Tool Time

Tom R

Does anyone out there take a day once in a while to repair/adjust some of their tools??

So far this morning I rewired an old 8" Crafstman (Contractor Series) SCMS, - - and recalibrated my 'Berger' transit level (builder's level, I should say).

I'm no big fan of Craftsman tools, - - but I gotta say this particular SCMS, - - which I've had about (15?) years, - - is still perfectly accurate. And with the fairly small blade keeps 'wobble' to a minimum. It's now a back-up/travel saw for my 12" Bosch SCMS.

This afternoon I'll probably rebuild one of my PC pin-nailers, - - and maybe at least clean the Paslodes.

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mdshunk

No, just you Tom.

Actually, I do every once in a while. Particularly if I've been working outdoors, my pouch tools get tight, so I oil them up. I clean up and straighten up the inside of the truck every once in a while. Fixing tools? No, usually not me. The cheapest my time bills out at is $65 an hour. The tool repair shop is $40 an hour. I'd be losing money if I devoted much time to repairing tools. I'll admit that sometimes is it good "therapy" to fix some crap you've had laying around. In that case, it's worth the effort.

JustaFramer

It has been awhile but I usually fix my own tools. My PC tiger saw's plug prong fried the other day. So I tried to fix it and only made it worse. LOL The weak trigger design of the PC is what I have to replace or modify now.

Tom R

Nah, - - I'm way too hard-headed to send anything out, - - kind of a 'man-thing' I guess, - - usually 75% of the time I'll be able to fix it, - - the other 25% goes on the 'tackle-again-later' list. In other words, - - never any admissions of failure. Hmm, - - maybe the therapy's not working!!

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jmic

Tom,
What kind of maitenance schedule do you have on Mrs. Tommers household tools, ie... vac, toaster, mixer, etc, ect.
Joe

Tom R

Hmm, - - must you remind me of the vaccuum cleaner on a public forum?? What if she reads this?? TROUBLEMAKER!!

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IHI

Typically mine comes out of necessity. When I have a chance to catch my breath, I like the breather and while I know there are 100 things I need to do as far as organizing, lil fix it's, the "break" takes priority and the "I'll fix it later" mentality kicks in. But, as my wife will vouge, once I do get in the mind set to take care of all the little things that have backed up, get the fock outta the way as I go on a rampage-million miles an hour and I do not liked to be disturbed with anything (phone, wife, dog) since it may quickly end my fix it assault.

Typically tool mishaps happen when I'm on the job so it gets fixed on the job. The race car used to be theorpy, but I got to the point even working on that to stay competative turned monotinous...need to take up fishing or something not mentally/physically demanding

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Speedy Petey

I also find tool repair therapy. And I hate to have someone else do something I am perfectly capable of, even if it might be slightly more cost effective. I also don't like being without a tool I really like. So leaving it somewhere to be fixed rubs me the wrong way.

I also find working on the race car therapy. Even if nothing needs to be done I can usually find something to fix/clean/break-then-fix/etc. I am not what you'd call competitive so I am not really looking to be cutting edge.
Even tinkering or cleaning the garage, if there's time.

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Tom R

Yeah, Speedy Petey, - - that's exactly the part I'm stuck on, - - and that's with just about anything.

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CGofMP

After each major project I take a little bit of time to look things over and 'dress things up'. Most of the time it is just aesthetic stuff, removing any grime / paint from places on the tools that it does not belong.

I'm with Tom however, I kinda like fixing up things that get a bit over-used. I've been known to even do this with rusted hand-powered can openers. Why I spend an hour of my time to fix, de rust, lubricate, and wire brush a $3.88 can opener I'll never know...

I guess it is the "Instant Hero Worship" {self delusion mode now off} I get in the form of a one second 'thanks hun' from my wife ;-)

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Teetorbilt

I'm with the DIY crowd. Dad taught me how to care for tools and I'm not comfortable with someone else doing it. The guys in the cabinet shop do well but the field guys......?

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DecksEtc

I'm with Teetor on this one. Many of the tools I inherited from my Dad could be put on a store shelf and sold as new. My Dad had a push mower that was well over 25 yrs. old before it couldn't be repaired anymore. I'm not saying I'm in his class of expertise but I like to fix as much as I can - unless something is under warranty - then I make the manufacturer fix it on their dime.

nadonailer

It'd be like having someone else set-up your guitar, if ya know what I mean?...

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Bukemdano

I am pretty new to construction(1 year), so all my tools are not more than 2 years old. The year before that I had been messing around with wood working. I sure do like that Norm Abram guy

One thing I learned right away was buy good quality tools that last instead of buying crap every couple of months. I still cant convince my wife of this

The only thing I do regularly is sharpen my planer, joiner and misc saw blades. Oh ya, dont use paint stripper in your workshop or garage as I did. It turned everything metal to rust.

Tom R

Tell her if you didn't chase after 'only the best' you wouldn't have her!!

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Teetorbilt

Excellent answer Tom! It's filed away for future use.

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jmic

As required with all good tools an occasional lube job is also reguired.
Joe

Bukemdano

Thats a good one Tom....