Gear

Watch, This!

 

“Would you happen to know what month of the year it is?”

“No, I… I truly wouldn’t. I’m sorry pilgrim.”

Jeremiah Johnson and Bear Claw Chris Lapp, Jeremiah Johnson

 

A true mountain man has no need of a watch, his schedule is dictated by daylight and season. The order that civilized man imposes on the world - time, space, rights - are meaningless to someone who does what he will, when he will, regardless of what anyone else thinks of the matter.

They have to live in the mountains for a reason, though; a city, a town, even a village composed of such individuals would rapidly descend into chaos. Several years ago, a group of hardcore Libertarian Party activists all moved to a town in New Hampshire, taking it over by outnumbering the original residents, electing themselves into positions of power, and dismantling the local government in the name of minimalist interventionism.

They wound up being overrun by bears; they wanted to be Jeremiah Johnson, but didn't have the chops to back it up.

Now, this is not a political piece, and this should not be taken as either a rejection of government minimalism as a practical philosophy or as an endorsement of uncritical support of authoritarianism.

This is about watches.

 

Wait, What?

 

Watches are symbols, representing order imposed on time. The nicer the watch, the more money spent on it, the more you appear to value your time. Different kinds of watches suggest how you spend your time. Size, shape, material, colors, all suggest details, telling you something about the other person... or telling them what you want them to think about you.

Rolex is considered a luxury brand, but their claim to fame is the "Oyster" case, hermetically sealed against dust and water while still allowing adjustment. "My time is important enough to spend extra money to make it slightly more accurate; the gold and diamonds are to make sure you know it."

Timex, "Takes a licking and keeps on ticking," made their reputation on physically tough, accessibly-priced watches. A "working man's" accessory, it suggested a hard-nosed, no nonsense approach to the world.

Seiko and Casio are Japanese brands who revolutionized watches, Seiko with automatic and quartz watches, Casio with digital and multifunctional watches. These became something of a symbol of progressivism, Casio somewhat more active and casual, Seiko more formal, but both suggesting an openness to new ideas.

The "Swatch" brand from the 1980s was an interesting example, as they were explicitly inexpensive and toy-like, suggesting frivolity and a carefree, lackadaisical approach to time. They still make watches, and are still mid-lower tier fashion items, but are significantly more restrained than their earlier models.

Even then, though, it suggested some level of cooperation and organization; "Synchronize Swatches!" was the catchphrase of an otherwise forgettable high school sitcom as they began their planned hijinx and good-natured rivalry with (but ultimately subservience to!) the relevant authority figures.

 

Modern Watches

 

Many of us thought that watches were relegated to fashion items with the widespread adoption of the cell phone; why do we need a separate tool to track time when our phone does that, and many other things besides?

Well, if it is features that you want, Capital will provide! Beyond the calculator and stopwatch functions, various gadgets have been added over the years, up to the ability to connect to your cell phone and access its features without removing from your pocket. Health monitor functions, from pedometers to heart, sleep, and stress disorder detection, are commonly available, and some smart watches even support video calling.

Here are some examples of different kinds of watches, with suggestions:

 

Analog Watches

Timex Easy Reader https://amzn.to/3MPaTD4

Casio Military https://amzn.to/3SHqbxw

Seiko Essentials  https://amzn.to/3QJEgrK

 

Digital Watches

Timex Ironman https://amzn.to/40MZkBZ

Casio Illuminator https://amzn.to/3sKbYFp

Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster https://amzn.to/3G8tPZW

 

Outdoor Watches

Timex Expedition Scout https://amzn.to/3R6pQmK

Casio G-Shock https://amzn.to/3G5DRdZ

Luminox Navy Seal Dive Watch https://amzn.to/3G7gnFq

 

Fashion Watches

Timex Waterbury https://amzn.to/3QNqfsL

Casio Edifice https://amzn.to/49Gaa0T

Seiko Presage https://amzn.to/3R6iNKV

 

Smart Watches

Timex iConnect https://amzn.to/40MP9NT

Casio Pro Trek https://amzn.to/3syRfV9

Apple Watch SE https://amzn.to/3SOxUtz

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 https://amzn.to/49LbgIu

 

 

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Mechanic's Tools

Mechanic's Tools

Mechanic's Tools


A brief overview of hand tools for mechanical projects


Mechanic's tools have changed dramatically over the years. From my father's 1960s-era Husky and Craftsman tools, to my own first socket and wrench sets in the 1990s, to the modern, expansive sets required for modern cars, not simply design but materials and even some basic ideas of how these things actually work have undergone often dramatic revision.

Global competition does not allow companies to continue on reputation alone, as Craftsman found out the hard way. Someone new is always waiting for a chance to do it better and cheaper, but that also means lots of contenders, not all of which are up to snuff. 

The technology you are working on has changed, too; an old ratchet might have been excellent in 1962, but just won't work in the tight spaces of a 21st-century car. Even a 20-year-old high quality tool set won't have all the tools for modern fasteners, and the available materials were inferior.

 

"Meta Modern Man, what tools do I need to do the job?"

These are the basic hand tools needed for working on common mechanical tasks:

Ratchet/Socket Wrench: The most common tool for tightening and loosening torqued fasteners, it consists of a handle with a reversible ratcheting mechanism allowing you to rotate a square anvil which is used to hold an appropriate socket for the size of fastener. These are grouped by the size of the anvil, commonly 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", but there are more, for either more torque and larger fasteners or easier access to smaller nuts and bolts. The number of teeth in the ratchet determines how tightly and quickly it can turn a fastener. There are also breaker bars, with no ratcheting mechanism, used for breaking loose very tight fasteners, and flex-head ratchets, for tight spaces.

Sockets: The size- and type-specific tool that goes on the ratchet and directly turns the fastener. Common distinctions are SAE/Imperial vs Metric, 6-point vs 12-point, hex, torx, e-torx, torx-plus, triple-square, and more, and available in longer or shorter versions. There are also universal or swivel sockets with a joint for difficult access.

Wrenches: Less commonly used than sockets, these are still essential for access in tight spaces, and modern ratcheting wrenches make them more convenient. Available in different configurations of box-end, open-end, angled- or flex-head, and longer or shorter. There are also adjustable wrenches, for moderate torque and convenience.

Torque wrench: Used to tighten fasteners to a specific torque, they come in various styles, some like ratchets which "click" in a special way when the torque is reached, others with a bar that bends and you read across a dial, and modern versions that use electronics for both torque and angle calibration.

Screwdrivers: Used for low torque fasteners and light prying and poking, the main types are Philips and flathead in various sized, but there are also Robertson as well as torx, hex, and more specialized variations like Posidriv and JIS, in wide ranging sizes. Not intended for use as pry bars or chisels, they are often employed in this manner, although lightly by the wise.

Pliers: A subject unto itself, good pliers for holding, gripping, squeezing, or cutting are invaluable. Slip-joint or tongue-and-groove pliers can quickly change size ranges; diagonal cutters (diags/dikes/dykes) cut wires and cables, as well as biting into disposable items like cotter pins; long- or needle-nose pliers for fine manipulation; there are dozens of sizes and styles. Locking pliers are another variation, with a clamping mechanism to squeeze and hold without your hand on it.

Hammers, pry bars, punches, chisels: Commonly grouped under "Striking tools," their common feature is the potential for damage or personal injury from misuse or failure. Hammers have the most variety, here, with various combinations of head features from flats, ball-peins, claws, or more specialized shapes like cross-peins. There are also rubber, plastic, brass, and other hammer materials for hitting things without damaging them.

Allen/Hex/Torx Keys: L-shaped metal rods with hex or torx ends for tight access to those fasteners. Some hex-keys have ball-shaped ends for use at an angle.

Trim tools: Specialized tools for removing pop-in plastic panels, push retainers, car stereos, etc, these are essential to prevent damage to modern car interiors.

Telescoping mirror and magnet/retriever: If you work on cars, at some point you will almost certainly drop something in an inaccessible location, and these can be essential to save the day.

Flashlight or worklight: If you can't see, you can't work; hold it in your hand, clip it to your hat, hang it around your neck, or magnet it to the car, there are lots of options.

Jack, jack stands, and chocks: Absolutely, 100% mandatory before you crawl under a vehicle; do not drive it up on a curb, use the scissor jack while you "just check something," or any of the dozens of other ways that creative idiots have killed or injured themselves.

Specialty tools: If you are working on brakes, you may need special brake tools for the caliper piston or the drum hardware; if you are looking for a coolant leak, a pressure tester helps; axles and bearings and steering and a dozen other things require specialty tools, which will be another article.

 

"Meta Modern Man, just recommend me some tools, would you?"


Fair enough, here are some general suggestions for different tools:

Master Sets:

$ Craftsman 500-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3QwbLO4

$$ Gearwrench 613-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3MzHTzc

$$$ Williams 277-pc Set: https://amzn.to/40rBHig

Socket Sets:

$ SATA 88-pc Set: https://amzn.to/47oiAI6

$$ Gearwrench 118-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3u6CDg3

$$$ Williams 138-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3Qwd0MW

Wrench Sets:

$  SATA 31-pc Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3QOVi95

$$ Gearwrench 44-pc Set: https://amzn.to/3sffbN7

$$$ Williams 27-pc Metric Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/463QZLh

Ratchet Wrench Sets:

$ Gearwrench 29-pc Ratchet Wrench Set: https://amzn.to/3MtoaRK

Torque Wrench:

$ Gearwrench 1/2" Beam Torque Wrench: https://amzn.to/3Su9pSe

$$ Gearwrench 1/2" Micrometer Torque Wrench: https://amzn.to/3snix0m

$$$ Gearwrench 1/2" Electronic Torque and Angle Wrench: https://amzn.to/475hcdY

Screwdriver Sets:

$ Craftsman 12-pc Acetate-Handle Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/40uqZrj

$$ Wera 6-pc Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/40tUDwX

$$$ Mayhew Catspaw 10-pc Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/49tA3B4

$$$ Gearwrench 51-pc Master Screwdriver Set: https://amzn.to/473Csk0

Pliers Sets:

$ Irwin 4-pc Pliers Set: https://amzn.to/40qVgao

$$ Channellock 4-pc Pliers Set: https://amzn.to/3QwnGeM

$$$ Knipex 4-pc Pliers Set: https://amzn.to/3sn4yI4

Hammer Set:

I do not recommend cheap striking tools for safety reasons; they may be fine, but use at your own risk.

$$ Proto 4-pc Antivibe Ball-pein Hammer Set: https://amzn.to/467YT6m

Pry Bar Set:

$$ Mayhew 3-pc Pry Bar Set: https://amzn.to/40usIg9

Punch and Chisel Set:

$$ Mayhew 20-pc Punch and Chisel Set: https://amzn.to/3FOIrxf

Hex/Torx key Set:

$ Bondhus Hex Key Set: https://amzn.to/3Qs3IBU

Trim Removal Kit:

$ Dualeco https://amzn.to/47oa2kq

Telescoping Mirror/Magnet/Retriever:

$ Workpro https://amzn.to/3SwJkSH

Pocket Flashlight:

$ Streamlight https://amzn.to/3QNtqSD

Jack, Jack Stands, and Wheel Chock kit:

$$ Big Red https://amzn.to/3SzP4uT

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