Thanks Vic. That’s a gold star substack article. An inspiring idea relatively easy to implement that can make a big difference. I bet your phone is never at risk of running out of charge either!
I have been haunted for years since somebody pointed out the minimalism is and ideal only achievable by the most privileged people. The rest of us need that spare parts drawer, or the redundant tools.
It is a most excellent point that you can have some DELIBERATE “clutter” and it will speed, not slow, your process. Efficiency, not sloppiness.
I’m pretty good with my folding rule and putting it back in the pocket I retrive it from. But I’m just a capable of leaving it on a machine and then have to go searching for it.
One piece of the kit for each machine should be a pair of safety glasses. Not in the kit but hanging on or adjacent to each one. No searching means no excuses!
Thats a good point. I wear prescription safety glasses so my peepers are always guarded and my ear defenders hang from my belt so that I can guard my hearing as well.
One of my former math prof geeky hobbies is collecting slide rules. I have a few “load rules” for USAF cargo and bomber aircraft. They were used by the loadmaster to insure, among other things, that the CG was in located safely. Each rule was calibrated to its aircraft and by standing order was not allowed to leave the aircraft. Still looking for a Soviet load rule.
This article is gold. It forward-thinks what I've had to discover back door as my shop has matured. Never waste time looking for a tool. A place for everything, and everything in its place as the Shakers would say.
I have had to create took kits as I went along, to be organized teaching and transporting stuff from place to place. It's a great discipline, and makes you respect your tools.
Kudos and a salute to 14 years spent in defence of our nation, something I think people fail to think about or appreciate deeply. Men who put their lives on the line.
High respect for Vic as well, for being able to articulate these ideas and share them. Man is a unicorn, for sure.
Not entirely related but, Years ago when I toured a local Air National Guard base we had the opportunity to talk with a mechanic working on an F-16 in the maintenance hanger. He was installing some components behind an access panel near the cockpit. Two things stood out for me that day.
1. He had wired nuts down to the bolts. I had to ask why he was doing that. It was to ensure they would not vibrate loose during flight and result in a mishap, and 2. The rolling tool box had everything needed to work on that aspect of the aircraft and it had a SHADOW BOARD. This was new to me so I asked about it's use. He said that before closing up the airplane you had to confirm all the tools were back in their places and you couldn't release the plane until then.
I was so impressed with the professionalism I enlisted not long after.
This brings back memories.....I was working for the US Navy and we installed a R&D mast on a destroyer. I was the fleet liaison guy and the crew asked us to install a tool crib in the base for the specific tools needed for our mast!
Thanks Vic. That’s a gold star substack article. An inspiring idea relatively easy to implement that can make a big difference. I bet your phone is never at risk of running out of charge either!
Never! LOL
I have been haunted for years since somebody pointed out the minimalism is and ideal only achievable by the most privileged people. The rest of us need that spare parts drawer, or the redundant tools.
It is a most excellent point that you can have some DELIBERATE “clutter” and it will speed, not slow, your process. Efficiency, not sloppiness.
Brilliant points, thank you so much for sharing.
I’m glad you liked it!
I really like that. The though of not wasting time hunting around for a tools by using kits is brilliant.
I'm pretty faithful about putting stuff back.... Until I don't and when I need it... Well you know... Kits would really help
..... As well as a verision of mitten strings for my tape measures. Guess that might be another blog post.
I’m pretty good with my folding rule and putting it back in the pocket I retrive it from. But I’m just a capable of leaving it on a machine and then have to go searching for it.
I believe it's a capability all woodworkers share. Perhaps it's baked into the woodworker genes. :)
One piece of the kit for each machine should be a pair of safety glasses. Not in the kit but hanging on or adjacent to each one. No searching means no excuses!
Thats a good point. I wear prescription safety glasses so my peepers are always guarded and my ear defenders hang from my belt so that I can guard my hearing as well.
One of my former math prof geeky hobbies is collecting slide rules. I have a few “load rules” for USAF cargo and bomber aircraft. They were used by the loadmaster to insure, among other things, that the CG was in located safely. Each rule was calibrated to its aircraft and by standing order was not allowed to leave the aircraft. Still looking for a Soviet load rule.
Makes good sense!
Van Neistat said it succinctly in a video a few years back “kit your sh*t” and don’t borrow from one kit for another.
100%
This article is gold. It forward-thinks what I've had to discover back door as my shop has matured. Never waste time looking for a tool. A place for everything, and everything in its place as the Shakers would say.
I have had to create took kits as I went along, to be organized teaching and transporting stuff from place to place. It's a great discipline, and makes you respect your tools.
Kudos and a salute to 14 years spent in defence of our nation, something I think people fail to think about or appreciate deeply. Men who put their lives on the line.
High respect for Vic as well, for being able to articulate these ideas and share them. Man is a unicorn, for sure.
Thanks for the kind words Trevor!
Not entirely related but, Years ago when I toured a local Air National Guard base we had the opportunity to talk with a mechanic working on an F-16 in the maintenance hanger. He was installing some components behind an access panel near the cockpit. Two things stood out for me that day.
1. He had wired nuts down to the bolts. I had to ask why he was doing that. It was to ensure they would not vibrate loose during flight and result in a mishap, and 2. The rolling tool box had everything needed to work on that aspect of the aircraft and it had a SHADOW BOARD. This was new to me so I asked about it's use. He said that before closing up the airplane you had to confirm all the tools were back in their places and you couldn't release the plane until then.
I was so impressed with the professionalism I enlisted not long after.
Thats awesome! We used similar systems like a shadow board or labelled tool rolls so that you knew if something was missing.
This brings back memories.....I was working for the US Navy and we installed a R&D mast on a destroyer. I was the fleet liaison guy and the crew asked us to install a tool crib in the base for the specific tools needed for our mast!