Tweet
So I was tuning my CB750 yesterday and I noticed that I had somehow left an extra hose clamp dangling on the downtube of the frame. It wasn't one of the four holding the Vetter fairing, just one I apparently meant to use but forgot about.
Since I was tuning the bike I only had a phillips screwdriver and a very small Craftsman flathead, barely bigger than my jewelers screwdrivers, at hand. I started turning the clamp screw (which I had apparently decided needed to be tighten almost all the way) with this little screwdriver. It did not grip well. I was lucky to get one-quarter turn before it would slip. When it did it was a bit difficult to get it going again because it was below the fairing and dark and I couldn't see the screw head. So I had to do it by feel. It took like, forever, to get that clamp off. It was very frustrating.
Now, the thing is, I was sitting on my mechanics stool not four steps from my workbench. At my workbench I have a drawer that holds two complete sets of Craftsman screw drivers, as well as an assortment of other screwdrivers, bit drivers and specialty drivers, including even some JAS screwdrivers I bought when I rebuilt by first Jap bike many years ago. As I was sitting there getting frustrated by that clamp I thought at least twice that I should get up, take four steps, and get the right tool. I did not. It seemed like too much trouble. Four steps.
I find I do that a lot. I work with the tools immediately at hand instead of getting off my stool and getting the right tool. I will sit, surrounded by probably $7,500 worth of tools; enough tools to pull and rebuild any engine in anything; and I will first try to remove a socket head bolt with a jewelers screw driver before taking that long walk.
Just out of curiosity, am I the only one who does this?
Patrick
Since I was tuning the bike I only had a phillips screwdriver and a very small Craftsman flathead, barely bigger than my jewelers screwdrivers, at hand. I started turning the clamp screw (which I had apparently decided needed to be tighten almost all the way) with this little screwdriver. It did not grip well. I was lucky to get one-quarter turn before it would slip. When it did it was a bit difficult to get it going again because it was below the fairing and dark and I couldn't see the screw head. So I had to do it by feel. It took like, forever, to get that clamp off. It was very frustrating.
Now, the thing is, I was sitting on my mechanics stool not four steps from my workbench. At my workbench I have a drawer that holds two complete sets of Craftsman screw drivers, as well as an assortment of other screwdrivers, bit drivers and specialty drivers, including even some JAS screwdrivers I bought when I rebuilt by first Jap bike many years ago. As I was sitting there getting frustrated by that clamp I thought at least twice that I should get up, take four steps, and get the right tool. I did not. It seemed like too much trouble. Four steps.
I find I do that a lot. I work with the tools immediately at hand instead of getting off my stool and getting the right tool. I will sit, surrounded by probably $7,500 worth of tools; enough tools to pull and rebuild any engine in anything; and I will first try to remove a socket head bolt with a jewelers screw driver before taking that long walk.
Just out of curiosity, am I the only one who does this?
Patrick
I would never make do with the tool I can reach without getting up when the right tool is a few steps away. 
and finally find it sitting right next to what I'm working on. 
It wasn't there when I looked the first time.
Comment