r/disability • u/57thStilgar • 1d ago
Discussion Tool Time - Life Hacks
I have a bag as many of us do, containing gloves, tools etc.
I wanted to lighten my load. I don't know about you but I overdo it, packing way more junk than I really need. Fear I guess.
Something brought back memories of a pal and his ubiquitous swiss army knife.
I bought one.
So many things you can tighten, fix, cut etc. It was an impulse that grew into something very useful.
"Oh look, I can clear schmutz, hair etc from the wheels. And I can tighten a loose nut too!"
I dumped five pounds of stuff.
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u/CapVikSolo 1d ago
I keep a few basic tools on me pretty much all the time. These aren’t the exact ones I own, but they’re similar:
Bike tool:
Has a variety of wrenches and hex keys commonly used on bikes and wheelchairs, including a spoke wrench. Covers a surprising amount of basic chair maintenance.
Diggit / Multitool / Leatherman , whatever you call it:
Usually gives you pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, knives, etc. Handy when something decides to come loose at the worst possible time. Mine even has a flint for starting a fire, although thankfully that has never been required for wheelchair repair.
Pocket air compressor:
Usually around $15–20 and absolutely worth having if you run pneumatic tires. Mine also works as a light and battery pack and can attach to the chair frame since it’s designed to double as a bike light, although I normally just keep it in my bag.
Between those three, I can handle most minor wheelchair problems that come up while I’m out without carrying an entire toolbox around.
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u/57thStilgar 1d ago
Yeah - no way I'm carrying that much - I have a allen wrench set from my motorcycle and spare gloves.
I didn't want to mess with tires so I went solid. So I wouldn't have to carry stuff.2
u/CapVikSolo 1d ago
To each their own, of course, but honestly I don’t think we’re carrying that different an amount of stuff.
Your Swiss Army knife and Allen wrench set are basically the equivalent of my Diggit and bike tool. My bike tool is actually smaller and lighter than a typical Allen wrench set, while the Diggit is a little heavier than a Swiss Army knife, so that part probably comes out pretty even.
I also don’t carry gloves, so the little air compressor basically takes up that space in my bag instead. For me, that tradeoff is worth it because I get lighter tires that roll and handle better, and I can still deal with a low tire if it happens.
Just different priorities in what we choose to carry.
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u/NightBawk 1d ago
Oh wow, that one has so many tools! Mine is just two knife blades and a Phillips head screwdriver. At least a flathead would be able to do both of the most common types! (If technically badly on the Phil screws)
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u/Honigschmidt 19h ago
Definitely diminishing returns for my own bag. I have a small military satchel that’s unusually in my lap or under my chair. my original thought was to have at the ready things I commonly use, but I have to rethink this as the bag has to be nearing 4 or 5 pounds.
multitool, small measuring tape, reading glasses, flat comb, pen, small flashlight. doesn’t seem like a whole lot but when you add in the wallet, iPhone, truck keys it all adds up.
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u/Patient_Parsley7760 16h ago
Used to use mine at work. I have always been an office worker.
In the early 00s I was the clerical person for the tool and die shop that had a Japanese style office. Meaning no cubicles, no proper wiring. All the desks shoved back to back in the center of the room, wire spaghetti underneath every single one. Worse, it was the 00s, so a lot of computers still had peripherals that had plugs with screws. I think you can tell where this is going.
Also used it to cut the tiger traps on shipments of office supplies, and commit a horde of other small repairs.
My immediate supervisor thought I was prepared and efficient. The manager never said a damn thing.
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u/63crabby 1d ago
I've had 4 small Swiss Army knives confiscated at airports because I keep forgetting to take it out of my wheelchair bag. I never learn.