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lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,948
Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

I store partially used paint cans upside down.
IF a small air opening appears the paint will start to seep out, being out in the open the seeping paint will harden & seal the hole keeping all the remaining paint fresh.
The same hole/opening in a can stored right side up will allow the whole airspace in the can to fill with regular fresh air & eventually dry out the entire remains of the can of paint.

Steve

Shooting in some propane displaces the air, keeping all fresh inside the can, also.
 
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lilredex

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Apr 29, 2006
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5,948
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Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

If you have an annoying exhaust leak at a joint, etc, and it does not warrant a full scale repair (because of time or effort involved) a temporary repair may suffice.

20rlmwh.jpg


Cut a short length of pipe(s) and split, to make three shells. Overlap them around the joint with a generous application of muffler cement and apply clamps.

If the "U" bolts spread so you cannot get the clamp together, add coupling nuts and longer bolts (3-4") and squeeze the "U" bolt legs back in line.

Although I usually regard this as a tempory fix, some have been in place for a few years.
 

lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,948
Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

If you need to measure in an awkward or dirty location, or you just don't want your good measuring tools in there, try a couple of cheap squares like this...


Direct reading squares.


2im9ysy.jpg


209jeid.jpg
 

Dale1962

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Joined
Oct 17, 2012
Messages
203
Location
central illinois
Re: Tips & Tricks

put pieces of old fire hose around tie down straps to keep them from rubbing. also put pieces around chains too to keep them from rubbing paint. some firehouses give old hoses away. i just got some conveyor belt and huge mudflaps gave to me by my local fertilizer dealer, make nice mats
 

lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
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Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

If you change drive shaft "U" joints in your vise, these will help.

29pukg5.jpg


This third hand helper will hold up the other end.

2r5xgkz.jpg
 

lilredex

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Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,948
Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

If you have dirty threads to clean up like on gas tank rods or shocks, make up some thread chasers to do the job.

350qvls.jpg


When you are installing that gas tank, replace the nut with a coupling nut halved, and put those saw cuts on both the top and bottom. That way it will clean in either direction.

If you have a tablesaw and the height and angle adjustments get jammed with sawdust, take a good look at those nuts, saw cuts like above, if there is room, will eliminate the jamming.
 
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lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,948
Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

If you have a long handled nut splitter, it will hold your chisels too.

35jfaf4.jpg
 

lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,948
Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

If you have only a small collection of misc. taps and dies to organize, try this solution. That dividing insert is just cardboard.

20v0z7r.jpg
 

Tig Master

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Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
106
Location
Where it snows
Re: Tips & Tricks

This is how I drain & catch my remaining oil. Just drill a hole in two caps then when you're changing oil or whatever just screw the empty bottle to to the glued together caps & let it drain. I used Hot glue to do this but you might want to try another glue because i'm going to have to re-glue these as they are not holding. I guess i'll try super glue.

3 pop rivets done ;)

T
 

KMinAF

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Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
698
Location
Fairview Utah
Re: Tips & Tricks

After picking up the big stuff, I clean my garage with the leaf blower, its a lot easier to get into corners and under benches, tool boxes etc.
 

Tig Master

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Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
106
Location
Where it snows
Re: Tips & Tricks

Simple epoxy mixing at last. Stick a 2" piece of masking tape to your bench mix epoxy on it and peel tape off and dispose after the job is done.No more using a piece of cardboard or whatever.You can even stick it on the job to be done if space requires.

T
 

Mark in Indiana

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Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
Re: Tips & Tricks

Another tip is finding one of the UPS or FedEx processing centers in your area. they have to change out the conveyor belts every so often and usually have no problem giving you a strip if you ask nice enough. makes a really durable bench top cover, fender protector when working on the car, or flooring protector when you're using tools in the house. all at an excellent price.

I use conveyor belt material for tool cabinet drawer liners.
 

Gus68

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Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
81
Re: Tips & Tricks

Talcom powder, baking soda or even fine dust/dirt, work great on a belt that wont stop chirping even if it's tight. And will USUALLY last. Think of new shoes on a clean gym floor. Now think of those same shoes after they get alittle dusty and dirty.
 

Tim Kennedy

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Oct 16, 2011
Messages
368
Re: Tips & Tricks

I frequently get nose bleeds - at times pretty severe -- I'm probably the only guy that you know that carries Kotex -- they are the absolute best at absorbing blood quick & clean. A friend has a tree trimming business & buys them by the case for his guys -- they thought he was crazy when he bought the first case but 2 days later they saved one of them when he got cut bad with a chainsaw. Cheap & effective!
 

unslow1

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Joined
Mar 3, 2012
Messages
7,879
Location
Illinois
Re: Tips & Tricks

I've fired off two rounds real quick, and use the spent casings as ear plugs. i'm sure there's a cancer warning somewhere on the ammo box, so keep that in mind before doing this all the time as hearing protection :lol_hitti

Live 9mm rds work well also. Just remember to wipe off the oil first.
 

e30bradley

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Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
2,725
Location
Don’t have a garage in Arizona USA
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

the only problem with this is getting them.. I've had to buy tampons (for a friend) and I got a weird look from the girl at the register. :lol_hitti
 

bigbubba

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

the only problem with this is getting them.. I've had to buy tampons (for a friend) and I got a weird look from the girl at the register. :lol_hitti

You think thats bad?Try buying condoms a pregnancy test and tampons at the same time! The girl gave me a weird look so i said"Test to see if i still need to use the rubbers and the tampons are to plug my ears and nose"She asked why i would plug my ears and nose?"Because i can't stand to hear a woman scream or smell rubber burn"
 
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58Yeoman

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Oct 1, 2010
Messages
8,999
Location
Central IL
Re: Tips & Tricks

When my wife and I go to the supermarket, she puts her purse in the 'kid seat' of the shopping cart, and runs the seat belt through the straps of her purse. Keeps anyone from ****** & grab, without a fuss.
 

Mark in Indiana

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Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
3,057
Location
Southern Indiana
Re: Tips & Tricks

An old office desk from the 1950's and older has a wealth of high grade wood for many wood working projects. I generally pick them up for less than $10.00. The desk top makes an excellent top for a work bench (see picture) or a roller cabinet. Other parts can be used for woodworking vise jaw faces or anything that you need small amounts of quality wood for. Other desk parts that can't be used for woodworking can be burned in the back yard fire pit (I wouldn't use it in indoor fireplaces because of the varnish).
 

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Jonboy1974

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Joined
Oct 11, 2011
Messages
45
Location
Lexington, SC
Re: Tips & Tricks

When my wife and I go to the supermarket, she puts her purse in the 'kid seat' of the shopping cart, and runs the seat belt through the straps of her purse. Keeps anyone from ****** & grab, without a fuss.
Learned this from a woman at Walmart. Guy try to snag her purse but got it snatched out of his hands when the cart was attached to it. Got a good laugh and a good tip for the wife.
 

Vegaman_Dan

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Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Messages
2,453
Location
Pacific, WA
Re: Tips & Tricks

Drilling Holes Overhead:

Cut a hole in a used spray can top and slide your drill through this to catch shavings as you drill overhead.

MIG Welding Light:

Zip tie a cheap short LED flashlight from Harbor Freight or similar to the end of the the torch. It will give good light for you to see by before your strike the arc and it gets damaged- darn. You're out $1.99 for a two pack. :)

Cabinet Notes:

Small whiteboard (9x12 or so) attached to the outside of your shop cabinet door makes a good To Do list.

Stop Carts / Casters from moving:

Got a cart, tool box, or other item on wheels that you want to keep in place but don't have locks on the wheels? Use furniure leg protection cups. They have a low lip and meant to protect floor finishes, but also act as a convention lock for casters that can be rolled over if needed.

Power On Monitor:

A cheap night light plugged into the outlet that powers your tools on the same circuit is a good quick indicator to see if the breaker cut out or if it was a plug in strip with a quick glance. I keep one next to the breaker panel.

Overhead lighting / Emergency Lighting:

Put your overhead lights on a different circuit than your power tools if at all possible so you won't be fumbling in the dark if you trip the breaker. If this isn't possible, plug in a rechargable emergency flashlight into the same circuit. These typically turn on when the power goes out so you have instant backup lighting. Bonus points if you keep one near the breaker box.

First Aid Kit Additions:

LED flashlightand area work light (palm sized) with magnet inside the first aid box. You'll need it, believe me.

Notepad and pencil

Spare set of common sized batteries
 

Vegaman_Dan

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Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Messages
2,453
Location
Pacific, WA
Re: Tips & Tricks

Has there ever been a book about shop tips and tricks like this published? I ask because I'm do a lot of comic book and small press book publishing on the side and don't recall ever seeing such a book for sale. In model railroading, there was a soft cover book put out in the 70's called 764 Helpful Hints and Tricks that collated tips like this into one very popular book.

I'd be curious to see if such exists in our area of interest here, and if not, perhaps it's time we do something about that. Hmm. Have to give this some serious thought.
 

lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,948
Location
Toronto
Re: Tips & Tricks

Has there ever been a book about shop tips and tricks like this published? I ask because I'm do a lot of comic book and small press book publishing on the side and don't recall ever seeing such a book for sale. In model railroading, there was a soft cover book put out in the 70's called 764 Helpful Hints and Tricks that collated tips like this into one very popular book.

I'd be curious to see if such exists in our area of interest here, and if not, perhaps it's time we do something about that. Hmm. Have to give this some serious thought.

A few are out there, here's a couple....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/155654040X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0918804329/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 

hickmlg09

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
4,677
Re: Tips & Tricks

When my wife and I go to the supermarket, she puts her purse in the 'kid seat' of the shopping cart, and runs the seat belt through the straps of her purse. Keeps anyone from ****** & grab, without a fuss.

I do the same thing, when I carry a purse. My mom taught me that. She always did it where ever we went. She said that way if anyone took your purse they couldn't just ****** it away from the cart and you would be able to catch them doing.
 

Al Bundy

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Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Messages
2,026
Location
Upstate NY
Re: Tips & Tricks

I do the same thing, when I carry a purse. My mom taught me that. She always did it where ever we went. She said that way if anyone took your purse they couldn't just ****** it away from the cart and you would be able to catch them doing.

Nice avatar.
 

Fyrme

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Joined
Nov 28, 2012
Messages
2,231
Location
Green country, Oklahoma
Re: Tips & Tricks

Quick trick for draining your used oil with out baby sitting. Plus you get a almost dry pan after a day of sitting.

The 5gal cans are steel solvent cans. I nailed the oversized funnel to the wall and it lives there. Once one fills up. I rotate the empty one in and take the full one down to the parts store when I get time, and dump it for free. They get cranky when I dump more than 5gal at a time. Unfortunately, the 6gal oil vac is full too. DOH!
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C34691AA-66F3-41C1-8EAA-0DFF218FC5C4-1444-000002681369B638.jpg
 
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Inkncraig

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Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
139
For everybody that had the older snap on boxes, with the slide drawers. a hack saw blade works to get the drawers out. It helps with pushing those little metal tabs back
 

ezriderga

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Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,741
Location
NW GA
Re: Tips & Tricks

For those who pocket carry, turn your bluejeans pockets inside out when you/your wife washes your jeans to help lessen the chance of lint getting in your handgun. I consider a handgun a tool, Jack!
 
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
21
Re: Tips & Tricks

When trying to isolate an oil leak, clean the area and spray it wit cheap foot powder. It dries a chalky white and the offending leak will show itself. Also when removing a broken bolt, drill a hole ad instead of using an easy out, beat a torx socket bit into the hole. The torx is hard and will cut it's own grooves in the broken off bolt, but does not push out on the sides like an easy out does, I use this constantly and it works awesome. When you need to beat a torx in to something, I use an old crappy 6 inch extension in the torx and beat on the crappy extension so I don't screw up my torx bit socket.
 
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