Recent content by idickers

How does this tech work with the torx bits? I can imagine how it might work for the large flat surface of a hex bit, but there's not much surface area on the flats of torx bit.

I am intrigued by the Grip Edge technology for drivers like hex and star bits since these can so easily round-out the head of allen and torx fasteners. Has anyone tried them to see if they are worth the increased cost?

Or you can pay a shop to evacuate the old refrigerant for you, and drive home to do the actual repairs yourself.

I got a tank of nitrogen from my local welding shop. Connect the tank up to the manifold, set the tank gauge to 125 lb, and fill up the system. If it holds pressure on the a/c gauge set, close the valve to the nitrogen tank and let it sit for a couple of hours. If you have a big leak you'll...

Automotive a/c is entirely do-able as a DIYer. I had been frustrated by lack of decent work on my car a few years ago and happened to have just read Rob Siegels' "Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic." In addition to being highly entertaining, he has a chapter on automotive a/c that was inspiring (he's...

Thanks for all the help. Two weeks ago I pulled #10 wire and put in a 30 amp breaker, and all is well. I've used a lot of air grinding/cutting since then and had no problems with compressor restarts, so it must have been the marginal wiring.

Me too. Bought mine 15 years ago, and even though pricey, it is the most stable and reliable jack I have ever used. And it's rebuildable.

+1 for hooks from the ceiling. I've got adult 3 single bikes and a tandem hanging in our garage. Most efficient use of space I could come up with.

My assistant.

Thanks for all the information! I checked on the motor, and its 17.8 amps, so probably closer to a real 3 hp. From the discussion it sounds like I should pull some larger wire, probably 10ga, and use a 30 amp breaker. Does that sound about right?

What do think is the appropriately sized breaker for this application? After reading a bit on how inverse time" circuit breakers actually work, it sounds like 30 amp should be fine for this application.

It sounds like I may need to upsize my circuit. Perhaps my circuit (20 amp double pole breaker with 12 ga wiring) was right on the edge of reasonable when the compressor was brand new, but after 15 years of use and abuse the electric motor may be less efficient than new. I asked an electrician...

Where should the switch be greased?

Good point. They may be taking artistic license with the phrase "horsepower". The sticker on the motor says 17.3 amps. It's an old A.O. Smith motor which isn't made anymore, but the current most-similar replacement is listed as 5 hp.

Is this the centrifugal switch? This is from the side opposite of the pulley, on the side were the capacitor wiring enters the housing. If I understand how the switch works, the two "ears" riding on the tabs and held by the springs should move outwards. I can move them with a screwdriver...