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Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
 Posted - 11/14/2004 : 20:51:42 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by filthy
Where would modern civilization be without WD-40? That stuff works so well that, I declare, if it didn't taste so foul, I'd drink it and live forever!
I'd have to say WD40 comes close to the top of the list.
To music paper, (which I posted earlier,) I'd like to add: That little gear tool that allows you to change drill bits on an electric drill. It may not be the greatest invention, but whoever thought of attaching it directly to the power cord was a genius. I'd surely loose it if it wasn't permanently there.
Also the pacemaker. Lots of folks couldn't get around without one.
There is an aromatic Vietnamese soup called "pho" which can seem like the greatest invention, if well made. (There is an excellent Vietnamese restaurant in Sacramento called "Pho King" - the name of which causes no end of amusement. They also have great French Iced Coffee.) 
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R.Wreck
SFN Regular
USA
1191 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2004 : 12:52:50 [Permalink]
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| Its starting to get a little chilly around here. Man those heated seats in the car sure are nice. Kudos to whoever came up with that idea. |
The foundation of morality is to . . . give up pretending to believe that for which there is no evidence, and repeating unintelligible propositions about things beyond the possibliities of knowledge.
T. H. Huxley
The Cattle Prod of Enlightened Compassion
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2004 : 15:48:03 [Permalink]
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Cheap whiskey.
It can be used for thawing frozen fuel lines; it will degrease old motorcycle parts; it is a good, emergency fire starter; It is a good antiseptic for cuts and scratches; in dilute, it will make a biting reptile let go; it is an excellent seduction aid (in dilute -- there is no point in seducing the comatose); and it can bring a ray of cheer into an otherwise dismal day (in dilute -- there is no cheer in catatonia).
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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R.Wreck
SFN Regular
USA
1191 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2004 : 17:08:31 [Permalink]
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quote:
filthy wrote:
Cheap whiskey.
Aspirin. |
The foundation of morality is to . . . give up pretending to believe that for which there is no evidence, and repeating unintelligible propositions about things beyond the possibliities of knowledge.
T. H. Huxley
The Cattle Prod of Enlightened Compassion
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Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2004 : 22:36:38 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by R.Wreck
quote:
filthy wrote:
Cheap whiskey.
Aspirin.
That's for the headache after the alcohol, the next day - (but it doesn't help.) As long as we're talking alcohol, cheap whiskey indeed has its place, and there's nothing as fine as a good cold beer on a hot day, but for overall consumption over a lifetime, I have to say that wine is tops.
Yes, there are wine snobs, (but few beer snobs and no whiskey snobs that I know of,) but among ordinary folks (and not only French or Italian folks,) wine is a great suppliment to good conversation and good eats as well.  |
Diversity, independence, innovation and imagination are progressive concepts ultimately alien to the conservative mind.
"TAX AND SPEND" IS GOOD! (TAX: Wealthy corporations who won't go poor even after taxes. SPEND: On public works programs, education, the environment, improvements.) |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 00:05:32 [Permalink]
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filthy wrote:quote:
Cheap whiskey... will degrease old motorcycle parts...
I don't recall who said it, but if I remember correctly, a famous drag racer once said, "alcohol is for drinking, gasoline is for cleaning parts... nitromethyl is what should be burned in an engine."
Chippewa, the popularization of microbreweries has created millions of beer snobs. People who would prefer death to Budweiser. It's sad, really.
As for the best invention, given my move up from condo to townhouse back in June, I'd have to say Ikea is one of the best inventions around.
Oh, and Ricky's  . It's very cool. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 04:08:35 [Permalink]
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I could be wrong, but I think it was Prudholm that said it to the camera, but it's been around the pits for longer than I can remember, both drags and flying mile. Another of the Great Truths.
Unfortunatly, nitromethane is a lot more expensive than either gasoline or cheap whiskey. Methanol, which my long-retired race bike burned on the flying mile, too is pretty dear.
Speaking of racing, a great invention is squeeze -- nitrous oxide, to the pedestrian. Not only is it an aid to dentists that they might draw your fangs painlessly whilst you sleep, and a party idiot's best friend, but it will add an insane amount of power when injected into the intake of any engine. When I hit the squeeze button, my old alky-burning Harley would pull gearing tall enough to devour the flying mile!
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Wendy
SFN Regular
USA
614 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 10:33:54 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Chippewa
To music paper, (which I posted earlier,) I'd like to add: That little gear tool that allows you to change drill bits on an electric drill. It may not be the greatest invention, but whoever thought of attaching it directly to the power cord was a genius. I'd surely loose it if it wasn't permanently there.
If you like that, you'll love this:
http://www.tools.com/portercable/portercable2614.php
(I'm restoring an old house, so I have a bit of a tool fetish.) |
Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do on a rainy afternoon.
-- Susan Ertz
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 11:25:50 [Permalink]
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quote:
quote:
Originally posted by Chippewa:
I'd like to add: That little gear tool that allows you to change drill bits on an electric drill. It may not be the greatest invention, but whoever thought of attaching it directly to the power cord was a genius. I'd surely loose it if it wasn't permanently there.
quote:
Wendy:
If you like that, you'll love this:
http://www.tools.com/portercable/portercable2614.php
(I'm restoring an old house, so I have a bit of a tool fetish.)
I don't have a tool fetish. I must have them to operate. I am a finish carpenter by trade. Keyless and cordless drills are the best things to come along for us since the invention of the Phillips head and the magnitized bits to drive them. (Slotted screws should be banned. So should any brass or non-magnetic screws and cheap screws from China that can't take the slightest bit of torque without their heads breaking off. But that is another story.) Anyhow, no more searching for the friggen key, no more looking for a place to plug in, and no more cords in the way, with or without the key attached.
I also have to tip my hat at the inventor of drywall screws. They have so many uses that I think I would be tempted to find another profession of they didn't exist…
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Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 12:40:27 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Kil
quote:
quote:
Originally posted by Chippewa:
I'd like to add: That little gear tool that allows you to change drill bits on an electric drill. It may not be the greatest invention, but whoever thought of attaching it directly to the power cord was a genius. I'd surely loose it if it wasn't permanently there.
quote:
Wendy:
If you like that, you'll love this:
http://www.tools.com/portercable/portercable2614.php
(I'm restoring an old house, so I have a bit of a tool fetish.)
I don't have a tool fetish. I must have them to operate. I am a finish carpenter by trade. Keyless and cordless drills are the best things to come along for us since the invention of the Phillips head and the magnitized bits to drive them. (Slotted screws should be banned. So should any brass or non-magnetic screws and cheap screws from China that can't take the slightest bit of torque without their heads breaking off. But that is another story.) Anyhow, no more searching for the friggen key, no more looking for a place to plug in, and no more cords in the way, with or without the key attached.
I also have to tip my hat at the inventor of drywall screws. They have so many uses that I think I would be tempted to find another profession of they didn't exist…
Damn straight! Those drills are also handy for threaded fasteners. You can get adapters for sockets of any sort.
I have always hated chuck keys. They seem to take on a life of their own and escape as soon as you turn your back. Over the years, I must have lost dozens, even some that were chained to the drill press. And if you don't lose it, the miserable bastard will break a tooth and make you crazy trying to tighten the chuck until you buy yet another, miserable bastard.
Drywall screws are on a level with duct tape and WD-40. Can't live without 'em, anymore!
I would submit dial calipers and digital michrometers. My eyes can no longer read those tiny vernier scales without a magnifying glass.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist!
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Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 14:25:28 [Permalink]
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Dave W -
D'Oh! thanks for setting me straight on microbrewery beers. I should know better (as I live in California!)
You're all way ahead of me with newer tools. (Yikes! I still have a 'stick phone.') I agree about those outsourced screws. Recently built a fine drawing table - designed in New Jersey but made in China. Not bad except for the pseudo-Philipshead screws holding the top on the frame. One turn and they melt. My best tools are a set of metric wrenches I got for work on an old German car we occasionally take out on the road. I'm not a rich guy by any means but I've got this rare old car. We pretend we can afford it. Those wrenches fit everything beautifully. Its just interesting to see how things work. I look at it as both a machine and a work of art. (More 'art' when its not running.) |
Diversity, independence, innovation and imagination are progressive concepts ultimately alien to the conservative mind.
"TAX AND SPEND" IS GOOD! (TAX: Wealthy corporations who won't go poor even after taxes. SPEND: On public works programs, education, the environment, improvements.) |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 16:01:44 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Dave W.
Chippewa, the popularization of microbreweries has created millions of beer snobs. People who would prefer death to Budweiser. It's sad, really.
What is sad? Having only death and Budwiser to choose from? I agree, because I too would be hard pressed to make up my mind. |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2004 : 19:38:43 [Permalink]
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Mab asked:quote:
What is sad? Having only death and Budwiser to choose from? I agree, because I too would be hard pressed to make up my mind.
What's sad is having almost entire generations forgetting their beer roots. People go from chugging 50-cent-a-can beers in high school and college to being too damn good for them. It's like every simple get-together with friends becomes an impromptu beer-tasting event. I came over to play Trivial Pursuit, dammit, not get a lecture on the hops-to-barley ratio of the crap we're drinking. And no, I don't want to see your home brewery again! Gah!
Oh, sorry. What was the question? |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2004 : 07:57:27 [Permalink]
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| I was thinking more like opting out Budwiser for some bitter, Indian Pale Ale (McEwan), or a stout like Guinness. |
Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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R.Wreck
SFN Regular
USA
1191 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2004 : 08:35:46 [Permalink]
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quote:
I was thinking more like opting out Budwiser for some bitter, Indian Pale Ale (McEwan), or a stout like Guinness.
I'm with you on this Mab. I'm partial to the stouts and porters, but I love a good ale too. Dave, just tune out the brewerbabble and enjoy the suds! |
The foundation of morality is to . . . give up pretending to believe that for which there is no evidence, and repeating unintelligible propositions about things beyond the possibliities of knowledge.
T. H. Huxley
The Cattle Prod of Enlightened Compassion
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