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Ryan

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Texas/Hawaii
brilliant.jpg


So I've been following Rothaus' build thread on his "Airboxer Garage" and stumbled upon his simp...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
 
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mgilde13

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Joined
Aug 24, 2010
Messages
274
Re: Tips & Tricks

Here's one that I've been doing for years when siphoning old gas out of lawnmowers, snowmobiles, atv's, etc. What I do is I shove an air tool fitting into the end of the fuel line then shove it the tank. The reason I use a fitting is to weigh the end of the line down so it stays on the bottom of the tank, allowing me drain it as far down as possible. Once the line is in the tank, I then place a shop rag on the opening and hit it with light burst from the blow gun. The air pressure pushes fuel through the line causing the siphoning process to begin. So there you have it. An empty tank and no gas in your mouth.
 

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carhunter

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Joined
Nov 8, 2010
Messages
793
Location
southern Ohio
Re: Tips & Tricks

I use this nifty bottle drainer from Oil Saver. Hangs on the side of my oil storage cabinet.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LFKZ9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

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You can fit 5 quarts at a time, or jugs fit sideways. Amazing how quickly you can recapture a quart of oil. Since its mixed brands and viscosities, I only use it on lawnmower or a beater car.

Only drawback is that its open to the atmosphere, so probably a good idea to keep the tray covered.
 
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Oldbear

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Joined
Aug 31, 2011
Messages
620
Location
Linden, Alberta, Canada
Re: Tips & Tricks

Sorry I don't have pictures, but I use old speaker magnets on my drill press to catch filings as I drill.

Gas line antifreeze in my seasonal fuel tanks each year to help remove water from condensation.

A comb to hold finishing nails as I hammer.

And old *****-hose on the end of my shop-vac to find small dropped parts.
 

marty_p

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Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
1,411
Location
SE LoUiSiAna
Re: Tips & Tricks

I love ideas such as these, and usually the simpler the better! :thumbup:

If only I could remember them all to put them in practice... :dunno:
 

Always_Thinkin

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Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
300
Location
Illinois
Re: Tips & Tricks

Ever spill small finish nails or a small hardware organizer drawer and small hardware goes flying across the floor? Turn a sandwich baggie inside out and insert a magnet. Use the magnet to pickup the steel hardware/nails. The turn the baggie right side out and pull the magnet off of the bottom of the baggie. Now dump the contents into your hardware organizer or storage box.
 

Imcrazy

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Joined
Feb 4, 2012
Messages
349
Location
N. Texas
Re: Tips & Tricks

Sorry I don't have pictures, but I use old speaker magnets on my drill press to catch filings as I drill.

I've seen a variation of this where you put the magnet in a ziploc bag. It makes it easy to clean the magnet off when you are through.
 

Jhoff310

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
876
Location
Perrysburg Ohio
Re: Tips & Tricks

Tampons--for removing gas/oil from a tank, they will hold ALOT

Old silverware dishwasher basket--holds an asst of screwdrivers, files or whatever else you decide to use it for.

Jeff
 

uniballer

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Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
2,567
Location
bedford, va
Re: Tips & Tricks

I do metal folders coffee can with four hole in top for oil bottles. My dad showed me in the 80's.
 

BigAl62

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Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
2,286
Location
suburbs of Chicago
Re: Tips & Tricks

When disassembling small stuff, I put the parts in ice cube trays and fill from left to right so I remember what order things go back together in (getting old *****, I am getting more forgetful!).
 

Charles (in GA)

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Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
12,489
Location
50 mi south of Atlanta
Re: Tips & Tricks

I've drained oil bottles for years. I do it to keep a little bit of pollution from the landfills. I have a plastic 5 qt ice cream bucket with a flat plastic lid. I used a hole saw to cut holes in it and just upturn the oil bottles in the holes, they help to keep the dust out of it. Weeks later the next oil bottles go in there and the old ones are done draining and go in the trash. I use this in a old Sarlo bicycle wheel mower I use for mowing edges and rough areas.

At work aircraft turbine oil comes in metal quart cans. After emptying them into an engine, we have to put them in a drain rack that drains into a used oil drum. Again this is to prevent the oil from getting into the landfills.

Charles

Charles
 

Grazz256

Active member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
42
Re: Tips & Tricks

When disassembling small stuff, I put the parts in ice cube trays and fill from left to right so I remember what order things go back together in (getting old *****, I am getting more forgetful!).

This combined with a digital camera (for taking pictures, not sitting in the closet..) and an area on your work bench for the large parts and you should be good to go.

Cheers
 

Stephenw

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2006
Messages
1,911
Location
Utah
Re: Tips & Tricks

Many replacement parts come with packing plugs. I like to save these plugs for future use. They are great for plugging holes during disassembly to keep dirt and moisture out of a component.
 

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toolfanatic

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Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Messages
72
Location
Ireland
Re: Tips & Tricks

I am a great fan of neodymium rare earth magnets, even the smaller ones are very useful- I tape one around the chuck key to keep it at the pillar drill where it belongs. I also taped one around the handle of the push stick for the router table and table saw- that way they're always to hand. I use one from an old pc hard drive to recover screws and nails from the workshop sweepings- I then use my very own child labour (daughters aged 6 & 7) to sort them for me, which they love (great while it lasts!).
 

goodysgotacuda

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Jun 13, 2012
Messages
668
Location
DFW
Re: Tips & Tricks

Dont have time to wait for every last drop.:dunno:

I agree on a home use level. At a dealership level, at BMW, we got oil by the quarts for cars. I drained every bottle I used. I ended up with about 1-quart of fresh new oil a day for my own use. I quit more than 2 years ago and still have BMW in my Jeep today. In volume, it works well.
 
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Johnny chaos

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Mar 6, 2010
Messages
597
Location
upstate NY
Re: Tips & Tricks

The plastic top from a rattle can works great for holding wires to be soldered. One slit on either side of the top and slide the wires into each, the open space in the middle is where you solder.......I also pull the sprayer nozzle out of the old used cans and throw them in the toolbox for later use for when one gets clogged, lost or broken.
 
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Always_Thinkin

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Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
300
Location
Illinois
Re: Tips & Tricks

An idea that I seen here on GJ and recently installed on my workbench is a handy way to protect your workbench from paint/staining projects. It is cheap and easy to install. It is a vinyl roller window shade mounted to the end of the workbench. Before you start a painting project, pull the vinyl shade across the workbench top. Let the paint/stain spills on the shade dry. Then retract the shade and it stores out of the way and ready for the next project. I bought the shade at Walmart for under $8 and the mounting bracket kit for $1. After trimming the shade to fit my workbench the area covered by the shade was approximately 2.5' x 5'. I can take pictures if anyone wants them.
 

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Jhoff310

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Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
876
Location
Perrysburg Ohio
Re: Tips & Tricks

old hacksaw blades with a few washers behind screwed to the wall is a great tape measure holder

Jeff
 

MetalMangler

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Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Messages
115
Location
Upstate NY
Re: Tips & Tricks

An idea that I seen here on GJ and recently installed on my workbench is a handy way to protect your workbench from paint/staining projects. It is cheap and easy to install. It is a vinyl roller window shade mounted to the end of the workbench. Before you start a painting project, pull the vinyl shade across the workbench top. Let the paint/stain spills on the shade dry. Then retract the shade and it stores out of the way and ready for the next project. I bought the shade at Walmart for under $8 and the mounting bracket kit for $1. After trimming the shade to fit my workbench the area covered by the shade was approximately 2.5' x 5'. I can take pictures if anyone wants them.

That is genius! I had thought of something like a roll of butcher paper (same idea as the Dr uses on the exam tables) but your idea is perfect. Shouldn't bleed through, reusable... Thank you sir! :bowdown:

MM
 

boilermanc

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Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
75
Location
*******, GA
Re: Tips & Tricks

The plastic top from a rattle can works great for holding wires to be soldered. One slit on either side of the top and side the wires into each, the open space in the middle is where you solder.......I also pull the sprayer nozzle out and throw them in the toolbox for later use for when one gets clogged, lost or broken.

excellent! always have a challenge with the wires staying together!
 

Always_Thinkin

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Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
300
Location
Illinois
Re: Tips & Tricks

The plastic top from a rattle can works great for holding wires to be soldered. One slit on either side of the top and side the wires into each, the open space in the middle is where you solder.......I also pull the sprayer nozzle out and throw them in the toolbox for later use for when one gets clogged, lost or broken.

Great tip! It will even catch any excess solder that may drip. I had made a tool to accommplish the same thing but it cost more to make and was a little to heavy for smaller automotive wires. It was a 1.5 inch diameter metal washer with a large hole in the center. Then I drilled and rivoted two small alligator clips to the washer. Again, great idea.
 

wafrederick

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Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,044
Location
Holton,Mi
Re: Tips & Tricks

I know someone that does that,saves the oil bottles and takes too much space.I tell him it is a waste of time,I pre empty them ahead of time if I have time.
 

bigbubba

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Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
2,884
Location
Poplar Bluff Mo
Re: Tips & Tricks

Tampons--for removing gas/oil from a tank, they will hold ALOT

Old silverware dishwasher basket--holds an asst of screwdrivers, files or whatever else you decide to use it for.

Jeff

Not shop related but.......My wifes uncle,Myself and his son were out gigging one night,We hit a rock and slice a 8-10 inch gash in the bottom of the boat! The only thing we could find was a box of tampons in the dry box,Stuffed them in the hole and after a few seconds the bilge pump was gaining on the water.After a few minutes the boat was almost dry again! We headed for the boat dock but it seemed to be working so we went back to gigging(Beer was involved in this decision) Don't know how long it would last but i know it's over 3 hours:bounce:
 

winmck

Active member
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
29
Location
Richmond, Tx
Re: Tips & Tricks

Not shop related but.......My wifes uncle,Myself and his son were out gigging one night,We hit a rock and slice a 8-10 inch gash in the bottom of the boat! The only thing we could find was a box of tampons in the dry box,Stuffed them in the hole and after a few seconds the bilge pump was gaining on the water.After a few minutes the boat was almost dry again! We headed for the boat dock but it seemed to be working so we went back to gigging(Beer was involved in this decision) Don't know how long it would last but i know it's over 3 hours:bounce:

Now that's a tip I could use!:bounce:
 

bigbubba

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Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
2,884
Location
Poplar Bluff Mo
Re: Tips & Tricks

Now that's a tip I could use!:bounce:

We also ran up on a car wreck when my son was still in pullups,The lady had cut her head and we had nothing to stop the bleeding.Took a pullup and turned it upside down and put it on her head like a sock cap,It worked till the ambulance got there!
 

Inky Ford

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
123
Location
Southern California
Re: Tips & Tricks

I screwed a Victor rat trap to the wall of my garage and use the "clip" to store my leather work gloves. Lots of other applications.
 

niget2002

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2012
Messages
11,112
Location
Josephine, TX
Tampons--for removing gas/oil from a tank, they will hold ALOT

Old silverware dishwasher basket--holds an asst of screwdrivers, files or whatever else you decide to use it for.

Jeff

Tampons and duct tape can also patch an oil leak on a Harley long enough to get to the next town.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
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