Wednesday, August 23, 2017

IQ Point shortage...

Any idea where I might find some?
I really should know better by now...I really should....(but obviously I don't)
We lost the key to the padlock that secures the back gate. So I unscrewed the whole catch and bought it indoors padlock and all.
First thoughts "I'll have to get a new one and be more careful with the key." and if I'd followed that plan all would be well ......but ......
OH arrives home and has an alternative suggestion no "use the grinder that'll take care of the padlock."
So today while the house  is quiet I think...save some pennies I'll give it a go!
 I know OH has used the  grinder to customised bolts to fit an awkward bit of metal work.
It's a small hand held grinder and is quite an impressive tool.
I must make sure to protect my eyes ..but I can do this.

So out comes the grinder, goggles etc and I set about the task.

This is where the IQ point failure occured.....

If I had clamped the item down ..all would've been well....notice that if...
But (bit of a big but.... I admit) my brain missed that part out and I just held the catch in my left hand.
Turned on the Grinder held in my right.
Applied the tip to the padlock and .....
It was very impressive how fast that grinder tip grabbed the whole lot out of my left hand and whizzed it around .....I have never seen anything like it.
Fortunately for me it stayed attached (spinning like a dervish on steroids) and I kept the grinder pointed away from myself ..it seemed like an age before I pulled the plug and the  padlock (still unharmed I hasten to add) skittered to rest on the ground.
Then nursing my left hand (the catch and padlock had argued a little for their release) I sat down to ponder my stupidity and to gather my wits and apply a few bandaids.

What a daft thing to do .... sometimes I even manage to surprise myself....
My OH looked quite horrified when I recounted my adventure. "You could've taken your eye out" was his first comforting remark. Then he hasteed to add I shouldv'e held it firmly in the large pliers . ........Considering what happened I don't wish to try this....... as the large pliers spinning doesn't even bear thinking about...personally I think I'm just going to buy a new catch tomrrow and count myself lucky.

and how was your day ?

8 comments:

  1. Please don't say you found the key on the counter, as you reached for the plasters. What a frightening experience, although I totally salute your "I can do this " attitude.I think I've lost that approach. Doesn't help that husband has locked all the sharp, whirly tools away in the man shed. Maybe I should break them free again. Or maybe not, thinking about your experience.

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  2. Oh my God, Val. I too salute your 'I can do this' attitude because I would have totally wimped out of that job. So glad you're ok but 'gosh'.

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    1. Wimping out would've showed common sense Cath (and I obviously need to find some lol)

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  3. Lucky indeed! This is why I now stay well clear (mostly!) of any DIY or garden tool involving electricity, sharp knives and naked flames. Oh, and superglue.

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    1. I think I deserve a silly twit award ...actually last week I repaired a wooden tray with super glue ....it takes a awhile to come off skin doesn't it... at least I avoided gluing myself to it (and I now know that Super glue isn't the best repair tool for wooden trays...4 tiny screws later)

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  4. It is a good attitude. It was a difficult situation and you have handled it in a good manner:)

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from an old gravestone

If you hold your nose to the Grindstone
and you leave it there long enough,
Then soon you'll say
there's no such things
as brooks that babble
and birds that sing,
these three will all your world compose,
just you, the stone and your poor old nose.

(from memory so may not be word perfect)