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Clutter creates chaos…
I feel like I work better when things are organized and clean…yes, I said clean :pinch:
I meant to reply more directly this morning but got side tracked. How do you deal with old tools?
I personally don’t have a lot of tools (New DIYer-enthusiast). I have an older basic set that has served me well, thus far. My tools are being stored in a non traditional fashion until I can decide on a tool box that is right for me…I can see how the tool thing can grow even for the DIYer. In fact, just before I logged on here, I was online looking for a good quality beam style torque wrench (KD, 3/8″ drive, 0-600 in lbs.) for the low torque bolts for my valve cover gasket replacement that I plan to do Thursday or Friday (the weather is finally looking nice, 50F). When I bought the 1/2″ drive click type a couple weeks ago, I had to buy the socket set because up until that point, I only had a 1/2″ drive ratchet (but no sockets…hmmm that’s odd, idk). Then I had to buy the 22 mm crescent when I replaced the O2 sensor (because I thought I would have more use for the wrench than the special O2 sensor socket)….so yeah, I definitely see how the tool set can multiply.
Hey, I have a brain teaser for you! How many tools and or parts can you make out of a metal coat hanger?
Anyway, have a great evening/morning.
I’m a retired guy and a DIYer. However, I started working on cars when I was ten and so I’ve been at it for 57 years and have done it all.
All my ratchets and extensions go in one drawer. No order, just thrown in. The remainder of my tools pretty much the same way except for my screwdriver and pliers drawer. Screwdrivers go on the left and pliers on the right. I should add, I know where each tool is.
If I find I have two of the same tool, one goes in another place where I keep spares. If a tool breaks I try to remember to check the spares chest (this doesn’t always happen).
I don’t know what an old tool is. If it works it is a tool. If not then it is part of the land fill.
Since I own the basics of the normal tool sets I try not to buy any more tools in sets. Sometimes this is impossible. If it happens that I must buy a set it just means I am buying some tools I will probably never use.
I think too many tools is as bad as not enough. I’ve worked with other people’s tools where I spent 75% of my time searching for tools. In one case I worked with a guy who had so many amazing tools and mostly near new, but so many it was hopeless clutter. A big lesson learned there. I try to keep my stuff to the minimum necessary.
Fluids get to be more of a problem for me. I am, it seems, constantly hauling used fluids to the recycling center. This gets to be a pain. Also, all the containers sitting around takes up too much space.
And I have tires on rims and tires off of rims and some spare seats and ….. yeah.
[quote=”lar1969″ post=92100]Clutter creates chaos…
I feel like I work better when things are organized and clean…yes, I said clean :pinch:
I meant to reply more directly this morning but got side tracked. How do you deal with old tools?
I personally don’t have a lot of tools (New DIYer-enthusiast). I have an older basic set that has served me well, thus far. My tools are being stored in a non traditional fashion until I can decide on a tool box that is right for me…I can see how the tool thing can grow even for the DIYer. In fact, just before I logged on here, I was online looking for a good quality beam style torque wrench (KD, 3/8″ drive, 0-600 in lbs.) for the low torque bolts for my valve cover gasket replacement that I plan to do Thursday or Friday (the weather is finally looking nice, 50F). When I bought the 1/2″ drive click type a couple weeks ago, I had to buy the socket set because up until that point, I only had a 1/2″ drive ratchet (but no sockets…hmmm that’s odd, idk). Then I had to buy the 22 mm crescent when I replaced the O2 sensor (because I thought I would have more use for the wrench than the special O2 sensor socket)….so yeah, I definitely see how the tool set can multiply.
Hey, I have a brain teaser for you! How many tools and or parts can you make out of a metal coat hanger?
Anyway, have a great evening/morning.[/quote]
I like clean organized tools as well. Satisfies my inner OCD.
Good luck with that torque wrench and valve cover job. New tools always make for a good day.
As for the coat hanger, about a million uses. I’ve even used them to weld with in the past.
[quote=”barneyb” post=92169]I’m a retired guy and a DIYer. However, I started working on cars when I was ten and so I’ve been at it for 57 years and have done it all.
All my ratchets and extensions go in one drawer. No order, just thrown in. The remainder of my tools pretty much the same way except for my screwdriver and pliers drawer. Screwdrivers go on the left and pliers on the right. I should add, I know where each tool is.
If I find I have two of the same tool, one goes in another place where I keep spares. If a tool breaks I try to remember to check the spares chest (this doesn’t always happen).
I don’t know what an old tool is. If it works it is a tool. If not then it is part of the land fill.
Since I own the basics of the normal tool sets I try not to buy any more tools in sets. Sometimes this is impossible. If it happens that I must buy a set it just means I am buying some tools I will probably never use.
I think too many tools is as bad as not enough. I’ve worked with other people’s tools where I spent 75% of my time searching for tools. In one case I worked with a guy who had so many amazing tools and mostly near new, but so many it was hopeless clutter. A big lesson learned there. I try to keep my stuff to the minimum necessary.
Fluids get to be more of a problem for me. I am, it seems, constantly hauling used fluids to the recycling center. This gets to be a pain. Also, all the containers sitting around takes up too much space.
And I have tires on rims and tires off of rims and some spare seats and ….. yeah.[/quote]
Tools can add up for sure and tools that you can’t use aren’t of much use. Excuse the pun there. I agree having too many tools can be debilitating, but that’s where organization comes in. If they’re well organized you don’t spend as much time searching for the right one. That said, you make some good points. Thanks for your input.
Weld using a coat hanger? Now THAT is cool!
I have used a coat hanger to “fish” for the small rubber grommet that holds the spark plug inside the socket during plug installation. It always stays with the plug! Also, fished for my vice grips that I dropped into the engine compartment (while squeezing the air tube clamp at the throttle body…just kind of lost my grip and there they went…down into the abyss, jk) I currently have an exhaust hanger (made from a metal coat hanger) holding my muffler in place until I can find the time to address it.I was in Orange County, California, at a Dairy Queen with family. In the next lot, in a parked car were a young couple and they were having a spat. Finally the girl, who had been occupying the drivers seat, threw the keys onto the dash and departed rapidly on foot. The guy sat there awhile, seemly stunned, then he got out and moved to the driver’s seat. But, no keys on the dash. Next, he secured a coat hanger from the rear seat and bending it, started fishing in the defroster duct. A cop driving by and seeing this, I guess, suspicious activity, made inquires with the boy. As we left the police officer was in seated in the driver’s seat fishing in the defroster vent.
LOL!!! Is this a true story? 🙂 you actually witnessed this? Thanks for making my evening…I bet the kid wasn’t laughing 🙁
Not made up. In our family typically everyone talks and no one listens. So, I was watching this little opera while the car was filled with chatter. I had to tell them what I had seen.
Torque wrench is expected to arrive on Thursday and looking forward to it! It will be a good day!
I am changing the oil tomorrow as a kind of preliminary step to the gasket replacement.
Not expecting any problems with the valve cover gasket replacement Thursday (was originally going to replace the valve cover too but decided against it…unless, of course, I remove it, inspect it and see that the composite cover is obviously warped). Just going to take it slow, do it well (clean gasket grooves and mating surfaces thoroughly-with acetone?) and enjoy learning/doing something new. Also, I want to torque down the valve cover bolts in increments (max spec 89 in-lbs = 7.5 ft-lbs) and in a spiral pattern as one would torque head bolts (also something I learned from the ETCG video “Torquing Head Bolts”) for uniform gasket sealing results. Comments?
Thanks.
Now, I give you, the Jackson Pollock of tool organization:
My living room = my tool room…with a scattering motif.
[quote=”lar1969″ post=92318]Torque wrench is expected to arrive on Thursday and looking forward to it! It will be a good day!
I am changing the oil tomorrow as a kind of preliminary step to the gasket replacement.
Not expecting any problems with the valve cover gasket replacement Thursday (was originally going to replace the valve cover too but decided against it…unless, of course, I remove it, inspect it and see that the composite cover is obviously warped). Just going to take it slow, do it well (clean gasket grooves and mating surfaces thoroughly-with acetone?) and enjoy learning/doing something new. Also, I want to torque down the valve cover bolts in increments (max spec 89 in-lbs = 7.5 ft-lbs) and in a spiral pattern as one would torque head bolts (also something I learned from the ETCG video “Torquing Head Bolts”) for uniform gasket sealing results. Comments?
Thanks.[/quote]
I’m not going to say that using a torque wrench for that is wrong. I will say that all I would just use is a 1/4″ ratchet and be done with it. I would also use that same spiral sequence to tighten the fasteners as you suggest.
[quote=”Wayne613″ post=92322]Now, I give you, the Jackson Pollock of tool organization:
My living room = my tool room…with a scattering motif.[/quote]
It’s an eclectic look but I like it.
Duly noted, thank you. Thing is, when I first began this project, I found myself guessing at fastener snugness (which can mean different things to different people, ie beginner vs. seasoned professional) and didn’t feel that I was going to get the most from my current repairs (I have a second Saturn that needs some attention and am using the SC2 as a learning tool, so to speak). I plan to do a complete timing chain (including sprockets, chain guides, plunger) replacement (on SC2) in the somewhat near future, so I will have other uses for the torque wrench. It didn’t “break the bank”.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, Eric. Keep on keepin’ on!
[quote=”Wayne613″ post=92322]Now, I give you, the Jackson Pollock of tool organization:
My living room = my tool room…with a scattering motif.[/quote]
My dad converted my old bedroom at home to his parts/tool room after I moved out :S …many years ago. I can only imagine what it looks like now!
1995 Chevy k2500 5.7 manual trans. 4×4.
I was replacing the transfer case and couldn’t get to the bolt located at 12 o clock and its in a valley no ratchet not even a wrench. any way i had a cheapo set of wrenches i took the correct size wrench cut about 1 1/2 inches back of the box end then i welded the box end back on to the wrench at a 90 degree angle making a sort of cross. with that i was able to get the bolt off in the valley on top of the t-case. About custom tools i like having cheapo sockets, wrenches and screw drivers on hand just for that just in case time when you need a tool.
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