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Friday, November 10, 2017

Odds and Ends



After working a bit more on the van I came to the conclusion that the starter failed. I probably could change it myself if I really had to, but I don't have to. The van's parked on an incline and up against a wall -pretty tight. Instead I'm getting it towed to my mechanic. There are other projects that need my attention.

Of course, one thing leads to another. I ordered a pallet of fireblocks for the woodstove. Normally the guy drops them where my van is now parked. He was able to unload them on the other end of the driveway by lifting the whole pallet over the wall. The guy really knows his stuff. In the end the blocks aren't much further away than normal.

I also have a good dolly for moving stuff around. If you ever have to move heavy things, get yourself a good dolly. You'll never regret it. As I get older I like mine more and more. When one of the tires got a flat, I changed them over to airless tires that can't go flat. That was another good investment. Nothing more annoying than moving things around a construction project and picking up stray nails.

Another super useful tool around the house is a good quality contractor style wheelbarrow. I've had mine for many years. It's on it's third set of handles and a second wheel. I throw a little paint on it now and then to keep the rust away.

With all the replacement parts it reminds of the story about old guy and his ax. Guy says he's had the same ax for fifty years. Changed the handle six times and the head twice.

-Sixbears

14 comments:

  1. lol - That's exactly what I thought of when you mentioned the wheelbarrow.

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    1. It's a great story because it's how country folk are.

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  2. Doesn't it seem that the "odd" jobs never end?

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  3. The best tools you can afford often pay for themselves many times over, at least in the past. Tools, like so many other items, are just not the quality they used to be, built to last.

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    1. You can still find good new tools, but you have to search for them. The cost might give you a nosebleed too!

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  4. Yawp, as we age, the requirement to move heavy stuff from here to there increases (must be some Law of the Universe). Tools that help us do that are wise investments - our hips, ankles and lower back will bless us with health when we really need it.

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    1. I'm told you miss those things when they are gone. Many of the guys I used to work with in the Fire department have had joint replacements. I'm lucky that mine still work as well as they do.

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  5. Isn't moving heavy things a job for younger people. It takes up all my strength just to try to move myself. . . I like the axe story.

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    1. It's a classic story, but a good one. I've got friends who are twenty years younger than me complaining about aches and pains. Must get some even younger friends.

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  6. I've got a good dolly, and a good wheelbarrow. They all have flat tires. Guess I ought to get in gear and get them fixed. Wonder if the tire shop in town is the best place to go, or the power tool place. Decisions, decisions.

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    1. I got the ones that don't go flat at Tractor Supply.

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  7. been thinking about getting the run-flat tires on my car, just in case. I hate those donut spares.

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