Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: yyc_tbird_sc on March 09, 2010, 06:33:45 PM
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Tool Envy Syndrome (TES)
Tool Envy Syndrome (TES) is a serious condition that afflicts, in varying degrees, nearly all men who are interested in mechanical things. It is very important to recognize and deal with this condition before it becomes serious; left untreated it can lead to a far more serious condition: Inflammation of the Credit Card (ICC). TES is known to strike under the following circumstances:
Browsing the latest tool catalogs or sale flyers
Visiting stores such as Grizzly or Harbor Freight (Warning: while much less so than in earlier years, the tool department at Sears can still trigger small attacks)
Visiting the shop of a friend who has more and/or better tools than you have
Surfing the web site of someone with a well-equipped shop
Seeing a well-equipped shop in magazines such as Home Shop Machinist
Tool Envy Syndrome tends to strike young men particularly hard, due its close relationship to a similar condition: Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). Over time, in most men, both of these conditions tend to lessen in severity. In fact, it can be shown that gradual accumulation of tools and gear over a period of years can control both conditions while minimizing the risk of Inflammation of the the Credit Card (this is known as the Mature Phase). It has also been widely observed that getting married and having children can moderate the risk; primarily, it is believed, due to counseling from a loving wife and the sobering effect of having lots more bills to pay.
Tool Envy Syndrome cannot be controlled by any known drugs (although its effects can be exaggerated by the use of alcohol). Therefore, treatment is currently limited primarily to counseling methods. The first step is admitting that you have a problem. Here are some additonal pointers:
Avoid situations that are likely to cause an attack
When visiting tool stores, leave your credit card at home (Warning: in severely afflicted individuals this can trigger emotional breakdown, fits of crying and other irrational behavior)
Meditate on the fine collection of tools that you already have; recognize that time will make it better
Find a quiet place. Visualize your ideal shop. Repeat to yourself "It is coming"
I hope you have found this information to be helpful. As a TES/GAS sufferer myself, I felt compelled to pass it on to you.
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Are you going to offically start a support group? I'm sure others would be interested.
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Avoid situations that are likely to cause an attack
So thats why traffic at my garage has slowed down so much. An here I thought it was just because I yell at people to much for putting stuff back in the wrong place.
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I yell at people to much for putting stuff back in the wrong place.
I need to start yelling louder... or carry a bigger stick.
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Are you going to offically start a support group? I'm sure others would be interested.
Hello my name is Will and I am a ..........
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you guys got it easy. how do you think us techs feel when tool heaven drives right to the bay door and offers the latest and greatest. ive bought xmas gifts for people off the snap-on/mac trucks...
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I first started using tools the first year of my apprenticeship, the snap-on dealer that hung around the back alley said I could take it now & pay for it later. I had no idea I would spend the rest of my life paying for them. Can you help me.........
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So thats why traffic at my garage has slowed down so much. An here I thought it was just because I yell at people to much for putting stuff back in the wrong place.
I didn't know there was a designated place in your garage Bill ;)
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I didn't know there was a designated place in your garage Bill ;)
Yeah, most people dont, hence all the yelling :):)
Beleive or not there is some order to the chaos of my garage............................some
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Yeah, most people dont, hence all the yelling :):)
Beleive or not there is some order to the chaos of my garage............................some
And now just when some of us started to know where the stuff goes we will have to learn a whole new system out at the new place.
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Yeah, most people dont, hence all the yelling :):)
Beleive or not there is some order to the chaos of my garage............................some
I know the creepers are kept in the rafters and the shop stools in the neighbours yard ;D :P ::)
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Yes tool shopping is highly addictive and wheeling stresses the need for even more tools/equipment. First you need all the basic hand tools to fix what you busted, then you upgrade to power tools and air compressors so you can make it back out wheelin faster. Then the body damage and mods start so you start looking at welders and tube benders. You get stuck one too many times and think wouldn't a winch be so handy right now...... Sound familiar to anyone? Man the jeep is the cheapest part I have...
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I first started using tools the first year of my apprenticeship, the snap-on dealer that hung around the back alley said I could take it now & pay for it later. I had no idea I would spend the rest of my life paying for them. Can you help me.........
Yup. Same thing happened to me Will. The Snap-On and Mac guys can sell anything. My pay-cheques were always smaller than my bills from them. I started my apprenticeship in 93 and didn't finish paying for my stuff till 99. The Snap-On guy said, " you're going to need this if you're going to be a mechanic" $350 brake tool kit. Guess what I wound up using? A cheap screwdriver and a pair of pliers from Crap Tire...still have the brake kit in it's original package. It was too pretty to be used.