Recent content by jismay

Thats basically a lockout timer that prevents the thermostat from short-cycling the unit. As the tech said, most modern thermostats have a built-in delay that serves the same purpose.

Had a grinder spark set off a pistol primer that had fallen on the floor at the end of the workbench. No damage done, but I'd swear I jumped 5 feet straight up!

I've had very good luck with using modular dog kennels as chicken coops. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/retriever-lodge-expandable-kennel-10-ft-l-x-5-ft-w-x-6-ft-h Some have fabric roofs available, some we've added tarps to protect from the elements. Then, we add chicken-wire around...

You could try this: Put a strap attached to the base of the compressor. Put a second strap between the top of the compressor to the hoist, it needs to be slack. As you lift with the bottom-connected strap the compressor will tilt away and be caught by the top-connected strap. You will end up...

I don't think its really any worse than my house, and mine is all original 1965 construction. The backside is even worse. 2 stories straight up to the roofline! Almost looks like someone made a house cake and cut off a slice.

I've been slowly setting up HomeAssistant for the last 2 years or so. I started with Insteon smart switches, outlets, and computer "modem" device. I DID have to jump through some hoops to get the insteon integrations in HomeAssistant working as I wanted, but thats the price of rolling it...

I'm all Ryobi with 2 exceptions. I have an e-go or some-such blower that has its own battery & charger. Works well enough and I won't replace it until something dies. I also got the Harbor Freight 3/8" cordless ratchet that has its own battery since I wanted the tool, and Ryobi didn't offer one...

I have a mid-rise scissor-style lift and not a lot of overhead clearance. Its great for working on the 94 Jeep or the 1970 Squareback. The 1980 Vanagon I have to pull into the garage, close the garage door and then I just have the overhead clearance to get it up to the first safety notch. Still...

I love my ShopSmith, it can be a great tool/tools if you take a little care to get it setup well. That being said, you likely won't find much love here for the ShopSmith or other similar multi-purpose tools. As far as lubrication goes, the officially recommended product is paste-type furniture...

I have an atlas scissor lift from Greg Smith. Its certainly not perfect, but for my needs it works really good. It gets my VW Squareback up to full extension on the lift and I can get to the entire drivetrain easily. Could pull the motor even easier than with an ATV jack. It will get my VW Van...

All of Ryobi's tools are forward/backward compatible to the best of my knowledge. Certainly the older NiCd batteries still work in the same tools as current LiIon. Not applicable to their 40V batteries/tools though.

Kinda looks similar to some of the hardware I see on hockey helmets, but I don't really know what they're called.

Agreed, it should be a 41ohm current limiting resistor. Have you put a meter across it and checked the resistance? Those sort of resistors are unlikely to just drift, they should be relatively close to spec or completely open. Honestly, for that application even the specific resistance probably...

I've used 10 & 12 GA speaker wire from Fry's Electronics all the time for 12v power cables for things like solar, 12v fridges, etc. Its nice 2 conductor wire which is perfect for a 12V power lead. 12GA copper wire is 12GA copper wire.

Unless you manage to find weird 24" racks which are generally only used by the telcos anything you find should be standard-width 19" Racks. The only thing to keep in mind is how long your switches, etc are and how they mount to the rack. Generally speaking a 2-post 19" will be good for...