Quick way to find the right size tool

I have a set of 6 nut spinners, the handles all look the same, the size is marked on the "business end", I got a bit peed off picking one up, hunting for the marking and squinting to read it.

I worked in electronice for nigh on 40 years and frequently had to read the colour coded value of resistors and other components so the colour code became somewhat entrenched in the memory. So, I lined up the nut spinners and marked the size with coloured bands on the handle, I shall probably do the same with a few other tools where sizes are not always easy to read, like a set of hollow punches,  spanners and sockets, should be best used on metric sizes, I'm not up to figuring out fractions!!

The code, for those not with an electronics background is

BLACK  = 0
BROWN  = 1
RED    = 2
ORANGE = 3
YELLOW = 4
GREEN  = 5
BLUE   = 6
PURPLE = 7
GREY   = 8
WHITE  = 9

So for 1.5mm I used brown/green bands
       2.0mm    "     red/black
       2.5mm    "     red/green and so on

As there were no sizes over 5mm I was able to use two bands and assume a decimal point, there are ways of coding to 2 decimal places, or numbers up into millions. However for this sort of application I kept it simple. The physical size of the tool should usually give an idea if the code is for numbers under or over 9.5mm.

There is a nemonic sometimes used as an aide memoire for the initial letters of each colour.

Billy Brown Revives On Your Gin But Prefers Good Whisky

Good idea Mike.  You just have to remember the nemonic ………………:hmm

There is another mnemonic which may be easier to remember, but this is a family site.

I also heard of another which as a Southern fan does not appeal

Bye Bye Rosie Off You Goto Blackpool Via Great Western  (Via = violet = purple)

or………Bill Brown Ran Out Yelling Gor' Blimey Violet [purple], Get Weaving……

Doug

or…Christmas Comes But Once A Ferkin, And When It Comes I'm Ferkin Werkin!

Terry

[user=1397]Dorsetmike[/user] wrote:

There is another mnemonic which may be easier to remember, but this is a family site.

I think that's probably the one I was taught many years ago too :twisted:

 

Or………'Just pass them all over and I'll find the right one eventually'…Maybe :It's a no no:It's a no no

[user=1397]Dorsetmike[/user] wrote:

I have a set of 6 nut spinners…

That's unfortunate. I only have one wife…

Cheers, Gary.