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A friend of a friend is changing careers and has enrolled in the local community college's welding program. She's decided she's had enough of the restaurant industry and would prefer to do something with welding. Our mutual friend told her that I had a weld shop and after scheming for a bit...

What’s the latest in non-contact IR temp guns these days? I have an interest in possibly two different ones. One for work and one for home. The first and primary use will be checking pre-heat and post-heat temps on metals for welding purposes. I also will be using it for general workshop...

I am looking for a cordless impact/driver/screwgun that has a 3/8" drive anvil, but also has a clutch. I would strongly prefer the paddle style reversing trigger, but would accept the standard trigger with reverse switch. I make a part that is held in the fixture with a 5/8" bolt, but needs to...

I recently bought a nice 15 drawer Vidmar cabinet at an auction. All the drawers work, but they're a bit gummy/sticky from years of industrial grime. Anyone have the secret sauce for cleaning and re-lubing these bearing wheel drawer slide units? If you are un-familiar, Vidmar cabinets...

The shop I work at occasionally cuts these big stainless ducts. This is an example of said ducting: https://nordfabductwork.com/16-qf-pipe-stainless-steel-304-20ga/ They vary in diameter, the smallest we deal with is around 6" up to 16" or so. They are very thin wall, only 20ga which is...

We're working on a job where we need to check the torque on a projection weld nut on a part. The torque value in question is fairly low, so I'd really like to use a 3/8" drive torque wrench instead of a 1/2". This is an ongoing part number where we will need to verify that the torque value falls...

What is out there these days for combo wrenches without the anti-slip "teeth"? Seems like most tool makers have gone to the toothed designs for their combo wrenches as the default. I would like to get a set of wrenches for my machinist box that has smooth jaws. I don't use these wrenches on...

Hey all, My 2015 6.6 Duramax just told me I have 90 some miles until it starts limiting my speed. I had previously diagnosed a bad def tank heater, code P21DD. Ordered the heater a few days ago, just arrived yesterday. Planning to swap the part asap, but I will need to clear the “service...

Alrighty. I’m in the beginning stages of selling my company to my biggest customer and one of the things I need to do is go through every nook and cranny and inventory all my stuff. I also need to decide what I’m keeping for my personal collection and what will go with the sale. To that end. I...

This floated across my YouTube feed. Cool stuff. I’m not a huge Matco fan in general, but I’ve always appreciated how Matco made their boxes in New York. As someone who works in sheet metal fabrication, I appreciate how hard it is to make a toolbox. They’ve got the process dialed.

Was using this at work today, thought I'd share here. If you have to create cut lists or calculate material yields, this is a fantastic tool. I also use it for calculating required materials to generate RFQs from material suppliers. No affiliation, just a happy user. I have only ever used the...

Would like to purchase some of their specialty pliers, anyone have a good source for these that sells in the USA? Preferably with an online store. Thanks.

Would like to get a machinist style top chest for my work box that matches the roller and locker, which are gloss black. Kennedy is my go-to for machinist boxes, but they don't have anything in gloss black. I'd prefer smaller drawers, the tools will be smaller and lighter, but I guess I'm...

Thinking about a new box for work, would like some real world feedback from anyone who has a Lista Tech Series box. I currently have my KRL 1023 at work and I would like to take it back to my shop, as I find myself needing the tools more at my place vs at work. Plus, I don't need a box as big...

Despite having an embarrassment of riches regarding the variety saws in my shop, they're not very portable. I LOVE the Milwaukee portaband, and over the years I've collected a few of them. I'd like to dedicate one to a stand to turn it into a pseudo-permanent mini vertical bandsaw for when I'm...

We had a winter storm last night that knocked out power for a few hours and my old Coleman battery lantern I’ve had for 20+ years finally decided to die for good. New lantern time! I’m probably just going to pick up a classic Coleman propane lantern, but I’m also open to suggestions. I...

It is with a heavy heart I add another welder to my stable. Last week my family laid to rest my great uncle Harold, my grandma’s brother. He lived a long, full life and died a successful man with a good family and lots of accomplishments to be proud of including raising two daughters, serving...

The thread on the Fireball vise got me looking into the actual, factual logistics of making a USA bench vise at a price that is not complete highway robbery. This is primarily an exercise in cost research and design, as well as manufacturing logistics for me at my shop, but if there's enough...

So, I listen to the Making It podcast with Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett and Dave Picciuto every week. The "maker" scene isn't really my thing but I do enjoy the conversation and topics of discussion. These guys are primarily woodworkers so when they talk metalworking on the show they tend to show...

Off the top of my head: Wilton Machinist and Combination vises Milwaukee Morgan Orange Fireball Yost did up until recently I think? I’ve seen a brand new one as of a year or two ago but I’m not sure if it was just NOS. I’m not sure if Wilton still makes Columbia vises here or not. Who...