Tools or ‘things’ as therapy

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

I find that there's something about old tools, somehow they feel right when you're using them, whereas a new tool tends to feel awkward.

Roy

[AdrianRParticipant @adrianr18614]

I guess old tools were made and refined out of necessity and the design was honed to fit engineers sense of aesthetics. "if it looks right it is right" and "It looks beautiful" ​​​​​​​

I have even had software code that looks beautiful and some that is dam ugly.

The one thing jumps to mind is metric coarse threads, they never feel right. Whitworth a thing of beauty.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Just to say, tools as therapy… buying them is almost as therapeutic as buying them

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 18/06/2019 16:42:15:

Just to say, tools as therapy… buying them is almost as therapeutic as buying them

No, some of those therapeutic to use are those you've made, found or acquired without money changing hands.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 18/06/2019 16:42:15:

Just to say, tools as therapy… buying them is almost as therapeutic as buying them

Presumably you mean as using them?

The pleasure of sorting through the adverts and catalogues, some sell it cheaper, but delivery is longer – is the item someone else is selling the same? But the first supplier you look at has a reputation for poor customer service, while the next is great, but more expensive – then someone suggests an auction site or an Asian mega site. What to do?

At last the decision is made. To hell with it, hit the credit card. When the box, crate or Jiffy bag arrives unwrap it and remove the preservative. Stroke it. Stroke it. My precious, My precious.

Imagine Blofeld in the Bond movies with the white cat and you get the right image.

Better stop now and get back to my drawing. With green crayon. They don't allow me anything sharp in here!

Nick

PS To Plasma: "I love all my tools, machines and assorted nick knacks"

Look at my username please.

Assorted????

Edited By Nick Clarke 3 on 18/06/2019 17:26:52

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

I think a tool has to be well made finished to be a therapeutic aid, a poor tool is an unpleasant thing to use and will not be a calming experience.

Mike

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

When working with my father on a car, often one particular spanner would be used for particular fastener, or task.

Engineers tend to be magpies, fascinated by bright, shiny tools, (The joy of a nice shiny mic or vernier. I still have the Rabone Chesterman vernier, bought from my Chief Instructor when he started selling off his tools. No dull chrome, but a joy to hold and behold )

And, the satisfaction of making tools, and seeing them perform the task for which they were made!

Howard

How did the extra character slip min there?

Edited By Howard Lewis on 18/06/2019 17:34:58

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Plasma,

Only one handed? I can change mine with both – the mechanical lever on the left and the VFD, by pendant, on the right.

Much the same with the mill, although both the handle and the VFD are on the right side of the machine (but I am right handed).

Overkill, maybe, but it increases the available speed range and I have not needed to use the back gear on the lathe so far…

[Author]

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