ,Gearwrench, Bluepoint and others are all made in Taiwan, who knows how these work out. This is a change for me, I would choose Canadian, then US made.

 

[BonzoHansen]

i learned on GJ that whenever someone is causing you an issue the solution is to bang their wife

 

[Kasal]

buy once cry once

 

[tarmy]

I have learned that I need to plan on buying more tools if I continue to visit this site...cause we have all said at one point or another...

I need THAT...whether we do or not...

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

When one of the kids, neighbours, buddies etc need to know something, very often the info comes from the GJ gang. When someone asks how I know that I’ll say GJ if the information actually came from GJ. My family will just smirks when this happens.

I have a varied bunch of tools, not exactly manufacturer specific. Some I have inherited, some purchased either new or used. Since becoming a member when picking up a tool I check who made it. Happened just today on a screw driver I haven’t used for awhile or maybe have never used it before. It was made in Japan and now I realize that might not be a bad thing now.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I use a couple of 3/4" combinations to tighten the Happyjack turnbuckles tie downs on my hunting camper. They are fleamarket finds that stay with the camper, one is Fuller. Using it I noticed it's a good wrench made by KTC.mmmff

 

[cherrybomb]

Buy once,cry once.Reward yourself with quality tools.Its a great feeling while wrenching,a sense of pride in your work ethics.

 

[BrandoJames]

The "Truck Tools Equivalence Thread" is a terrific resource for DIY weekenders looking for quality tools for a reasonable price. After reading the thread & doing a bit of research, I bought the Williams S-52EHFA 1/2" and Titan TIT11301 3/8" ratchets. Both have been excellent performers.

 

[zktk01]

I learned it is normal to have backup sets, for the backup sets, I already had.

 

[Mark_17]

Never use PVC for your air lines

 

[Mattlt]

I learned that the search function on this site kinda *****, especially when using short, popular words. It works better to search from the web using your favorite search engine.

Looking for the term "all thread" will cause the search function to throw out the word "all" because it's too common.

For example, go to Google, etc and enter this instead...

all thread site:www.garagejournal.com

 

[zendriver]

I learned that it is impossible, to use Harbor freight products and not have them break on me continuously.

I did Learn that any used outboard motor is fine, as long as it is a fuel injected Yamaha.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[nieuport17]

I learned that it’s ok to have 40 ratchets, but only use 2.

 

[bwringer]

I've learned that it's impossible to tow anything unless you drop 80K on an American brand diesel duallie pickup.

 

[GaryM909]

I learned that my tool organizing in my tool boxes *****.

 

[Blickus]

I learned that many topics are repeated over and over and over again. This topic has been asked several times, not as frequently as 4-1/2" angle grinders, ratchet lube or air compressor size.

I also learned, as commented on in the previous "lesson learned" thread, that there is no need to visit a medical professional. Simply ask your complex medical question here, and the tool collectors, farmers, mechanics, will diagnose and prescribe dozens of treatments.

 

[jsmeece]

Most people have reading comprehension issues.

 

[CafeTools]

You can never have enough tools.
There is always a better tool than yours/ grass is always greener.

 

[PugetDude]

94.6% of statistics are made up on the spot

 

[Stadger]

I learned that a small tool like a torx bit will break if you use a cheater bar on it thereby proving that the tool is ****. I have also learned that all bolts and nuts are machined to exact tolerances so if a wrench slips it proves that the tool is ****.

 

[KBigg]

I learned that
-jeeps are junk unless you own one
-zero percent interest makes debt acceptable
-tool trucks are to be avoided like the plague, if you want quality go to HF
-If you didnt know it existed and found it here, you now need to own 2
-any vehicle part that may or may not fail over winter is to be replaced before winter
-If it breaks it is junk and the manufacturer is to be shunned
-1/2 tons are incapable of towing a trailer over 5000lbs because of payload ratings
-1/2 tons can tow past their max towing rating just fine.
-Toyota is the best
-Harley davidson is overpriced junk, buy and Indisakiha for the best value.

 

[outdoorspace]

American jobs are the only jobs that matter and other countries are absolutely incapable of producing any quality product.

Any problem a usa made product has is an anomaly, if not straight up your fault.

Tool truck debt is a good/acceptable thing, other debt is not.

Blue collar workers are superior to white collar. White collar are always secretly jealous of mechanics farmers and the like

If you dont help a tool truck guy pay his mortgage, you hate america.

Xenophobia is cool when it comes to tools

If you have a different opinion you MUST be a troll, and are to be banned or shunned.

And positive things ive learned (as a blue collar worker, introduced to tools in his late 20s)

Craftsman stuff is now barely a shadow of former self (except raised panel ratchets which always sucked!)

Higher tooth count isnt always better.

The existence of sk, proto, plomb, knipex, etc.

Round head ratchets arent all trash

 

[GTO]

I learned that I was doing it wrong with only one 3/8" ratchet...

 

[Jacobson]

I haven't bought a tool in years. But, this place sure helped me fill out a basic tool set.