You're A Tool
Following a previous post about how it is a strange relationship between a gearhead and his vehicles, I will continue with that thread and talk about a gearhead and his tools.
Some of you know I recently had the misfortune of getting laid off from my job working for an automotive supplier. I was recently called back (for now) and while I was moving back into my tool box I realized something that might make for a good post.
On a side note, it is odd how my observations of events, things, activities around me have changed slightly since I've joined the blogger ranks. Things that I used to see that I found interesting, are now things that I believe would make a good post, or other people who read this might find interesting. That is the light bulb that goes off now, and the one that went off when I was putting my tools away.
A while back my job outfitted me with what could loosely be called a "set of tools" to help me perform my day to day duties. These are tools from Harbor Freight (HF from here on out), and many of you know the positive thing about HF is that they sell cheap tools. You also know the bad thing about HF is that...they sell cheap tools. In the infancy of my work tools life, I had to replace a file (you know a file is of high quality when you are filing on some steel, and notice the shavings that are being produced are from BOTH the steel piece you are working on AND the file!) a 12oz hammer (I know there is no need to even mess with a 12oz hammer...which is somewhat the point of this post), and a 4mm 1/4 drive socket that became a circle after only a couple dozen uses.
Because of the lack of quality in some of the tools, and just the lack of some tools that I needed, I decided to buy some tools on my own, that I would keep at work and take them should I ever leave. This list includes but is not limited to:
Diagonal Cutters or "dikes" as they are often referred to, and that is how I refer to them, because dikes is a cool word. Also what sounds better and more manly in a shop or garage? "Hey, can you toss me those diagonal cutters," or "Hey, can you toss me those dikes?" Case closed.
Standard Pliers (the pliers provided were poor, and would open during normal use, unacceptable).
Vise Grips (see the trend starting with the lack of pliers given to us)
4.8v Minimite Dremel Tool
Craftsman ratcheting bit driver (with bits, we go through T-25 torx bits like water here at work)
A real set of files (see story above)
A 9 volt Black and Decker drill motor (which is really a glorified screw driver, but the work provided drill motor is "hard to find" at times)
I found something odd. I was packing up for what was then my 93 day weekend, and after just listing these items above, I knew exactly what was mine and what belonged to work. I didn't have to think back and remember, or mentally go over when I bought what. I opened up my work tool box, and what was mine and what was works was instantly apparent, with no issues or problems.
Then I realized that this is not the first time this has happened. I've been working with someone be it with work stuff, or personal stuff, where you are helping someone, or they are helping you, and over the course of the project, various tools are brought out, and used, and when the project is over, each guy knows what is his, and what isn't. You go through the check list with everyone that was working with you...this is mine...this isn't mine...this is yours...whose is this, and with rare exception you leave the project with all your tools.
Who knows why this is? Maybe from working with them so much, maybe the feel they have in your hand, you know what is yours.
I would compare it to when women talk about getting married. One woman might question if she is with the right guy, and ask, how do you know? The other woman will say, "OH, YOU JUST KNOW!" The same can be said with a man and his tools, the conversation might go like this:
(I know it would be odd for a woman and a man to be talking about his tools...in the garage that is...but just work with me)
Woman: "Is this your wrench?"
Man: "Yes."
Woman: "How do you know? it doesn't have your name on it or anything."
Man: "OH, I JUST KNOW!"
Thanks for Stopping By - Dan