KMinAF
Well-known member
After a quick pre clean to get all the big stuff, I use my leaf blower to "sweep" out the garage. it's fast, efficient and gets under the tool boxes and benches without having to move them.
GARAGE TIPS and TRICKS - POST 'em!
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koditten
Well-known member
I use this methode as well, works great. Only problem is some times the pollen os really bad and I will sneeze for a while. I use a dust mask to keep this at a minimum.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
A lot of pharmacy's also carry Muriatic Acid. Why, I don't know but I've always bought it there.
If you don't have a file handy use a semi hard rubber tipped small mallet or a piece of wood and tap it around. It will shear the tape against the metal.
Just a reminder, don't blow out sawdust from something like MDF wood without some sort of mask. MDF makes real fine sawdust and blowing it with an airhose or a leafblower makes those particles airborne for quite a while. I found out the hard way and developed a severe cough after a few days. After the doctor ordered test it came back I had cancer. Although I didn't it put the fear into my wife and I for 6 months with numerous test. To make a long story short, I ended up with a lung infection from the dust that was very hard to shake.
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I not only use the leaf blower to "sweep" the garages (drive, walks, etc), but also after I've washed a car. After I dry the car, I give it the once over with the leaf blower and it blows the excess water out of all the cracks and crevices that happens when you drive the car after a wash.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
Since we're on the subject of "leaf blower"... I was camping with the kid and had to pack up in the rain. When I got home it was still overcast. I didn't want to put the tent away wet so I set it up on the driveway, inserted the snout to the leaf blower, and turned it on. It was dry in about 15 minutes. I put it away and haven't had any problems with it since.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
Measure the back of your box fan (everyone has one in the garage RIGHT) and next time you go to the big box store buy a furnace filter that size. Turn the fan on and set the filter on the back side. The air flow will hold it in place and it will reduce the free flowing particulate matter from the air. When it gets nasty just throw it away.
Hey guys. First post, but have been a member for a little while. Couple simple things I've found:
I didn't want to throw all my air tools into my tool box, so I hung them all using air couplers
Another little tip I found when trying to make a small patch in sheet metal. Use tape to make a template
I didn't want to throw all my air tools into my tool box, so I hung them all using air couplers
Another little tip I found when trying to make a small patch in sheet metal. Use tape to make a template
IONH
Well-known member
Hey guys. First post, but have been a member for a little while. Couple simple things I've found:
I didn't want to throw all my air tools into my tool box, so I hung them all using air couplers
Welcome to the posting aspect of the site scherp69!
I like the air tool hanger idea. I'd hate to waste all those female connectors though, but I suppose that HF ones are cheap enough to do it with and no concern of them leaking.
buildmyown
Well-known member
Working on the truck this weekend i couldnt get my hand down in the core support without removing a bunch of other stuff to get the nut on the new mounting bolt. The old one was easy to get out cut it off from the unsderside and just poped it up and out. Put a little supper glue on the nut and put it in the socket a long extension and i was good to go.
scrappy600
Well-known member
cheap waste pipe makes a nice cable tie holder when you're bored and have spare waste pipe lying around!!
Expanding on SWT racings post...if you leave something loose, put a nice bright piece of tape, or that plastic stuff that comes in a roll (idk what it's called).
Vaseline (or some similar substance) works well holding a bolt/nut in your socket/on your finger etc. etc. if you can't start the bolt/nut because it is not very accessible.
In a tight spot with an offset screwdriver and still can't get your bit onto the screw? grind it down.
Running wires through a conduit? take some baby powder (talc) and, using a blow gun, blow it through the conduit. If it's big enough, drill a hole in a ping pong ball and attach the wires to it, then blow that through.
If you round a screw head and need to drill it out, run the drill in reverse for a few seconds- it will clean the head out and help to center the drill.
Put an appropriate size o-ring on a universal to stiffen it a little bit.
Superglue seals up small cuts on your hands extremely well. Clean up your blood though, it's corrosive.
Taping a flashlight to your mirror handle is a good way to free up one hand.
Finding a piece of tubing the right size is an easy way to install spark plugs that are hard to get to/extremely recessed.
I have more, I just can't think of them. You just do them instinctively after a while, although most pertain specifically to aircraft maintenance.
Vaseline (or some similar substance) works well holding a bolt/nut in your socket/on your finger etc. etc. if you can't start the bolt/nut because it is not very accessible.
In a tight spot with an offset screwdriver and still can't get your bit onto the screw? grind it down.
Running wires through a conduit? take some baby powder (talc) and, using a blow gun, blow it through the conduit. If it's big enough, drill a hole in a ping pong ball and attach the wires to it, then blow that through.
If you round a screw head and need to drill it out, run the drill in reverse for a few seconds- it will clean the head out and help to center the drill.
Put an appropriate size o-ring on a universal to stiffen it a little bit.
Superglue seals up small cuts on your hands extremely well. Clean up your blood though, it's corrosive.
Taping a flashlight to your mirror handle is a good way to free up one hand.
Finding a piece of tubing the right size is an easy way to install spark plugs that are hard to get to/extremely recessed.
I have more, I just can't think of them. You just do them instinctively after a while, although most pertain specifically to aircraft maintenance.
txz28
Well-known member
Pool supply stores are the cheapest place for the consumer to buy muriatic acid.
Hoyer Motorsports
Active member
Do they have 300* water where you live?
212* is all they allow in Indiana. And that won't pop a paint can.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
He is talking about putting the part in the oven after it is painted, not the can of paint.
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Toolhorder
Well-known member
If you have a lower control arm that's tensioned like on a Mcpherson strut setup but have no place to pry on the lower control arm when getting the hub and lower ball joint apart you can wrap a chain around the arm and secure it with a bolt and nut and use then insert a pry bar between the chain and arm. I took a picture to show it better. Learned this from another tech not too long ago
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Another little tip I found when trying to make a small patch in sheet metal. Use tape to make a template
Now THAT's a great idea!!
Now - do you have a good idea for filling gaps with weld? LOL!
cheap waste pipe makes a nice cable tie holder when you're bored and have spare waste pipe lying around!!
Ahhh - Flowers for the shop - I LOVE it!
Blowers - is there anything they CAN'T do??
Garage5.9
Well-known member
To make it easier for the "cooks" to buy chemicals to cook their dope
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,317
If you have a lower control arm that's tensioned like on a Mcpherson strut setup but have no place to pry on the lower control arm when getting the hub and lower ball joint apart you can wrap a chain around the arm and secure it with a bolt and nut and use then insert a pry bar between the chain and arm. I took a picture to show it better. Learned this from another tech not too long ago
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
That's pretty neat. I've always wanted to make one of these but haven't had a need lately. Looks super easy to make if I ever get some free time, have enough projects started already! http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt...ology_680_lower_control_arm_tool_bar_typ.html
metaleltr
Well-known member
Someone on here made one.
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,317
A lower control arm bar? You wouldn't happen to have a link?
metaleltr
Well-known member
I couldn't find it, but if you do some searching you may be able to find it. the fact that he welded MATCO onto the handle as a rib against the expensive commercial version may help your chances.
metaleltr
Well-known member
Toolhorder
Well-known member
That bar is pretty trick but the chain and bolt/nut works just as good and it's cheaper and usually avail since we use them around lift arms to lift transmissions.
Tool Clean Up Formula - this was suggested to me by a guy who runs a pawn shop.
Mix 1/2 ATF with 1/2 of WD40. It makes a pink colored cleaning solution called "pimp juice".
I used the cheapest ATF I could find and bought some WD40 on sale.
I was doubtful but it worked great. I used a small brass wire brush, an old tooth brush and compressed air to clean up some quality tools I bought at garage sales.
I found this mixture worked well. No nasty fumes and it was easy on my hands.
The tools cleaned up very well.
I mix it as I need it. So far, so good.
Anyone else heard of this? Or a suggestion for an alternative?
Mix 1/2 ATF with 1/2 of WD40. It makes a pink colored cleaning solution called "pimp juice".
I used the cheapest ATF I could find and bought some WD40 on sale.
I was doubtful but it worked great. I used a small brass wire brush, an old tooth brush and compressed air to clean up some quality tools I bought at garage sales.
I found this mixture worked well. No nasty fumes and it was easy on my hands.
The tools cleaned up very well.
I mix it as I need it. So far, so good.
Anyone else heard of this? Or a suggestion for an alternative?
RW-7
Well-known member
I have a very small screwdriver I made by using a wire nut and epoxy or JB weld and a standard 1/4" bit. These come in handy quite a bit. I use the wing nuts. They are easier to grip.
bad_idea
Well-known member
Don't weld in your underwear.
Goodness, gracious.. . .
sickboy motors inc.
Well-known member
LSU....going to try the (pimp juice) sounds good.
BPJOOP93
Well-known member
We used pimp juice on garage door drums and rollers. worked really good.
Primered Thunder
Banned
or flip-flops
Mike14k
Well-known member
I posted this in a separate thread.... but eye-saving advice
anyplace you have a fire extenguisher, co-locate a bottle or two of drinking water as emergency eye-wash or acid wash in case of chemical burns.
anyplace you have a fire extenguisher, co-locate a bottle or two of drinking water as emergency eye-wash or acid wash in case of chemical burns.
bad_idea
Well-known member
in all seriousness, or tennis shoes. Made that mistake. The spatter ball melted through the shoe and stuck to my toes. Not cool. Rather hot actually.
metaleltr
Well-known member
Ever try cutting a hole in sheet metal with a hole saw that looks like this?
Next time try this!
Go slow and use lots of lubrication and support the back side with a piece of wood, good clean fast cut, it will dull the bit after a while, but they are very easy to sharpen.
Be aware of the sharp burr produced on the backside of the hole.
Next time try this!
Go slow and use lots of lubrication and support the back side with a piece of wood, good clean fast cut, it will dull the bit after a while, but they are very easy to sharpen.
Be aware of the sharp burr produced on the backside of the hole.
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Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
This saw would have worked fine, but it has been abused to the point it probably wouldn't cut through OSB and would more likely burn through it.
metaleltr
Well-known member
It was never designed to cut metal, I knew this but thought that since it was just sheet metal it would work, WRONG! It made it through one hole, Forcing it, but the spade bit did a much better job on the second hole.
bad_idea
Well-known member
Spade bit on steel, I love it! Considering you can buy a set of spade bits cheap but a good set of hole saws will cost you good money, not a bad idea. Also a hole saw tends to make an ugly hole in sheet metal. I think I will have to try the spade bits next time.
wyowrx
Well-known member
Got this from Sam's Club. $10 for the holder, and $30 for six rolls. I hate the boxes of towels, because it takes two hands....
It's worked great for a couple months now and I still haven't had to replace the towels. They do have a little lint to them, but not too bad. In 90% of my use of paper towels, lint doesn't matter.
Oh, and the chalkboard paint is priceless in the garage for planning and work reminders.
It's worked great for a couple months now and I still haven't had to replace the towels. They do have a little lint to them, but not too bad. In 90% of my use of paper towels, lint doesn't matter.
Oh, and the chalkboard paint is priceless in the garage for planning and work reminders.
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wyowrx
Well-known member
I posted this in my garage thread, but I figured I would share here too. I was going to buy one of the magnetic metal boxes to hold my latex gloves, but instead I did the following. Bought a 25 lb pull magnet from HF, inserted magnet at the bottom of a box of latex gloves, attached to workbench...
alan camby
Well-known member
Got this from Sam's Club. $10 for the holder, and $30 for six rolls. I hate the boxes of towels, because it takes two hands....
It's worked great for a couple months now and I still haven't had to replace the towels. They do have a little lint to them, but not too bad. In 90% of my use of paper towels, lint doesn't matter.
Oh, and the chalkboard paint is priceless in the garage for planning and work reminders.
Here is my rag setup. It is a one handed operation.
