The Magic Tool Kit

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

Andrew J — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 09:07:24 GMT

Great blog, thanks. I’m a great one for wanting the right tool for the job, even if it means rare use, and a lot of raised eyebrows and tutting from the wife. Good quality as well: there is nothing worse than ‘fighting’ a tool.

Andrew

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

DAB — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 18:52:13 GMT

Nice blog Douglas.

I agree, that little driver wrench would have been very useful in many projects.

Great find.

DAB

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

shabaz — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 18:18:50 GMT

Hi Doug,

That's a really handy ratchet tool! And great blog post and videos.

By coincidence I too needed a socket wrench set this week too, and as you say, they end up being quite large by the time you've attached the bit adaptor.

I don't really use socket sets so often, so I went for quite a small set, Proxxon 23070. It wouldn't be good for a mechanic, it is very limited, but I just needed the right-angle ratchet capability with basic tool bits like the Philips bits and using some bits that I already have for a few jobs.

I like that it has a chart glued inside with indications of what socket to use with which nut, and some other nice touches like a red button to quickly eject the socket off the wrench, Torx bits with holes down the center, clear black laser-marked lettering on the sockets, and also a steel case.

[View:/resized-image/__size/620x465/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-9e54fe10-1e83-43c8-abe8-50e95987aeda/8484.contentimage_5F00_192847.jpg:620:465]

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

jw0752 — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 17:24:05 GMT

Hi Doug,

This is great information about the process that leads to successful preparation. This process begins with an exceptional understanding of the job and potential pitfalls ahead.

I too went through this process in my business where we would travel up to 100 miles from home base to repair dental equipment. Down time for a dental clinic is very expensive as production is lost and patients have to be canceled and rescheduled as well as staff and overhead have to be paid regardless. We could not arrive on site and then not be able to repair something just because we lacked a tool or part. Fortunately we had a van into which we could pack all the special tools and a small hardware store worth of parts. I did not instantaneously conquer this challenge but over the 30 years I was in the business I we eventually got the rate of having to return for a second call down to about 2%.

This was a very fun and challenging job as there was a great mix of electronics, hydraulics, and pneumatics and the problems were frequently unique and interesting. I never thought of my tool box or truck as a magic collection of tools and parts but now that you have coined the idea it makes me smile to reflect on my collection of parts and tools as also being a magic key to the problems that I faced.

Please keep up these interesting and inspiring posts as they are the heart of this forum.

John

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

genebren — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:53:58 GMT

Doug,

Great kit. I really like that ratcheting screwdriver! Having the right equipment (part/tools) at the right time is very important (even more so when time is short).

Thanks for the preview.

Gene

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

neilk — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:27:51 GMT

What a great post, Douglas. I thoroughly enjoyed it and picked up quite a few ideas for my tool box!

Many thanks

neil

RE: The Magic Tool Kit

three-phase — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 16:14:30 GMT

Nice review of the tools and parts in your kit. I often find myself taking tools in and out of the tool bag depending on what job I am off to, and then finding what I have left out when I get there.

I am now starting to build up a few tool kits specific to certain tasks, so I can just take it and know I will have what I need.

Kind regards