Thinking outside the box

[Fab1]

I always try to think outside the box when I'm in a pickle with anything in life.Just today I replaced my cv boot on my lux that was torn and didn't have the special tool to fit the cv bands.

  So I came up with this with things I already had after a bit of thought.

5 minutes later she was ready for testing.

  Works a treat and has become an addition to my growing tool collection and saved myself a few quid on a tool that will gather dust.

Intrested to hear what have you guys done over the years when in a pickle doing something?Anything?

Here's a short little video.You slip the boots on the axle,set up the clamp,do it up tight with a ring spanner,bend it back and hammer down the ears.Not shown in video for obvious reasons.

Cheers.

 

 

[Fab1]

New boot installed.

[Rebel]

When I was Motor Racing I had to bend spanners to fit situations or file down a spanner to fit or make up a tool to align the clutch, because they didn't make the tools that they do today.

Very time consuming.

I kept all the tools I made. I will never know when I will need them again.

Cheers.

[Fab1]

8 minutes ago, Rebel said:

When I was Motor Racing I had to bend spanners to fit situations or file down a spanner to fit or make up a tool to align the clutch, because they didn't make the tools that they do today.

Very time consuming.

I kept all the tools I made. I will never know when I will need them again.

Cheers.

I fully understand the clutch aligning tool and modifying spanners. Sometimes tools need to be sacrificed to turn them into new ones.

[frankS]

Fab. Should have mentioned it. I have the correct tool here I could have sent down to you to borrow, give me a call if you need to do it again.

Frank

[big Neil]

Hey Fab, you remind me so much of my neighbour. He too is a mechanic, a diesel mechanic, and he is very creative when it comes to problem solving... just like you. Many tradies are content to do what they have to but guys like you, who think outside the square. are invaluable. Thanks for your post. I enjoyed it. bn

[Fab1]

4 hours ago, frankS said:

Fab. Should have mentioned it. I have the correct tool here I could have sent down to you to borrow, give me a call if you need to do it again.

Frank

Thank you very much for your kind offer mate.I could have gone and bought one today but the tool shop was closed at 4am when I changed the boot so I made one.😂😂I now have a tool to do it next time in 20yrs when I'll need to do it again.🤣🤣.

Thanks again Frank.

4 hours ago, big Neil said:

Hey Fab, you remind me so much of my neighbour. He too is a mechanic, a diesel mechanic, and he is very creative when it comes to problem solving... just like you. Many tradies are content to do what they have to but guys like you, who think outside the square. are invaluable. Thanks for your post. I enjoyed it. bn

Being creative and having a go is how you learn and become good at what you do.Having a trade doesn't mean you're any good.

   I know and have seen plenty that are as useless as anything yet they are tradies on paper.

[61 crusher]

Way back when I got my first mobile phone a Motorola brick, I was out on my own plumbing I used to come across a lot of gutters sagging off facias & would use a twisted nail & the back end of a cold chisel & hammer to reattach with a lot of cursing & cuts

I came up with an idea of using a bit of half inch pipe that stuck out further than the gutter & some 3/8 rod inside, loved it less cursing & blood particularly when the roof was corrugated metal or slate. 6 years later stumbled across a tool that was made for the job (doubt I invented) 

9 hours ago, Fab1 said:

[61 crusher]

9 hours ago, Fab1 said:

Being creative and having a go is how you learn and become good at what you do.Having a trade doesn't mean you're any good.

   I know and have seen plenty that are as useless as anything yet they are tradies on paper

In the building game I’ve seen plenty that come to mind, from clerk of works, some architects, various tradies & especially council inspectors. It’s one thing to have a a great degree or distinction on paper but applying the knowledge in the field with some commonsense & practicality is an art that you either have or  learn as you go off others.Unfortunately the skilled knowledgeable people are slowly disappearing & the newer & up coming generations are being taught in a restrictive or dumbed down sort of way & relying on google search & the internet for the answers. The other day I heard that math doesn’t need to be a compulsory part of the curriculum anymore FFS almost every job needs some form of math wether your in a white or blue collar job

[kingie chaser]

16 hours ago, Fab1 said:

 So I came up with this with things I already had after a bit of thought.

Nice job Fab 👌

I really enjoy doing things myself as much as possible because you test yourself & learn something rather than just taking to the specialist like a mechanic who unless you find a good one can do a half arssed dodgy job & still charge you $100hr.

The problem solving is half the fun 🙂

 

Edited November 20, 2021 by kingie chaser

[Fab1]

28 minutes ago, 61 crusher said:

Way back when I got my first mobile phone a Motorola brick, I was out on my own plumbing I used to come across a lot of gutters sagging off facias & would use a twisted nail & the back end of a cold chisel & hammer to reattach with a lot of cursing & cuts

I came up with an idea of using a bit of half inch pipe that stuck out further than the gutter & some 3/8 rod inside, loved it less cursing & blood particularly when the roof was corrugated metal or slate. 6 years later stumbled across a tool that was made for the job (doubt I invented) 

That's what I'm talking about.Brilliant idea!!! I would of went a step further and used that Motorola as a hammer.😂

[Fab1]

4 minutes ago, 61 crusher said:

In the building game I’ve seen plenty that come to mind, from clerk of works, some architects, various tradies & especially council inspectors. It’s one thing to have a a great degree or distinction on paper but applying the knowledge in the field with some commonsense & practicality is an art that you either have or  learn as you go off others.Unfortunately the skilled knowledgeable people are slowly disappearing & the newer & up coming generations are being taught in a restrictive or dumbed down sort of way & relying on google search & the internet for the answers. The other day I heard that math doesn’t need to be a compulsory part of the curriculum anymore FFS almost every job needs some form of math wether your in a white or blue collar job

Agree 1000% mate.We are being programmed to use our brains less and less .You either want to learn and expand your mind/knowledge or you don't.

[Fab1]

12 minutes ago, kingie chaser said:

Nice job Fab 👌

I really enjoy doing things myself as much as possible because you test yourself & learn something rather than just taking to the specialist like a mechanic who unless you find a good one can do a half arssed dodgy job & still charge you $100hr.

The problem solving is half the fun 🙂

 

Thanks mate.A simple idea for a simple job.I agree with what your saying mate.That's how you learn.

  Doing things yourself you can do them in the comfort of your own home when you want and take as long as you want.You also know 100% what you did and didn't do.

[Fab1]

Another one of my inventions when I've run out.😂😂😂

[zmk1962]

2 minutes ago, Fab1 said:

Another one of my inventions when I've run out.😂😂😂

You invented a JAR ! .... man o man ... you are amazing !  🤣

 

[Fab1]

Just now, zmk1962 said:

You invented a JAR ! .... man o man ... you are amazing !  🤣

 

Sorry, I make my own back lapping paste using various grits.Still laughing.😂😂😂Works excellent.That's my garnet variety.😂