Tools for old age....

[Eric29]

I’ve found that an air powered framing nailer really saves me some aches and pains.

 

[WinMod21]

Cardboard and concrete. LOL. I was afraid to admit it. I've been wiring a trailer that way.

^^^ I do the same. Over the last 10 yrs or so, I've always saved most good lookin' cardboard, e.g. from new washer/dryer, dishwasher, fridge, tv's &c, for kneeling (w/kneepads) or laying on around or under vehicles in garage. Did my util trailer the same way, which worked great for wiring & sanding & painting &c.

Boomer checking in. I'm almost 58 and have arthritis starting up in my hands. It *****. Yesterday I had to do a water pump swap on my 2015 Mustang GT. ~ Radiator/overflow cap. Cannot unscrew it cold. Extremely difficult warm. Found an ebay seller that makes a crows foot type wrench for it. Ordered it too.
So now that I'm older, I get to buy geriatric friendly tools.

Do a google image search for 2015 Mustang coolant tank. That and the cap are plastic. It threads on like a bottle cap, not a typical push and twist cap. They are made of different types of plastics. The cap contracts more than the tank making it much tighter. When cold, the cap is almost impossible to remove even for the strongest guy with G.I. Joe’s Kung-fu grip.

Maybe a smaller 'strap wrench' could be useful to you at times?
When my wife bought these for me one X-mas or b-day, as an extra add-on gift when she didn't know what else to get... ... (although I know I'm blessed that she has always liked to pile-on extra gifts &c)... I remember thinking, 'What?' But they've actually come in handy several times for this and that.

 

[Robby321]

Age, hell to acquire and ***** to attainment..(I'm 70, but in party years , 187)

 

[CN Spots]

I've been stocking up on material handling stuff preparing for when my parts start going out. An engine hoist has proven to be most useful for unloading stuff out of the truck. Most recently a garden tiller. And I recently acquired one of those hydraulic lifting tables from HF. That thing is really handy! But... LIGHT! There's never enough light anymore!

 

[WinMod21]

Age, hell to acquire and ***** to attainment..(I'm 70, but in party years , 187)

I've been stocking up on material handling stuff preparing for when my parts start going out. An engine hoist has proven to be most useful for unloading stuff out of the truck. Most recently a garden tiller. And I recently acquired one of those hydraulic lifting tables from HF. That thing is really handy! But... LIGHT! There's never enough light anymore!

^^ I reckon it's so.

Besides, they say that age is just a number.

Btw, a man walks into a bar and orders a Corona and two Hurricanes.

Bartender says, 'That'll be $20.20'

 

[Nick Danger]

Arthritis run in my family big time. It doesn't hurt, just the clumsiness . One of my ratchets in parts in a bag. But my mom took lots of ibuprofen, it ruined her stomach. If Tylenol, or it's generic, works, it's easer on you.

Just be careful. Overdosing Tylenol (acetaminophen) will ruin your liver. That can kill you.

 

[jeffmoss26]

magnifying glass comes in handy at work for reading codes stamped on locks!

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Not complaining although if you ask my wife you will hear a different story...

I can no longer feel the ground anymore because of my diabetes, my doctor has me on some kind of elephant pill that I take three times a day something to do with the nerve endings in my feet; it sure works I can tell when it wears off.

Still doing things in the man cave but not as fast as in my younger days, plus all the heat and humidity really slows me down.

Tools for the old age any beer that is sugar free...Do they make such a beer???

A close friend (he is early 60s) uses MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane). Apparently the brand can make a difference. He prefers the Doctor’s Best brand.
After about a week of use i get a lot of decrease in foot joint pain. If i stop using it the pain returns.
Anybody else use the MSM?

 

[HenryAZ]

Due to the small size of my work area, none of my machines or vises get adequate light for decent detailed work. This Cree LED work light is great. It operates on batteries, so I can take it anywhere. It has a strong magnetic base so it works just about anywhere in the shop. The long flexible neck puts the light right where you need it. About 10 hours of light on 3AA batteries, and I use the rechargables, rotating 6 batteries with 3 always on standby.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

A close friend (he is early 60s) uses MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane). Apparently the brand can make a difference. He prefers the Doctor’s Best brand.
After about a week of use i get a lot of decrease in foot joint pain. If i stop using it the pain returns.
Anybody else use the MSM?

I take "Hair, Skin and Nails" vitamins that include MSM and a few other things. I usually buy it from Vitacost (particularly when I have a 10-15% coupon or a BOGO coupon), but I use other brands sometimes as well.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Bi-focals !

 

[ScottsGT]

Thanks for the strap wrench idea! Never thought about getting me one of those until now. Hell, I could just one in the kitchen for jar lids.

Gotta order that Cree light now. That looks like a winner.

I have another trick for a magnifier. I take a pic with my cell phone and then enlarge the picture.

 

[cherrybomb]

Yes on the MSM,all natural, safe,doesn't work for everyone, doesn't hurt to try.Its also in a lot of dog ,pain meds.Years ago we gave some to our old dog.In about a week,she showed better mobility.It helps the joint pain in this old fart.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I have another trick for a magnifier. I take a pic with my cell phone and then enlarge the picture.

X2. Gel knee pads and also looking for a good pair of Kevlar gloves.

 

[Danglerb]

#1 tool for old age, industrial sized bottles of Tylenol extra strength.

 

[crasher98]

But... LIGHT! There's never enough light anymore!

Due to the small size of my work area, none of my machines or vises get adequate light for decent detailed work. This Cree LED work light is great. It operates on batteries, so I can take it anywhere. It has a strong magnetic base so it works just about anywhere in the shop. The long flexible neck puts the light right where you need it. About 10 hours of light on 3AA batteries, and I use the rechargables, rotating 6 batteries with 3 always on standby.

Thanks for the tip, just added the Cree light to my Amazon cart -- needed to find something for >$15 to get my free shipping, and I too can never get enough light on things! (58 yrs old here). My favorites -- Harbor Freight to the rescue, as usual:

https://www.harborfreight.com/3x-magnifying-glass-with-8-led-lamp-94367.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/fluorescent-magnifying-lamp-60643.html

Just used that last one twice today, first to read the dimensions on a step bit and then to (a) read what watch battery I need and then (b) get the goddamned back of the watch lined back up so I could put it back on. I'm also a fan of these screwdrivers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079274LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I feel like I can get a better grip on them than any others I've tried thanks to the triangular? trapezoidal? shaped grip, plus they don't roll around like most foreign screwdrivers w/ those dumb round handles.

 

[nadogail]

I have developed an appreciation for magnets glued to dowels, good lighting, long handle wrenches, rolling tables and carts.

I have a young man who is glad to be my muscles and do the things that l have given up because he hopes he will be as active as I am when he reaches my age.

I use acetaminophen daily. I have had my back glued back together and routinely walk with a cane.

I consider myself to be fortunate to have survived to my present age of 81, and look forward to seeing more years.

 

[ecotec]

Really bright headlamps and Lisle tap sockets are two that I have to add.

Traditional tap handles are just plain painful.

 

[Jlbc212]

I have four Zebralight headlamps. I keep one down in the garage, up in the house, one in my motorcycle and another in my truck. I buy the ones rated for the best light output with 18650 rechargable batteries. I keep extra batteries at each location and I rotate the batteries on a regular basis.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Hoyer lift. Also called a patient lift. Think light weight and very maneuverable engine hoist with 400+ lb capacity. Also comes apart easily into 2 pieces for easy transport. Great to toss in the pickup when buying heavy stuff.

 

[WinMod21]

Thanks for the strap wrench idea! Never thought about getting me one of those until now. Hell, I could just one in the kitchen for jar lids.

Gotta order that Cree light now. That looks like a winner.

I have another trick for a magnifier. I take a pic with my cell phone and then enlarge the picture.

Sure, hope it might be useful to you, as many of the other suggestions may also be.
I don't think I've used the 6" strap wrench for anything, but the smaller 4"er has been useful on a few things. And yeah they work on jars too, (if you don't have one of those rubber griper things that come off the top of an elec can opener).

Re magnifier, we've been using an app for the last 7~8 yrs or so, called 'Magnifier' ... that's proved super handy! I probably use it at the grocery store, and other stores to read labels/ prices per unit/dates &c, more than other places.

 

[vipersnvettes]

68 and still enjoy spending the day on my back under the car. Swisstrax flooring instead of cold and dirty concrete helps.

 

[Wrench97]

For hose clamp pliers you'll like these.



Long handle ratchets, long pattern wrenches to break things loose, power tools whenever possible.

 

[WisJim]

As a 72 year old with a bad back due to high school wrestling, and knee and foot problems, and arthritis, I am finding this topic interesting and useful. Thanks all!

 

[tym]

Boomer checking in. I'm almost 58 and have arthritis starting up in my hands. It *****. Yesterday I had to do a water pump swap on my 2015 Mustang GT. Hose clamps ****. Especially when all I have is Knipex channel locks. I could use my right hand to compress the clamps, and then attempt to use my left hand to pull on the hose. It was a struggle.

Slightly OT, but did Ford figure out that the degas bottle hose needs a checkvalve in it from the factory? For my 2013 (and model years around that time), the cars were shipping with degas bottle hoses with no checkvalve, resulting in premature water pump failures. I fondly remember starting to re-use some of the original bolts, only to find--to my great delight--that they snapped at around 10 ft-lb of torque (that's not a typo).

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Not surprising but just thinking of all that mentioned a drug as a tool. And right you are. The running joke around our house is what do you want for dessert. My standard answer is a couple of Advil.

 

[Ton ton]

Ibuactin for pain killer.

 

[Ton ton]

A close friend (he is early 60s) uses MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane). Apparently the brand can make a difference. He prefers the Doctor’s Best brand.
After about a week of use i get a lot of decrease in foot joint pain. If i stop using it the pain returns.
Anybody else use the MSM?

yes.

 

[mv213]

Opti-Visor FTW! Made in USA and a godsend for fine work on electronics, etc. when you reach that “certain age”.

https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/

 

[ScottsGT]

Opti-Visor FTW! Made in USA and a godsend for fine work on electronics, etc. when you reach that “certain age”.

https://doneganoptical.com/product/optivisor/

Bought this a few years back for my model building. They are a Godsend!

 

[ScottsGT]

Slightly OT, but did Ford figure out that the degas bottle hose needs a checkvalve in it from the factory? For my 2013 (and model years around that time), the cars were shipping with degas bottle hoses with no checkvalve, resulting in premature water pump failures. I fondly remember starting to re-use some of the original bolts, only to find--to my great delight--that they snapped at around 10 ft-lb of torque (that's not a typo).

I don't remember seeing a check valve anywhere in the lines. But after looking at the WP I pulled off, it is completely a piss poor design of a pump. needs better bearing support. Lots of tension on the pulley in one direction causing side loading of the bearings. I can move the impeller a 1/4" off center in any direction.

 

[tym]

I don't remember seeing a check valve anywhere in the lines. But after looking at the WP I pulled off, it is completely a piss poor design of a pump. needs better bearing support. Lots of tension on the pulley in one direction causing side loading of the bearings. I can move the impeller a 1/4" off center in any direction.

They probably didn't want to spend the extra pennies to make a pump that could last 100k miles.

 

[ScottsGT]

They probably didn't want to spend the extra pennies to make a pump that could last 100k miles.

And that's why the wife has a 2021 Honda Pilot in the driveway and not an Explorer.

 

[ScottsGT]

Ibuactin for pain killer.

800mg in the am when I wake up and 800mg in the evening before bedtime. Been doing this ever since the back surgery 21 years ago this November. Back around Feb I quit taking it trying to get off the NSAIDS to save my body from the abuse and to see if that was causing my Tinnitus. It was bad. Very bad. I hurt everywhere, could barely go up the stairs, hands hurt so bad I couldn't work on anything. The overwhelming pain was crippling. And if a weather front was coming in, it wasn't worth getting out of bed. I tried to go 3 weeks

 

[lardy1]

I took NSAID's for years for Rheumatoid Arthritis. If there is a silver lining to the cancer experience it was that for some strange reason, the chemo altered me somehow and I no longer need meds for the RA. However, my stomach is shot from all the years of Voltaren.

 

[Ton ton]

Ibuactin is made from white Willow bark and Hops. It's natural not synthetic.

 

[jeepnut24]

Me transitioning into older territory = more cordless tools (ratchet and stubby impact come to mind)

Also long pattern wrenches, ratchets, and bright colored handles (seeing things more easily)

Trying to work smarter not harder

 

[WinMod21]

Alas the Ibuprofen that I've purchased over the last 3~4 months from Meijer grocery stores, here in west MI, have seemed mostly inert , with almost none of the affect it used to provide.
Have I built-up an Ibuprofen immunity... or what ?!

 

[ScottsGT]

Alas the Ibuprofen that I've purchased over the last 3~4 months from Meijer grocery stores, here in west MI, have seemed mostly inert , with almost none of the affect it used to provide.
Have I built-up an Ibuprofen immunity... or what ?!

Go off it for a few days. You’ll find out.

 

[ScottsGT]

Ibuactin is made from white Willow bark and Hops. It's natural not synthetic.

Interesting. Aspirin started out that way and went synthetic. But does it help with inflammation? Or just aches and pains?