When the only tool you have is a hammer, ever problem begins to resemble a nail. -- Abraham Maslow
This probably goes without saying, but in case you’re new or not paying attention: I am a huge dork. I bring this up now because I just bought a new vacuum cleaner, and realized I was unreasonably excited about it. I used to vacuum about once a month, whether it needed it or not. Now I find myself dragging it out two or three times a week. I think that’s somewhat unprecedented for a bachelor geek with a video gaming problem.
Having the right tool for the job can make the difference between a twenty minute fix-up or a weekend ordeal. When I was a kid my stepfather accidentally locked the keys in a rental car. A colleague showed him how to make a slim-jim out of a coat hanger and had the doors open in under five minutes. He managed to lock the keys in the car about three more times that weekend and to this day I’m convinced he did it on purpose just to show off his new found skill. Sometimes having the right tool for the job suddenly becomes about the tool instead of the job and you find yourself finding excuses to use it.
What’s your go-to gadget that makes you take on tasks that might otherwise be unimportant, just for the excuse to the use the tool to get it done?
["User Input" is the AtomicToasters Question of the Day™ asking you, the teeming millions, to answer our pressing questions.]
Just visit my kitchen:
Pyrex measuring cups in 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-cup sizes. Three graters from microplane to countertop box grater. A potato ricer for when a plain old masher isn't good enough. A mezzoluna with base for chopping fresh herbs. A mandolin for 'wafer-thin' slicing. A diverse selection of knives with blades from 2" to 12"…
And on and on and on…
But do you have a Salad Shooter ™?
No, but Mom has one in her kitchen next door… I have a Veg-O-Matic packed away in storage, though…
I'm starting a job this week that will require the decommissioning of lots of PCs. My orientation guy suggested I get a powered screwdriver. I'm on my way out to pick it up – I can't wait to use it! I'll probably take apart most of my Ikea furniture, just so I can put it back together.
Tip: anyplace Ikea furniture uses dowels, glue them in. You can't dismantle it later, but you get a much more solid piece of furniture.
This is my go to guy:
<img src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/productImages/0/7/00000110507-StihlMS200chainsaw-large.jpeg" width=”400”>
<img src="http://img1.newser.com/image/756820-6-20100823074915.jpeg">
The go-to tool for when that tool's got to go.
I try to keep by TI-84 in commission, although I'm moving away from anything that needs that level of calculation. So whenever I have to do something mundane like straightening receipts and taxes, I break it out. Look! I can go revisit my last entered numbers! Now, let's see if I can graph this month's spending against the last couple months…
<img src="http://www.geeksguidetodating.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/signs-you-are-a-tool.jpeg" width="600">
I'll go out and pick up or even trim limbs to use this.
<img src="http://www.ecam.com.au/pics/5/5750b.jpg"width=500>
They sure do come in handy!
<img src="http://www.moviemobsters.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/woodchipper-fargo-2.jpg" width="400">
<img src="http://images.letsbuyit.co.uk/original/80/12/sealey-club-hammer-2-5lb-10511280.jpeg"/>
I have one of those it's name is Little Big Man and he gets used lots
<img src="http://images.dailyfill.com/3cac14e06e6542b4_9c5c8e83178cafad/o/gallery_enlarged-110307H2_HEMSWORTH_B-GR_01.jpg">
If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer.
I'm an enthusiastic endorser of percussive maintenance.
<img src="http://store02.prostores.com/bullflytrading/catalog/315327203_tp_94_1.jpg">
since no one else has–I feel i should… *note: not for those with weak stomachs or easily induced nightmares (as will all of their videos)
[youtube 07pLGIgyfjw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07pLGIgyfjw youtube]
that was supposed to say "(as with all of their videos)" but i cannot edit now…….