Time in the Tool Crib

Terry runs the tool crib. For anyone reading this who doesn't know what a tool crib is I will tell you now. The tool crib is the place where you get all your tools for working from gloves to mag drills. Every large site has one and it is usually in a sea can (looks like a box car from a train) and the guy who runs it is usually an older, experienced Jman who knows every tool and how to use it. He also knows how to tell the difference between what he can fix or send out to be fixed and what should simply be tossed. On our site Terry is that guy. There is a sign on the front of our tool crib written graffiti style that says 'Don't feed the bear!' it may actually pre-date Terry as most tool crib guys tend to be grumpy. The reason for this is simple. The tool guy tries to keep his tool crib stocked but often the tools are either out or are on back order. So workers come in and bitch at him because they need something he hasn't got and of course it isn't his fault so he gets bitchy right back. Multiply this times seven days a week and times fifty two weeks in the year and the tool crib guy is often really bitchy! Not really his fault but it's usually pretty accurate. Crankiness aside the tool crib guy is usually one of the people who educate apprentices the most. Journeymen often do things to tease apprentices. I have heard of guys sent to the tool crib to get everything from skyhooks and buckets of steam to getting a 'cuddle'. When the unsuspecting apprentice arrives at the tool crib I suspect it is a pleasure unique only to toolcribbers when they get to spring the trap on the apprentice. I remember for instance an apprentice that I worked with as a laborer years ago. He was sent to the tool crib to get a cuddle. It had been explained to him that a cuddle was a clamping device that held two pieces of metal together. There was a line-up at the crib and that tool crib guy was not only cranky but was also a huge bear of a man. So eventually the apprentice arrived at the front of the line and asked for a cuddle. The big man said nothing for a second and then lifted the gate and embraced the apprentice in a gentle bear-hug while saying 'There there baby'. He then let go, went back through the gate and, smiling openly now yelled out 'anyone else want to cuddle?'. Of course everyone in the lineup laughed and the apprentice left red-faced. Later on that week the tool crib guy helped the apprentice get the Jman back. This time the crib wan't busy and the apprentice asked for a 'bucket of steam'. So the big toolcrib guy went and got a plastic bucket and wrote 'liquid steam - activate by adding hot air'. He then added an inch of water to the bottom and gave it to the apprentice while whispering something to him. A few minutes later the apprentice showed up where his Jman was with the bucket which surprised the guy no end. He had expected a red face and not a bucket. "What the fuck is that?" he asked incredulously. The apprentice turned the bucket so that the Jman could see the writing on it and said: "Bear says to get you to talk into it because you're so full of hot air it will be steam in no time!" Needless to say the kid was never sent for any further non-existent items! In reality you should NEVER tick off the tool crib guy. If he doesn't like you it is incredible how often he will be 'out of stock'. If he does like you he will usually either be in-stock or will have A valid idea on an alternative way to fix the problem. I am talking about the toolcrib today because yesterday our guy was away so I got to be in charge of the crib. It was a lot of fun... for about the first five minutes. Then it was boring. It reminded me of back when I was a laborer and I spent one of my first days watching vibrating steamroller (they aren't steam nowadays) and thinking what a great job that was. By fluke the operator was away the next day and the Foreman asked who wanted to run it. I felt really lucky when no one else wanted it and so I got picked. And it was a great job. For exactly five minutes. Then I discovered the hell that driving less than 3 miles an hour on a seriously vibrating machine can be! I spent the day with my kidneys so shaken up that I had to stop for a pee every five minutes! The tool crib is kind of like that except without the vibrating! Today as I was sitting on the bus I saw Terry the toolcrib guy board the bus. Was I ever happy to see him!!! :)