unclejake 428 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 As I was busy in the lab tonight, a young boy working through the temp service came in and asked me where the metal stretcher was. Turns out the production supervisor had sent him in search of it. After a REAL good laugh from the whole shift, I got to thinking about all of the "fools errands" that youth have been sent in search of. What are some of the errands that y'all have been sent on or that you have been in search of? I KNOW that there are some funny stories out there. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
read_the_wall 614 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 aluminum file " it was in the basement next door the last time I saw it " is a good answer for them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobra 76 two 2,677 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Sky hook... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brad cole 65 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 looked for a "hen way"for an hour on the site . The old guy said you cant miss it. finally said exactly whats a hen way. He said about 2 pounds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclejake 428 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 When I was in textiles, we used to send them after steam samples. you ought to have seen those kids running around with a ziplock bag trying to catch steam from the air around the machines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I've heard board stretcher and left handed screw driver. Fortunately I had enough working experience before those were requested for me to find. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Remek 771 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I was sent for the "left handed smoke shifter" in boy scouts. Went where they "last saw it" looked and said it wasnt there. Then they sent me to search the adjacent cabin, and I realized it didnt exist, so I grabbed my gear and went fishing. Ended up with 3 brook trout! Delicious! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigChongus 765 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I used to work at a Lowe's distribution center. We used to send the new guys to ask the ops managers for pallet flippers. I got one guy with the old ID-10T form too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Bucket of steam. It's always empty by the time they get back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeAK 337 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 At school we asked the one girl to find blinker fluid for the teacher's truck, she actually got a phone book and called NAPA about it. We also had the freshmen looking for the metal stretcher all year, and all over the school. We had one help us bleed the brakes on a lathe. We had a few thinking there was such a thing as a wooden welding rod. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kevinfreel 215 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I had a customer ask for a 710 cap. That confused the fuck outta me. Its OIL flipped upside down. The one most of the older shop owners have tried is the look up for a radiator for a 67 beetle. Nice try assholes! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
netpackrat 566 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 (edited) As I was busy in the lab tonight, a young boy working through the temp service came in and asked me where the metal stretcher was. Turns out the production supervisor had sent him in search of it. After a REAL good laugh from the whole shift, I got to thinking about all of the "fools errands" that youth have been sent in search of. What are some of the errands that y'all have been sent on or that you have been in search of? I KNOW that there are some funny stories out there. Joke's on the production super and all the rest of you who laughed at him: http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/metal-shrinkerstretcher-combo-p-15013.aspx?gclid=CKTmo__7oboCFS9eQgodnjIAlw aluminum file " it was in the basement next door the last time I saw it " is a good answer for them http://www.simondsinternational.com/files/amp-aluminumflat.php?menu=mnuPFiles In aviation, the classic search item is a can of prop wash. Edited October 19, 2013 by Netpackrat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theturtlepond 31 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I like to send people out to the bakery in search of a dingle berry pie. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MT Predator 2,294 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 From the Military side... Send a troop to supply for chemlight batteries. Send them to Airfield Ops for 500' of flightline. Send them to the Aviation guys for a bucket of prop wash. Back in the day when they painted water towers on Military installations with an orange and white checkerboard pattern, send a guy to get THAT checkerboard paint. I'm sure I'll think of more. Hopefully someone else chimes in with more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Prick E-5, LOL Grid squares Keys to the basement(no basement) HMMWV keys(military HMMWVs don't need a key to start, at best they have a steering wheel lock) As I was busy in the lab tonight, a young boy working through the temp service came in and asked me where the metal stretcher was. Turns out the production supervisor had sent him in search of it. After a REAL good laugh from the whole shift, I got to thinking about all of the "fools errands" that youth have been sent in search of. What are some of the errands that y'all have been sent on or that you have been in search of? I KNOW that there are some funny stories out there. Metal shrinker/stretcher http://www.messybeast.com/dragonqueen/fools-errands.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
csspecs 1,987 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Back in the construction days I always send the new guys to get me a coffee.. "Oh crap, the single setter (or other made up tool) needs a flush... The fluid is in my truck under the seat in what looks like a old thermos... Also bring the white paper bag, it has the filters, be careful and don't open the bag" Just as annoying, but at least I got my coffee and doughnut out of it.. And a metal stretcher actually exists in many forms.. One is the sheet metal one. But there is also a larger one that stretches bar to a different size. And there is always the folding emergency stretcher which some shops have around for moving an injured person.. I've always been baffled that people will go looking for something that they have no description of.. Probably why I've never had this done to me.. I always would ask color and rough size. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Maknwar 33 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Metric crescent wrench, and it sounds like your muffler bearings are going out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nailbomb 10,221 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Also, there are Pipe stretchers too, its just not in my industry... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I've sent new guys to fetch me a metric crescent wrench a few times. Or for variety, a left hand box-end wrench. My uncle once had an emergency on his boat which was a stern picker. He had to clear some gear on the back deck and do a high speed manoever to re arrange how his gear was attached. His wife asked how she could help so he unsnapped a bouy from the rail and told her in an urgent tone to hold out in front of the bow. She laid there clinging to the bow holding the bouy for about 20 minutes before she caught on. Tangentially, new owners of aluminum boats or crewmen sometimes talk about how salty they are. If that happens, you ask them if they've still got their "lucky bilge penny." If they bite, instantly make up some ancient tradition on the order of the crossing of the equator stuff about how all fishermen keep a penny in their bilge as tribute. People with aluminum boats should be able to figure this one out. Dang. someone else posted the metric wrench while I was typing. And these are by far the best files for aluminum: http://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Tool-Supply-Nicholson-Vixen/dp/B005VR56SI Great for cleaning up edges before welding. They look way too agressive, but one you get a feel for them, nothing is faster or smoother. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fast2gnt 16 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 My real job I make coil springs for cars. Well shit gets jacked where the parts are too short or too long. Love sending temps or new hires after the spring shrinker or the spring stretcher. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
netpackrat 566 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 And these are by far the best files for aluminum: http://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Tool-Supply-Nicholson-Vixen/dp/B005VR56SI Great for cleaning up edges before welding. They look way too agressive, but one you get a feel for them, nothing is faster or smoother. Concur. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Sent for a "wall-stretcher" when I was 18. The company owner "clued me in" and told me to go back to work. Propwash and 500' feet of flightline, while in the USAF.... Most guys never fell for those. How about the "studfinder" that always points at me! Or the "manual nail gun".... (Used when the air-driven nail gun breaks). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Remek 771 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I've always been baffled that people will go looking for something that they have no description of.. Probably why I've never had this done to me.. I always would ask color and rough size. Thats where I should of caught on, I asked for explanatons of its appearance, and answers were obviously vague. Is it veryome's experience that people dont ask questions? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 And these are by far the best files for aluminum: http://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Tool-Supply-Nicholson-Vixen/dp/B005VR56SI Great for cleaning up edges before welding. They look way too agressive, but one you get a feel for them, nothing is faster or smoother. Concur. My father is a jealous hoarder of vixen rasps. Fear for your life if you contaminate his clean one that is reserved for welding prep. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tundra1 391 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I was probably about ten years old, looking for the ever elusive snipe under a midnight moon. My dad swore they were there, just had to look really hard... Never saw a one! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
patriot 7,197 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 (edited) I got a gullible little guy at work, Scott Miller, actually feeling sorry for the endangered nauga. A real bleeding heart liberal who thinks he's smart and superior. He bought it hook line and sinker. The nauga is the hairless male of the species, prized for its skins, used to make naugahyde while the female, known as the faux, is highly sought after for it's thick, luxurious fur. I was taking up donations to ban their senseless, brutal slaughter. You see, they are very trusting, and, even in the wild can be walked up to and picked up to be petted, (they love that) which hunters easily do, then either club them or break their necks. The rest of the guys at work backed me up and regaled him with many stories, describing the faux and nauga, and their habits. It was about 3 or 4 days before he caught on. We had a great time. Him? Not so much. He got really mad at me and sulked around about it, embarrassed for being too stupid to catch on. Edited October 19, 2013 by patriot Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squishy 1,149 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 From the Navy....send the new guy down to supply to pick up 50' of "Shore Line", or a "Color Camera", at sea set the "Mail Buoy" watch or pass the word a "Sea Bat" had been capture on the fan tail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
netpackrat 566 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 My father is a jealous hoarder of vixen rasps. Fear for your life if you contaminate his clean one that is reserved for welding prep. Well, you can use them for that, but they have a much higher purpose in life... A light pass with a vixen cut file will highlight high spots on sheet metal, without removing a significant amount of metal, so that it can be worked smooth. In fact, the file itself can become a metal shrinking tool in skilled hands. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. Here is a picture of metal master Kent White using the acetylene torch and a vixen cut body file to remove a big crease from one of the doors for my MGA: And here is an after pic. Kent assured me that the remaining little bit of crease could be removed given more time and effort, but that was outside the scope of the demonstration for the metalworking workshop. But what he did will make the difference between having great gobs of filler (as it was before), and just a very small amount of filler. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 I got a gullible little guy at work, Scott Miller, actually feeling sorry for the endangered nauga. A real bleeding heart liberal who thinks he's smart and superior. He bought it hook line and sinker. The nauga is the hairless male of the species, prized for its skins, used to make naugahyde while the female, known as the faux, is highly sought after for it's thick, luxurious fur. I was taking up donations to ban their senseless, brutal slaughter. You see, they are very trusting, and, even in the wild can be walked up to and picked up to be petted, (they love that) which hunters easily do, then either club them or break their necks. The rest of the guys at work backed me up and regaled him with many stories, describing the faux and nauga, and their habits. It was about 3 or 4 days before he caught on. We had a great time. Him? Not so much. He got really mad at me and sulked around about it, embarrassed for being too stupid to catch on. Good one. You could make him feel a bit better and give him a memento.... http://www.naugahyde.com/promoitems_nauga.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dad2142Dad 6,559 Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Sound powered phone batteries NASA grade anti-seize Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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