Did something dumb today.

firefighter ontheside · May 12, 2022, 09:11:13 AM

I went outside to start my day, but noticed some tools sitting on the back cover of my truck. I then realized that I had driven the truck to pick up my son last night. A total of 20 miles on curvy roads. I was amazed that two socket wrenches, snap ring pliers and a socket road without falling off. I knew there were some other sockets sitting up there, so I walked my driveway and found 2 sockets. I then remembered that on the way home last night I remember seeing a socket on the road and thought about stopping to pick it up. I decided against it, but now that I know it was probably my socket I should have stopped. In my memory it appeared to be about a 13/16 socket that I had been using to work on my flatbed. Dang it!

Resonator · May 12, 2022, 09:59:09 AM

Hmm, that socket laying in the road looks just like mine...

:D

Leaving wrenches on the inner fender while working on a car, shutting the hood, and then driving away doesn't guarantee they'll still be there when you get home either.

Cornerstone · May 12, 2022, 10:35:00 AM

I scan the road looking for tools. I've got some real beauties too, a nearly new Eastwig framing hammer for one. I've lost my share as well, the worst being a custom made heavy duty ramp for my trailer. That one was lost once before and when I got home it made me so sick I determined to find it, sure enough it was on the corner of a 4 way busy intersection half way back. I guess it was determined to run off and eventually did.

wisconsitom · May 12, 2022, 10:48:40 AM

Not my worst move ever, but managed to drive up I-41 about a hundred miles yesterday with the tail end of one ratchet strap dragging on the road. DanG, thought we'd tied all loose ends. Load was secure, we just probably looked dumb.

Said load was an old Simplicity 7116 lawn tractor, our latest project. Price was right-free-and unit will cut grass right now, but does need some love. Nice wide cut, this is gonna help up at the shack. Only have smaller Toro rider up there now, which has been giving us grief anyway, was too small-mowing takes too long.

Best part-Simplicity colors match our Bobcat tractor paint!

Ljohnsaw · May 12, 2022, 12:13:55 PM

Quote from: firefighter ontheside on May 12, 2022, 09:11:13 AMIn my memory it appeared to be about a 13/16 socket that I had been using to work on my flatbed.

I have a few that I've found. Want me to send you one ;)

kelLOGg · May 12, 2022, 01:01:50 PM

Years ago I read that hanging a big wad of keys from an ignition switch could damage it. I was skeptical until a locksmith chimed in and verified it. Uh oh, breaking apart my keys is gonna lead to trouble but I started doing it anyway.
Before taking my truck on an errand I removed the truck key from the ring but remembered I need to make sure the trailer hitch was installed so as I walked to the rear I placed the rest of the keys on the tool box(note: this is the part I forgot about), checked the hitch and then got in the truck drove off. Upon returning I couldn't find the rest of my keys. I looked and looked but to no avail and finally decided to retrace my steps using the car. I thought is was a snowball's chance in you-know-where of finding the keys but as I drove over the gravel road (just in front of our house) a shiny object caught my eye. I realized then that I had put them on the toolbox and they fell off - and in front of my house. Talk about luck!!!

aigheadish · May 12, 2022, 03:02:28 PM

I also keep my eyes peeled for tools in the road and every once in a while I'll find something. This all apparently started when I was a wee tyke of maybe 15 or 16 years old when I found a tiny adjustable wrench laying in the road when my buddy and I were walking around. It's only about maybe 2" long and has an opening of less than half inch. I still have it on my key ring to this day, and I've actually used it a few times (mostly for opening beers I think).

Larry · May 12, 2022, 03:09:13 PM

In the Home Depot parking lot a few weeks ago. "Hey lady do you always drive around with your cell phone laying on top your car?" :D :D

SawyerTed · May 12, 2022, 03:27:12 PM

I drove 12 miles from a sawing job with the metal bar used to adjust the outriggers laying on the hydraulics box. On the other hand I lost it in the driveway behind my shop on my way to a sawmill job once.

firefighter ontheside · May 12, 2022, 04:47:11 PM

I have been known to stop and pick up tools that I see on the road. I found a very nice snap-on brand screwdriver.

Crusarius · May 12, 2022, 08:22:21 PM

I was out playing in the glamis sand dunes one time in my jeep, well, like many trips I ended up breaking something. So when I was laying under the jeep in the sand I kept getting stabbed by something. Ends up it was a 1/2" gear wrench. That wrench got alot of use by me.

I did also find a bunch of other sockets there. talk about lucky breaking down same place as someone else

wisconsitom · May 12, 2022, 08:33:38 PM

Some guys are so smart they'll put things like knives, screwdrivers, and other sharp tools in their pockets when they're crouching around working on stuff.🙋

Southside · May 12, 2022, 11:29:18 PM

I had a socket fall into the abyss one time when servicing my pickup - could not find it and eventually gave up on it. Next service - 10,000 miles later, I am under the truck and see something on a frame member - there is my socket. Never would have guessed that was possible.

wisconsitom · May 12, 2022, 11:38:16 PM

My long ago buddy and workmate set his can of soda on the chipper fender in between sips, in the shop one morning. Later we got to the job site. He got out of the cab, walked back to the chipper, grabbed the soda can where it still sat on that fender, and resumed drinking his refreshing beverage.

Dangerous_Dan · May 15, 2022, 07:54:43 AM

Almost!

Didn't see until I rolled past it on the 1st cut.
Missed it by less than 1/4 inch.
Keep your eyes open if your going to skip checking logs with the metal detector.

Resonator · May 15, 2022, 11:12:25 AM

QuoteLast time this happened I ended up buying a "new" (used) starter cover assembly and just replacing it. I tried to get the spring coiled back in, and watched a couple you tube videos that claim to do it in 5 minutes.
After a couple hours...
I'm shopping for another cover.

Update on this, the temp hit 90°+ this week and I decided to work on this inside (shade).

Laid the starter cover on the workbench, and fabricated a wood block jig to keep the spring in while winding it. Got it back together, and the 180C runs and lives to saw another day! 8)

I will try to remember this the next time a pull cord breaks. :D

Big_eddy · May 16, 2022, 11:52:36 AM

Quote from: Southside on May 12, 2022, 11:29:18 PM
I had a socket fall into the abyss one time when servicing my pickup - could not find it and eventually gave up on it. Next service - 10,000 miles later, I am under the truck and see something on a frame member - there is my socket. Never would have guessed that was possible.

I dropped a socket down into the depths of my Accord one day. Got the magnet on a stick out and fished around under the firewall behind the brake booster, beside the clutch master where the sucker was hiding. Click. Bingo! Stuck it back on the ratchet and back to work. But it didn't fit. Turns out the socket I found was a 12mm. Mine was a 10. Another 10 mins of fishing around did not turn up my 10mm.

Magicman · May 16, 2022, 08:46:27 PM

Peeled the back off of my hand today:

And I had leather gloves on. This old man thin skin thing is no fun.

Old Greenhorn · May 16, 2022, 09:07:50 PM

Man that sucks and I hate it. It seems to take nothing sometimes. I took care of my folks, both well past 90 when they passed on and their skin was so thin. Really had some advanced experience with my Pop in his mid 90's doing wound care on him. The Doc caring for him was really good and taught me a lot when he found out I had some training. But that was then.
Now it happens to me a lot. Playing some fun with the cats makes me look like I just left the battlefield. Nobody wants to see what my shins look like, bump a log and the blood flows. It's why I won't wear shorts when working. I constantly have holes in me somewhere. You have to be careful with that partial de-gloving that you got. Infection is the issue. Just be anal about keeping it clean and you already know the rest of the drill.
The other night the wife says "ah, WHAT did you do now?!" and I asked what she was talking about. She grabs my arm and twists it and I can see it is covered in dried blood. Took me a while to recall rubbing it on a log while climbing down off the pile. I don't hardly even feel it. The biggest annoyance is the stains on shirts and stuff. It doesn't come out easy and leaves brown spots after washing. Although @WV Sawmiller might tell you it is purple.
Heal up Lynn, keep it clean.