I’ve been replacing this fence down in Richardson Texas the last few days. It always amazes me how important that the proper tools are for each and every situation. It isn’t only in construction, but everything you need a tool for.

I’d say that a large part of doing construction is having the right tools for the job and always having the necessary components when they are needed. Nothing slows a project down than running out of anything. It goes in a certain order and when that order is interrupted then the project sometimes comes to a complete stop.

The same when dealing with bicycles. More so. Can you imagine not having a chain tool when one is needed? There is nothing that can replace that. Maybe in “wartime” you could use a punch and a pair of pliers to get a chain back together, but not in a race situation.

Park Tool company is now taken for granted, but they have been innovators in bicycle tools. When Thomas Frischnecht first came to the US from Switzerland, he barely spoke English. It was about the same time that Park came out with the tri-tool, the y-tool with the 4-5-6 mm allen keys on it. When Thomas came to Boulder and stayed with me and saw the tool, he wanted to buy 50 and take them back to Switzerland and give them to his friends. He was that impressed with it. I have to agree. Life is much easier for me because there is a Park Hex wrench in the world. It holds true for lots and lots of tools.

Specialty tools are just that, special. There are many situations that there is nearly only one tool that will work for a specific situation. And if that tool is missing or unknown to the person that needs it, then there is nearly a zero percent chance that the task can be completed.

I guess this post is for me to acknowledge my appreciation to all the people out the that have thought through the process and made tools for each and every situation. It makes my life much easier on a daily basis. I always look for projects that “force” me to acquire new tools. If that is the case, then the project is usually always a success.

This Paslode nail gun is can virtually build a house by itself. It is a framing nailer, but.....

it can also be used here with a non-mar tip to use on fences, etc.

This Park tri-tool and Shimano chain tool, in this completely organized tool box, are two tools I could never do without.

The Campagnolo Tool Kit. I still want one, even though most of the tools in it aren't used for modern day bicycles now.

Pleasure would be bike racing and I guess business is nearly about anything else, especially construction. I can’t believe how sore I’ve been the last few mornings. I have to admit that I’m spending many too many hours a day on my knees, but this is ridiculous. But, it’s nearly over.

Yesterday I’d say I got to 90 something percent completion, so I’m calling it quits and heading to Austin for a couple days until the races back in Dallas on the weekend. It is much better riding in Austin, compared to Richardson, plus my friend Ann (and dog Stanley) needs a visit. She is going to a 3D Titan movie tomorrow night, which I’ve never seen.

I hope to recover some the next three days. Especially my hamstrings. Enough to get some fitness out of the first critieriums I’ve ridden this season. It should be interesting. Okay, I need to get going to miss the traffic around here.

Guys that run fork lifts are something truly amazing.

Sue, my friend from La Jolla, getting sore herself helping out building her mom's fence.

It was nice re-using a lot of the original posts.

It almost looks better from the outside than the inside.

I don't know any other way to build a gate other than on my hands and knees.

It turned out square and straight.

Richardson will come by and pick up the used fencing, take and recyle it for compost.