The one thing that you wonder why you didn't buy sooner?

[WinterDeere]

Ear muffs. It was too late for me by the time I learned to not get on a tractor without them.

Failed a hearing test in middle school, after playing drums for 6-8 years with no hearing protection, and the last few of those years with loud bands. Been a big fan of hearing protection ever since. Many forms of hearing damage will heal in those under 16-21 years of age, which can be permanent in those a bit older.

I still remember the surprise in the woman giving the test, as she'd rip thru a few hundred kids per day, and was obviously used to everyone doing pretty well. Half way thru the test, I'm still sitting there waiting for it to start. She looks at me and says, "you know you're supposed to raise your hand when you hear a sound, right?" I say, "yep, let's get started." She says, "we're actually almost finished."

 

[bdhsfz6]

Only on TBN can you get a recommendation to carry a saw on your bicycle in a tractor customization thread. lol

True, but the point was in line with the thread title. The hand saw was an item I wished I had bought sooner

 

[jwmorris]

Ear muffs (protection) with music !

Yes these are the ones I use most these days. Bluetooth so you can get alerts or calls as normal and listen to whatever you like or just the equipment at levels that will cause less damage.

Amazon.com

 

[Darth_DMack]

One thing I have been slow to adapt to, is a Pistol Mounted Red Dot Sight.

I'm a long time shooter, always ran iron sights on my handguns. As I have aged, my eyesight up close is not nearly what it used to be. I need longer arms, or move to a Red Dot Sight.

I'm still training with it, but it seems to be the ticket!

 

[paulsharvey]

Don't know if this counts, as I haven't used it That much yet; but MiG or Flux core welder. Had and used an Arc welder since high-school, and always looked down on wire welders; just for guys that can't welders, ect. It's actually dang nice. Still, not gonna throw the old stick box out, but I take back a lot I'd what I've said/thought about Flux core.

 

[Darth_DMack]

Don't know if this counts, as I haven't used it That much yet; but MiG or Flux core welder. Had and used an Arc welder since high-school, and always looked down on wire welders; just for guys that can't welders, ect. It's actually dang nice. Still, not gonna throw the old stick box out, but I take back a lot I'd what I've said/thought about Flux core.

I am in the market for a good MIG welder as well!

 

[WinterDeere]

Don't know if this counts, as I haven't used it That much yet; but MiG or Flux core welder. Had and used an Arc welder since high-school, and always looked down on wire welders; just for guys that can't welders, ect. It's actually dang nice. Still, not gonna throw the old stick box out, but I take back a lot I'd what I've said/thought about Flux core.

I used stick mid-1980's until ca.2000. Then flux core wire for about 20 years, before finally going full MIG about three years ago. My venerable old copper transformer Lincon AC225 buzz box sat unused for so long that I ended up selling it a few years ago. An amazing piece of 1970's quality engineering, but no way I'm ever going back to it.

The trouble I had with flux core is visibility, as it made so much smoke that I was almost welding by braille. Going from that to full C25 MIG was a game changer, at least with regard to visibility while welding, and the appearance of my welds. I was always able to execute reasonably strong welds, but now they look good, too.

 

[ArlyA]

I used stick mid-1980's until ca.2000. Then flux core wire for about 20 years, before finally going full MIG about three years ago. My venerable old copper transformer Lincon AC225 buzz box sat unused for so long that I ended up selling it a few years ago. An amazing piece of 1970's quality engineering, but no way I'm ever going back to it.

The trouble I had with flux core is visibility, as it made so much smoke that I was almost welding by braille. Going from that to full C25 MIG was a game changer, at least with regard to visibility while welding, and the appearance of my welds. I was always able to execute reasonably strong welds, but now they look good, too.

Me to. I MIG everything now.

 

[kozal01]

My tractor! Wish I had not listened to my now X wife and bought one 10 years ago!

 

[WinterDeere]

My tractor! Wish I had not listened to my now X wife and bought one 10 years ago!

If she was telling you to buy a tractor, she was a keeper!