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I have a floor drill press which I believe is of reasonable quality (Ridgid R1500). I also have a cheap 3" 'drill vise' from a local tool store, and a thick piece of scrap aluminum that I use as a base when things don't fit well in the vise. I've had lots of issues with drilling large diameter...

My Miller 211 isn't flowing gas properly. As soon as I power up the welder (no trigger), I can hear gas flowing out the nozzle, but very slowly, nowhere near what it should be when the trigger is squeezed. Squeezing the trigger has no effect, it just flows that little bit still. I took the side...

I got to thinking the other day that I'd like to have multiple angle grinders on my welding cart, so I don't need to change the discs so often, but then I realized I'd have to have a second extension cord (along with the one for the welder itself that I drag along already). Is it really such a...

I have a Hobart Hood from about 7 years or so ago. It ranks as one of the best gifts I've had, but in the last couple months, it has gotten much slower at responding to the arc. I have been charging it regularly (solar). Do these have a lifespan that I've exceeded? I don't have the manual for...

I have become frustrated with removing the oil off of metal I get new from the shop. I normally use brake cleaner because it's effective and evaporates quickly, but it's expensive and slow. Surely there is a better way (that can be done indoors without making a huge mess).

Just scored this at an industrial equipment auction. It's 63x28in. I am really excited about this thing. Does anyone else have one, with pics of it in action? I bought it mainly for fixturing while I weld stuff. Also, any thoughts on what it weighs? It's described as 7" thick, but I believe...

I did my oil change as I have done many times before, but the old oil filter seal stayed on the engine when I put the new filter on. When I started the car, there was a huge spray leak, as you might imagine. I did two rounds of cat litter within minutes, and tomorrow I plan to use CLR Grease...

I'd really like to see what people have made to support their fabrication efforts, especially where things need to be straight and true, and well supported. I guess I'll start: two simple sawhorses. Once leveled, they are very good at keeping things accurate. Made from 2x2x1/4" hot rolled tube...

I am looking to get a welding curtain to allow people to be in the garage while I am welding, without worrying about harming them. We're only talking about adults here, so I just need to prevent people from seeing it directly; I don't need to make a completely enclosed area or anything like...

Say you have a square tube, and you want to weld another to it, in a perpendicular fashion (a 'T'). Two edges will be flush, but the other two will have gaps because of the rounded corners. Depending on the size and thickness of the tubes, this may not matter, but when you have thin wall stuff...

So I have these metal sawhorses, which I have been using for a trailer project, among other things. The feet are 5/8" coarse threaded rod, with nuts for adjustment so they can be leveled. I'd like to give the very bottom of the threaded rod more surface area, but I am not sure of the best...

I am about to move, which means updating my insurance policy. I think I have overestimated on the value of my "assets" (just tools and a couple computers), and I'd like to be more precise. Given that I have been accumulating tools for the last 12 years or so (since I was 16), and receipts are...

Subject says most of my problem: I am trying to weld aluminum with my MIG welder, and the tips melt, within seconds of use. Clearly I am doing something very wrong. I have tried holding it close (1/4" away, or far, up to 1"). Far seems better, but it still happens. I have also tried turning up...

I have a good chop saw which I use to cut steel and aluminum tubes and bars. Of course, it does not cut perfectly flat, as seen in the sketch I attached. I need to be able to grind or sand this stuff to be flat, and at an exact angle (perp or otherwise). A bench grinder is clearly not the right...

Hi everyone, I'm new to the boards. I have a "garage" which is just a 10x20 one-car meant for parking in my townhouse unit. Instead, mine is stuffed to the gunwales with tools and equipment. Unfortunately, this means that the work has to happen outside. Here are some pics: Viewed from outside...