Friday, June 5, 2009
Tool Box
We’ve been needing a toolbox in the garage for a while now. The tools used to live inside a small toolbag but we outgrew that when I brought my tools down. Mine were living in a large cardboard box at that point. I found a plastic slide out bin that kept the tools in one place, but was awful for finding what you needed. I didn’t really want to spend upwards of $100 on even the most basic 3-drawer toolbox. So yesterday we went to OSUsed. This is the surplus store for OSU. It is only open once a week, and I had never been. I didn’t expect to find a toolbox, but thought we might find a dresser or old cabinet that would be going for cheap.
What we found was a storage cabinet for index cards. According to a sticker on it, formerly part of some engineering program. Since all my big tools are stored in the shed and not in the garage I didn’t need large drawers. So for $40 we got as much drawer space as a several hundred dollar unit and with an arrangement of drawers that is far more suited to my usage. Instead of one long drawer for screwdrivers for example, I can have three smaller drawers for phillips screwdrivers, flat screwdrivers, and screwdriver bits. Much better.
I spent a good part of today putting tools away, making labels, and generally cleaning the garage. I also did a little more work on the Scirocco and placed an order from German Auto Parts. When it comes in, I can button most of it back up. Still need to figure out a plan on adjusting the valve clearances. Half of them are out of spec, and I don’t have the tools or access to shims to fix them. Not sure if it’s worth the effort to procure them, or if I can get that work done at a shop.
The other attached picture is what it is like to be a toy at my house. One dog stares and whines at the toy intently until it is thrown, the other pays some attention in case the toy is thrown but otherwise ignores it. Aw, puppies.
Also, I seasoned a cast iron wok today. We never properly seasoned our wok, and I’ve been looking into getting a cast iron dutch oven, and recently picked up a used cast iron griddle for camping, so I learned how to properly take care of them and started with the wok. The griddle will be done this weekend. Being used, I really want to burn off / scrape off the old gunk before starting fresh with my gunk. That will take a lot more scrubbing, so didn’t happen today. Now to find a good 8”-10” camp style (i.e. flat top and with legs) dutch oven. Thrift shops in town were no go. Other local ideas anyone (I don’t want to order new online)?