We've lived in this house for about 20 years now and my office has been in this corner of the basement since late last year. Today, while waiting for one of our IT guys to figure out why Citrix isn't working on my work laptop, I glanced up and something that I've never seen before caught my eye:
The flash makes it really obvious, but it took me a minute to realize that I was seeing some bit of metal up there. Upon closer inspection:
Yep. That's a damned metric-all hanging in the ceiling.
I *think* that corresponds to one of the bolts that's holding the deck onto the house.
So let's speculate wildly about the turn of events that caused that to happen! I'm sure the real answer is that it was just normal Drees construction (motto: "Every day at Drees is Drinking Thursdays!") But that's hardly any fun....
I'm just glad the bolt looks like it was tightened 
Construction worker 1: Hold this crescent wrench while I tighten the bolt outside using my power tool.
Construction worker 2: OK
CW1: All done!
CW2: Let's go get lunch.
Nice anti-reversing device.
A bit more expensive than thread locker
Somebody got their knuckles caught when the wrench jammed.
John Welsh said:Nice anti-reversing device.
A bit more expensive than thread locker
It's only more expensive if the wrench came from your own toolbox :)
Wrench is jammed to prevent nut from turning while tightening. Likely a one guy, no one to hold the nut situation. Jammed the wrench in there, then forgot.
I am sure many of us have done something similar to get a bolt on (or off).
Careful removing it unless you're sure it isn't a load bearing wrench.
Your house is clearly adjustable.
Someone is obviously telling you that you need to tighten up.
Or loosen up.
Or it could be you just need to hit something.
Maybe it's not obvious after all.
Hey on the bright you've got a new crescent wrench!
Put a screwdriver as close as you can to the thread nearest the nut and whack it with a hammer and that should keep it from unraveling.🍺
The way it's wedged against the floor my guess is they couldn't get it out, and instead of wasting time on it went on to other things.
In reply to dculberson :
My version of the story has only one construction worker with a prayer that the wrench stays put while he hits it with the impact from outside. The fact that the handle is resting on some kind of support tells me no one was holding this Newfiefitzall.
stuart in mn said:The way it's wedged against the floor my guess is they couldn't get it out, and instead of wasting time on it went on to other things.
If I can pull it free does that mean I'm the king of my castle?
In reply to wae :
Yep and we shall call you Arthur.
Kind of a strange way to establish governance of a household.
An episode of "Mystery Wrench"? :)
wae said:stuart in mn said:The way it's wedged against the floor my guess is they couldn't get it out, and instead of wasting time on it went on to other things.
If I can pull it free does that mean I'm the king of my castle?
Basement ceilings throwing wrenches around is no basis for a system of government. True tool craft is derived by a mandate from the beam!
wae said:stuart in mn said:The way it's wedged against the floor my guess is they couldn't get it out, and instead of wasting time on it went on to other things.
If I can pull it free does that mean I'm the king of my castle?
It may be like a keystone. Proceed carefully.
It's official. I'm king of the house. My wife said it was okay.
wae said:Yep. That's a damned metric-all hanging in the ceiling.
That's pretty clearly an SAE-all -- it says "inches" on the side. You have to flip it over for a metric nut.
In reply to wae :
I love this place!
My favorite name for a crescent wrench is "All-sixteenth".
chandler said:wae said:stuart in mn said:The way it's wedged against the floor my guess is they couldn't get it out, and instead of wasting time on it went on to other things.
If I can pull it free does that mean I'm the king of my castle?
Basement ceilings throwing wrenches around is no basis for a system of government. True tool craft is derived by a mandate from the beam!
And its side kick the lally column.
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