Several years ago, Lynn Jaynes, the now-retired editor of this publication, asked a few of her regular writers to send her what we thought were the three handiest things we had in the shop that might make a great gift idea for the “mechanic who had everything.”
Since Christmas is right around the corner, and my wife is likely to read this article, I thought this would be an appropriate time to revisit my list of giftable tools.
As I get older, there are some themes that have grown from “that’s nice” to “that’s a necessity.” In no particular order, these themes include comfort, lighting, magnification and storage.
Comfort is probably the most tricky of all because many physical traits play into what is or isn’t comfortable. For example, I am nearly a foot taller than my dear wife. In the past eight years, I also had had my left hip replaced and three bones in my right foot fused.
Getting down on the floor is only surpassed in difficulty by getting up off said floor! I know some of y’all can relate. I don’t use a creeper at all. I would much rather use a nice big piece of cardboard that allows me to roll over and prop myself back up.
I have seen the “creepers” that roll with you as you scoot under equipment but again, the more room you take up initially, the less material you have to roll out to your intended work zone.
Same goes for stools or chairs – they must fit. Seat height is important. If my hip drops below my knees, I'm going to need some help to stand. An idea that I have used to great benefit is a draftsman chair. Made to be a comfortable stool for an elevated table, at its lowest level, a draftsman chair is perfect for me. Gift idea number one, but again, know your target. Comfort is very personal.
Lighting and magnification are related under the heading of improved vision and visibility. Today’s light-emitting diode (LED) shop lights are not only powerful and bright, but they can also be a snap to install. Many models have a hook and set screw to allow them to be mounted nearly anywhere. Many also are prewired with a simple plug to facilitate installation.
You find LED shop lights in a variety of places, and they usually come in sets of six to 10. Prices vary from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, but most run between $25 to $40 per fixture. Not bad at all.
And what a difference! Exchanging old fluorescent lights with LEDs can turn the darkest dungeon of a shop or garage into a bright welcoming place to work without that unending buzz of fluorescent lights.
While more expensive at purchase, I think you will be surprised to see how much tougher, and long-lasting LED lighting lasts.
For more focused vision, LED trouble lights (including putting an LED bulb in a traditional trouble light) and glare-blocking reading glasses can be a great help when working on smaller items or working in tight spaces.
Storage (i.e., a tool cabinet) is always a great gift. Many tool cabinets offer outstanding features; the only issue is most come with a hefty price tag. And of course, tool cabinets are much more appreciated when there is adequate floor space to accommodate them.
I purchased a new tool cabinet a few years ago and I found quickly that the space I had to place it in was a limiting factor. Older tool storage and my shop table surround my newer cabinet in the far corner of the shop. This positioning led me to actions mentioned previously.
I installed even brighter LED lights directly over that workspace and I stashed a pair of readers to help me read the sizes stamped on tools, especially sockets. I have yet to fill up my new cabinet just because I am a firm believer in “a place for everything and everything in its place.”
I am afraid that if I move some tools to a “better” spot in the shop, will I remember where that better spot was the next time I need that tool? With that truth in mind, many tools get put right back in the same place they were in when my Dad stored them 50-plus years ago. Getting older is not only for the brave, but it also has its share of reality checks as well.
Did I mention I'm getting older? Well, my fingers and hands aren’t what they used to be, either; times when I could use a third hand when putting things back together are growing as well.
The more I drop things, the more I count on my floor magnet. If you don’t have one – get one. Sooner or later, you’ll drop something you really need and that magnet will save you a great deal of time sifting through grass, dirt, gravel or sawdust hunting for that elusive metal part. It can also save you a trip or 12 to the tire shop as well.
One thing I saw lately that I think is a great idea are magnetic wrist bands. They are simply a series of 10 or so small magnets in pouches that are fastened to your wrist. They hold metal items like washers, nuts, screws or nails, and keep them handy until you need to grab them for repair or assembly.
Santa? I sure could use one of those magnetic wrist bands. I’ve been good, I promise.
