Recent content by rk_tek

I’m late to the party, but I bought a HF 4x8 used and immediately after backing it down my driveway, went to the steel yard and bought a 10’ stick of 2x2 HSS. I made a new cross member on the tongue and cut up a HF receiver hitch extension to replace the original coupler and go in the new...

I’m glad to hear you got the van back. Looks like it may have some damage, but it didn’t get stripped. I’ve dealt with meth heads showing up on job sites looking to steal stuff or sell stolen tools and I had one dump a vehicle while running from the cops. Not that the van needs to be any...

I used a 7-1/4" sliding Kobalt for several years as a carpenter. I still use it even first even though I also have a 10" sliding now. Unless you cut tall crown standing up, I never had size limitations. Larger stock (2x10 and bigger) did not require the precision and a circular saw handled...

How are the timbers attached to each other? When pinned with rebar, I've been able to pry them apart with a decent sized crowbar to get clearance for cutting. As others have already said, establish your cut lines with a circular saw, then finish with a sawzall or handsaw. If you have the...

I would play, but I can't count that high. Somewhere north of 50, probably close to 100. do we count jewelery screwdrivers, nut drivers, Torx?

I would pass. the cost to get it back to operational seems like it would be higher than buying a complete one in better shape.

Same here. I go out and check footings and the mat has one side jammed into the dirt and they’ll have a mix of #4 & #5

Anything that sits over 2 weeks gets the fuel shutoff or drained and run dry. I'll usually pull things out once in the off season and run them before putting away again. I always run non ethanol with Stabil and my 2 strokes get Stihl mix

If you can get a ruler into the gap, then you may be also able to reach the catch on the lock. Give it a few whacks while turning the key. You might need 3 hands for this. I had a small screwdriver drop in the slot the locking bar slides through and it jammed up the whole box. I try to keep...

I picked up an ancient Dazor floor standing magnifier with a fluorescent light a while back for about $25. They also have desk versions. The depth of field isn't great, but the large lens helps when looking at parts that are larger than tiny. I have used it position over my vise for intricate...

My first real set of sockets and wrenches came from Sears. After those lived with my brother for a year and many went missing, I hit a Black Friday sale and bought another large set. For the price, they are an excellent value for a home owner and weekend mechanic. I miss being able to take a...

I'm not a power user of step bits, so my HF set has lasted for several years in both aluminum and steel up to 3/8" in thicker material I sometimes have to drill from both sides with a shallow step bit. My long step bit that goes from 1/8-1/2"? got quite dull on the 1/8" step, so I cut it off and...

We have a V6 cordless at home, I absolutely love it so when I saw my mother-in-laws Dust Buster from 1992 was only lasting 30 seconds we bought her a V6 as well. I don't know why, but her battery died after about 15 months. She bought a replacement on Amazon and said it has longer run time now...

I use full strength Simple Green or lighter fluid. If those don't work, I use alcohol. I also wipe down extension cords and air hoses with Simple Green and it does an amazing job of cleaning grime before taking them indoors for other projects.

I just picked up a used Series 1 top chest to match my old bottom cabinet. I did look at some of the Kobalt and Craftsman boxes, but didn't feel like the quality justified the price and I would like them to match. I have considered building a riser with a deep drawer the full width for either...