Broken stuff and why I have so much - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

It started 2 weeks ago when my dad's Tahoe slipped off the jack because the lifting pad broke. Cracked the running board some but nothing noticable or important. Then my set of drill bits turned out to be urine dipped instead of titanium dipped (or whatever stuff they're supposed to use.) My impact gun wont break my lugnuts loose, I broke a 1/2" extension using a ratchet and breaker bar, and my mityvac seal was dried out so pumping it was damn near impossible. Also my torque wrench's lock has been broken for the past year or two, I think it was finished off when my dad was using it kept pushing after the click. Turns out he was waiting for the second click like when I use it, so he kept tightening (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

If I remember right the jack and drill bits were bought at the same vendor at a swapmeet, the extensions were bought at a different swap, and the impact gun cost $30 and came from Home Depot. I'll take blame for the mityvac since I may have gotten some coolant inside it. The torque wrench is a craftsman, with a 1 year warantee that ended years ago.

Then I found out my Auto Meter electric oil pressure gauge reads 10 psi lower than it should. At least the two non-automotive mechanical guages I tried agree to disagree with it.

When will it end? Now my shopping list includes some kind of low profile, fairly light yet strong jack, a torque wrench that doesn't fall apart (aparently it needs instructions printed on the handle too), the drill bits and extension can hold off for a while, but the oil pressure guage should be fixed soon. I have a Motive brake bleeder on the way, but a good impact gun will have to slide to the back burner again. My big brake upgrade and LT1 intake are somewhere towards the top of that list, but they're loosing ground quick.

Besides 'stop buying cheap stuff' any suggestions?

slowTA View Member Profile	Jul 5 2005, 01:44 AM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,290 Joined: 4-May 04 From: Kenvil, NJ Member No.: 331	It started 2 weeks ago when my dad's Tahoe slipped off the jack because the lifting pad broke. Cracked the running board some but nothing noticable or important. Then my set of drill bits turned out to be urine dipped instead of titanium dipped (or whatever stuff they're supposed to use.) My impact gun wont break my lugnuts loose, I broke a 1/2" extension using a ratchet and breaker bar, and my mityvac seal was dried out so pumping it was damn near impossible. Also my torque wrench's lock has been broken for the past year or two, I think it was finished off when my dad was using it kept pushing after the click. Turns out he was waiting for the second click like when I use it, so he kept tightening (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) If I remember right the jack and drill bits were bought at the same vendor at a swapmeet, the extensions were bought at a different swap, and the impact gun cost $30 and came from Home Depot. I'll take blame for the mityvac since I may have gotten some coolant inside it. The torque wrench is a craftsman, with a 1 year warantee that ended years ago. Then I found out my Auto Meter electric oil pressure gauge reads 10 psi lower than it should. At least the two non-automotive mechanical guages I tried agree to disagree with it. When will it end? Now my shopping list includes some kind of low profile, fairly light yet strong jack, a torque wrench that doesn't fall apart (aparently it needs instructions printed on the handle too), the drill bits and extension can hold off for a while, but the oil pressure guage should be fixed soon. I have a Motive brake bleeder on the way, but a good impact gun will have to slide to the back burner again. My big brake upgrade and LT1 intake are somewhere towards the top of that list, but they're loosing ground quick. Besides 'stop buying cheap stuff' any suggestions?

jensend View Member Profile	Jul 5 2005, 02:02 PM Post #2
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 501 Joined: 15-February 04 Member No.: 210	Even decent tools are "consumables" if you use them often enough. It's another part of what makes this "hobby" proof of the laws of entropy. I try not to think about the number of tools that break or magically disappear over the course of a year. And this thread hasn't even touched on our cars' abilities to break/consume parts on a regular basis. My two favorite quotes regarding that are: "My Camaro goes through rotors like I go through potato chips." and "There isn't a part made that this car can't break!".