Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & technique!

[GoodEnough]

Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & technique!

I was PM'ing tarbellb about what drill bits I am going to buy, and he added this at the end:

Any kind of metal work and you will appreciate a better bit. But biggest thing- GO SLOW. If I'm using my screw gun, I almost always use my lower gear to drill metal. If using a impact you might F things up quick. Anybody can ruin a good drill bit with to much speed and not enough pressure.

Tips-

• Get an auto punch- Punch your hole 1st
• Oil if thick material
• Go slow
• Lots of pressure (except 1/8" or smaller) then just enough to not break the bit.

People focus so much on tools, but for a weekender/layman, there is much to be learned about technique...

So, let's hear something you've learned over the years, that is as obvious as the above, but is news to a newcomers just getting into using his tools....

 

[Marco84]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Can't beat the age old adage "measure twice, cut once"

 

[kazlx]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

For metal fab, noobs never do enough prep work. Welding is the worst. There are always questions about how to do better, but the pics are always showing the rustiest/nastiest/dirtiest scrap they have laying around. It's all about the prep....for any project. The more time you put in measuring, fitting, laying out, the easier the project will come together.

 

[bczygan]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

What a fascinating concept...
You mean that buying a SO tool set won't instantly make me a great mechanic?
...damn!

 

[larry_g]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Technique is great and when I read what you quoted I take exception to some of what is passed off as proper. One must learn the correct stuff. Lubricate the drill bit always and use the proper lube for the material your cutting. Know there is a difference between cutting oil and lubricating oil. As for speed what does 'go slow' mean? There is a proper speed for the process that is determined by the material of the cutter and the material being cut. As for pressure, use the correct pressure to get the correct feed.

There is a whole lot of difference in technique between how a mechanic makes a hole and how a machinist makes a hole. I'm not sure what tradesman uses a screwgun to drill holes.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[shooting4life]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

It's not about how good you are; it is about how you look doing it.

 

[trainer]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

When using wrenches or sockets.
Pull instead of pushing whenever you can.
If you have enough clearance, use the box end of a wrench to initially loosen a fastener.
When using the open end, the angle of the opening goes towards the direction you are turning the fastener.
Use an adjustable wrench only as a last resort when you don't have the proper size avaialble.
Within reason, use the biggest size socket drive that is practical for the task at hand.

Poor technique is probably responsable for more broken tools than poor quality.

 

[mattmus4357]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

SNAP ON!!!!





Oh wait....

 

[chadman]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

If you can't fix it with duct tape, WD-40 and a hammer it ain't worth fixin'

Some steel was never meant to be anything

 

[petawawarace]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

If you still can't fix the problem with an even bigger hammer its almost always an electrical issue.

In all seriousness tho, prep work really is the biggest tip for welding. I hate when someone wants me to do a job for them and they say they will supply the metal. I usually tell them I won't do it unless its new material. Technique is great, but having the right tools to save time is also a great thing

 

[ibedayank]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

having your work area CLEAN enough to work in safely in the first step!!!

 

[tarbellb]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Technique is great and when I read what you quoted I take exception to some of what is passed off as proper. One must learn the correct stuff. Lubricate the drill bit always and use the proper lube for the material your cutting. Know there is a difference between cutting oil and lubricating oil. As for speed what does 'go slow' mean? There is a proper speed for the process that is determined by the material of the cutter and the material being cut. As for pressure, use the correct pressure to get the correct feed.

There is a whole lot of difference in technique between how a mechanic makes a hole and how a machinist makes a hole. I'm not sure what tradesman uses a screwgun to drill holes.

Wow Larry, your great at tearing apart somebodies simple suggestions. You gave little to no helpful info?

The initial person found my information helpful and took it for what it was. If he sees that he is netting better results from "going slow" then perhaps he will look up drill speeds for different materials and applications. Then, wow, somebody has taught them self how to properly drill. Oh, not sure the OP is a machinist or a mechanic. In fact he is a "homeowner" whos just looking for some advice. KISS. Ill let you send him charts on proper drill speeds, lubricants (not cutting oils gasp), and which trade uses drills, screwguns, etc...

And I call most my drills screwguns by habit.

 

[retrobuilder]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

let the tool do the work, if it's not getting done then the tool is dull or the wrong tool or maybe just needs that knows the right way to do it..

 

[scarney1988]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Im rich, so when I break a tool I just buy another snap on

 

[Fizbin]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Years ago I used to try using the wrong tool for projects, simply because I didn't really have the time or money to purchase the correct tool for the job, so I just tried to "make" them do what I needed. Also, I never bothered to learn what any particular tool's limitation was or how to properly set-up and tune them to function properly. In fact, I could have seriously hurt myself many times over, but I guess I was lucky.

These days, I still consider myself a noob, but at least I take the time to evaluate my projects to determine what types of tools are required and then do some research before purchasing those items. I now also READ THE MANUAL before using any new tool purchase.

So I guess what I've learned is to respect the tools, their limitations and try NOT to be an idiot.

 

[brucer]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

I can disagree to a point.... yes process is a valid point..

but good quality tooling makes your life that much easier also..

chinese import drill vs. usa made drill.. I will choose the made in usa every time, same goes for taps, definitely taps..

 

[BioNerd]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

I'm not sure what tradesman uses a screwgun to drill holes.

Never use my drill to drive screws either.... But, I use my countersink bits and drill bits and even spade bits with the impact driver if there is the need and makes more sense.

It's all about technique, precision AND speed. The latest comes with practice only.


-To be everything, be nobody.

 

[justanengineer]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

I can disagree to a point.... yes process is a valid point..

but good quality tooling makes your life that much easier also..

chinese import drill vs. usa made drill.. I will choose the made in usa every time, same goes for taps, definitely taps..

I'd take that one a step further since this is the fab section and we're hopefully beyond discussing simple parts changing here. I dont care whether its machine work, welding, or sheetmetal work, having a quality tool/machine is hugely important to the learning process. A welder without fine adjustments is like a light-duty lathe, simply frustrating to someone who doesnt know if their machine *****, their technique is off, or some other factor is screwing up the process. This is one of the biggest reasons that I recommend formal classes for those wanting to learn a trade, even as a hobby, vs buying something "cheap" and teaching themself.

Personally, I think the best "technique" I have is simply being OCD about using the appropriate tools for the job. When drilling by hand for example, a smaller drill motor might work well for wood but not have the torque and low speed for drilling steel. Similarly, a drill motor with hammer capability or an impact might snap smaller drills, so there really isnt a "one size fits all."

 

[onewaydave]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Oh just for the fun of it...

Yeah, "the right tool for the right job" and "safety first" and all that. But, this is the Fab section so I will point out that if everybody just followed the rules and never deviated from the "cookbook" instructions, nothing new would ever come of it. Yeah, I saw the lathe video a few posts above and I'm not talking about random disreguard.

Some mighty good things have come from people saying, "What if I just..." or something similar.

Dave, now have at it.

 

[GoodEnough]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

A tip for removing snap-rings:

Just remember, for snap rings, give them a little tender loving tap with a screwdriver and hammer just to break them free from the binde they are in...this will help with the removal and keep the pliers from bending at the tips.