Tool Care: Looking After the Tools That Look After Me
Clean, inspect, lubricate, put away. A five-minute habit for tools that spend their lives on plant-room floors.
INVENTORY / 03 ITEMS
The Workshop
Tools, technology and equipment that end up on the same bench. Some of it earns its place daily. Some of it was bought optimistically and is still waiting, patiently, for the project that justifies it.
Kit & Care
Longer write-ups of the things I use, and how I look after them.
Shop Shades Safety Glasses
The ones that live on my face. Comfortable enough that I forget I'm wearing them, which is the only PPE test that matters.
ToughBuilt XL Rolling Massive Mouth Bag
The tool bag that finally stopped me looking for another tool bag. Model TB-CT-61-18, and yes, the wheels matter.
Wera Multicolour L-Key Sets
The best hex keys I have ever used. I started with one set and now carry metric, imperial and TORX.
Everything in the workshop
Wera Multicolour L-Key Sets
DAILYMetric, imperial and TORX. Colour coded, and findable on a dark gym floor.
The colour coding turns “check the size, try another one” into “I need the green one.” I started with the metric set and now carry all three.
ToughBuilt XL Rolling Massive Mouth Bag
DAILYThe main bag. Big, organised, and it rolls.
The first bag I have owned where I am not quietly planning its replacement. Pockets for the everyday tools, a large central space for the awkward stuff, and wheels that turn out not to be a gimmick.
Shop Shades Safety Glasses
DAILYSafety glasses I forget I am wearing, which is the whole point.
Lightweight, they fit a wide face without gripping my temples, and they look like something you would choose to wear. I own both frame shapes, which was completely unnecessary.
Nothing on that shelf. Possibly in the van.
TRY A DIFFERENT FILTER, OR COME BACK WHEN I HAVE BUILT ONE
NEEDS INPUT Specific makes and models are deliberately left blank rather than guessed at. Fill them in as you go.