I first learned about the mystery of round bolt heads from some vintage
Triumph riders years ago. Only the British could and would come up with a nut
and bolt system where 5/16” wasn’t 5/16. But that would be close enough to fit
on a bolt head, but not close enough to grip it. Wearing the head off, or
rounded enough to spoil many a weekend ride. But thanks to American ingenuity,
we now have the Mexican speed wrench, or the Crescent wrench, available in both
metric and standard, but not Whitworth, but can still handle the job. But for
the tougher jobs, and the explanation of why some bolt heads look like they hate
bite marks, we also have vice grips, which will effectively dig into whatever is
left of the bolt head, and destroy it before removing. Again metric and
standard, no Whitworth...
But growing up in the Japanese bike age, we got to forego stripped bolts,
but were handed the dreaded Phillips screw. Which made hammers and impact
drivers a toolbox necessity, hopefully before the inner cross point was worn
into a circle. Which gave rise to many fine tuning hammers for the proper
repair, and one home mechanic pointing out how the cheapo screw driver in their
tool kit fit the heads perfectly. It seems a Japanese Whitworth crosspoint was
needed, a #2 standard just didn’t fit, nor did a #1 or #3. So it wasn’t just
the English who got their jollies over rounded fasteners that couldn’t be
removed. Which made me wonder, why hasn’t anyone come up with an adjustable
blade screwdriver, with just a twist of the wrist it would fit all screws?
Metric and standard, but not Whitworth. And the idea could carry over to socket
heads/allen bolts, and even Torx. Come on America, Snap On where are you when
we need you? Craftsman, you were smart enough to dump Sears, don’t stop
now....
But it took my friend Brett graduating with a degree in architecture and
going to work in the oil fields to see the importance of an education. He
taught us “don’t force it, just get a bigger hammer,” and many problems were
solved while creating another. Also “don’t force it, get a bigger lever,” with
the accompanying “just get a bigger breaker bar,” all in different sizes, the
wrong tool for the right job, without any Whitworth restrictions. Seems
necessity is still the father of invention, not to be confused with Frank Zappa
and the Mothers of Invention.
The right tool will always make the job easier, and provide a quicker fix
without the benefit of all the cuss words associated with the damage done by the
improper tool. While some are still fixing the damage done during the repair,
you could be riding. It seems when mankind was faced with a problem, the
problem of sin, God addressed it perfectly via his son Jesus Christ. The
gospel, maybe translated as simply as this. If we had a medical problem, he
would have sent a doctor. A philosophical dilemma, a philosopher. If we had a
mechanical problem he would have sent a mechanic, and if a plumbing problem, a
plumber. But we had a sin problem that was robbing us from God’s glory, we
needed a savior, for no other sacrifice would do. So he sent his only son,
Jesus Christ, the right tool for the repair for sin in our lives, the right fit,
the only fit. No need for adjustable religion, or a Whitworth version, the
gospel was revealed to man via Jesus in a one size will fit the forgiveness of
all sin. No more skinned knuckles, extra classes or tools to purchase, no clubs
to join, and no special tools. No monthly payments of remedies bought on time,
God made the gospel simple so we could get it, and free so we can afford it.
While some deal with issues in doctrinal differences, Jesus came to point out
the fallacies of religion and point us to righteousness, to forgive us and give
us a hope and a future. To provide us with the oil of joy, the holy spirit, to
guide, encourage, direct, and comfort. Along with a workshop manual for life
called the Bible. For man will not fix his relationship with God alone, but out
of the daily bread needed to feed us what we need. Religion made easy, if only
the Whitworth religious could get it...
But yet too many still approach Jesus like my friend who was working on his
truck when I walked in. Hearing his voice, I found him under his pickup, using
the seven words you used to not be able to say on TV. “Mike is that you? Hand
me a wrench.” When I asked “what size,” his answer should have surprised me but
didn’t. “I don’t care, I’m gonna use it for a hammer...” So I handed him a big
one, just in case it was a big bolt. Never thinking to ask if it was metric or
standard....but somehow knowing it wasn’t Whitworth.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com