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I thought I would come document my adventures using a mini-split heat pump for home heating in a reasonably chilly climate. Long story short, my parents decided to install a new heating system in their house. First we looked at propane. It is expensive, not getting any cheaper, and hard to...

Found this interesting little gadget for sale on the internet:https://electric-saver.com/v6/?sub1=102eb84b0abf36b89b3ba5a555146e&sub5=~c~gAXuNIu6SmTgnbNUIbmSVJ4FrFismW29DvyhQrb-0fPtVgg89Nj6gCG470-YahRIjpypt2y038E_ttSA7YhBZNLaXhJM2XgyoETa-gvP3e9wAA Claims about this device include: - "Clean...

Browsing eBay for things I can't afford to build into projects I don't have time for, I ran across this Mecc Alte industrial 3-phase generator head: https://www.ebay.com/itm/334275113547 But why is it 133 volts? Is this measured between the legs of the 3-phase or between an arbitrary leg and...

I have been offered a deal on a Jet chain fall hoist. The Jet hoist has slightly better features than a similar hoist I was contemplating, however... It is hard for me to trust Jet, especially given they are the kind of the budget brand of JPW industries. On the other hand, some people seem to...

I am in a unique situation. Usually I need more generator and less load, but now I need more load and less generator. With the much-awaited start of my SAE-600, I need something demanding to hook it up to every once in a while, as I've heard old Cat engines can develop problems if not loaded...

I thought this would be a fun thread. I'll start it off with a couple of mine: https://www.mrmtool.com/Nitto-Kohki-HS11-1624-Portable-Hydraulic-Punch_p_205.html This punch with the necessary hydraulic pump will run a cool $7k...

I'm building a mobile tiny home right now and have just begun the electrical work. I saw Home Depot had a sale on a GE PowerMark subpanel. I have a pretty low opinion of GE equipment in general, but I hoped for the price it might be okay. Spoiler: it was not. I planned a bunch of holes in my...

I have read a few arguments here about 110/115/120/220/230/240V. Then I discovered something amazing that your local power company is trying desperately to hide... The Honda EX5500 generator has a fine adjustment knob that lets the user select any of the above voltages o_O. If you ever feel...

I have to rustproof a roof made out of 3/16 A36 plate. This plate came covered with what I assume is mill scale, a gray surface that resists rust about 10% better than shiny steel. I have to get this off before painting. I'm debating between two different methods, both pretty expensive 1) Get a...

Hey everyone. Just curious, why do 800 amp welding machines exist? What gets welded at that current? I'm guessing super thick steel with super expensive electrodes? Just trying to satisfy my curiosity...

Anyone know anything about these? They look like midrange imports to me. This is what I'm talking about. https://www.ebay.com/p/673809058

Hey everyone, I am contemplating building myself a small 3 phase generator, something big enough to run a 5 hp 3 phase motor. I have a nearly new Kohler CH620 engine that I would use as a power source. Using the rule of thumb that says 2 engine HP per generated KVA , I could run a 9 KVA...

I'm working on rewiring a bunch of my outdoor stuff with Leviton Rhino-hide connectors, like these: https://www.leviton.com/en/products/industrial/plugs-connectors-receptacles/nemanonnema#t=Products&sort=%40wcs_site_tree_rank%20ascending&layout=card&f:@tsa_brand=[Rhino-Hide] At a minimum, it...

I got the bright idea of adding wiring to my welding table, in conduit inside of pipe for protection and well away from the top to stay cool. Then I thought... What happens if I use a device with HF start such a a TIG or plasma unit? Seems like stray current could theoretically feed electrical...

Today I peeked inside the gearbox of my Nitto Kohki mag drill to find a horrid black goo with limited lubrication powers instead of grease. The gears are still in good shape but I think it's time for some new grease. What do y'all recommend? I assume it's not that much different than other...

Hey everyone, I live in envy of your beautiful garages on this forum. I, however, do not have a beautiful garage. I can store my tools indoors, but all my fabrication happens outside, during daylight hours. This means that it takes about an hour every day to get everything out and another hour...

Just pulled the trigger on one of these and put it to work cutting 45º miters. I love it so far, we'll see how it does past day 1. The base is either cast or die cast; not stamped sheet metal like the cheaper ones. The vice is cast aluminum, not stamped steel! The only piece of plastic is the...

I am very tempted by the Steelmax cut-off saw. Almost enough not to get a Makita LC1230 like I was planning on. I like the D handle, the cast iron base and the $80 lower price. Anyone know anything about Steelmax? Do they make professional quality tools that perform consistently well year in...

I was at the scrap yard the other week and saw this in the dirt. I had passed over it once many months ago, but this time thought it was a weird sort of press and maybe I could adapt it to become a clamp or something. I stuck it in my load this time and later decided to toss it out but then...

I have like 15 Ridgid pipe threader dies, mostly 00-R from my latest scrap yard run. They are all dull, because of course they are. Not complaining though, as I did get a very good deal on them. But since I'm a cheapskate, I was wondering can they be resharpened? One looked just a little dull...