Recent content by M. Blue 240

With grocery prices high and my teens eating until the cupboards are empty they're getting off easy.

That's the way I see it. Everyone needs to pull their weight, plus I only know what I know because my Dad had me help with all his projects.

I've stalled out with the drill presses, but that doesn't stop me from estate sale shopping! The tools were in a lean-to/barn, very open and very infested with mice. I started with a handful of V series sockets, then found a toolbox. I'm bad at taking the "before" pics, but it had a homemade...

I used a pin spanner to get the thrust nut down as far as it is. Would the wedges go above that nut and take the nut and chuck out together? That was my next thought, but didn't want to just start pounding and mess it up worse.

Well I've gone and done it...I bought another grinder. 20221019_103127 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr 20221019_103131 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr This addiction is real. As I have 6 drill presses in my small garage I'm looking on CL at another floor-standing model about an hour away. It's only $100...

I thought I had more "in progress" pics than I had shared, then realized they were in a different folder on my phone. I've happily put my kids to work on each of my projects. 20220719_115235 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr 20220723_172445 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr 20220723_182957 by M. Blue 240, on...

4 hour round trip for the sander was a success. I did a quick clean to be able to use it, but it's in line for a deep clean. 20220906_083123 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr 20220906_083151 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr 20220906_083128 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr 20220906_083134 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr...

I'd be weary of trying to do this. I currently have 7 drill presses and found there are variations in size. I have one bench top and a floor standing that I planned on using the best parts to make a good floor standing. I soon found the pole on the floor standing has a smaller diameter than the...

I spent some time today assembling pieces, so I can quit tripping over them in the garage. I'm in the home stretch on the first two drill presses. First I had to polish out the poles. 20220823_153741 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr After the second step of sandpaper I wondered if doing 6+ steps was...

It does "ok." I think it would work better on a smooth surface. It seems to do well on the big flat areas I'm working with, but it's not as efficient in grooves.

I made some progress on my 2 to 1 project. First, they'll have to remain two separate drill presses, since I didn't realize they have different post sizes. I'm on my third paint stripper, all of which did next to nothing on the rattle can jobs that were done to both presses. I made decent...

I was able to get it out! It was a matter of doubling up impact sockets to get deep enough, then whacking them hard with a hammer.

Some polish and paint should bring it back working condition quick. I have the 5160 and love it. 20220505_191316 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr

This summer has been the summer of drill presses. I bought my most expensive purchase to date, $80, and got the #1 tool I was after. 20220416_144333 by M. Blue 240, on Flickr A floor-standing drill press from a church basement. It had a homemade slow speed adapter and safety cover, both of...

Then one night we were driving to my folk's for dinner and one of their neighbors put a bandsaw on the curb with a free sign. It was on a homemade stand, but was in good shape and had the original motor. It got a good cleaning, adjusting, and polishing of the paint. A couple of months later...