Do you know your tools by sight?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,070
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From: Boise, Idaho
Do you know your tools by sight?
Can you spot your tools and know that they're yours?
I'm a tool junkie and I've kept the habit going since age 15 (30+ years), and I realized tonight that I know my tools well enough to recognize them by sight. Of course, some tools are hard to distinguish from other people's tools. If you've got a Craftsman wrench that's the same vintage as someone else's, then there may be some confusion. But even Craftsman tools change with time and I can spot my '70s vintage Craftsman tools from my wife's '50-'60s vintage tools, or my brother's '80s vintage. I also keep my new '00 vintage Craftsman separate from the others. But even when they're the same vintage, I can usually tell mine apart.
I was cleaning up tonight and picked up a Craftsman screwdriver. I've got at least 3 of the same exact screwdriver, but I knew instantly that it belonged to my wife.
Is this normal?
I'm a tool junkie and I've kept the habit going since age 15 (30+ years), and I realized tonight that I know my tools well enough to recognize them by sight. Of course, some tools are hard to distinguish from other people's tools. If you've got a Craftsman wrench that's the same vintage as someone else's, then there may be some confusion. But even Craftsman tools change with time and I can spot my '70s vintage Craftsman tools from my wife's '50-'60s vintage tools, or my brother's '80s vintage. I also keep my new '00 vintage Craftsman separate from the others. But even when they're the same vintage, I can usually tell mine apart.
I was cleaning up tonight and picked up a Craftsman screwdriver. I've got at least 3 of the same exact screwdriver, but I knew instantly that it belonged to my wife.
Is this normal?
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Do you know your tools by sight?
It would be a frosty day in August before I couldn't identify MY tools from across the garage.
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[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]
[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
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Need to decode your 78 Truck data plate? click here
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[font color=red]If New Ford Parts Is What You're Cravin',
Then Buy Them HERE,At Motorhaven!
[/font]
Feel free to visit my website.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html
[font color =red] Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V [/font]
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 262
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Do you know your tools by sight?
That sounds pretty incredible to me. Most of my tools are over at my parent's place and the only way I can tell they're mine is by how new and clean they look. I always wipe them down when I'm finished, Dad doesn't.
95 F-150 4x4
4.9L M5OD
Front Truetrac Rear Detroit
3.73 Precision Gears
Warn Premiums
4" Superlift Superunner
95 F-150 4x4
4.9L M5OD
Front Truetrac Rear Detroit
3.73 Precision Gears
Warn Premiums
4" Superlift Superunner
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Do you know your tools by sight?
I have intialled all of my tools with an engraver so to help if there is ever a ownership dispute. I can usually tell them by sight just due to battle scars and such. Extensive use has scared them a little, but hey thats character. The only thing that gets me is seeing people spend all that cash on tools, then leave them out to rust or don't clean off the grease. Wish I had that much cash to blow.
CJ
PS Cope, how did you come up with that, just asking see...cpnhgnjnky
= Copenhagen Junky, Cope was the short version we used in high school.
CJ
PS Cope, how did you come up with that, just asking see...cpnhgnjnky
= Copenhagen Junky, Cope was the short version we used in high school.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 42
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From: Hot Springs
Do you know your tools by sight?
I can usually tell mine from anyone else's, especially where I work. We build a lot of our own tolls in the aircraft business so a lot of out tools are truly unique to the owner. But even my common tools are easy for me to distinguish from everyone else's.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Rural Florida Panhandle
Do you know your tools by sight?
I can spot my tools pretty well, especially the well used ones. But I have learned that it saves a lot of misunderstanding when you work with someone else, to engrave your name on every tool. Although I can identify my tools on sight, my friend may not be able to, and may unintentionally pick it up for himself. I use a small hand grinder bit instead of an engraver, and actually grind my first initial and last name on every piece, even those 2 in long 1/4 inch socket extensions, and small screwdrivers. Even if a tool only cost a couple of dollars, if it is missing when you need it, it's worth much more.
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Winford
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Do you know your tools by sight?
In the military, mechanics are issued personal tool-boxes and sign for every single item in them, and have to pay for any tools missing at inventory (for starters) Aircraft and turbine engined tanks I suppose are a different deal altogether--if a socket is missing, it might ground (prevent from flying) several aircraft, as a loose tool might get sucked into an engine ("FOD") so if somebody is missing a tool -- they are in deep you-know-what.
Anyway because of this, most everyone will mark their tools in some way, either with a paint pen or colored tape in different colors, and inserting packing foam in the toolbox to 'shadow' the tools. This does cut down on space though a bit. The latest military issue tool boxes (somebody actually asked mechanics what they needed!) are super sweet and inventory takes about 5 to 10 seconds instead of a half hour.
Anyway because of this, most everyone will mark their tools in some way, either with a paint pen or colored tape in different colors, and inserting packing foam in the toolbox to 'shadow' the tools. This does cut down on space though a bit. The latest military issue tool boxes (somebody actually asked mechanics what they needed!) are super sweet and inventory takes about 5 to 10 seconds instead of a half hour.
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Oct 29, 2001 10:33 PM