tool abusers

[KEH]

Some people just have to abuse tools. Some examples of ratchets in pawn shop:

There is the "use the ratchet as a hammer abuser." One Duralast(pretty good import tools) was well used, including the selector lever being broke off. Other than that, the ratchet probably would work just fine with a little lubrication. I can see the temptation to hammer with the ratchet if in a hurry, but not with the side with the selector lever.

Then there is the user who has to put a cheater pipe on the ratchet. One no name import 1/2 inch drive RH ratchet had the handle bent from the pipe. Yes, the mechanism was broken, but I have seen cheaper ratchets with the handle bent but still working. More commonly I find ratchets with the gear(s) broke. Those naturally I pass up, but have gotten them to saw the head off, making a large punch. Another pear head no name seemed to work fine, but the hammer guy must have used this one and broken the selector lever completely off.

At the other end of the scale, there must be many guys who buy the cheap set, usually 3/8 drive, and never use it. I see a lot of RH cheap ratchets for sale by themselves that show very little use.

KEH

 

[gdocktor3]

What about the use a hammer as a ratchet guy?

 

[four.cycle]

A good portion of the ratchets I see listed on Ebay have been hammered on - the knurling on the handles all flattened out along one side. not too difficult to tell how it happened.
I just pass them by. Not worth even fooling with - too many other options.

 

[Richard Cranium]

people who use a screw driver as a chisel

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'm sure that there are some on this forum who would argue that Craftsman and Stanley screwdrivers are perfectly suited for use as chisels, particularly on harder surfaces (i.e., stone, masonry, concrete.)

 

[jp828108]

I have seen guys do this before. Makes me cringe, but as long as it isn't my ratchet I guess it doesn't matter. Also Would probably avoid those used ones that have been abused. unless the price was dirt cheap.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

people who use a screw driver as a chisel

In our shop, there are two kinds of people. Those who have a dedicated screwdriver for use as a chisel/prybar/punch, and those who use ALL of their screwdrivers as a chisel/prybar/punch.


We would never use a ratchet as a hammer. Everyone carries at least one electrician's hammer. Usually the Channellock 420 model.

 

[racinfarmer]

I had a maintenance guy who was a horrible tool abuser of company owned tools, just about blowing his top every time he broke one about how Snap-On wouldn't have this happen.

We provide Proto tools for any common tool need.

I bought that guy the cheapest ITT stuff I could find at the salvage store.

 

[Empty Pockets]

people who use a screw driver as a chisel

And after the screwdriver tip is messed up, use a butter knife for a screwdriver.

 

[ken w.]

I have some green handled imported screwdrivers that work awesome for chisels. Those are the only ones I'll do that with. I have a Williams 3/8 dr flat ratchet that someone bent the handle on. The ratchet didn't break , just bent. That's one tough ratchet.

 

[mikegt4]

My SIL is a tool abuser, not so much from use but from neglect. He leaves tools where ever he last used them which could be in the backyard or driveway. He just dumps his tools in the basement where ever is convenient at the time, in buckets or boxes or on the floor. Screwdrivers, wrenches, ratchets and pliers litter the yard rusting away. Yard tools and even the lawn mower rest where ever he left them. He will walk by them for weeks without picking them up. He is still looking for his 48" aluminum pipe wrench that he misplaced although that could be the fault of my grandson who is following in his father's footsteps.

 

[pendragon1998]

It seems like some people take pride in abusing their tools. I guess I can't afford to not take care of my tools.

 

[mbshop]

As a mac dealer back in the day the most abused tool that was turned in for warranty was extensions. Amazing how badly they were beat on and no, I did not warranty them.

 

[bczygan]

I still miss my very ********* handled screwdriver/chisel/pry bar.

I hit it one too many times with a hammer and the handle split down the middle and broke off.

I never read the lettering on the side. Sure hope it wasn't a Snap-on.

True story.

 

[Madrona]

My SIL is a tool abuser, not so much from use but from neglect. He leaves tools where ever he last used them which could be in the backyard or driveway. He just dumps his tools in the basement where ever is convenient at the time, in buckets or boxes or on the floor. Screwdrivers, wrenches, ratchets and pliers litter the yard rusting away. Yard tools and even the lawn mower rest where ever he left them. He will walk by them for weeks without picking them up. He is still looking for his 48" aluminum pipe wrench that he misplaced although that could be the fault of my grandson who is following in his father's footsteps.

 

[mudflap]

Do field service work on dump trucks / heavy equipment for very long..and your certain to be kicked out of the "high horse" club.. You use whatever you have, how ever you need to..to get the job done..

 

[cliftonbros89]

Sounds like some of those guys need that Wera ratchet that has a head made to hammer with. I guess same goes with the Wera screwdrivers that have the striking caps. They advertise them as chisel drivers.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I wouldn't get too upset if coming across some cheapo tools that Bubba and Homer pawned for beer money.. Those guys come from large families that carry on their traditions, and have their own definition of "normal and customary" tool use and care..

They don't qualify for "shade tree" status. They are actually shy of being an acorn.

Just leave that pawn junk where Rufus and Equgor can find those treasures. Then later; they can pawn them..

Think of it as pawn junk recycling.. All four of these guys also save their beer cans and take them to the recycling center.....

How can they possibly lose?

 

[disston]

I have a large pearl handled Snap On Nascar commemorative screwdriver, once part of a set, that I carry on my motorcycle to use as a chisel, pry bar, punch or what ever. Doesn't fit any screws on my bike anyway. Too big.

 

[65k10]

Looking at old adjustable wrenches in some of the tractors around the farm makes me think my grandpa liked using them as hammers. A number of them were deformed around the hole where the sliding jaw sticks out when fully closed. I had to file a number of them out so they would close completely. He's not around anymore, but after seeing that I've gotten in the habit of tossing a couple cheap ball pein hammers in some of my Zoro orders. I'm hoping the temptation of using the wrong tool as a hammer is discouraged when a real hammer is close at hand no matter the machine being used.

 

[1cargarage]

You guys see tool "abuse". I see an opening in the market for the first ever...

48oz 1/4" drive - dead blow - shock absorbing - 100 tooth - swivel head - locking - unobtanium shot filled - HAMMERATCHET!

Now all I need is a foundry, forge, induction furnace, ceramic polisher, chrome plating dipper, and some other odds and ends and I've got the market covered.

Bunch of suckers.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Most valuable tool I see abused is people's hands.
Got on a 20ish assembler today at work for striking his ratchet handle with his palm to break loose a bolt.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Most valuable tool I see abused is people's hands.
Got on a 20ish assembler today at work for striking his ratchet handle with his palm to break loose a bolt.

I just bought a tool that I pretend is going to stop me from doing the same. It is from Nupla, called the "Handi Hammer"... It is a dead blow hammer with no handle. Pretty useful actually, I have already used it a couple times when space was too tight for a handle and I would have used my hand only too regret it later.

I gotta agree with mudflap though, at the end of the day if time and money is wasting, they are tools, I will use what I have at my disposal regardless of original intent to get the job done and equipment back in the field as soon as possible. Tools can all be replaced, time cannot.

 

[1cargarage]

I just bought a tool that I pretend is going to stop me from doing the same. It is from Nupla, called the "Handi Hammer"... It is a dead blow hammer with no handle.

I don't see what that thing can do that a shake weight can't.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I don't see what that thing can do that a shake weight can't.

... then use a shake weight.

 

[1cargarage]

... then use a shake weight.

I do... every single day.

 

[damnesia]

I'm guilty on two counts. 1. I have dedicated screw drivers to use as pry bars, chisels, etc. I occasionally pick them up at yard sales, or find them, that have already been abused. Most are craftsman, it's amazing how much abuse they can take. 2. Using chrome sockets as impact sockets. This doesn't happen very often, but more than it probably should. Still haven't broken or maimed one.

 

[Socket Pounder]

I abuse the hell out of tools. Ratchets and Crescents as hammers, screwdrivers as pry bars and scrapers, sockets to drive out bearings. Grew up on a farm, the best tool for the job is the one you have. Can't take 'em with me when I die. Granted, I don't abuse all of them, there are some I use nice and some I use not so nice. You know what I mean.

 

[dsimatt]

Do field service work on dump trucks / heavy equipment for very long..and your certain to be kicked out of the "high horse" club.. You use whatever you have, how ever you need to..to get the job done..

I don't try to abuse my tools but sometimes you have to do what's needed to get the job done and I didn't buy my tools to polish all day.

 

[Local]

When I first started my apprenticeship I borrowed my dad's old williams made 12" adjustable wrench and used it as a knock wrench one time. I was crying inside and luckily it survived with barely any damage. I grew up with that wrench and quickly ordered a proto one with industrial finish.

 

[CSFJ]

You guys see tool "abuse". I see an opening in the market for the first ever...

48oz 1/4" drive - dead blow - shock absorbing - 100 tooth - swivel head - locking - unobtanium shot filled - HAMMERATCHET!

Now all I need is a foundry, forge, induction furnace, ceramic polisher, chrome plating dipper, and some other odds and ends and I've got the market covered.

Bunch of suckers.

Quoted for awesomeness.

 

[CSFJ]

My Snap-On dealer always referred to Phillips screwdrivers as punches, and regulars as prybars. Guess he didn't see any point in pretending that wasn't what they were commonly used for.

 

[Sticks McGee]

Here is scenario:

1 am and you and the wife are driving down the expressway, Pouring down rain and 35 degrees just on your way back home from a party where you had to wear your sunday best. In the road you don't see the large piece of iron that fell off a semi trailer and hit it, destroying your tire. After getting it under control on the side of the expressway you get out to asses the situation. You have a spare so you start to change it. The weather is miserable semi trucks are whizzing by at 75mph within feet of where you are and your precious cargo (the wife) You start out trying to get the lugnuts off. Half of those damn chrome covers on the lugs are loose and wanting to come off. Your trusty tire tools that came with the car aren't worth a **** and you start to round the nuts. You remember the socket and ratchet set you have in the trunk and get that. By the time you get back to the wheel this cold rain has soaked in and you are cold and wet and just want to get the damn tire changed and get off the side of the road. No socket in your set fits perfectly on the lugs. You have to hammer them on so they stay. You forgot to pack that trusty perfectly balanced and weighted dead blow ball peen hammer. What do you do?

Walk back up to the car and say "honey I need to hammer this socket on to the lugs to get them off. All I have is this ratchet to use. That is not the proper tool and I was raised better than that. At the last exit I saw a Snap on truck sitting in front of a house so I am gonna walk back there and see if the guy is home and will sell me a hammer and maybe even the tool they make to remove damaged lug nuts. I will be back in a couple hours"

Or do you take that ratchet and beat that socket on the best you can and try to get the lugs off. They are tight (you forgot to get the 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar you have at home in your tool box) so you look around and find a pipe to help with leverage. You pull hard bending the ratchet but the lug comes off. Once you get it to spin off with your hand you decide to pull the socket off but it's wedged on. In your box of tools you find the biggest screwdriver you have and go to work getting the socket off the damn lug. After bending the piss out of the end of the screwdriver you free your trusty socket and go to the next lug. Repeat this process 5 more times. All you want to do is get this damn tire changed and get out of this weather and off the side of this damn expressway and get home. You do what you gotta do.

 

[Jake40]

Is a pinch a 10-12" crescent wrench makes the best hammer. Best for light to moderate work when your the car in the driveway and your hammer is up on top of the fender. ��

 

[RWPBR]

All tools are hammers...I once used a micrometer as a hammer...tool = hammer

 

[gearhead1]

Unless it is very very light tapping, it's faster in the long run to just go get a hammer. I don't abuse too many tools because using the right tool is usually faster anyway.

 

[1cargarage]

All tools are hammers...I once used a micrometer as a hammer...tool = hammer

Right on man

 

[davethorik]

All tools are hammers...I once used a micrometer as a hammer...tool = hammer

That is about all chinese mics are good for...small hammer and c-clamp.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I occasionally abuse tools but usually take good care them besides cleaning them. It make me feel bad, but hey? A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[maintguy]

In the industrial world I end up using what ever I can find for a hammer. I keep several cheap screwdrivers that I use for prybars or chisels in a pinch.