Hand tool backups

Don't you hate it when power tools die in the middle of a job?

A good friend of mine gave me a much better gun safe than the one I was using. The only problem was that the old lock would not open. Little tip, don't try and reuse a padlock that spent time on a sailboat in salt water. When sailing I kept it well oiled and it never froze up. Just sitting for months it slowly corroded into a solid block.

No problem, I've got a reciprocating saw. It took a couple of strokes and died. The thing was just 22 years old too. That's when I was glad I had a hacksaw and some sharp blades. It didn't take too long to cut the lock.

It never hurts to have hand tool backups for all your power tools. Last year it was a skill saw that died on me -only 21 years old. Good thing I had some handsaws I could use to finish the job.

I've a drill that was bought at the same time as those other tools. Wonder if it's about to die too? No matter, I've got an old fashioned bit brace that could fill in as needed.

Just about every power tool has a manual tool that could do the job. It's a good idea to have them around. Sure beats being unable to finish a job. It's also sometimes darn handy to have tools that work off the grid. The sort of storm that takes down the grid is exactly the sort of thing that could require emergency home repair.

Now and then I'll reach for the hand tool before the power tool. Sometimes it's easier and quicker to do it by hand. You don't want have to set up an air compressor and an air nailer just to tack down a loose board.

-Sixbears