Black Hole Theory - Woodworking Talk

interceptor · 03-07-2010, 11:01 PM

As I get older, it's getting more common for me to waste time trying to remember where I put the tools I just used. Conservatively, I waste at least 10% of my time looking for stuff. Watched the Discovery Channel the other night, topic was BLACK HOLES...how everything gets sucked into them and never comes back. This is a life changing discovery for me, explains where the heck all my tools have gone over the years. There is one in my shop that occasionally returns tools....for a while.

phinds · 03-08-2010, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interceptor

As I get older, it's getting more common for me to waste time trying to remember where I put the tools I just used. Conservatively, I waste at least 10% of my time looking for stuff. Watched the Discovery Channel the other night, topic was BLACK HOLES...how everything gets sucked into them and never comes back. This is a life changing discovery for me, explains where the heck all my tools have gone over the years. There is one in my shop that occasionally returns tools....for a while.

Yes, I have one of those too. The return process is called "Hawking radiation", but it is unreliable. I have found that a surefire way to cause a tool to immediately return out of the black hole is to go buy a new one.

Paul

Just Bill · 03-08-2010, 07:17 AM

Went out to work on wife's ice damaged bumper yesterday. Missing a 3/8 ratchet and metric socket from the last time i worked on her Honda. Now I know where it went.

joesdad · 03-08-2010, 07:31 AM

My problem is I have too many holes...I have a small 12x12 area in my basement that has a bench and some basic tools for quick fixes around the house, a small shed outside with a bench and all the motorized things inside, so most of my mechanic type tools are out there (sometimes), my van which has everything usually where it's supposed to be, a friend's large shop that I use for most of my cabinet construction, and a small fully functional 12x17 shop at my mother's house nearby that I use when I don't want to be bothered. So that's a lot of places to lose stuff.

Most commonly misplaced items: 2" hole saw, pocket screw clamps, favorite bevel square, small cloth bag with touch-up sticks in it, safety glasses (it's normal to own 7 pair right?) hex key set/s

Ledhead · 03-08-2010, 08:55 AM

That's funny, I always thought a black hole was spelled b o a t and it sucked everything right outta your wallet.

What I have a problem with is keeping the tool I need right at hand. For instance, pencil, measuring tape, square, etc. I use it, set it down, then need it and wonder where the heck I left it. I've overcome this somewhat by wearing a tool belt, but I could still improve.

And yes safety glasses are a problem. I try to start out with a pair at each machine, and I still end up having to look around for them when I need them. They all tend to migrate to the work bench.

TexasTimbers · 03-08-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interceptor

. . .Conservatively, I waste at least 10% of my time looking for stuff . . .

I wish I was that organized!

Some comedian I think, said dust particles are black holes that finally became full of pens and socks.

ScottyB · 03-08-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ledhead

That's funny, I always thought a black hole was spelled b o a t and it sucked everything right outta your wallet.

What I have a problem with is keeping the tool I need right at hand. For instance, pencil, measuring tape, square, etc. I use it, set it down, then need it and wonder where the heck I left it. I've overcome this somewhat by wearing a tool belt, but I could still improve.

And yes safety glasses are a problem. I try to start out with a pair at each machine, and I still end up having to look around for them when I need them. They all tend to migrate to the work bench.

I also have this issue. I've tried the tool belt idea but by the end of the day the belt is empty and pencils and tape measures are all over. I admit to being lax with eyes and ears. If I am going to be doing a lot of work at a station I am pretty good about wearing them but it I am just making a cut or two I tend to do it quick and then move on. 3 pair of eyes and 3 pair of ears and I still never have them conveniently placed.

ACP · 03-08-2010, 02:30 PM

Mine is more of a wormhole effect. I will set something down, say, on the workbench and when I go to retrieve it the SOB is gone. I'll look for awhile and eventually find it on my table saw, or bandsaw, or somewhere else across the room. It only affects inanimate objects though. No animals or humans have yet been transported. This is a plus. This also happens in my shoe closet. I will throw my tennis shoes on the top of our giant pile of shoes that we don't wear and haven't for years and invariably those shoes will transport to the bottom of the d#$n pile. I think my wife has witnessed the phenomenon but she refuses to admit it!

Chad · 03-08-2010, 05:56 PM

I used to have the black hole effect alot, then I changed the lock on the shop/garage so the kids couldn't get in, and as luck would have it the black hole that ended in my yard quit gathering every tool that looked like a gun or knife.

ACP · 03-08-2010, 08:59 PM

That's funny Chad. They do seem to be black holes to tools.....money too.

interceptor · 03-09-2010, 04:50 PM

Leadhed is pretty close with the definition of a B O A T. The way I interpret that acronym is "Bring Out Another Thousand".

Itchy Brother · 03-11-2010, 11:51 PM

I worked for the air force as a sheetmetal mechanic.This old [my age now],was a real grouch and nobody like working around him.I made it a quest to moved his tools around when he was'nt looking.I got by with it for 3 weeks b4 he caught me.I was really surprised when he took it so well,but then it drove me nuts wondering when he was gonna get even.He never did.Itchy