Recent content by Hoopy Frood

While folks on GJ didn't have an answer to the question on removing the rotor/armature on this tool, I did stumble upon the answer via dumb luck. The YouTuber "AvE" has a series called BOLTR (Bored Of Lame Tool Reviews) some of which deal with vintage tools. This video is about (I'm guessing...

I don't always close out threads properly but it is my goal to do so; I just forget sometimes. But I really appreciate all the advice and perspective you all are willing to share! So I'm happy to do follow up :) Thank you very much for the encouragement! I'm still making lots of mistakes, but...

Final Update: Success! I cut many of the pieces to make my pallet pry bar using the high-amp-plunge-and-saw technique with the HF "Vulcan" 6011 1/8" rods. Materials were 1/8" to 1/2" thick. With the HF Vulcans I found you don't want to soak them in water for more than an hour or the flux...

I'm a homesteader on a VERY tight budget. I have a mixture of new and old tools, but most of what I buy is old. We have an absolutely awesome vintage tool store in the region. What they sell is primarily acquired in estate sales. You can buy most any power hand tool you can think of for $5-$40...

A drill stand is a great idea, I didn't even know that was a thing! Much more budget and space friendly. I would want something a little more robust than that guy, but the idea is awesome. We have a great used tool store in the region and I've got a lot of friends that fabricate. I'll put some...

What a HUGE help! I had no idea there WAS a flat. Shows how ignorant I am! I really like your point about a pilot hole letting the oil out. I'll still use one as I'm practicing, but I'm now convinced in skilled hands they are not needed. I found a couple of YT videos that really drove all your...

LMAO! And I have to sign off cuz I'm getting too old, too :) I'm not sure what you mean by "the flat of the drill." I just like 1/8" holes because I can apply significant pressure (usually) without worry of snapping the bit. I had never that you don't want to cut in increments! I have one...

Good idea, thanks! The HF ones have now been put through the ringer, so I'm not sure if they'll be effective at all in steel. But we shall see! I'm certainly not worried to TRY to sharpen them. Even if I trash a few... the 29-bit set cost just $12. Wow that's a pretty impressive device! A bit...

So much to address! DRILL PRESS: I have no place to store one, let alone have a place to use one. I don't have the money for one, though I'd plan to save for one IF those first two problems were solved. I have no shop, no garage. I have a storage shed only and I have to setup an outdoor work...

Holy HELL, folks! That was a tidal wave of great information! I had a few brutal days' work so I've been offline. Apologies for the delayed follow up. I fear I may have to write like 20 replies!

WOW! Cool. Thanks for the info! That might be the ticket. The trick is always finding something in your budget though, huh? :)

I had heard cobalt might be a good choice. I had the nominal HSS/titanium nitride DeWalt bits (and some of their black oxide). I'm pretty sure both there HSS not cobalt. I don't know what the bit angle was on either of them, but they both ran rings around the basic HF stuff (when they were in...

All of my fabrication work so far is off scrap I can scrounge for free. So I don't always know what I'm getting my hands on. It would be nice to be able to handle hardened material. But since that's going to be the exception, not the rule, I'll have to do some research into Dormer as well. I was...

I'm not familiar with ARTU. I will definitely look into them! Thanks very much :)

Howdy all! I've been cutting my teeth drilling on 3/8" steel plate freehand for my startup, practice projects. I've been using good, vintage drills and mostly crappy or neglected (DeWalt black oxide) drill bits. I'm getting things done, but have had challenges along the way in spite of going...