People who don't know how to use their tools

[Lotus Elan +2]

While walking the dog I noticed a guy cleaning his wheels with them off the car.
As I was returning from said walk he was putting them back on with rather a large torque wrench. Now obviously I don't know what the torque wrench was set at but after it clicked he just kept tightening the nut, making it click again and just kept on pulling !!! Made me shudder
What other tools do people not know how to use properly?

[Kerniki]

Tighten it till it goes loose

[LunarOne]

I watched a very experienced mechanic use a ratchet as a hammer this morning. He clearly hasn't got a clue what he's doing.

Scroll to 3:45

[borcy]

Watching mechanics in tyre fit type places, I don't think many have ever been shown how to use a torque wrench properly.

[BrownEaredDog]

Lotus Elan +2 said:

While walking the dog I noticed a guy cleaning his wheels with them off the car.
As I was returning from said walk he was putting them back on with rather a large torque wrench. Now obviously I don't know what the torque wrench was set at but after it clicked he just kept tightening the nut, making it click again and just kept on pulling !!! Made me shudder
What other tools do people not know how to use properly?

Even reading your description of this tool-abuse made me wince like I'd been there myself.

A story of my own - not quite about not knowing how to use a tool, but not knowing the potential dangers of using it incorrectly. Last year I walked past a chap who was lying completely under his car which was solely supported by a rusty old trolley jack...no axle stands, bricks or any other support

[anonymous-user]

borcy said:

Watching mechanics in tyre fit type places, I don't think many have ever been shown how to use a torque wrench properly.

Don't they usually have to rely on their air tools to make sure they can torque up the bolts to at least 40,000Nm?

[Ganglandboss]

LunarOne said:

I watched a very experienced mechanic use a ratchet as a hammer this morning. He clearly hasn't got a clue what he's doing.

Scroll to 3:45

[Ganglandboss]

I was in a tyre bay once and one of their monkeys was knocking balancing weights on with a Vernier calliper.

[Ganglandboss]

Exasperated said:

borcy said:

Watching mechanics in tyre fit type places, I don't think many have ever been shown how to use a torque wrench properly.

Don't they usually have to rely on their air tools to make sure they can torque up the bolts to at least 40,000Nm?

#

[sunbeam alpine]

Kerniki said:

Tighten it till it goes loose

A real pro would back off a quarter turn after it went loose...

[Sporky]

LunarOne said:

I watched a very experienced mechanic use a ratchet as a hammer this morning. He clearly hasn't got a clue what he's doing.

[K87]

Tools of a different sort.

A neighbour has a four metre high hedge, he uses a corded electric rotary mower to trim the sides, holding the handle high above his head with the rotating blade a metre above his reach.

Other vampire neighbours film the process waiting for it all to go wrong.

[E63eeeeee...]

K87 said:

Tools of a different sort.

A neighbour has a four metre high hedge, he uses a corded electric rotary mower to trim the sides, holding the handle high above his head with the rotating blade a metre above his reach.

Other vampire neighbours film the process waiting for it all to go wrong.

[borcy]

Exasperated said:

borcy said:

Watching mechanics in tyre fit type places, I don't think many have ever been shown how to use a torque wrench properly.

Don't they usually have to rely on their air tools to make sure they can torque up the bolts to at least 40,000Nm?

Then a bit of a performance with torque wrench, which clicks off straight away. Funny that.

[shirt]

Ganglandboss said:

LunarOne said:

I watched a very experienced mechanic use a ratchet as a hammer this morning. He clearly hasn't got a clue what he's doing.

Scroll to 3:45

He’s just under specced his hammer that’s all, era got you covered for this

https://www-de.wera.de/en/great-tools/koloss/

[the cueball]

I’m probably one of them…

I have lots a tools in plastic cases that I just don’t know how to use properly..

Stuff like bearing kits, welders, even all the various extensions etc in tool kits..

I always get the feeling I’m not getting the best out of anything I use

[BunkMoreland]

Lotus Elan +2 said:

While walking the dog I noticed a guy cleaning his wheels with them off the car.
As I was returning from said walk he was putting them back on with rather a large torque wrench. Now obviously I don't know what the torque wrench was set at but after it clicked he just kept tightening the nut, making it click again and just kept on pulling !!! Made me shudder
What other tools do people not know how to use properly?

I know a main dealer that hired an american chap (in the Uk) and he did that a lot!

It was brought to managements attention. They ignored it. Something about "dont worry about him, worry about yourself"

Someone engaged with the American chap in conversation. Turns out he had NEVER been to any form of college, apprenticeship and had never been taught anything about cars. He'd worked a few weeks with a friend in the states unpaid, (doing menial tasks) and then literally blagged it at interview when he arrived in the UK. He had a succession of jobs based on the fact that "previously I worked at X, Y or Z" and no one bothered to ask him about qualifications! Or check references. NOR ask other members of staff to keep an eye on him as a newbie

In the end he left because it turned out he didn't even have a fking work permit! Thats the level of stupid management you get in the motor trade in the UK!

[Jakg]

LunarOne said:

I watched a very experienced mechanic use a ratchet as a hammer this morning. He clearly hasn't got a clue what he's doing.

Scroll to 3:45

I've done the same... if just need to give a socket a quick tap to ensure it's properly seated on a slightly corroded nut, it's not the right tool, but it works.

A bit like how screwdrivers aren't pry bars... but they work.

My excuse was that I was under a car in an awkward position with a hammer a walk away. Less justifiable on a lift.

[Mars]

shirt said:

He’s just under specced his hammer that’s all, era got you covered for this

https://www-de.wera.de/en/great-tools/koloss/

I honestly didn't think there was a tool left in the world that I'd be excited enough to add to my wish list but since I gave my son my original Halfords pro socket set, I have an opportunity to start again with just the sockets I need... and a wrench. And what a piece of kit this thing is..!! I. Need. It.

[gruffgriff]

Ganglandboss said:

I was in a tyre bay once and one of their monkeys was knocking balancing weights on with a Vernier calliper.

Both my digital and the proper one are sheathed and clipped in to their respective boxes. Paid for with my early YTS apprentice wages and in perfect condition getting on for 35 years later...and both used regularly enough.
Happy to use a chock brick to hammer a socket on a nut though. Bricks make rubbish hammers but I've got lots...