Living WITHOUT Tools!

[PelicanPines]

Please... with all us nuts... wrenches are required...

 

[James-W]

Please... with all us nuts... wrenches are required...

Cute.

 

[zmotorsports]

Being one generation removed from The Great Depression (both parents lived through it) they passed on to me the importance of taking care of your stuff as well as repairing what you can rather than replacing. As more generations come along, there is less emphasis on maintaining and repairing and more on getting a new one. It's hard to learn how to work with your hands when kids today stare at Xbox and the like.

Why do I have tools? Not only did my dad farm, he was also an automotive machinist and needed tools for both jobs. He taught me how to use my hands to repair stuff and I've learned a lot from others since his passing. I've bought my own tools and I also inherited many of his when he passed. I use them as needed when needed. I can't envision being tool-less.

If someone wants to learn how to wipe hard drives and program computers, so be it. The world will always need ditch diggers and mechanical repair.

Off the box.

I don't necessarily think the depression parents have as much connection with the next generation taking care of things as I used to think. My parents also lived through the depression and I am the youngest of seven kids, ya I was an oops. I have two brothers and four sisters. We ALL worked on the farm growing up and witnessed my father make repair after repair on the farm equipment and stretch every dollar to the max. That being said, I have one brother who is handy as hell and was a maintenance and auto mechanic like myself. Probably between he and my father is where I got it. I don't know where the hell I picked up the OCD though as they drove me absolutely crazy to work with. My other brother "thought" he was pretty handy but unfortunately the one thing is was and is the best at is running his mouth. My four sisters married nice enough guys but only one was worth his weight in being at all handy. The others are completely inept when it comes to using any kind of tool or thinking through anything mechanical.

it seems like some of you guys are complaining about people that hire others to do what we do for ourselves. you seem to forget that many members here are in fact the ones that get hired. thanks to every paper pusher without so much as a #2 phillips, 3 guys here have jobs.

I hope I didn't come across like that. I have made a lot of money from people who choose to not work on their own stuff and I am extremely grateful. I also want to point out that I hope I didn't sound like I despise people with money. Not even close. I actually aspire to have money and retire early one day and respect those who have worked hard and earned it and invested well. They have my utmost respect.

That being said, what I absolutely do despise to no end is the guys who have money and look down on others or those that "think" they have money (but actually just have debt) and look down on others. When they have to make their snide comments about those of us that work with our hands or have a skillset to make themselves feel better about their lack of skills is what drives me absolutely nuts and I have no tolerance nor respect for people like that.

One thing that to me is a tell tale sign is watch how people treat their waiters/waitresses at a restaurant. We used to be friends with a couple that I hated to go out to dinner with because of the way they treated the people serving our food. I told him one day that these people are doing their job to the best of their ability no different than you or I yet why do you choose to talk down to them? He replied he didn't realize he was. I said your whole demeanor screams "you are beneath me" and it is a bit snobby and pretentious. He would hold up his glass and shake the ice when his drink was low or when they would come by the table say things like "bring me some more bread or I want another .....whatever". Would it kill you to say please and thank you for hell sakes?

I know it was NOT his parents because I know them and they have been great clients of mine for nearly 20 years and they are the absolute nicest people and would give the shirts off their back. I don't know where their son picked up his uppity up attitude but it wasn't his parents. Yes he makes great money and yes they are the keeping up with the Jones' type but his parents are just the opposite. I don't know if is something he picked up in college or from his employment as he was climbing the many corporate ladders but we finally had to cut those toxic people out of our lives as their better than everyone else attitude was getting old.

Mike.

 

[moron88]

mike, it wasnt you specifically but you did contribute to the feeling. dont get me wrong, i get where you are coming from and agree with you about your neighbor's behaviour. it's just this thread as a whole has a mild undertone of reverse-elitism to me (something to the effect of "go ahead and spend your money, i'll save mine and do the work myself"). an undertone i admit i have felt personally even with my comparatively non-existent skills. just my opinion, humble or otherwise.

 

[jd_1138]

One thing that to me is a tell tale sign is watch how people treat their waiters/waitresses at a restaurant. We used to be friends with a couple that I hated to go out to dinner with because of the way they treated the people serving our food. I told him one day that these people are doing their job to the best of their ability no different than you or I yet why do you choose to talk down to them? He replied he didn't realize he was. I said your whole demeanor screams "you are beneath me" and it is a bit snobby and pretentious.

We went out to dinner with some of the wife's friends once. They both ordered waters instead of a soft drink or beer. That's cool.

But what wasn't cool is that when the waitress brought the 2 checks, they stiffed her on her tip. Our check came to $32, so I left a $7 tip -- a little over 20%. The dude saw what I had tipped and replied: "wow, high roller there buddy, that's enough of a tip for our check, too" and he left her zero tip. Their check was like $20, and he didn't even leave a measly 10%, $2, tip. She was good, too -- didn't have to ask for refills on drinks. She brought us out refills before we needed them.

Then we met them for dinner at a different place. They wanted to eat at the local Chinese buffet restaurant (wouldn't have been my choice). They had coupons for $6.99 and ordered water again. While eating she told us she dropped her new iPhone into the commode at work and didn't have the insurance on the phone (what is it $5 a month?), so she called them up and added the insurance, but now has to wait a month to turn in the claim. Insurance fraud. They were making fun of the Chinese-American lady's waitress' accent (in front of their 8 year old daughter). And again they left no tip. We stopped hanging out with them.

 

[Gmonkee]

Elitism is used in every phase of life of the elitist.
We have one that demands on the spot repairs upon his arrival. He will pay at his convenience.
At least he does actually pay. He had three cars in the street as we worked two timing belt repairs inside. We were unable to get to his all day, busy day today and four lined up for tomorrow.

And he will be there demanding full service in front of all the rest wasting time the boss could be working.

 

[jn50308401]

My wife likes to go to estate sales, she finds kitchen gadgets, books, etc she thinks are a bargain. I always head for the garage and basement. It's almost without fail that the upper level homes, and we've picked through the leavings of some pricey digs, seldom have any kind of tools. On the other hand, I've scored some decent tool buys in very modest homes. Best of the lot, for me, was a 3 HP Porter Cable 1/2" router for $50. House was a dump, but the old ******* had some good tools!

I second your comments! We hit estate sales all the time, my wife likes to sew (another dying skill) and I hit the dens, garages and sheds. Rich folks garsges=nothing but a musty set of golf clubs, maybe a set of junk screwdrivers or novelty tools(Snakelight anyone??).

The best sales I've been to are retired senior enlisted military guys, all their tools have been clean, organized, orderly. Everything has honest wear and use but screwdrivers weren't used as chisels, ratchets don't have cheater pipe marks on them, air tools were oiled etc..

Sometimes the house overruns the old timer that lived there and they couldn't take care of it on their own anymore. My guess is that a lot of times they were too stubborn or proud to pay someone to do the work for them.

 

[zmotorsports]

mike, it wasnt you specifically but you did contribute to the feeling. dont get me wrong, i get where you are coming from and agree with you about your neighbor's behaviour. it's just this thread as a whole has a mild undertone of reverse-elitism to me (something to the effect of "go ahead and spend your money, i'll save mine and do the work myself"). an undertone i admit i have felt personally even with my comparatively non-existent skills. just my opinion, humble or otherwise.

I apologize, that was not my intent. I just want to reiterate, I am grateful for the skill set that I have nurtured and I have no problem with people spending money on repairs that they choose not to do. They just don't need to be rude by being condescending to those who choose to be frugal and/or don't have the mechanical mindset.

The way I look at it is that my skill set is somewhat of an "equalizer". Even though I don't have a college degree nor make six figures or drive high end luxury cars, I feel as though I live a very rich life. I am able to enjoy a few luxuries in life that people with a lot higher paying salaries are able to enjoy. One in particular in RVing. If it weren't for my mechanical knowledge and skill set there is no way in hell my wife and I could afford to RV. For that I am truly grateful, not elite nor entitled in the least.

Mike.

 

[moron88]

I apologize, that was not my intent. I just want to reiterate, I am grateful for the skill set that I have nurtured and I have no problem with people spending money on repairs that they choose not to do. They just don't need to be rude by being condescending to those who choose to be frugal and/or don't have the mechanical mindset.

The way I look at it is that my skill set is somewhat of an "equalizer". Even though I don't have a college degree nor make six figures or drive high end luxury cars, I feel as though I live a very rich life. I am able to enjoy a few luxuries in life that people with a lot higher paying salaries are able to enjoy. One in particular in RVing. If it weren't for my mechanical knowledge and skill set there is no way in hell my wife and I could afford to RV. For that I am truly grateful, not elite nor entitled in the least.

Mike.

i understand and no apology needed. sometimes tone and intent doesnt translate well into text and interpretation can turn the most benign statement into the pinnacle of hate speech. that's the very reason i havent talked to my brother in over a year.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[MikeF2316]

Living with no tools? But how do they fix their tools if they have no tools to fix them with? This must be a myth. No human kan live without tools!

So what came first? The first tool, or the tool used to fix it?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have family members who fit into all of the above statements. They feel that working with your hands or having an actual trade is beneath them. My wife's sister is divorced, again, and was needing a car after the first of the year so I offered to sell her my wife's Altima back in January/February timeframe when we were upgrading my wife's car. I offered it to her at a very good deal, explained all of the benefits of how it was maintained, new tires, service records, immaculate condition of interior and exterior without any scratches and she could have it paid off in no time and have a reliable car that she could then use the payment money for to apply towards other debt. The only thing I told my wife I would NOT do is carry the note on it. I told her I would help with the maintenance of the car if she would cover parts/supplies and that I would go one step further and have her teenage son come over and I would teach him how to service the car, rotate tires and do simple preventive maintenance items on the car. She was appalled and said her son was going to college and getting a degree so he doesn't have to do manual labor. I could have ***** slapped her right then and there.

This woman's husband, before they were divorced, would make jokes about me fixing something around our home rather than merely replacing it. I repaired a solder joint on my wife's blender one time and my wife was bragging about it to her sisters and they made fun of her for it. I tried telling him my "opinion" about what a disposable society we have become and how people don't want to take care of things any longer nor make them last, they just want to replace them when they are tired of them which is part of the reason why manufacturers don't make things last any more. He told me that was an old and dangerous way of thinking.

I have neighbors who drive through the neighborhood with CV joints squeeling and carrying on for months even after I have given them a quote to fix it and they tell me they don't have any money, yet they will go on vacation and ask us to keep an eye on their house because they need a break and they "deserve" it. Holy **** I don't understand people at all anymore.



I completely agree. I would go out of my freakin' mind if I couldn't walk out back to my shop and fondle my tools on a daily basis. I have to always be doing something productive in my shop.

My neighbor stopped by the other night while I was under our coach replacing the exhaust manifold and turbo on it. They have a nice fifth wheel trailer and travel a bit as well and he said "wouldn't it be great to be able to have enough money to be able to take these RV's to the shop and have someone else repair them?"

I thought about that statement later that night and I thought to myself, I could afford to take this and have it done at the local Cummins dealer and I still choose to do the repair myself for two reasons, first because by doing the repair myself I keep the cost of ownership lower and keeps more of my money in my own pocket but secondly and more importantly because I just flat don't trust anyone to touch my ****. I know a lot of mechanics in my area and I can count on one hand and have fingers left over how many I would trust to get anywhere near my **** with a wrench in their hands.

Mike.

Excellent post, and agreed on all counts. I don't understand how someone can think doing a good job fixing something is beneath them. Then again, I don't understand a lot of things about society these days.

God help your nephew for being raised by your sister-in-law and her ex-husband.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I wonder when society changed from "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" to "Oooh, this is shiny I want it"

I'd say it's been a long and gradual change over a few generations. Like many of the posters have said, nowadays a lot of people take pride because they don't fix things themselves, they either pay someone to do it or they buy a new one. Definitely not the mentality from WWII America.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

We have become so efficient at producing that it really is cheaper/easier to throw stuff out than to repair it in many cases. As a society, we specialize. The end result is that we tend to let the professionals handle it. We could all be jack-of-all-trades types, but society as a whole would become less efficient.

I have an old chainsaw that I recently dug out. I cleaned it all up, got everything adjusted and replaced the filter, plug, and chain. I think I paid about $40 in parts and supplies. I also took a few hours to go buy the parts, research what the exact parts I needed were, and then took an hour or two to work on it. Factoring in the value of my time, I probably lost money compared to throwing it out or selling it on cragislist to someone else to fix then buying a new one. I'm sure taking it to a shop would have been less than my time&money investment.

I didn't do all that to save money, I did it because I enjoyed it.

I don't enjoy mowing the lawn, and I don't enjoy having a lawn mower taking up more of my garage space. Instead of taking two or more hours each week to take care of the lawn, I pay a guy $21. I'll work two Sundays, do work I enjoy a hell of a lot more, and have the whole summer worth of lawn mowing paid for.

Hell yeah, I'm going to pay someone to do that!

 

[geartow]

"Living without tools ", I would be a useless air sucker if I had no tools.

 

[icthruu74]

I think in large part we have things that are more reliable/require less maintenance, or we have throw-away items. So not many people have to work on things anymore.

Take cars for instance. You don't have to do 'tune-ups' every years or more. For most people you climb in and it starts and you drive away. Then this week I've been working on an older Saturn with rear drum brakes. I can't find a wheel cylinder kit anywhere, but I can buy a complete wheel cylinder for $12-15. So I guess I'm just supposed to throw away the old one that just needs new seals.

One of my kids friends has actually been asking me to teach him about working on cars...I'm proud of him for wanting to learn, but the best advice I can give him is to buy a service manual for it, that's what I've done.

"live without tools? If you want to call that living"

 

[Wanna Ride]

Using this post to take a slightly different angle on tool ownership ...

Aren't all those kitchen gadgets tools? I certainly think so. Perhaps we are defining the word "tool" too narrowly. I'm looking at the counter in our kitchen now and see a Vitamixer, Kitchen aid, and all kinds of hand tools used for cooking.

Brian

No, certainly not.

They're all missing one vital element to be classified as a tool, and you're borderline consideration of losing your man-card for suggesting it.

A tool is something you can use to repair or build something with. You can NOT repair anything with a blender.

Had to put the emoticons in there, so any long-bearded, skinny-jean hipsters who live in a high-rise apartment and ride around town on a chinese, retro-scooter don't get menstrual cramps, over my sarcastic comment.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Ya, it probably would have made more sense if you knew this guy and the context he puts nearly everything. Typical victim who thinks that the world is out to get him and everyone has it easier than he does. While bitching about not having any money or time out of one side of his mouth, he then goes on to tell you that he golfs about 4 times a week and has a nice boat sitting in driveway that is gone most weekends. He's one of those that doesn't want to keep up with the Jones' but wants to be the Jones if you know what I mean. I have no problem with people having **** and especially enjoying it, but don't walk around bitching about it and thinking everyone else has the easy life.

Basically he is a "tool" that is not allowed back into my shop. I don't need his **** nor his passive aggressive comments around me.

Mike.

I was going to comment on your initial statement, because I knew someone would respond just like they did. And having been in your exact situation before, I had a good idea why that guy upset you. Because based on your initial post, one who's never been there, could possibly think it might seem to have been a hasty conclusion.

When a guy makes a one-time comment about how nice it must be to have a shop full of great tools, it's harmless and just a sign of admiration. But those comments often come from the guy (just like in your situation) who always hints around for help, never offers payment, and then boasts that he could do it himself, just as easy. Buuuut, he never has the money to afford such "lavish" tools, or doesn't have the time, blah, blah, blah.

Well, what we hear when he says **** like that is, our skills and dedication to learning them and the investments we've made, aren't very important or valuable, because anyone can do it. We don't need praise and attention from others. We get plenty of gratification from ourselves, when we sit back and admire our handiwork, and enjoy the results of that, when we put these things we've built, to use. A lot of people who envy our shops and capabilities could have all that as well... if they got off the barstool, or the sofa. They're just dedicated to something different than most of us here.

Something ironic I've noticed in most of us who are true craftsmen... we can make some really nice stuff, and we have have a keen sense of detecting ********, and people who are full of it.

Well, you're right. That **** gets old... fast. And we get to restrict anyone we want, from sharing our space with us.

 

[Wanna Ride]

^^ In reference to my previous post, just above...

So what came first? The first tool, or the tool used to fix it?

I'm thinking the first tool was a big rock... used to knock out some dipshit, in another guy's "real" man-cave, when he was asking him to fix his lawnmower for free, and then told him he knew how to do it, he just didn't have the time.

 

[Fender1325]

Good thread. I always have to laugh to myself at people who own zero tools. Sure, its one thing if you rent an apartment in NYC and dont own a car, but the large majority should own a few basic things.

I was lucky to grow up with access to my dads tools, and he owned 1 of most things, if not 2 or more. When I went off to college and **** would break on my car my initial reaction was oh no big deal I'll just grab the WAIT A MINUTE IM 3 HOURS AWAY! Thats when I realized how naked and susceptible I was to being helpless when something goes wrong. From that moment on I built up my tool collection. I hate feeling helpless and dont like asking others.

The bad side to this is, among my family (sisters, their boyfriends and my parents) and my wifes family, I'm the guy with the pickup truck and tools to fix stuff. Now everybody wants stuff fixed and doesnt want to pay for it because hey, you're family. But thats another ball of wax.

Now I've got the neighbor women asking about tools because their husbands dont own xyz either. I try to keep my garage door closed but its not always possible haha.

 

[brownbagg]

i wish , boy do i wish i had noo tools no shop, just one vehicle, no tools, if it breaks, just go buy a new one. trade cars every tool years. I wish

 

[M6erfan]

Using this post to take a slightly different angle on tool ownership ...

Aren't all those kitchen gadgets tools? I certainly think so. Perhaps we are defining the word "tool" too narrowly. I'm looking at the counter in our kitchen now and see a Vitamixer, Kitchen aid, and all kinds of hand tools used for cooking.

Brian

Yes, they are tools, used to make things (like dinner). I would consider a knife, kitchen or otherwise, a "tool". Spatula is a tool, garlic press is a tool, guns are tools, etc. etc.

 

[Tedley]

I keep coming across yuppie types buying up blacksmithing tools and all the big box home stores have commercials perpetuating the image of the git-r-done ******** doityourselfer... Think Stihl Chainsaws etc... I don't know but they are doing everything to create a market for tools while at the same time doing their best to make products so that the DIY'er cannot work on them. In my teens I had tools for bicycles, uh woodworking(small pipes, bongs etc) and skateboards. 20's I had a roofers toolbelt somewhere if I needed it but everything for fixing surfboards not far from my bed. 30's came carpentry basic poor man's cabinetry shop tools but then in my 40's I became a homeowner and my wife inherited her father's and a few of his father's tools and I found this place and now I have this issue going on... You know what I'm talking about.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[James-W]

I am not so sure kitchen gadgets are really "tools" in the real sense of the word. As has been pointed out, "tools" are used to build or repair something.

But on the other hand, you can probably say that kitchen gadgets are the "tools of the trade" for a chef just like a lawnmower and weed wacker could be considered "tools of the trade" for a lawn care serviceman. I guess it all depends on how you want to define "tools". Here are dictionary definitions for "tool".

tool (to͞ol)
n.
1. A device, such as a saw, shovel, or drill, used to perform or facilitate manual or mechanical work.

2.
a. A machine, such as a lathe, used to cut and shape machine parts or other objects.

b. The cutting part of such a machine.

3. Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession: Words are the tools of our trade.

4. Something used in the performance of an operation; an instrument: "Modern democracies have the fiscal and monetary tools ... to end chronic slumps and galloping inflations" (Paul A. Samuelson).

5. Vulgar Slang The *****.

6. A person used to carry out the designs of another; a dupe.

7.
a. A bookbinder's hand stamp.

b. A design impressed on a book cover by such a stamp.

8. Computers A utility program.

 

[78C-10]

What do people do who live in apartments in the city? I can't imagine not having a garage, tools, and the equipment and something to patoodle with. Whether it is woodworking, metalworking, fixing or maintaining my vehicles or old John Deere garden tractors. Sure I take a break from that stuff at times but I always go back to it.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Yes, they are tools, used to make things (like dinner). I would consider a knife, kitchen or otherwise, a "tool". Spatula is a tool, garlic press is a tool, guns are tools, etc. etc.

Especially if it's a quality, well-made piece.

Example: I have two push mowers. One is a tired old Briggs & Stratton. One is a old, but not tired at all, Honda powered Craftsman. I have hated the B&S since day one, but have loved the Honda completely. Much better machine.

 

[Gmonkee]

City dwellers let the buslines fix the bus and the apt management fix the shower or door lock.
With enough population density it makes sense mass transit and rentals rather than ownership. All you have is a good job, hopefully, and a lease to worry about really.
A dishwasher job in Mex City pays 4X a dishwasher job in a smaller city. Two could split a lesser apartment and a well paid professional easily could better that.

The need to be capable to fix stuff would be limited. It would leave time and money for video games and weekend bar visits.
I lived that life a good while. It didn't require a lot of stuff to keep ahead of stuff breaking.

 

[Wanna Ride]

What do people do who live in apartments in the city?

Many of them have fashionable, manicured beards, skinny jeans, ride retro-scooters with their boyfriends, carry man-purses, drink some crappy stylish beer that tastes like tree bark, and play Pokemon-Go.

Oh yeah.... and they have absolutely no idea how to change a flat tire on a car.

 

[rharman]

I am so thankful my dad taught me how to work with tools and repair/build things. From as young as I can remember, we were always doing something with tools.

My wife says she considers being able to fix things as part of being a man and she appreciates that we rarely need to hire someone for house repairs.

I can't imagine living without a full complement of tools. Now my wife has her own toolbox in the house for minor repairs. And don't even think about mentioning the girly pink tools to her. She hates that stuff.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

People can make their own choices.. I will do likewise; and enjoy using tools.
Others can enjoy their jumbo tv sets, motorcycles, vacations, or whatever they like..
The people who bug me self appoint themselves to "figure someone out", cross examine everyone's choice, or flat out ridicule someone's job, car, home, friends, or anything else. It often appears they think of things such as tools or basic transportation, or other parts of your lifestyle as rather useless. This door swings both directions; as some people think those without tools and basic transportation are useless or helpless.

This is their "problem"; and it is not my job to fix it. I have better things to do with my time and tools.

 

[jeejay]

It depends on how they define tools. What isn't a tool...

 

[corey.mcculloch02]

My employer has a "tool set" for general use at the shop. One phillips screw driver, one slotted screw driver and a pair of adjustable pliers.

Yet they want us to maintain our job trailer, it blows my mind. I asked my Division Manager what he was going to do when I stopped using my personal tools, he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

This.

I've worked five years in a marina as a "marina attendant" whose job is basically to do basic park maintenance, assist with docking of our larger boats, etc. But then there is the unwritten "as assigned jobs" I started just carrying a leatherman around about week 1, mostly for cutting trimmer line, I eventually ended up having a pretty fully functional tool kit live in the trunk of my car. We have a drawer in the office with some misc screwdrivers, we might have a claw hammer around here somewhere, and a drill (the luxury I guard with my life around here). We had a socket set but that has since disappeared much as have a number of pliers that used to be in the shed. I still find myself running back to the house from time to time to grab a thing or two on my lunch break just so I'm not forced to disassemble an old picnic table with a claw hammer (among other jobs to do without the proper tools)

As for college, I had an oveloaded tool bag in my dorm room for basically the peace of mind of having it (if I had to work on the car, or assemble something in general) i kept basically what i had there and added a cheapo socket set in third year. My roommates? They had few to no tools at all. Even a guy who lived his entire life on a farm out in the boonies had next to nothing until fourth year when he received some cheapo stuff for .

As for living without tools, I don't think I could do it, even if I don't have cause to use them for months at a time. There will always be a tv to mount or paper-towel holder to be installed, and I could never justify calling the paper towel guy!

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[tool_scrounge]

...and I found this place and now I have this issue going on... You know what I'm talking about.

Issues? We don't have any issues here. I can stop buying tools any time I want. I have not purchased a tool in at least 21 hours! Why, I have lots of friends that are non-tool owners. Maybe the problem is NOT with us having copious amounts of tools but your inner fears of having too few to do the job. You really need to look in the mirror and contemplate that one.



All joking aside, now that I think about it, all my friends do own tools.....

 

[bobcatdan]

Individuals is one thing. It's how they live their life and I can care less what they do and don't own. What gets me is businesses with no tools. I can't count all the landscapers, construction companies, farms, factories and municipalities with no basic tools to do anything to their equipment.

 

[crewchief888]

when i was growing up, it seemed like my dad was always working on something, lawn mower, one of the cars, remodeling/finishing the basement.
i was always watching him....

fast forward many years, my 19 year old stepson had moved in with us, i was cutting the grass, while he was doing some trimming.

the muffler was rusted out on the mower, and the exhaust port was partially stripped in the head, it eventually fell off

i got the mower back to the garage, and told him hop in the truck we're gonna go get a new muffler. we get back, the thread are in worse shape than i thought, so i cut a flange, welded the pipe to it, and proceeded to bolt it up.

i told him to go get me an 3/16" allen bit, 3/8" dr ratchet, and extension...
i heard him rummaging through my boxes, i went back in the garage to see what was going on...
he has a deer-in-the-headlights look on his face, i asked if he had any idea what i was talking about... he put his head down, and in a quiet voice said no, and shook his head....

no problem kiddo, lets figure it out. i showed him what we needed to do, and with some guidance he found the tools we needed.

just something he never did with his dad...

 

[Keelhauled]

Oh yeah.... and they have absolutely no idea how to change a flat tire on a car.

Which is a substantially less valuable skill when they don't have any need to own a car.

 

[jd_1138]

Which is a substantially less valuable skill when they don't have any need to own a car.

People should learn how to change a flat even if they don't own a car. If they don't have a car, they might be riding in someone else's car someday and there might be a flat. And if the driver is older/frail, the younger person should know how to change a flat.

Whether it's a female or male. It's a "basic" like learning how to tie your shoes, floss your teeth, etc..

 

[Wanna Ride]

Which is a substantially less valuable skill when they don't have any need to own a car.

My point was a generalization, of which you obviously didn't comprehend. Changing a tire is a elementary, and simple task that every auto manufacturer details in their owner's manual, and many also post in the cargo area of the vehicle.

All of which are basically the following, four simple steps:
1.) Jack up car
2.) Remove flat tire/wheel from vehicle
3.) Replace with spare tire/wheel, re-install those intricately difficult, complex mechanism, called (wait for it)... lugnuts (lefty-loosey, right-tighty, boys and girls!)
4.) Lower vehicle to ground

But using your theory, that would be reduced to just two, simpler steps:
1.) Call someone to do it for you
2.) Pray you find someone available

People should learn how to change a flat even if they don't own a car. If they don't have a car, they might be riding in someone else's car someday and there might be a flat. And if the driver is older/frail, the younger person should know how to change a flat.

Whether it's a female or male. It's a "basic" like learning how to tie your shoes, floss your teeth, etc..

^^ Exactly.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Good I say. More jobs for people in the trades. All these assumptions about people are based on the fact theyre living above their means and really need to do some diy to save some of their debt. There are plenty of people with enough money to never be concerned with any repair cost on their home or vehicle, ever.

Some people just get fed up with it too when they dont have to do it anymore. Whether theyre better off financially now or just changed careers hobby etc. Ive met quite a few retired mechanics who refuse to work on a vehicle ever again even their own. Some of that could be physical limitations as well.

There needs to be a resurgence of trades workers not diyers. Let them pay up I say.

 

[Keelhauled]

My point was a generalization, of which you obviously didn't comprehend. Changing a tire is a elementary, and simple task that every auto manufacturer details in their owner's manual, and many also post in the cargo area of the vehicle.

All of which are basically the following, four simple steps:
1.) Jack up car
2.) Remove flat tire/wheel from vehicle
3.) Replace with spare tire/wheel, re-install those intricately difficult, complex mechanism, called (wait for it)... lugnuts (lefty-loosey, right-tighty, boys and girls!)
4.) Lower vehicle to ground

But using your theory, that would be reduced to just two, simpler steps:
1.) Call someone to do it for you
2.) Pray you find someone available

Thank you. I had no idea how to change a tire until your wisdom set me on the path to enlightenment. My point was that different lives take different skills. I've had people tell me I'm hopelessly obsolete because I don't know anything about my computer besides how to turn it on and off. I know people who have built computers themselves, and I took my laptop to the local shop when it stopped charging. Might be they're right. Technology is only going to be a bigger part of life. One of my cousins lives in Chicago. He wears skinny jeans. But he knows as much or more about computers as I do about my equipment fleet, and where I skip the John Deere dealer, he skips the Geek Squad. Each of us knows what we're doing in our own fields and lives, and we're each doing fine. Don't see how it's my place to tell him what to do different.