[C320-list] Rough Draft of Mainsheet Article

[Chris Burti]

Here is a rough draft of a DIY article from an unknown source;

DIY Tools in the C-320 Tool  Loaner Program and How to Use Them

There have been several discussions on the C-320 IA discussion list of
our tool loaner program and some of the contents of the tool kit that
are particularly unique to marine maintenance. As those discussions
also treated the proper use of those tools, we will not address them
in this article. However, we are aware that some owners may be a bit
new to DYI and we thought that a discussion of some of the other tools
in the kit (or available from your neighbors) and their uses might be
well received.

Circular Saw (Skil Saw Brand):
A portable cutting tool used to make boards too short.

Belt Sander:
An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs
into major refinishing jobs.

Wire Wheel:
Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the
workbench with the speed of light.  Also removes fingerprints and
hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to
say, 'Oh stuff''.

Drill Press:
A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar
stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings
your beer across the room, denting the freshly-varnished project which
you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

Slip Joint Pliers (Channel-Lock Brand):
Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

Hacksaw:
One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle...
It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and
the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your
future becomes.

Grip Lock Pliers (Vise Grip Brand):
Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If
nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense
welding heat to the palm of your hand.

Oxy-Acetylene Torch:
Used almost entirely for igniting various flammable objects in your
shop and creating a fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside
the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

Table Saw:
A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles
for testing wall integrity. Very effective for digit removal!!

Hydraulic Floor Jack:
Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed
your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the
bumper.

Band Saw:
A large stationary power saw primarily used in most shops to cut large
pieces of wood into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash
after you cut on the wrong side of the line.

Two-Ton Engine Hoist:
A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of all the crap you
forgot to disconnect.

Phillips Screwdriver:
Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening
old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but
can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw
heads.

Straight Screwdriver:
A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common
slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palms.

Pry Bar:
A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you
needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

PVC Pipe Cutter:
A tool used to make plastic pipe too short.

Hammer:
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as
a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the
object we are trying to hit.

Utility Knife:
Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons
delivered to your front door. Works particularly well on contents such
as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector
magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially
useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

Son of a Witch Tool:
Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling
'Son of a Witch' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the
next tool that you will need.






-- 
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC