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General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: david77 on July 05, 2011, 06:51:30 am

Title: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: david77 on July 05, 2011, 06:51:30 am
Well, I often find unusual stuff in my pockets - at least unusual to non-tech people.

If I were to empty my pockets right now I'd find the usual assortment of coins, bunch of keys, a half used tissue and a lighter. Oh, there's also a 1/4" magnetic drill bit holder.
No electronics related stuff in there today.

In the past I think I've found everything from loose transistors, caps, IC's, small nuts & bolts, fuses, solder wire and all kinds of tools in my pockets :).

Does that only happen to me or does anyone else find unusual stuff in his pockets?
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Psi on July 05, 2011, 08:50:15 am
Only unusual things i have are a blue + green + white + UV led light, a USB drive and miniscrewdrivers on my keyring and a few coin cells in my wallet (so i know which sizes to buy when i need them).
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Kiriakos-GR on July 05, 2011, 09:37:39 am
I have become a good boy, and I do not forget anything in my pockets.
If I do, I will find it in the filter of the washing machine, and most of the times its not usable any more.  :)
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Alex on July 05, 2011, 09:53:28 am
Money at the end of each month, replaced by receipts before the end of the next month.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: EEVblog on July 05, 2011, 10:35:19 am
Always a Victoronix Minichamp, and often an SD card and forgotten lens cap, along with various screws.

Dave.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Sionyn on July 05, 2011, 11:06:50 am
sharkfin pick potting wax doorpass card festival wristband  yubikey coins
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Precisiontools on July 05, 2011, 11:26:56 am
Leatherman Juice S2, Jetbeam BK135A.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: FreeThinker on July 05, 2011, 11:45:11 am
Normally holes, and in my socks too. What is it about pockets and socks that attract holes? ???
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Vertigo on July 05, 2011, 11:49:13 am
zippo lighter
Victorinox explorer
Olight t-10 (to be replaced with zebralight H501w
extra batteries
knife (eitherf CRKT m2104g, CS Rajah 3 or Spyderco tenacious)
whistle
50 cents (for toilets in case i'm out of change, shopping carts etc)
extra hairbands
tweezers
mini medkit (bandaids, alcohol swabs, latex gloves)
moist towlettes
utility kit (mini flask with WD-40, mini flask with lighte fuel, paperclips, twistix, knife sharpening rod, sewing kit)
ducktape (on a card)
mp3 player
usb stick

Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: FreeThinker on July 05, 2011, 02:17:52 pm
zippo lighter
Victorinox explorer
Olight t-10 (to be replaced with zebralight H501w
extra batteries
knife (eitherf CRKT m2104g, CS Rajah 3 or Spyderco tenacious)
whistle
50 cents (for toilets in case i'm out of change, shopping carts etc)
extra hairbands
tweezers
mini medkit (bandaids, alcohol swabs, latex gloves)
moist towlettes
utility kit (mini flask with WD-40, mini flask with lighte fuel, paperclips, twistix, knife sharpening rod, sewing kit)
ducktape (on a card)
mp3 player
usb stick
You must be female or have VERY large pockets.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: oPossum on July 05, 2011, 03:06:58 pm
What is it about pockets and socks that attract holes? ???

They are semiconductors ???
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: FreeThinker on July 05, 2011, 03:18:01 pm
What is it about pockets and socks that attract holes? ???

They are semiconductors ???
;D Never thought of that! Also seems to attract inquisitive searching hands when not in use (You know who you are) ;D
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Frangible on July 05, 2011, 03:52:58 pm
I've been scrounging (a.k.a. dumpster diving) so I have an interesting assortment:
>Small bag of unused tri-color LEDs in water resistant packaging
>Several terminal blocks for later experiments
>One small split-core current transformer of unknown value
>One USB to serial cable
>A lifetime supply of 1N4007 rectifiers.
>About half a meter of 00 fine stranded welding cable
>A perfectly good screwdriver some chump has been using to stir epoxy with
There's more.  But that's all that would fit!

Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: sacherjj on July 05, 2011, 04:19:00 pm
Everyday, the following are in my pockets:

Spyderco Lady Bug 3 pocket knife (truly tiny, but usable) (http://www.amazon.com/Spyderco-Labybug-Plain-Knife-Foliage/dp/B002DV19TK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309882469&sr=8-3)

Fenix LD01R2 Cree LED flashlight (http://www.amazon.com/Fenix-LD01R2-Level-Performance-Flashlight/dp/B002YKL2ZQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1309882549&sr=1-3) - With an Eneloop AAA battery that I swap out with a freshly charged one every month or sooner if it has seen much use.  This thing really casts a beam for something you forget is in your pocket.

Then my wallet and a comb. 

Sometimes keys and coins.  My Palm Pre is on a holster on my side. 

That is me almost every day.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: FreeThinker on July 05, 2011, 04:33:46 pm
Hey a COMB! I remember those... :)
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: dimlow on July 05, 2011, 07:57:00 pm
For me its more of a, "What do i find in my washing machine", too lazy to empty my pockets. I found a CR2032, 20p and a wet packet of red RIZLA papers. What i will find next week ? well could be anything as the kids we soon all be teenagers. Interesting times ahead for the washing machine and me.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: kenster2001 on July 06, 2011, 04:55:40 am
At least 50 crimp connectors for panel mount D sub shells.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: aargee on July 06, 2011, 07:20:13 am
Usually for me it's various hardware, screws, washers, etc.

I've learnt that it is important to have a washing machine that can deal effectively with coins, as the contents of an engineers pockets will then not generally stop it in its tracks!

I do know that memory sticks usually survive a trip through the washing machine via pockets.

There's an idea for a new Youtube channel, "Can you wash it?"

- Rob.

Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: david77 on July 06, 2011, 07:27:31 am
Haha! Now where to get an old washing machine for free.... 8)

I've washed the remote control for my DSLR twice and it still works. Amazing chinese ebay c*ap.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: PStevenson on July 06, 2011, 11:24:23 am

in my pockets now are...(including my coat which I haven't taken off yet)

3 resistors - burnt out (3.3k if you're interested)
tiny pocket dmm
my lucky 4069 IC (had it for years)
sony satio phone
iPod classic 120Gb
pen/Dave CAD pad
tiny reel of mod wire (you'd be surprised how often I need it!)
bit of money
small screwdriver with attachments inside it
guitar pick - dunlop blue
credit card
100uf capacitor (don't know why)
keys with torch on keyring
7805 regulator (don't know why again)
painkillers - Dihydrocodeine slow release.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: sacherjj on July 06, 2011, 01:50:43 pm
Back when I had my old Nissan Maxima, the keyless remote was getting finicky.  I forgot my keys in the pockets of my jeans and went through a wash and dry cycle.  Worked so much better after that.  :)
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Hypernova on July 06, 2011, 02:39:36 pm
zippo lighter
Victorinox explorer
Olight t-10 (to be replaced with zebralight H501w
extra batteries
knife (eitherf CRKT m2104g, CS Rajah 3 or Spyderco tenacious)
whistle
50 cents (for toilets in case i'm out of change, shopping carts etc)
extra hairbands
tweezers
mini medkit (bandaids, alcohol swabs, latex gloves)
moist towlettes
utility kit (mini flask with WD-40, mini flask with lighte fuel, paperclips, twistix, knife sharpening rod, sewing kit)
ducktape (on a card)
mp3 player
usb stick
You sir have a challenger!

Here's my standard load out when I leave the house:
(http://i.imgur.com/nZdc5.jpg)

Top left:
-Victorinox Cybertool 42
-Comb
-Calculator
-Phone
-Meds for hay fever in case I go to somewhere heavy with pollen.
-Quad colour pen + pencil
(http://i.imgur.com/ZuEzI.jpg)

Top right:
-key's for the house.
-Green tritium tag
-Laser pointer + white led
-employee tag + RFID for the elevator at work + the blue discount card for some shops near work.
(http://i.imgur.com/pVQoX.jpg)

Lower right:
-some change and receipts
-Key for the motor bike if I was riding it that day.
-USB sticks
-Lighter, I don't smoke, this is just in case I need to start a fire.
-Dental floss.
(http://i.imgur.com/rHOmG.jpg)

Lower left:
-Compact rain coat
(http://i.imgur.com/Zw6Ug.jpg)

Inner pockets:
-Wallet
-Tissues
(http://i.imgur.com/wvFy0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4PbXP.jpg)

Back:
-Local city map
(http://i.imgur.com/q0ugx.jpg)

Before I got the phone with a camera I also carried a camera in the top left. and I may on occasion carry reading materials in the large inner pockets that can fit A4 sizes.

No joke, I wear this thing EVERY TIME I leave the house.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: EEVblog on July 06, 2011, 11:09:42 pm
zippo lighter
Victorinox explorer
Olight t-10 (to be replaced with zebralight H501w
extra batteries
knife (eitherf CRKT m2104g, CS Rajah 3 or Spyderco tenacious)
whistle
50 cents (for toilets in case i'm out of change, shopping carts etc)
extra hairbands
tweezers
mini medkit (bandaids, alcohol swabs, latex gloves)
moist towlettes
utility kit (mini flask with WD-40, mini flask with lighte fuel, paperclips, twistix, knife sharpening rod, sewing kit)
ducktape (on a card)
mp3 player
usb stick

Allison Reynolds Purse Dump (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TL7LaxyYz4#)

Dave.
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Mechatrommer on July 07, 2011, 04:06:19 am
pieces of "shredded" tobacco
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: walcen on July 07, 2011, 04:55:01 am
Guitar pick, pity they don't make guitars that small, maybe that's how air guitaring came about.  ;)
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Vertigo on July 07, 2011, 11:48:58 am
zippo lighter
Victorinox explorer
Olight t-10 (to be replaced with zebralight H501w
extra batteries
knife (eitherf CRKT m2104g, CS Rajah 3 or Spyderco tenacious)
whistle
50 cents (for toilets in case i'm out of change, shopping carts etc)
extra hairbands
tweezers
mini medkit (bandaids, alcohol swabs, latex gloves)
moist towlettes
utility kit (mini flask with WD-40, mini flask with lighte fuel, paperclips, twistix, knife sharpening rod, sewing kit)
ducktape (on a card)
mp3 player
usb stick
You must be female or have VERY large pockets.

i'm a dude, its a fanny pack.

yeah i know, fannypacks are the pocket protectors of the 90s, but i challenge anyone here
to find a more convenient way of carrying crap around :P

also i forgot: a bit of 550 paracord,(its the duct tape of cords) i always carry some of that with me.

anyways, anybody who likes to tinker with anything should carry either a
swiss army knife or a leatherman.
my SAK is by far the most used item i carry aside from the lighter.

have you guys seen this one:
(http://img-1.fruugo.com/product/2/39/1108392_max.jpg)

does that look like it might be handy for electronics geeks?
Title: Re: What do you find in your trouser pockets?
Post by: Hypernova on July 07, 2011, 01:12:25 pm
zippo lighter
Victorinox explorer
Olight t-10 (to be replaced with zebralight H501w
extra batteries
knife (eitherf CRKT m2104g, CS Rajah 3 or Spyderco tenacious)
whistle
50 cents (for toilets in case i'm out of change, shopping carts etc)
extra hairbands
tweezers
mini medkit (bandaids, alcohol swabs, latex gloves)
moist towlettes
utility kit (mini flask with WD-40, mini flask with lighte fuel, paperclips, twistix, knife sharpening rod, sewing kit)
ducktape (on a card)
mp3 player
usb stick
You must be female or have VERY large pockets.

i'm a dude, its a fanny pack.

yeah i know, fannypacks are the pocket protectors of the 90s, but i challenge anyone here
to find a more convenient way of carrying crap around :P

I would say my vest is more versatile especially when you can wear stuff over it. It's also much more organized. When I have the money and time I plan to have one custom made in Kevlar.

Hell, I wore it to my uni graduation ceremony, I just put the robe thing over it and you will never be able to tell.