Muck Boots 'n' Slickers - Life of a Livestock Hauler

Last I had need for metric was about 3 years ago. Looking for a metric set screw for the faucet package on the kitchen sink in my apartment.
Maintenance had no solution other than they get the plumber to come swap the fixture. So I just went next door in our wing, borrowed one from that faucet set, and went hunting. (Still drove and had active contacts then.)

Found the TSC store here in Tupelo had this nice little rack with about 3 layers of 4 cardboard slide outs containing from the smallest Metric allen head up to what appeared equal to say 3/8ths.. Got 2 of my match; returned the borrowed, installed mine and at lunch the next day, gave maintenance the spare. (I am 100 % sure they still have it and will never be able to find and determine its use.)

 

I'm much like the maintenance people you speak of. Nuts and bolts I keep in couple of old coffee cans my take me a minute but l know they are in there somewhere. Now pipe fittings, parts for the pickup, motor cycle, lawnmower or special tools, sometimes I can look forever and not find them. I usually just go buy a new one and keep it in the package with the receipt, because soon as I get home with the new one I'll stumble over the one I was looking for. If I had as good a memory as you do Mr Roger it would save me lots of time.

 

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my memory the most.....

 

Admit it, it was love the instant you pulled him up out of the crate. Some things are meant to be. He will never replace Doc in your heart and mind, but if you carry him around with you, he will scrounge right in there too. Wait and see...

 

Roger you’ve never spoke any truer words.

 

I had the distinct pleasure of spending the day with @wore out and meeting Mrs. Wore Out. Thanks for the Catfish dinner!

 

@Oxbow worked me like a rented mule. We had fun anyways though

 

I was fortunate enough to have a grandfather who was a child during the Great Depression. He learned to fix cars out of necessity as a young boy and later ran his own shop for many years after serving in WW2. Back in those days parts weren’t readily available so he saved anything with any perceived value. I still have several old glass baby food jars with lids, Maxwell House coffee cans and 5 gallon buckets with nuts and bolts. During Covid when I had no work for several months and was bored I organized many of them better. A couple years ago I bought a thread checker and I can usually find what I am looking for with a little searching.
I also carry some of my Grandfathers tools on the rig that I only bring out for difficult jobs. I like to think when I bring them out his wisdom helps get that specific job done faster than using other tools.

 

I installed a new spring on a trailer yesterday and was reminded why everything I owned was air ride.

 

They are a pain in the butt when you have to work on them, but they seem to go for years with little to no maintenance!