Recent content by ToolLover

I think the NEC (National Electric Code) has changed. The neutral and the ground are no longer bonded together. The ground is attached to the grounding bus with bonding screw to the box, also to the water pipe, grounded bushings and the ground rod only. The neutral is attached to the isolated...

I know Harbor Freight has great prices on their items, but I am very dissapointed with the life of some of them. I bought an upright 20 gallon compressor that has had minimal use and it now has failed to pump over 40#'s pressure. Until I could decide what I was going to buy, a buddy loaned me a...

I am going to pass along a little known replacement for the 25/72 mix. We were running seven mig welders and the gas cost was eating us alive. Seemed that gas truck was there constantly. After giving the use of the gas some thought, I ordered a tank of CO2 and a box of flux core wire, I think...

DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it. WIRE...

Re: Some other ideas about building your shop and a good reason to do so... First I would like to say I built my little 10' x 10' shop from scratch the first time. At the time no zoning was needed. Then I started a little business of my own. This gave me the opportunity to write the shop off...

I guess everyone has had their share of mishaps. We all have to learn even if the hard way. My note rendering for this post comes with a bit of humor. I was in the shop one evening and one of the guys had mashed his finger. The nail had the typical blood spot under it. This guy was a smart a$$...

Well, I guess every man has to know his limitations. After all the years of learning, and doing, and thinking I was superman and could do anything, I finally got the message from my worn out body. Scars from cuts, burns from welding, mashed fingers, nearly deaf from the loud noises, eyes burned...

35mastr, There are new innovations in insulation today. Watching 2 new houses go up that are going to be green houses (Ultra insulated and sealed) I have seen a lot of new insulation ideas. I bet it is not as expensive as you would think. To be sure, it will be well worth it in the long...

Your problem is inherrant with a metal structure. I had a "Lane Clear span" metal 40x 70 building. There is only one way to solve the sweating. Have a contractor spray foam insulation inside it. Believe you me it will rain in that building until you do so.

I have made 7 central vac systems using shop vacs. You will be pleased when you do yours. It so simple to do. Most electrical supply houses have the pipe, outlets, hoses and accessories. Most shop vac hoses will slip over the standard white pipe. The only extra needed part is the 120v/12vac...

TDKKART, Yep, the CO2 keeps the tip cool. Of course that was quiet a few years ago. I am sure welding has changed for the better today. Then while welding in a shop that is 40x70, and drafty, ventelation is not a problem. I had 7 men doing contract welding (piece work) when I lost my contract...

Craig, Gunsmithing is closely tied to using a file, drilling and taping, and being very careful how you determine your altreations, very very careful. I can say when you are dealing with an expensive firearm, it only takes one uh-oh to make your draw string tighten. I have enjoyed making my own...

930Dreamer, I took my 17 year old grandson to the shop to explain how to break down my guns. After 30 minutes he was bored....or should I say not paying attention. So I made a deal with him, pull his pants up and keep em up and I'd give him his choice of my guns. I'm thinking that would free up...

My first day in in the auditorium of Gaston Community college in 1960 they told us: "We are not here to teach you everything in the books. We are here to teach teach you to think!" That has haunted me from that day. There are always little things that we have learned while we have made our way...

Tommudd, I guess you are still surrounded by eager to learn youngsters. I however seem to see only the telephone toting, saggy pants types. Believe you me.....uhhh they don't seem to be interested in learning anything useful. Sometimes I just shake my head and wonder where we went wrong. After...