Recent content by LumpyMusic

I see people complaining about ratcheting wrenches because "the offset is weird/wrong". That has nothing to do with it's ratcheting mechanism. Any wrench could have a "weird/wrong" offset. I also see complaints about the head being huge in comparison to regular box end. I just measured four...

I've never heard of a "reliablilty" issue with WeatherPak's. I've got some on my 30 year old chevy. Never an issue. I've seen, worked on tons of them from cars newer and older than that. Never seen a failure. What kind of reliability/failure issues are you seeing? Thanks - Lumpy

This seems like an odd thing to grieve about. Surely everyone owns hundreds of tools that they essentially never use till just that one moment when nothing else will reach/work/do the job. I've certainly got fasteners that I can't get to without a ratcheting wrench, OR play the constant...

Not particularly related to Kobalt, but to Lowe's warranty generally - My CH compressor, rebranded as Kobalt, came with 2 yrs warranty. When it needed warranty repair I went through all the phone calls and emails. Bottom line is that in order to receive warranty service I would be responsible...

A good rack design wouldn't have an unsupported 40" span, I'd think. Lump

I would guess that 125 wall is thicker than needed. My rack is 1' - 063 wall. I could put a troupe of Hooters Girls on the roof and it wouldn't bother the rack. The roof would fail before I got anywhere near the fail point of the rack. I would (I do) "Build to the cosmetic balance". Disregard...

Make "Monsters". Bugs, dragons, spiders, or pigs, dogs, cats etc. Start by YOU cutting out some ears, legs, claws, tails etc and let him weld them on to some pipe or other "body". As you think his interest and patience grows, back the process up. You cut out the parts but he files/grinds/sands...

I built a MIG cart for my little 110v welder out of a discarded mini-shoping cart. Similarly, I built a plasma table out of a regular full sized cart - Black catch basin is a discarded Weber BBQ. Those shopping carts are monster strong. Stronger than any welding cart or any other kind...

I think what some call "Mechanic's Wire" is the same as what horse people call "Hot Wire, wire". String it around a pasture on insulators etc. Comes in steel or alum. One is 17 ga. There's a heavier one that when steel is really stiff as fence wire but might be great for mechanics. Tack store...

That seems backwards to me. Every grade 8 bolt and nut I own is non-plated. I think nearly all my lower grade nuts and bolts are galvanized (zinc plated). I think every plated fastener I own is lower grade, not hardened. Lump

My cheapo china 18v batteries have exactly the same markings, wire gauge, spot weld appearance etc as my expensivo china 18v DeWalts. They charge in all the same chargers, output an extra volt or so over the OEMs. I've had two in service for about two years. No detecto degrado. Lump

I think those three packs from Amazon (Champion/Irwin brand) are a great way to buy taps. Three GOOD quality taps, all three tapers, for about 20 bucks for the larger sizes. Beats the heck out of the "Every size known to man for $100" sets. Lump

I'd never buy a tool for another person as a "blind" gift. Especially if that other person was a tradesman. He wants the tool HE WANTS, not something I, with the help of a hundred anonymous web strangers, THINKS he should have. Buy him a set of Klein BBQ tools or something. Not the tools he'll...

AS you suggest, they're pilot holes. Accuraccy isn't a factor. The $5 set from Freight by the Bay will drill holes all day long. Then some day they'll break off the hex base. Then you'll have a regular drill bit PLUS a 1/4" hex slug to use in other tools/projects. Lump

I plumbed a drop immediatly post air exit from my tank, then a 4' hose UPHILL to the filter/dryer. Since this install, and not shown in the pics, I inserted a $4 HF "bubble filter/trap" inline in front of the DeVilbiss filter. Then I can change/drain the cheap part before needing to...