During an apprenticeship a group 3 of us were being taught MMA (stick welding) my mate pipes up rather confused "I might have trouble doing it that way cause I am left handed"
It never occurred to me before but I replied that he perhaps should go to the QM and get some special left-handed rods for himself. Keeping a straight face the instructor agreed and off he went.
(A ten minute walk or 2 minute cycle away) He returned with a standard box of rods that the QM had kindly written "Left handed rods & his name on" he was understandably very protective of his rods for many weeks afterwards.
Also...Glass hammers (These are special order from Pilkingtons)
Sponge hammers (Specially for making seats etc)
A bucket of hot steam (required for replenishing your pressure washer)
A can of cold steam in case of fire
Extra long weights/waits as fitted to wheels that are really out of balance
Damn, I should be welding up my trailer not on here but they just keep on coming.
A Scotish wheel (Like an English wheel but the curves can be rolled much tighter)
German chalk (Like French chalk but coarser)
A very non PC type of file (best left off here I think, not the b$£*@%£d either)
When I was a lad years ago! My foreman got his kicks from sending us for silly things, you know, long stands, sky hooks etc:
We all got fed up of this, so one day he asked me to go for a tin of red & blue striped paint. So to allowing him to think he's done me, I ask him for the money. He gives me a £5 note. I bought him a tin of red and a tin of blue gloss, told him the shop had no stripey paint in stock, and the assistant said, just mix yer own.
The lads just fell about laughing and he went very quiet
I got sent for the obligatory bucket of elbow grease, however at the time a company called 'Dychem' sold a product (a stain remover I think) called 'Elbow Grease.' So I returned with it having had an hour in the local cafe on company time.
I am sure they also did a product for cleaning concrete called 'Greased Lighting.'