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Dumb & Red Faced
Ivan - 9/1/13 at 08:45 AM

Got a new Gedore spanner set and put a socket on the ratchet driver - undid something then tried to change the socket but it wouldn't come off the driver - tried levering it off with a screw driver and succeeded in bending screw driver then put it in vice and tried hammering it off - no luck . Wife strolled down to garage to ask me something and I told her the blessed (not the words I used) socket was jammed - she took it from my hands, looked at it, turned it over and depressed a button on the back and pulled the socket off

Did I feel dumb or what!!!

Bet we've all been that stupid at times.

[Edited on 9/1/13 by Ivan]

Daddylonglegs - 9/1/13 at 08:55 AM

Unfortunately, when you spend good money, you get quality tools!

If that had been an Aldi special, button or no button would have made no difference

And yes, I have been that stupid too

mcerd1 - 9/1/13 at 09:01 AM

I've done exactly the same before....


also spent ages trying to start a quad bike the other day, only for my brother to walk in and start it first time - they work much better when the 'stop' button/slide thingy isn't on

I think I'm getting old


and the other week I spent 2min trying to push open a 'pull' door - the GF just sat and laughed at me untill I worked it out...
but I wasn't qute with it then had a bad flu like thing that knocked me out for 2 weeks (just when I've got the holiday time to spend in the garage ) so I'll blame that

[Edited on 9/1/2013 by mcerd1]

Slimy38 - 9/1/13 at 09:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
also spent ages trying to start a quad bike the other day, only for my brother to walk in and start it first time - they work much better when the 'stop' button/slide thingy isn't on


I called the AA out because my bike wouldn't 'start', thankfully I realised I'd hit the kill switch and was able to cancel the call before I suffered the embarrassment!

My dad used to have a push button ratchet, problem was the sockets he had to use it with were one up from swiss cheese so you could remove them without unlocking them!

Dangle_kt - 9/1/13 at 11:58 AM

I've yanked and yanked at my button rachet a few times before rememebing which one I'm using!

coozer - 9/1/13 at 12:18 PM

I messed about with my Kawasaki after it wouldn't start.. had all the wiring to bits then pulled the clutch in and it started.. like I'd always done..

This all after asking favours to get a dude with a van to take me home..

Then a few weeks later to avoid it happening again I rode the bike into the front of a car..

roadrunner - 9/1/13 at 01:03 PM

When I first built my car , the fuel gauge wasn't very accurate.

I popped to the shops one evening, knowing the tank was getting a bit low.
I parked up, popped into shop, came out and car wouldn't start.

I knew the fuel wasn't that low, but it wouldn't have it.

So I ran a full mile to the petrol station, bought a can and some fuel. Ran back, filled her up. Car still wouldn't start.

Then , when fumbling around the foot well, I found the ignition cut off switch laid on the floor.

DDOOHHH

They are all lessons learnt.

owelly - 9/1/13 at 02:20 PM

I took my boat to the slipway, waited my turn to launch it then spent an hour messing about trying to start it before putting it back on thevtrailer andvtaking it home. Thankfully, I remembered the lanyard safety switch before I had completely dissassembled the out board....

GonzoRacer - 9/1/13 at 03:25 PM

Several years ago, at a local autocross...
I got to the second gate when the engine sputtered and died. Course workers pushed me off the track. I unbuckled the harness, looked under the hood (I don't know what I was looking for exactly?) and then noted the fuel pump switch sitting in the "Off" position. She fired right up and drove back to grid. I never confessed to anything, and still haven't on MY side of the Atlantic. I'm counting on y'all to keep my secret...
JDK

whitestu - 9/1/13 at 03:27 PM

quote:

and the other week I spent 2min trying to push open a 'pull' door - the GF just sat and laughed at me untill I worked it out...


Those damn things catch me out every time!

SteveWallace - 9/1/13 at 03:45 PM

Many moons ago, not long after I first passed my test and only had a clapped out old Fiesta, I had to pick up a hire car from work for a site visit. Jumped into the car, drove forwards up to a wall with the intention of reversing into a U-turn and could not get the car into reverse at all. Much cussing abount new cars with faults, what ever happened to quality control checks etc, etc, and bashing of the gear stick followed until I gave up and started to push the car away from the wall.

At that point, the security guard turned up and explained that the gear stick had a collar on it that I needed to lift up to engage reverse. Doh!!

Peteff - 9/1/13 at 04:30 PM

I bought a Stahlwille ratchet and you can't get the sockets on without pressing the button

mcerd1 - 9/1/13 at 04:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by whitestu
quote:

and the other week I spent 2min trying to push open a 'pull' door - the GF just sat and laughed at me untill I worked it out...


Those damn things catch me out every time!


...but this was a normal door in her flat that I've used for more than a year

will121 - 9/1/13 at 06:20 PM

Just had a police man knocking on my door asking for my daughter, her car keys were left hanging in her car door out on the road! Had to own up it was me thought I would be helpfull and just check her oil

avagolen - 9/1/13 at 08:29 PM

I dropped a large clanger whith my first car.

I started my Cortina and drove it into town, only about a mile. Parked it and went shopping.
When I returned to drive home it would not turn over. I could not budge it and assumed it had seized.
I ran home and a neighbour gave me a tow home, but said I must not try and bump start it.

Anyway, once home I started the strip down. I got the head off and could see no damage.
Started to remove the engine and when I removed the starter motor, the engine suddenly freed up.



Oh well, a de-coke would not go amiss, just not planned.....