OT-JEEZ! (He says to himself as he beats his head gently against a soft wall)-OT

[randroid]

Folks,

Ever had one of those experiences in which you suddenly realize how wrong you have ever been by trying to do something the easy, sensible, direct method rather than attempting to do it 'quick-and-dirty' and just get the job over with, only to realize that the 'quick-and-dirty' method was the correct way to do it in the first place? Such was my epiphany of the day today.

You may recall that I posted a query concerning the removal of the rear brake drums from my '67 VW Bug, and how I lamented not being able to find a drum puller in two populous Colorado counties (much less finding anybody who'd ever heard of one)? I pointed out that Norm's idea of loosening the axle nuts 1\4 turn and driving in tight circles work as well as any tool but I had no tires or insurance on the Bug. Do you remember me saying that? I did say it, and I said it on more than one internationally recognized forum (The Samba, a VW forum, being the other one). Do you recall how excited I became when one of our members found one for sale on ebay? The comments I made about it and the conversation with Diezeldoc about why one should one such a tool?

I stopped by my local VW shop this afternoon to ask them for alternatives for removing the drum and the old hippy looked at me like I was a frog and told me he generally removes one with his hands because a '67 VW Bug has a splined rear axle and there's little more than finger-force holding it in place after 236 ft\lbs. have been un-torqued from the axle bolt. Three weeks I have been spending bemoaning my plight to you good folks and you have responded kindly, thank you, but did you realize you all could have been getting quite the chuckle out of this at my expense while I pitifully sniveled my rueful plight?

I haven't yet bothered myself to waddle to the driveway and gently tug at the drums who's shoes have long since been backed all the way in, and I haven't done that yet because it began raining shortly after I got home so Lady Lynn and I sat on the couch and watched the Rockies game. I have a job interview tomorrow morning so I won't be getting my hands greasy before noon, but I bet I have the brakes done tomorrow afternoon before it gets too late to be able to enjoy the final beer of the day.

Just wanted to share that with you all because I know I can get quite opinionated on here sometimes and I feel the obligation to demonstrate to all and sundry that I am not perfect. I hope that didn't burst too many bubbles.

What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?

-Randy

[dezeldoc]

Folks,

Ever had one of those experiences in which you suddenly realize how wrong you have ever been by trying to do something the easy, sensible, direct method rather than attempting to do it 'quick-and-dirty' and just get the job over with, only to realize that the 'quick-and-dirty' method was the correct way to do it in the first place? Such was my epiphany of the day today.

You may recall that I posted a query concerning the removal of the rear brake drums from my '67 VW Bug, and how I lamented not being able to find a drum puller in two populous Colorado counties (much less finding anybody who'd ever heard of one)? I pointed out that Norm's idea of loosening the axle nuts 1\4 turn and driving in tight circles work as well as any tool but I had no tires or insurance on the Bug. Do you remember me saying that? I did say it, and I said it on more than one internationally recognized forum (The Samba, a VW forum, being the other one). Do you recall how excited I became when one of our members found one for sale on ebay? The comments I made about it and the conversation with Diezeldoc about why one should one such a tool?

I stopped by my local VW shop this afternoon to ask them for alternatives for removing the drum and the old hippy looked at me like I was a frog and told me he generally removes one with his hands because a '67 VW Bug has a splined rear axle and there's little more than finger-force holding it in place after 236 ft\lbs. have been un-torqued from the axle bolt. Three weeks I have been spending bemoaning my plight to you good folks and you have responded kindly, thank you, but did you realize you all could have been getting quite the chuckle out of this at my expense while I pitifully sniveled my rueful plight?

I haven't yet bothered myself to waddle to the driveway and gently tug at the drums who's shoes have long since been backed all the way in, and I haven't done that yet because it began raining shortly after I got home so Lady Lynn and I sat on the couch and watched the Rockies game. I have a job interview tomorrow morning so I won't be getting my hands greasy before noon, but I bet I have the brakes done tomorrow afternoon before it gets too late to be able to enjoy the final beer of the day.

Just wanted to share that with you all because I know I can get quite opinionated on here sometimes and I feel the obligation to demonstrate to all and sundry that I am not perfect. I hope that didn't burst too many bubbles.

What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?

-Randy

Read this post!!

[mackster]

I bought a 68 vw bug from a friend sight unseen! thats pretty crazy! I feel the same way you do...I hope it pays off on fri when I get to it....(hey at least a have a chance to not say jeez!)

[claybill]

randy...quite a story teller! is your new job interview for a literary one?

bill

[Joe Flanagan]

Randy, I've done so many dummies I've lost track of them. You've heard of "dummy-proof?" Well, I'm "dummy-prone."

[Frank Elder]

I know nothing is Sailor proof:DTim knows of which I speak!

[Plymouthy Adams]

sad but true Frankie..sad but true....many a time I have been told to go to the boat and fix something that had been sailorized..

we had a mech in the Army at the unit I served..nobody wanted to relieve him at shift change if he had been working on an item..we quickly adapted the the term "It's been Fritzed" in reference to the mans last name..another real favoite ws the wooden boxes on the desks in our area marked IN...OUT...FARTED OFF

[randroid]

mackster,

If you're new to Bugs I highly recommend googling 'thesamba' as an invaluable place for information. Join the forum, ask a lot of questions, and look at some of the ads for the neat stuff they have for sale.

Tim & Frankie,

There is a line in "The Caine Mutiny" that states 'The United States Navy is an institution conceived by geniuses to be administered by morons'. Having spent four years in Uncle Sam's canoe club I can attest to the validity of the statement. (I ate over-cooked, dry roast beef thirteen times a week for over a year, and forty years later a piece of beef better be cooked perfectly or I can't stomach it.)

-Randy

[RobertKB]

mackster,

There is a line in "The Caine Mutiny" that states 'The United States Navy is an institution conceived by geniuses to be administered by morons'. -Randy

What a great movie! I always watch it whenever I run across it on TV. I believe that line was spoken by Fred McMurray who played the officer who was also a psychiatrist/doctor/writer. He was always extremely sarcastic and negative about Captain Queeg, the Caine, and the Navy in general.

[PatS....]

Folks,

Ever had one of those experiences in which you suddenly realize how wrong you have ever been by trying to do something the easy, sensible, direct method rather than attempting to do it 'quick-and-dirty' and just get the job over with, only to realize that the 'quick-and-dirty' method was the correct way to do it in the first place? Such was my epiphany of the day today.Just wanted to share that with you all because I know I can get quite opinionated on here sometimes and I feel the obligation to demonstrate to all and sundry that I am not perfect. I hope that didn't burst too many bubbles.

...........................

What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?

-Randy

To quote my hero, Homer Simpson on this occasion..."DOH!!!!"

and, no, I've not done anything remotely similar :rolleyes:

...today

Edited September 10, 2009 by PatS....

[Niel Hoback]

I fear I have you all beat here. "What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?"

Today I tried to push small pieces of wood across my table saw without a push stick.

I am typing with one hand bound up to look like a mickey mouse glove. After 5 hours in the ER, I see the orthopedist tommoro to see how short one of my fingers will be. The others only get stitches.

Anybody do anything dumber than that today?

[randroid]

Neil,

Nope, you got it. Not many antics are going to top that, and it's only Wednesday. That hurt, took time, cost money, and will be debilitating for years to come. There will be those who say you took it too far in your quest for the 'Dummy-of-the-Day' award, but personally I can admire a man who'll take one for the team. Nice going!

-Randy

[dezeldoc]

I fear I have you all beat here. "What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?"

Today I tried to push small pieces of wood across my table saw without a push stick.

I am typing with one hand bound up to look like a mickey mouse glove. After 5 hours in the ER, I see the orthopedist tommoro to see how short one of my fingers will be. The others only get stitches.

Anybody do anything dumber than that today?

Ouch! thats gonna leave a mark!!

[RobertKB]

I fear I have you all beat here. "What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?"

Today I tried to push small pieces of wood across my table saw without a push stick.

I am typing with one hand bound up to look like a mickey mouse glove. After 5 hours in the ER, I see the orthopedist tommoro to see how short one of my fingers will be. The others only get stitches.

Anybody do anything dumber than that today?

You win! Table saws scare the crap outta me. I have used them but don't like doing it. Hope all goes wells and that things heal as they should. At a school I used to teach at, the kids all called the shop teacher "Fingers" as he had two fingers that were shorter than they should be. Even pros can make mistakes.

[mackster]

I fear I have you all beat here. "What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?"

Today I tried to push small pieces of wood across my table saw without a push stick.

I am typing with one hand bound up to look like a mickey mouse glove. After 5 hours in the ER, I see the orthopedist tommoro to see how short one of my fingers will be. The others only get stitches.

Anybody do anything dumber than that today?

You won Niel. hope you are not in pain. relax and get better soon. . .

and ranroid, I use to work on VWs when I was 18 years old. it feels like going back to school! I dont remember much about them, but I have been helping a friend with his, so I decided to buy one to tinker with...we all know the Desoto is gona take lots of time and MONEY!!!!

Edited September 10, 2009 by mackster

[rolliejoe]

Neil, you are the winner of some sorts? Hope you get better!

Table saws also scare the crap out of me. Now I'm a little weary of nail guns, have used them many times. This time I was just walking with it when it brushed my leg and went off:

[rolliejoe]

once there was a time when i mocked up a disc brake conversion without tightening everything down, that was fun.

[Niel Hoback]

I thank you all for your kind respnses. I have a lot time to think of what this little group means to me.

However, the stupid runs very deep here at home. You know how sometimes your brain says "STOP IT, YER GONNA HURT YERSELF" ? I chose not to listen. It really wasn't an accident when I did something intentionally that I knew had a very good chance of going bad.

Boys, use your heads, we're all too old to be making mistakes like this.

[Young Ed]

Niel sorry to hear of your accident. While I was lucky to not get hurt physically I can relate from my car crash last fall. I remember thinking a split second before I got hit "oh crap this was an uncontrolled intersection good thing no one was coming". And suddenly an F150 was in front of me. A week from friday marks 1 year since.

[PatS....]

Niel, hope your recovery is quick. I've had a very health respect for table saws since I was a kid. Before I was born my uncle lost two fingers on one so they told me how it happened for many years before I ever used one.

I have a table saw and an old 1955 DeWalt radial arm saw and they are used daily but I'm still very very respectful of them and a bit overcautious when I use them.

The radial is used the most and I consider it much safer. Still requires respect though.

Get well soon Niel!!

[dezeldoc]

Well looks like the bone is harder than the nail, that had to hurt coming out! A guy where i used to work was using a compound miter saw and was cutting oak baseboard, insted of pushing the wood through the saw he was reaching under the blade and pulling it through, well his son came out and told him he had a phone call and he turned to look at him and wack 80% of the way through his arm!! he almost lost his arm and job! even though he did it at home the boss was not sure of letting him come back because a year earlier he had an accident at work involving tools and did not want the liabilty of him hurting or killing himself or someone else, this after 20+ years with the co! the guy was a heck of a mechanic but not much commom sense!

[Don Coatney]

I fear I have you all beat here. "What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?"

Today I tried to push small pieces of wood across my table saw without a push stick.

I am typing with one hand bound up to look like a mickey mouse glove. After 5 hours in the ER, I see the orthopedist tommoro to see how short one of my fingers will be. The others only get stitches.

Anybody do anything dumber than that today?

Neil;

Sorry to hear of your injury. Follow this link for the latest technology in tablesaws.

[Dennis_MN]

I fear I have you all beat here. "What was the last 'big dummy' any of you did?"

Today I tried to push small pieces of wood across my table saw without a push stick.

I am typing with one hand bound up to look like a mickey mouse glove. After 5 hours in the ER, I see the orthopedist tommoro to see how short one of my fingers will be. The others only get stitches.

Anybody do anything dumber than that today?

About three years ago, I crashed my motorcycle into a guardrail. (something about being drowsie, and then target fixation)

Dang near killed me but due to protective gear I survived. My wife said "thats it, this is the last time I'm nursing you, you better get a safer hobby'

So I sold the motorcycle and bought a table saw, router, sander, mini lathe etc. with the idea that I was going to make little boxes. So far I've remembered to use the push stick and have avoided getting into the rotating parts. I don't know which is dumber, a saw or a motorcycle.

Then I bought a Dodge truck with four wheels under it and a motor that doesn't go faster than 55 so I'm pretty safe now.

I hate those pain pills. And to think some people hold up drugstores to steal oxyecoten

[Niel Hoback]

Again, I thank you all for your concern. Somehow it seems to help.

But, once again I have proved that if you want to do something stupid, all the safety devices in the world will not help.

$1.11 for 20 Hydrocodone at Walgreens.

From the ER to two Drs. and one hand specialist, I now feel like a fruit on the insurance money tree. They have learned that thru my pension I have pretty good coverage and they are determined to reap the benefits.

On the other "hand", after reading post from others, there are people here with real problems. I really have no reason to complain. I have my fingers and my friends and relatives are well. I need to shut up and be happy, so, I will.

Again, thanks for your thoughts, I really do appreciate them.

[Joe Flanagan]

Not only do people hold up drug stores to get oxycontin, I knew someone who would check the paper for open houses and go posing as an interested buyer and then go rummaging around the medicine cabinet in the bathroom to see what she could find. She'd go all around the area doing this and apparently was able to satisfy her habit--for a while.