• RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world
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    9 days ago

    As a mechanic, if you are coming home that dirty, you are doing it wrong. Plus if you are a mechanic using an adjustable crescent wrench, I have some bad news for you. That tool is for plumbers, not mechanics.

    • FireRetardant@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      What mechainc brings their tools out of the shop and into the bathroom with them? Maybe the crescent wrench was used in the bathroom to fix a dripping fixture or something.

      I’ve also definitely gotten nearly that dirty before. If i don’t degrime an engine before working on it, all that thick black built up grime will eventually end up on my hands and forearms. As i scratch myself or wipe sweat the grime slowly covers most of my body. I also often have to lay on the dirty shop floor or driveways which can also contribute to getting filthy.

      • cmfhsu@lemmy.world
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        9 days ago

        Oh yeah for sure. I’m just a home gamer and I can’t stand jumpsuits, so any axle grease or bearing grease turns me into a spec ops camouflage expert.

        I’ll re-shill tub-o-towels here. Seriously fucking awesome for getting the even most sticky grime off your hands before you touch any doorknobs (or to clean your hands when there’s no faucet around).

      • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world
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        9 days ago

        You never had the absolute bliss of discovering your missing 10mm in your pocket once you got home?

        Just degrease what you’re working on and wear long sleeve uniforms. I do both when I can, but I always wear long sleeves. Helps prevent some cuts and burns too. If you know you’re going to be on the floor, get a creeper, they’re relatively inexpensive and have the upside of making it significantly easier to skate around on the floor. Plus you pretty much don’t get dirty.

        I don’t mind getting dirty, but if I can, its easier to take the like 5 minutes or less of prep to prevent getting myself dirty in the first place. This way I don’t get customer interiors dirty, leave grease prints everywhere, and make it easier to clean my shop uniforms when they’re dirty.

    • cmfhsu@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      Oof. What if I don’t want to buy a 33mm wrench for the one inner tie rod I’ll do in five years?

      Also, Tub o towels is the most magical product I’ve ever discovered for people to do automotive work. I could bathe myself with those

      • RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world
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        9 days ago

        That’s what adjustable tie rod wrenches are for: Image of an Adjustable Tie Rod Wrench from Matco Tools

        They make em in all different size ranges.

        I am an avid fan of Fast Orange, but Gojo is good too. Wear long sleeves and pants (yes, even in summer here in California in triple digit weather) made of 100% cotton and you only really gotta worry about cleaning your hands if you don’t wear gloves.

        • cmfhsu@lemmy.world
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          9 days ago

          Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s for rotating the inner tie rod when adjusting toe, not for replacing the inner - though I do love purpose made tools.

          I do a lot of track days and racing, so my toolkit is usually pretty minimal since I don’t own a semi to haul my tools over. My rule is usually “make do with what you have twice. If you’re still swearing the second time, go buy a quality dedicated tool and find room in the mobile tool box”.

    • callouscomic@lemm.ee
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      7 days ago

      in the not-too-distant future

      “What was the internet used for, dad?”

      “For gatekeeping… for gatekeeping.”