I need serious help. Or counselling

[Devonchris]

Dear auntie sparks

I'm not an electrician, not even a mate, but I have an overwhelming urge to buy a fluke 117. I've even seen a combi kit with a clamp meter that looks rather nice. I've no use for either of them but am still very tempted. If I give in to this drug like addiction I know I will only play with the dials or measure the resistance in things like a wet piece of string for a week or two until the novelty wears off.

I believe this is a connection to something in my dim and distant past as figures like 3/029 and 7/029 keep flashing in my brain.

I'm 67, I'm retired, I don't need this. So could someone please talk me out of it?

 

[LankyWill]

Wet piece of string had me in stiches, buy it and have fun.

 

[onions1066]

Knock yourself out. Scratch that itch

 

[telectrix]

and get back to work. 67? youse just about run in.

 

[Specialist]

Dear auntie sparks

I'm not an electrician, not even a mate, but I have an overwhelming urge to buy a fluke 117. I've even seen a combi kit with a clamp meter that looks rather nice. I've no use for either of them but am still very tempted. If I give in to this drug like addiction I know I will only play with the dials or measure the resistance in things like a wet piece of string for a week or two until the novelty wears off.

I believe this is a connection to something in my dim and distant past as figures like 3/029 and 7/029 keep flashing in my brain.

I'm 67, I'm retired, I don't need this. So could someone please talk me out of it?

Buddy if you want someone to talk you out of buying test gear, you sure picked the wrong place .
We're more likely to encourage the purchase

 

[buzzlightyear]

by it and lock your self in a shed and have fun.

 

[Octopus]

I would spend the money on a holiday..... or hire of a really fancy car for the weekend

 

[telectrix]

I would spend the money on a holiday..... or hire of a really fancy car for the weekend

think richard hammond has done that.

 

[Specialist]

Maybe Murdoch's a better driver tel, couldn't really be worse could he

 

[buzzlightyear]

what a brat Richard Hammond is, try to do a hand brake turn on a mountain top.
slip sliding away music came to mind.

 

[telectrix]

handbrake turn? i think not. he just lost it on a bend. anyway.good luck to him. i wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[static zap]

Buy a cheap chinese "Megger" , BM500A .
It will measure damp string , and probably zap you
a few times (It cannot measure voltage -just make it!)
..Have some fun before it breaks !

(spend what you save on that Holiday )

 

[LankyWill]

I put money on the OP starting a thread on how to reconnect a 3 gang switch after he's disconnected it to play with his meter.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

i will sell you some wet pieces of string in various thicknesses if you like. then you can compare your different results.....

 

[Devonchris]

and get back to work. 67? youse just about run in.

It's funny you should say that. It's worse than I was prepared to admit originally. I've even been looking at courses for mature entrants to get qualifications. It's a pipe dream of course. I did 4 years as an apprentice in the 60's then packed it in to join the army. So unless someone wants the switchgear dashpots topped up with oil or a bakerlight switch looked at then I'm snookered.

If I'm honest, I think I just fancy swanning around on site with a gold card like medallion man flashing the fluke. Anything more than that and my back and knees will say no. It's an age thing if I resist it I'm sure it will wear off.

 

[PEG]

You go for it...folk spend more,on worse

My missus is still waiting for me to justify my recent purchase of a sextant,and a retriever-owl

 

[Specialist]

Wear off, Your kidding right ? It'll turn into an itch you have to scratch .
Your not alone, tool fever gets to lots of us on the forum
Us telling you not to, wouldn't work either. The pull would just get stronger.

 

[Devonchris]

i will sell you some wet pieces of string in various thicknesses if you like. then you can compare your different results.....

Would these be OK for calibrating the fluke, which I believe I would have to do?

 

[static zap]

Best stick with the Fluke if your after street cred .
( And a nice pair of Pliers )...
A shopping list is born !

 

[PEG]

I'm going all cold-turkey now,coz Megger have stalled the release of me new AVO835 until August...wondering if i could smuggle one through customs,in one of my body cavities...

 

[Devonchris]

Best stick with the Fluke if your after street cred .
( An a nice pair of Pliers )...
A shopping list is born !

I'm afraid I've already bought the pliers and side cutters. Knipex, with a little hole in to strip the insulation. I had to go to b&q and buy a metre of 2.5 t&e to check if they worked

I think I'm in danger of reviling a lot more than I intended and I'm feeling a bit guilty now. You guys are not helping at all. But your very skilled at teasing a confession out.

 

[static zap]

... But your very skilled at teasing a confession out....

We are all very similar .
( hence why our partners , sus out our intentions )

 

[Specialist]

Keep fighting it PEG don't forget to give us the low down when it arrives

 

[Specialist]

I'm afraid I've already bought the pliers and side cutters. Knipex, with a little hole in to strip the insulation. I had to go to b&q and buy a metre of 2.5 t&e to check if they worked

I think I'm in danger of reviling a lot more than I intended and I'm feeling a bit guilty now. You guys are not helping at all. But your very skilled at teasing a confession out.

Don't forget we've had years of practice Your local TLC sells cable by the metre & much cheaper than B & Q.

 

[dmxtothemax]

So whats the resisitance of the cat?

 

[Pete999]

Go on buy it you know you want to.
Regards Chief tool tart

 

[Pete999]

I'm afraid I've already bought the pliers and side cutters. Knipex, with a little hole in to strip the insulation. I had to go to b&q and buy a metre of 2.5 t&e to check if they worked

I think I'm in danger of reviling a lot more than I intended and I'm feeling a bit guilty now. You guys are not helping at all. But your very skilled at teasing a confession out.

Chris We have Qualified Sparkies, trainees, DIYers and Apprentices on this forum, I'm at a loss to know Which group to lump you in, you're a first, an enigma someone who just likes Electricians tools, if you are retired and you have the funds and the wherewith all, go take some courses, oh and let us know what stuff you go for, failing that, check in at the nearest shrinks office, good luck Chris, and keep posting, a refreshing change.

 

[LankyWill]

I have 3 pairs of stilsons from 12-24". I needed a (one) set for a job but couldn't resist the Regid stand in my local builders shop. I feel American everytime I pick them up. Consumerism is a cruel mistress.

 

[Specialist]

I have 3 pairs of stilsons from 12-24". I needed a (one) set for a job but couldn't resist the Regid stand in my local builders shop. I feel American everytime I pick them up. Consumerism is a cruel mistress.

Trainee tool tart

 

[Pete999]

I have 3 pairs of stilsons from 12-24". I needed a (one) set for a job but couldn't resist the Regid stand in my local builders shop. I feel American everytime I pick them up. Consumerism is a cruel mistress.

Yes Will but you might actually use them one day, Chris will buy this meter play with it for a few days until the wet string dries out, and then leave them in the shed.

 

[Specialist]

Morning Pete.

When Chris's string has dried out, we could always send him some resistors & fuses to play with.

 

[Pete999]

Morning Pete.

When Chris's string has dried out, we could always send him some resistors & fuses to play with.

Morning Andy

 

[Pete999]

Morning Pete.

When Chris's string has dried out, we could always send him some resistors & fuses to play with.

I have a plaky box full of them

 

[ruston]

Wear off, Your kidding right ? It'll turn into an itch you have to scratch .
Your not alone, tool fever gets to lots of us on the forum
Us telling you not to, wouldn't work either. The pull would just get stronger.

You are 100% right . I should just lie down , but I can't.
I am looking at a new clamp meter I will (maybe) never need because my DCM 1000p is catching up on me with age .

You just do it @Devonchris, it will keep you going.
I indignantly said to myself I won't do the 18th but ...

 

[telectrix]

i definitely won't be doing the 18th. did 16th @ 50, 17th @ 65. sod it for any more costs.

 

[The Ghost]

I suggest you rent what you want in order to assuage your compulsions with the ability to return it when you are sated. Perhaps you could apply for a gold card with JIB. Whether you have the qualifications or not to get one you will find the communication and progress good aversion therapy for that aspect of your peccadilloes.
A virtual reality headset with electrical scenarios might also help with your erstwhile compulsions and ameliorate your current tendencies.
Apart from that I suggest laying down in a quiet corner with heavy stones on your head for ten days, this works wonders with most of my patients.
Auntie Sparks

 

[telectrix]

failing which hand your credit/debit cards to the missus for safekeeping. DON'T tell her the pin, though. she'll still be able to do £30 contactless to get your beer in though.

 

[ruston]

I suggest you rent what you want in order to assuage your compulsions with the ability to return it when you are sated. Perhaps you could apply for a gold card with JIB. Whether you have the qualifications or not to get one you will find the communication and progress good aversion therapy for that aspect of your peccadilloes.
A virtual reality headset with electrical scenarios might also help with your erstwhile compulsions and ameliorate your current tendencies.
Apart from that I suggest laying down in a quiet corner with heavy stones on your head for ten days, this works with most of my patients.

It is good to see that the quality of councillors is improving.

 

[Specialist]

failing which hand your credit/debit cards to the missus for safekeeping. DON'T tell her the pin, though. she'll still be able to do £30 contactless to get your beer in though.

Your funny

 

[telectrix]

It is good to see that the quality of councillors is improving.

counsellors, ruston...... councillors have meetings all the time finding new ways to squander our council tax

 

[ruston]

Sorry about that one Tel. Freudian slip lol.

 

[telectrix]

specialist's turn next. you're meaning you are, not your, meaning belonging to you.

 

[Pete999]

Trainee tool tart

Better watch out then, Hadn't I?

 

[Specialist]

specialist's turn next. you're meaning you are, not your, meaning belonging to you.

View attachment 36825

Gawd tel, you seriously need to lose some of those extra pounds on your butt. It's gone all shiny mate

 

[telectrix]

Gawd tel, you seriously need to lose some of those extra pounds on your butt. It's gone all shiny mate

somebody's got to keep you sods on track.

 

[Specialist]

Sorry tel, just couldn't resist

 

[telectrix]

that's OK.sit on the naughty step for 1 hour. i'll send matron along.

 

[Specialist]

specialist's turn next. you're meaning you are, not your, meaning belonging to you.

View attachment 36825

Sorry about that old chap, had one of ruston's slips

 

[Specialist]

that's OK.sit on the naughty step for 1 hour. i'll send matron along.

Hope she's wearing stockings & suspenders today, not those horrible tights

 

[Devonchris]

Hi guys
Thank you for all the replies. I think that vortigern has nailed it. It is just a "current tendancy" (I'm sure the pun was intended). He must be moonlighting as a therapist as his comments sound very familiar.

I've had this condition since I retired. I blame the Internet. Some years ago whilst checking about swapping the car wheels around to even out tyre wear I Googled "wheels wrong way round". I then watched a load of videos about the travels of 2 guys named Euan and Charlie. Next thing I know I'm buying a motorbike.

Whilst looking for some decorating tips I ended up watching someone show you how to play wonderwall by oasis. I'm now the proud owner of a guitar and amplifier. I only ended up on this site by looking for some bike racing results from the Isle of man. I now find myself lying awake wondering if the 18th edition will require all domestics to have a TT, or if some guy out there will be safe as he sits in his garden spa watching his shed burn down.

I'm sure there's a correct medical term for tool addiction but I'm too scared to Google it, dread to think what I would end up buying.

Finally, to all you diy fans out there, good professionals make it look easy. It's not. What you dont see is the years of experience behind the skill. Dont mess with the electric it's dangerous. But if you want to expirence the difference between an an amature and a professional in a safe way then watch a plasterer render a ceiling then have go. The mess you will create is the same with your electric.

Thanks again. This is a great site.