Toolbox Challenge - January 2022

[ReamerPunch]

Day 29

Bent the spring on a belt hook, to give it more tension.

[Echotech]

Day 29

Been working at the laptop all day so no uses

[m47mu74nt]

looks like we are not the only ones exploring the world of single purpose tools
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXVJXCpI1Lo

[m47mu74nt]

Day 29:
Part of today's EDC :

[Rich_SD]

Day 29

I was just in the garage, and I needed a screwdriver.  I had plenty of screwdrivers just across the garage, but I wanted to use my toolbox challenge screwdriver. I pulled it out of my pocket, I removed the cap to get a bit.... and I dropped the cap!     I heard it bounce, but I didn't see which direction it went.  I'm sure it bounced under something, but I can't find it. 

[m47mu74nt]

That's too bad
(luckily, the challenge is nearly over  )

[Fireman]

DAY 29  Hiking during daylight today, but in the swamp. 

[Fireman]

looks like we are not the only ones exploring the world of single purpose tools

I say, good luck to him.   A month of this has convinced me that I'd rather carry a SAK/MT, but more on that tomorrow. 

[Fireman]

Day 29

I was just in the garage, and I needed a screwdriver.  I had plenty of screwdrivers just across the garage, but I wanted to use my toolbox challenge screwdriver. I pulled it out of my pocket, I removed the cap to get a bit.... and I dropped the cap!     I heard it bounce, but I didn't see which direction it went.  I'm sure it bounced under something, but I can't find it. 

There's a case for either a single screw driver or an MT that doesn't use bits.   But hey, we're done with this tomorrow.  Just try not to screw anything else up tonight. 

[m47mu74nt]

I say, good luck to him.   A month of this has convinced me that I'd rather carry a SAK/MT, but more on that tomorrow. 

I think it depends on intended use : before the challenge I had already started to put aside my Victorinox Swisstool Spirit and take a few tools instead:  cobra, diagonal cutters, bit kit, and diamond file ... Mainly because I didn't use most of the Spirit functions... Adding "useless" weight.
Still the challenge showed me it was a real challenge not to take a MT when you want to respond to about anything, or when reducing bulk is more important than reducing wheight

[Jothra]

I think it depends on intended use : before the challenge I had already started to put aside my Victorinox Swisstool Spirit and take a few tools instead:  cobra, diagonal cutters, bit kit, and diamond file ... Mainly because I didn't use most of the Spirit functions... Adding "useless" weight.
Still the challenge showed me it was a real challenge not to take a MT when you want to respond to about anything, or when reducing bulk is more important than reducing wheight

Around my apartment I haven't really noticed a difference, because every tool I own is a few steps away. Any time I'm out of the house it's been slowing me down a little.

[Adam5]

Day 29

Riding shotgun with me while on the way to an estimate:

[Echotech]

Day 30

Thanks for the challenge everyone, good idea RP been very interesting

It’s confirmed to me the only tool I really use every day is a knife, with scissors in a distant second

Was pretty weird not having a SAK in my pocket at all times and something like a Rebar in my bag, but my chosen tools all worked fine, especially when I upgraded the scissors to the Fiskars folders

Blade wise the Opi 7 was great, I use it a lot in the kitchen anyway so was an easy choice and the Boker+ Atlas is a nice unit, although the handle’s a bit slim for anything serious. But much of the time I used the little keychain Bomber and Co knife, the blade’s somewhat larger than on a 58mm SAK which I like but the handles a bit short

90 day Soldier challenge starts tomorrow, decided to carry a mod 2008, it’s going to be another good one

[ReamerPunch]

Day 30

Made another insert. Half a cone box, and chocolates stay put.

[ReamerPunch]

Many thanks to everyone who joined and followed along.
Could we get the badge added to the list, please?

[Jothra]

Definitely use the PNG versions for functional transparency:



[EDIT: I forgot to say please. Manners.]

[Jothra]

Adjusting my road bike's saddle height. This is a unique socket, which is why it looks so odd.


Sorry if the picture is wonky. Image editing on my phone is hard.

I was an explorer today. I may attempt some cartography based on my findings. Or not. That's Future Jothra's problem.

[Echotech]

Many thanks to everyone who joined and followed along.
Could we get the badge added to the list, please?

Definitely use the PNG versions for functional transparency:

(Image removed from quote.) (Image removed from quote.)

[EDIT: I forgot to say please. Manners.]

Looks great

[Fireman]

DAY 30!!!  Look ma, top of the world! 

I decided on my own to limit my toolbox to some things I could carry in place of an MT or SAK.  I thought the Knipex needle nose would be a better choice than 5" Cobras, but at best they were even.  The Stanley screwdriver worked very well for screws within it's size range, but not at all on screws that were sunk deeply in wood, rusty, or otherwise difficult to remove.  The knives, well, they cut.  The Gerber was the best all around, but the razor knife was obviously better for cardboard.  If I had limited myself to just one knife, the Opinel 8 would have been the best choice.

So was this better than a MT?  No, it was not.  I think of tools in levels, and the "toolbox" for the challenge was middle of the road.  More bulky than a MT, but not as specific as a real toolbox. 

Level 1: SAK/MT that is on my person all the time.  No matter which I choose for the day, it's all compromise, but I accept that for portability.
Level 2: Took kit in my pack, truck, or a bunch of tools I'm using for a specific job. 
Level 3: Access to all my tools, from mechanic tools, bike tools, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, reloading, etc.

Like all challenges, I learned something and had fun doing it.  Thanks to REAMERPUNCH for starting it all! 

[Adam5]

Day 30



At work, my primary tools are linesman pliers, combination screwdriver, and knife. A MT or SAK can adequately replace the knife, and somewhat replace the screwdriver, but they can not replace the pliers. So, this challenge was not a big challenge for me at work. Though, I did miss having a MT/SAK to supplement my tools.

At home, I did miss them a lot. It is very nice to be able to carry a MT and/or SAK unobtrusively in a pocket and pull it out to snip a loose thread, tighten a loose screw, open a box, clean a fingernail, cut a low-lying tree limb, and so on. To be able to handle small tasks without being encumbered with a tool belt or have to go get the tool box.

[SteveC]

Definitely use the PNG versions for functional transparency:

(Image removed from quote.) (Image removed from quote.)

[EDIT: I forgot to say please. Manners.]

Thanks Jothra       the award is now available for request    

[Adam5]

 

[m47mu74nt]

Day 30:
Let's finish with a Cobra XS, that will stay in my handbag, even after the end of the Challenge (until I get another toy that will take its place... )
Of all the challenge's period, I mostly used two tools : a knife (any kind), and Cobra(s) that I like a lot more than universal pliers (the only time I used straight pliers is when I needed really small needle nose)

[Rich_SD]

That's too bad
(luckily, the challenge is nearly over  )

There's a case for either a single screw driver or an MT that doesn't use bits.   But hey, we're done with this tomorrow.  Just try not to screw anything else up tonight. 

 

I managed to find it last night.  It somehow rolled to the other side of the garage making a 90 degree turn in the process, 

[Rich_SD]

Day 30

Going 30 days without a multitool of any kind was the ultimate challenge!  It's crazy that my pockets were stuffed with various tools when a single multitool would do more and take up less space.  If I do this challenge again in the future, I'll use a pouch like everyone else did.

Like most people, I used the knife most of all... which is no surprise, because the blade has always been the most used tool on my multitools.  I think the tool I will miss most is my new pry bar - I think I might just leave that in my wallet.

For my last pic, this is a very small Vise Grip that I almost used instead of the Knipex. 

[Jothra]

Thanks Jothra       the award is now available for request    

You bet!

And thanks to RP for the design. All I ended up doing was cleanup work.

[ReamerPunch]

I think for me it was a tie between my mini bit ratchet and the scissors.
This challenge was something else. Like I said before, carrying a multi-tool may seem like a compromise, but carrying a toolbag is also a compromise. Who is going to haul around a bag of tools for edc? A good multi-tool will take care of most tasks, but take up less space and weigh way less. Although a well-stacked edc pouch is also worth its weight in gold.

[ReamerPunch]

You bet!

And thanks to RP for the design. All I ended up doing was cleanup work.

It turned out great!

Don't forget to request your badges, people! You did great!

[Poncho65]

Great job everyone Sorry again that I had to bow out but I followed along with you all daily

Badges awarded to Adam5, Fireman, ReamerPunch, m47mu47nt and Rich_SD

Congrats guys and don't forget to those who haven't got the badge requested yet, request it

[Poncho65]

and as promised Banana Dance