I like tool threads. I like tools
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I doubt a day goes by that I'm not using tools. I'm always making/modifying/fixing something, or doing maintenance on my motorcycles. My tools are among my most valued possessions. I don't want to imagine life without them.
I consider myself very fortunate that I was raised by generations of men who owned and used tools, so I grew up with access to tools, and I used them. Many of the tools I own and use today were inherited from previous generations, which is particularly great because it means I didn't have to buy them myself.
And on the subject of not buying tools, one of my philosophies in life is "why buy it if I can make it", so whenever possible, when I need or want a particular tool, I ask myself "can I make one myself".
Here are some of the tools I use regularly, and which I made/modified-
This first pic shows four drivers, all started out as flathead screwdrivers. All of those original screwdrivers were inherited.
Top item/yellow handle- a 3/8ths socket driver. I cut and ground the screwdriver down and jammed a socket extension on it (also inherited).
Second item/blue/red/clear handle- a dedicated 7/16ths socket driver. I wanted a dedicated 7/16ths socket driver for one of my bikes, so I cut and ground the screwdriver down and jammed the socket on the end (I inherited a LOT of sockets).
Third item/green handle- This is a 1/4" hex bit driver. I cut/ground the screwdriver and jammed a magnetic 1/4" hex bit driver on the end. The magnetic bit driver came with a cheap Remington multitool that a friend gifted me. This is my primary knife disassembly/reassembly tool.
Bottom item/wood handle- another 1/4" hex bit driver. I pulled the screwdriver out of the handle and jammed a magnetic bit driver with a long hex shaft into it. I bought the bit driver from Harbor Freight and added some rubber hose for grip when choking-up.
I wanted a small socket driver that could also be used as a screwdriver to carry in one of my bikes tool bags. In order to convert this 1/4" socket driver into a 1/4" bit driver I epoxied the 1/4" hex shaft of a magnetic bit driver into a 1/4" socket. The socket driver handle and socket were inherited, the bit driver came with a cheap set of 1/4" bits that I bought for the case.
I needed a second driver for my Wiha micro bits, but I wanted one with a bigger handle than the skinny aluminum one, and I didn't want to to buy one. So I took a 1/4" Wiha magnetic micro bit driver adapter and jammed it into the end of a wooden file handle. Then I ground the sides of the handle flat for better grip. I had to pay for all the parts, but it was cheaper than a Wiha micro bit driver.
I will occasionally cut a tool down to make it lighter and more compact for carry. I carry three of these in one of my bikes tool bags. I used to carry a few of them on my boots, but I switched to the bag, and transfer the bag from one bike to the other as needed. Space is limited, and I don't like to carry excessive weight, so smaller tools are more practical. All of these tools were inherited.
And on a related note, there are certain tool sound that I just love. The sound of a ratchet clicking, and the sound of wrenches clanging on a cement floor, are some of the sweetest music to my ears. These sounds take me back to my childhood, watching the men in my family work on their cars, and in particular, my biker uncle working on his old Harley. I have a physical/emotional reaction whenever I hear those sound, and they always bring a smile to my face, and my heart.
My eternal thanks to the men in my life who made tools a part of my world
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. I'm a cheap bastard, always looking to save money wherever possible.
