Other uses for stuff and functional fixation

[Brian Deakin]

Functional fixedness is the inability to realize that something known to have a particular use may also be used to perform other functions. When one is faced with a new problem, functional fixedness blocks one's ability to use old tools in novel ways

I strip copper wire and bend it to form circles about 1" in diameter to make ties to train tomatoes I also use the stripped wire to make ties to train other plants

A section of old bandsaw blade to make garden bandit

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop...der?item=PA330

I believe there could be other variations on this tool example with a long handle

I am also exploring using sections of old bandsaw blade to form the base of a log crosscut sled similar to a Carter Bandsaw AccuRight Miter Mill

https://www.amazon.com/Carter-Bandsa.../dp/B075K3CBXL

[Jim Becker]

Some folks are great at visualization and reimagining and some are not. Some folks can see the long view and others can't see what's right in front of their face. Human nature. I try to be a member of the first group and often use/reuse/repurpose. Of course, that also means I'm somewhat a pack rat as a result.

[Lee Schierer]

For many years, I have used a food dehydrator to liquefy crystalized honey. I've seen bread slicers made from old band saw blades. Lots of folks make art work from discarded items of all sorts.

[Jerry Bruette]

I made a prybar from a screwdriver once.

[Tony Joyce]

I've looked for a way to dry stabilized wood blanks longer than would fix in a standard toaster.
I finally figured out I could use an electric smoker as a large toaster oven. At about $160, I can now dry up to 24" long pieces.
Who knew!

Tony

[Lawrence Duckworth]

I’ve used a table fork to comb dried food from my beard ��

[Dave Anderson NH]

Probably worked fine Larry but I'll lay odds you didn't do it within sight of the wife.

[Jim Koepke]

I believe there could be other variations on this tool example with a long handle

As seen on TV, The Hula Hoe.

jtk

[Lee DeRaud]

For many years, I have used a food dehydrator to liquefy crystalized honey.

It's also the go-to tool for drying 3D-printer filament.

[Lee DeRaud]

A section of old bandsaw blade to make garden bandit

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop...der?item=PA330

I always have a deja vu moment when I see that in the LV catalog...very similar tool for deshedding large dogs:
https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Pet-Du.../dp/B0002ARR22

[Lawrence Duckworth]

Probably worked fine Larry but I'll lay odds you didn't do it within sight of the wife.

of course not...I close my eyes when I do stuff like that

[Frederick Skelly]

I’ve used a table fork to comb dried food from my beard ��

Oh gosh, I hear Jeff Foxworthy in my ear!

[Dave Zellers]

Oh gosh, I hear Jeff Foxworthy in my ear!

OMG this is funny!

I save everything thinking it still can be repurposed. Wish I had some examples that I could think of now. But at least I know now why I save old bandsaw blades.

There will be deadly sharp 3/4" garden bandits at the end of 12, 24 and 48 inch pieces of ash very soon. The nut grass is about to meet it's match.

[Michael Schuch]

I made a prybar from a screwdriver once.

Pffft... I have made a hammer out of a screw driver several times.

[Frederick Skelly]

You'll all laugh at me. But sometimes I like to walk around Home Depot just looking to see what hardware, ventilation, plumbing, flooring supplies, etc are for sale - just asking myself "I wonder what else I could use this for?"

I need to "get a life". I know.