The more or less interesting lives & times of our 1974 VW Campmobile, Ludwig and our 1971 VW Squareback, Gertrude
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January 15, 2012
Tools of the Trade
It probably goes without saying, but I tend to anthropomorphize inanimate objects. Maybe "anthropomorphize" is too strong a word (except when it comes to vehicles in which case it is exactly the right word); I definitely get attached to certain familiar things and have since very early childhood, let's put it that way. The tools I use to work (and "work") on our VWs are no different. For lack of anything else to blog about, this is the first of a series focusing on some of my favorites.
My 3/8" drive socket set is Craftsman, but the matching ratchet broke some time back. Fortunately I filched this old Thorsen (an old, good one, made back when they were about on par with Mac and Snap-On, not a modern p.o.s. Chinese one) from my parents' junk drawer. That long S-K extension is another spoil from the same raid. How did my parents come to have a few miscellaneous, highish quality hand tools? Who knows. [edit: Apparently my Mom knows; see the comments.] I like the ratchet more than the Craftsman it replaced because it has a round handle whereas the Craftsman's was kind of a rounded off rectangle. That might seem like nitpicking but after you've had the damn thing in your hand for the better part of two days, believe me: it makes a difference. It also gives a more satisfying click. The two sockets are the most absolutely essential for any air-cooled VW work: a 10mm and a 13mm (though 7mm and 17mm get quite a bit of use too). Sometimes I wonder how many times those guys have spun around.
Perhaps you can address how you organize your tools? Mine are a mess. I try, but in the heat of battle everything gets messy. Sometimes I walk by those very large toolboxes with many drawers and think this creature would be the key to organizing my tools. Then I think it might be overkill.
I have started buying tools at estate sales finding that the tools made back in the day are far better than the stuff made now.
Good idea; I'll address my tools' organization (such that it is) in a future post.
I covet those big stand up boxes too. I don't know that it'd be the key to organizing everything, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. It'd be fun to fill up, anyway.
I always check out garage/estate tools too. I've come across a lot of interesting things, but little that was useful enough to justify buying.
I think your Uncle Floyd gave Jim some "better" tools at one time. I wish you were here, and you could take whatever you need; all I need are 2 kinds of screwdrivers, pliers, a small hammer, and a vice-grip. Oh, and a used WORKING riding lawn mower, if you know of one :)
Perhaps you can address how you organize your tools? Mine are a mess. I try, but in the heat of battle everything gets messy. Sometimes I walk by those very large toolboxes with many drawers and think this creature would be the key to organizing my tools. Then I think it might be overkill.
ReplyDeleteI have started buying tools at estate sales finding that the tools made back in the day are far better than the stuff made now.
Good idea; I'll address my tools' organization (such that it is) in a future post.
ReplyDeleteI covet those big stand up boxes too. I don't know that it'd be the key to organizing everything, but I'd be willing to give it a shot. It'd be fun to fill up, anyway.
I always check out garage/estate tools too. I've come across a lot of interesting things, but little that was useful enough to justify buying.
Alright,
Grady.
I think your Uncle Floyd gave Jim some "better" tools at one time. I wish you were here, and you could take whatever you need; all I need are 2 kinds of screwdrivers, pliers, a small hammer, and a vice-grip. Oh, and a used WORKING riding lawn mower, if you know of one :)
ReplyDelete