My shed

[BK]

I think I'll start with hand tools, over the years I have bought/found/inherited quite a few tools.
I always carried a good set of tools in my travels around this big island, you were driver/mechanic in most cases.
Then I was into stationary engines, so I had most tools to cover that. Now I'm restoring/building steam engines ( the toy variety) and found most of my tools were way too big.
In the last couple of years I've been buying little spanners etc. so I'll start with a photo of some of them and their big brothers.



Bernie

[Divided he ad]

I've got a feeling that half of the stuff in that picture won't be seen again in most any postings? 



Nice collection of multi purpose tooling. How come you've got 4 screwdrivers in there? 







Ralph.

[BK]

Err, there are only 2 of everything there, Ralph. (normally I'd make a comment, but being new to this forum, I'll say nutink !!}

[AdeV]

Err, there are only 2 of everything there, Ralph. (normally I'd make a comment, but being new to this forum, I'll say nutink !!}

There are two "Birmingham Screwdrivers"* in the far left of the picture, and two regular screwdrivers on the right...


*aka "ommers"

  (with apologies to anyone from the West Midlands)

[Stilldrillin]

Brummagem Ade? 

That big `un`s a Manchester! .......  Innit?   

David D

[Divided he ad]

I was thinking they were Irish? 


Ade, I'm from Coventry. Doesn't bother me 


Get it now Bernie? 



Brit's ehh!?  Odd humour 






Ralph.

[Darren]

I'm from Coventry. Doesn't bother me 

So we're not to speak to you then Ralph 

Brit's ehh!?  Odd humour 






Ralph.

Yep, I bet half the world wonders if we have lost the plot at times 

[Divided he ad]

What plot?? You had a plot? Where did you find it? How much? .... Come on spill the beans!   





Oh, the old Coventry joke ehh? Never heard that before!! 




 




Ralph.

[Dean W]

Eh, I never seem to know what's going on... 
Interesting language, "innit"?

[Divided he ad]

Eh, I never seem to know what's going on... 

neither do we most of the time   


Just to keep you in the loop...   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Send_to_Coventry    basically that's that old joke!   


The extra screwdrivers = hammers.

Basically suggests the lack of intelligence of an areas tradesmen. Being a bit stupid and putting screws in with a hammer!

But all phrases are just commonly used by various tradesmen to ask for a (usually) "big"  hammer to get something finally into place.  no real malice for the area mentioned 




I usually ask for the "micro fine adjuster" myself. (meaning a very big hammer!) It kinda flows of the tongue better   


But if I'd written that it wouldn't have had that same quick hit humour I was looking for!! 


All that from a quick joke!!
I hope that's cleared it all up?





Ralph.

[75Plus]

This "Screwdriver" discussion reminded me of when I worked for Sears. At the time, late 50's, Sears sold a one wheel utility trailer. The single wheel was a caster and had a coiled spring all as a unit. It attached to the bumper at two points. The bed was made from wood and it had side boards made from 1 X 10's. The boards were attached to each other and the floor with 3" wood screws, about 3 dozen as I recall. One day one of the more conservative, i.e. lazy, workers was tasked with assembling one for a customer. He was busily driving the screws in with a hammer when the customer stopped him. Pointing to the slot in a screw he asked, "Do you know what that is for?" Returning to his hammering  he replied "Yes Sir That is to take the them out!"

[John Hill]

I am reminded of a story of a court case between a builder and a new home owner.  The owner was disputing payment on the grounds of shoddy workmanship and was concentrating on the builder having fitted the window and door hinges by using a hammer to drive the screws.

The builder (according to the story) won the case as he was able to point to the specifications where it called for the screws to be 'driven'  whereas what the owner was demanding was for the screws to be 'set'.