OT - The right old tool beats the wrong new one.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:21 pm

I don't know if any of you all tap trees for syrup, but we do. In any case, the lesson of using the right tool is one we've all paid the price of forgetting:

Rather than spend 15 minutes ransacking the barn for the old bit-and-brace to tap some maple trees, I decided to just grab the 100 foot extention cord and a power drill. Of course that meant 5 minutes picking up the mess I caused when the long cord knocked over a feed bin, and another 5 minutes looking for a proper sized bit. Then I get to the trees, and the nearest electric-fence charger outlet had one dead socket, so I unplugged the fence. Another two trips back to the house for the OTHER bit I needed to drill out a bucket top, and some electric tape to wrap the tree tap in since I got the WRONG size bit for the tap. Finally get all the stuff hauled back to the house, then about 11 pm I remember I didn't plug the fence charger back in, so get dressed and run out and check it.

All in all, I figure I should have spent a few minutes to get the right tool I usually use, that already had the right bit in it!

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:35 pm

Sounds like some of my "projects".

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:45 pm

Oh boy,did you rehearse at my house?

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:36 am

Sh*t happens usually to me.
(my mantra)

This kind of stuff is why I will no do certain things
if things are not "falling into place" or my head is not right.

I am not alone in the universe.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 6:52 am

handirifle wrote:Sounds like some of my "projects".

+1

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:31 am

The problem I have, is even after an event like that, the next time I run into a situation where I know I shouldn't cut corners, I will anyway, and pay for it again!!!

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:11 am

My family has used an small old chainsaw. Remove the blade , put a chuck on the end of the output shaft and install a reversed turn drill bit. Been using it since the 70's. Cordless drills will work . Just not as fast.

Won't be tapping this year , too much snow. Usually only tap every other year anyway.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:26 am

Yep--Do it all the time. Its got to the point that I have made a 3-1 policy. That means that any job I plan on doing will take 3 times as long as I think it should take.--------------Sixgun

wm · Post by wm » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:50 pm

I understand your frustration at a very personal and profound level!

Wm

Jeeps · Post by **Jeeps** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 2:27 pm

Geez, and I always thought it was just us Pollocks those things happened to.

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:24 pm

Jeeps wrote:Geez, and I always thought it was just us Pollocks those things happened to.

+1 on the Pollock (1/4 anyhow)

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:31 pm

P.S. - found the Bit & Brace today, trying to find some @&^%#@$ fencing staples.

But - I KNOW how to find the fencing staples (besides walking in the barn barefoot) - I'll just go BUY SOME; that always gets the old ones to surface...

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:28 pm

Last I counted, 37 states have laws forbiding me to have tools.......