EDC Catastrophe.

[NKlamerus]

Wow what a night, I'm doing a Rockwall event at Florida State University. A party would be an understatement. Photo before event.

First off, I'm carrying my wingman. My Wave is off for Repair and my OHT is packed with my moving stuff.

First problem, our partner branch is working the inflatables and running 14 amp blowers on 8 amp cords. So the ends were melting together. It just so happened that I keep extra ends with me for this reason. But, I needed my Wave Wire Stripper. And a Phillips extension.

Next, Another cord end, but this one Fixable. Not. Wingman Phillips is too large and the spring loaded pliers keep dropping bits.

Finally, a rock in the rockwall came loose. You have to hold the back while an Allen wrench is turned on the front. Took six attempts.......


I would climb to the top, and drop my wingman or fall off the wall. Regardless if I opened it pre climb or not.

[NKlamerus]

On a plus side my Preon 2 is working great.

BOTH my Energizer headlamps are broke. Backpack must have taken a tumble or something.

[Kampfer]

You lived!

[av8r1]

What was wrong with the Wingman wire strippers?

[Kampfer]

What was wrong with the Wingman wire strippers?

I think he forgot it is there.

[NKlamerus]

What was wrong with the Wingman wire strippers?

Nope, it's ground down to a perfect "U" (with a dremel) in order to cap off lead weights for fishing.

That's a writeup for a whoolleeee different story lol

What was wrong with the Wingman wire strippers?

I think he forgot it is there.

[Kampfer]

What was wrong with the Wingman wire strippers?

Nope, it's ground down to a perfect "U" (with a dremel) in order to cap off lead weights for fishing.

That's a writeup for a whoolleeee different story lol

What was wrong with the Wingman wire strippers?

I think he forgot it is there.

I'd blame kirky

[Sparky415]

Good story
You know next time to take a dedicated Phillips, allen key etc

And probably some lanyards 

[styx]

Glad you made it through the ordeal. Now, what have we all learned from this lesson?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Just because you are prepared doesn't mean you are prepared.

You can't always be ready for everything but you can carry a multitool and/or SAK that might provide you with some options when things go wrong, but there are always limits.

Glad you managed ok though!

Def

[av8r1]

Also, I think this is worth mentioning:  Choose the correct cables for the load you're running.  Melting drop cords?!   

[AimlessWanderer]

Just because you are prepared doesn't mean you are prepared.

Been there several times, equipped with lost of stuff, not what I actually need at that moment 

[Mercury]

That happens to me a lot.  In my current position, tools are everything and it really pays to go ahead and grab my toolbag when I head out on a call.  I've made it all the way across property before thinking my Rebar could handle whatever is broken, only to find out that there either isn't room for it's philips head, or that I really needed a torx or robinson head, or that the rebar's crimper simply isn't big enough to handle whatever I'm needing to crimp.  Or that I really need insulated pliers, that one sucks to find out the hard way.  I've literally welded a string of filament to my rebar's plier head while extracting a broken bulb from a socket 30 feet up.  Didn't zap me, but my rebar has a nice weld mark!  (I know, hit the breaker first)


That's not to say my Rebar can't handle a ton of stuff, I just have to be an HVAC tech/plumber/electrician/carpenter/locksmith/mechanic all at once, so I occasionally I need a ton of dedicated tools. 

[NKlamerus]

Glad you made it through the ordeal. Now, what have we all learned from this lesson?

Always blame Kirky.

[NKlamerus]

In the grand sceme of things I was ready.

I had an entire toolbox in the truck. It was the last thing I grabbed before we left and thank goodness we had it!

[Smaug]

Re. the melting receptacles, if you want to be reasonably prepared, bring a few of the ones made for retrofit from Home Depot, where there are screw clamps.

The factory made rubber ones, as you picture, often rely on a really chintzy spot weld of the wire to the tab inside.

Even then, the wire is going to run hot, but you won't melt plugs or receptacles any more.

The next best thing you can do next time is to bring a fire extinguisher to save the morons who are nearly doubling the ampacity available.