Tips & Tricks

[Mattlt]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Successful Farming magazine has published several versions of it's All Around the Farm book - A collection of tips and hints. Most are farm related, but still a lot of shop and vehicle tips.

The link below is an example of one edition.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/069622433X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Napa Skip]

Re: Tips & Tricks

You guys have shopping carts with SEATBELTS !

In some of the more "upscale" areas they have air bags...

 

[RCStocker]

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.

Get a rubber stopper form a lab supply house that sells chemistry equipment. They have holes in them They come in all sizes. Pop one in and hit it with the blow gun. It will give you full pressure and you will not have a gas filled rag around to catch on fire.

I must be strange becasue I don't drain the gas out of anything. In California I run my engines all year round and in Indiana they are in a shed that never freezes inside. I have never had carb problems or build up.

 

[c7fx]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I used that sock handle technique a lot when I was thirteen!

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Re: Tips & Tricks

A small section of rubber hose is good for removing indicator light bulbs out of the recessed sockets in electrical panels, automotive instrument lighting and Allen Bradley panel lights. Just slip the hose over the bulb and it will grab on. This is much like using a hose to start threading a spark plug.

 

[kams1973]

Re: Tips & Tricks

A small section of rubber hose is good for removing indicator light bulbs out of the recessed sockets in electrical panels, automotive instrument lighting and Allen Bradley panel lights. Just slip the hose over the bulb and it will grab on. This is much like using a hose to start threading a spark plug.

Thank you for sharing that tip!

 

[nkachur]

Re: Tips & Tricks

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/ShopTips/tiplist.html

This site has some great tips and tricks. The guy works on Guitars and some tips are pretty specific but other ideas are awesome. The only problem is you have to click on each individually. I have assembled the first 100 in a Powerpoint slideshow and if anyone would like a copy PM me.

I will be working on the rest.

 

[kazlx]

Re: Tips & Tricks

He's also got a section that's more machine tool specific, but also has some generic stuff mixed in.

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/hstpages.html

 

[nkachur]

Re: Tips & Tricks

He's also got a section that's more machine tool specific, but also has some generic stuff mixed in.

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/hstpages.html

Great you gave me more work to do.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I'd love a copy of that power point either now or when you're done.

Or both

 

[ncfireman1918]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Get a rubber stopper form a lab supply house that sells chemistry equipment. They have holes in them They come in all sizes. Pop one in and hit it with the blow gun. It will give you full pressure and you will not have a gas filled rag around to catch on fire.

Which reminds me... When you end up with gas or oil soaked rags, store them in a Mason jar with the lid on. It will keep them from spontaneously combusting.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Slip a piece of foam pipe insulation over the handle of your floor jack to protect the paint while you are working.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Using a milk crate and a piece of pipe works great for a spool holder. My picture shows a set up for silver solder spools. you can also use the same idea for wire spools or anything else that needs a controlled feed. To keep the spools and the pipe from traveling I use hose clamps.

 

[22george]

Re: Tips & Tricks

l bent up wrench holders out of an old metal coat hanger

 

[Sureshot]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Using a milk crate and a piece of pipe works great for a spool holder. My picture shows a set up for silver solder spools. you can also use the same idea for wire spools or anything else that needs a controlled feed. To keep the spools and the pipe from traveling I use hose clamps.

Don't read the small print

 

[nkachur]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Don't read the small print

A person can buy milk crates... even legally. I bought 2 at Shippers Supply

 

[AV tinker er]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Have a screw head that is rounding out? Use some valve grinding compound to help get some extra grip.

 

[split150]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Have a nice round flashlight that keeps rolling away on you? Use a small zip tie zipped around it, and cut off the tail. The head of the zip tie will keep it from rolling away.

 

[bobbleheadhillbilly]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I despise how anti-seize tends to find its way to everywhere you don't want it. So instead of wiping the excess off inside the neck, I added a small rod to keep the threads and cap clean. Put the cap back on. A good rap against the heel of your hand and all the excess on the rod falls back into the jar.

 

[rattlesnakehoey]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Simple & effective. That's why I dig coming to the Garage Journal.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I despise how anti-seize tends to find its way to everywhere you don't want it. So instead of wiping the excess off inside the neck, I added a small rod to keep the threads and cap clean. Put the cap back on. A good rap against the heel of your hand and all the excess on the rod falls back into the jar.

Anti-seize is like transmission fluid. A little goes a long way.

 

[BigAl62]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I despise how anti-seize tends to find its way to everywhere you don't want it. So instead of wiping the excess off inside the neck, I added a small rod to keep the threads and cap clean. Put the cap back on. A good rap against the heel of your hand and all the excess on the rod falls back into the jar.

Great idea. I also hate the brushes attached to the cap, they get anti seize all over the place. I cut them off and use a disposable acid brush (cheap and easy to get at hardware store in plumbing section). When I'm done I wipe off the brush and wrap it in a disposable shop rag (the heavy duty blue paper towel type) and put it in my tool box. Keeps from getting anti seize on your hands and everywhere else it's not supposed to be.

 

[AZ Pete]

Re: Tips & Tricks

If you pop rivet in an aluminum boat, a golf T will fix it until you get back.

I use to carry a small roll of aluminum duct tape in my tool box. I think it was only about 6' of tape, but if the outside of the canoe hull was dry, it would stick well enough to keep a loose rivet from leaking. I have used adhesive tape out of a first aid kit for the same thing.

 

[jayz66ragtop]

Re: Tips & Tricks

A small section of rubber hose is good for removing indicator light bulbs out of the recessed sockets in electrical panels, automotive instrument lighting and Allen Bradley panel lights. Just slip the hose over the bulb and it will grab on. This is much like using a hose to start threading a spark plug.

Along the same lines some older cars it is hard to get a hold of the light bulb in the reverse light housing. Use a small length of PVC pipe to push in an turn the bulb, I think 3/4 inch pipe will handle most sized reverse lights.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I read a complaint about cheap packaging for some tools not being suitable for holders in the tool box. If you take the "window and door" low expansion foam sealant and shoot it in the back of the molded plastic it will firm up the packaging and make it much better for toolbox use. You might want to put a sheet of wax paper down on a board and clamp the packaging to it to keep a smooth back surface.

I have done similar reinforcement to the cheaper tub/shower surrounds that have molded corner shelves. Makes them much more robust.

DON'T do this with regular foam. The expansion will distort the plastic and you just wind up with a mess.

ArkTinkerer

 

[Unmarked Bill]

Re: Tips & Tricks

The coolest one I've seen lately is my buddy's trick of using the bottom shelf of a NOT STOLEN shopping cart, just above head high, for hanging hammers, mallets, etc. Wish I could claim that one.

 

[oldtools808]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Great Tips & Tricks;
I use long zip ties, knife cut alternating barbs away from tip ~1/16" deep & ~1/2" apart. Great to remove hair from clogged drains. Also can use that long strip of plastic that locks the lid of dry laundry soap containers.
Also heavy plastic gallon bottles with a good handle & cap, cut bottom, great to bail water from boats. Remove cap, works as a funnel.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Apparently a lathe is really good for peeling apples

Just for the record, this isn't me but I may try it nest time the wife wants to make apple pie

 

[Joe69]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Great Tips & Tricks;
Also heavy plastic gallon bottles with a good handle & cap, cut bottom, great to bail water from boats. Remove cap, works as a funnel.

We use a jug just like that for scooping oil dry out of the barrell at work.

Joe

 

[softailgarage]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Well, I got tired of looking for a tape measure. If I'm on a major project I'll have it on my belt, but around the shop I'll use it, set it down somewhere and spend 15 minutes looking for it and wheres a good place to store it? I took a brass pipe bracket, made some bends and screwed it up under the workbench. Slide it onto the belt clip and done. It's out of the way, it's handy being right there at the bench and I always know where to find it.

 

[Oldbear]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Well, I got tired of looking for a tape measure. If I'm on a major project I'll have it on my belt, but around the shop I'll use it, set it down somewhere and spend 15 minutes looking for it and wheres a good place to store it? I took a brass pipe bracket, made some bends and screwed it up under the workbench. Slide it onto the belt clip and done. It's out of the way, it's handy being right there at the bench and I always know where to find it.

I just spread 3 or 4 tapes around the shop during a project... I just collected and stored them tonight...

 

[IONH]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I just spread 3 or 4 tapes around the shop during a project... I just collected and stored them tonight...

Same idea here. I've got 6 or 8 of them on a peg hook and I just grab one when I need it if I don't see one laying around where I am working. Eventually they all make their way back to the hook.

 

[oldtools808]

Re: Tips & Tricks

many tapes have belt clips, clip it to pants.

 

[sberry]

Re: Tips & Tricks

One of the best here was the jigs for the vice for u joint work.

 

[DonnyT]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Well, I got tired of looking for a tape measure. If I'm on a major project I'll have it on my belt, but around the shop I'll use it, set it down somewhere and spend 15 minutes looking for it and wheres a good place to store it? I took a brass pipe bracket, made some bends and screwed it up under the workbench. Slide it onto the belt clip and done. It's out of the way, it's handy being right there at the bench and I always know where to find it.

Great idea! Looks like Copper though, not Brass?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Apparently a lathe is really good for peeling apples

Just for the record, this isn't me but I may try it nest time the wife wants to make apple pie

That was neat! But get one of these peeler, corer, slicers for like $10-$15. We have one and it works great.

Chris

We just picked up a professional ottoscope for looking in my dogs ears. I moved the cheap plastic $15 one, like shown below, to the garage. Man is that thing great for looking in blind holes! I pull the cone section off and use it as a lighted 3 power magnifier. It shines the light from the center so there are no shadows and you see everything in the hole.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I read that Acetone and ATF make a great rust penetrant. Anybody ever try it?

the best beats expensive kroil

 

[Primered Thunder]

Re: Tips & Tricks

Paint each "tooth" or notch on your jack stands a different color using Testors model car paint. A quick glance will tell you if the jack stands are the same height without the need to count the teeth.

 

[66HertzClone]

Re: Tips & Tricks

A small section of rubber hose is good for removing indicator light bulbs out of the recessed sockets in electrical panels, automotive instrument lighting and Allen Bradley panel lights. Just slip the hose over the bulb and it will grab on. This is much like using a hose to start threading a spark plug.

The neutral colored surgical tubing is perfect for this, it's softer so it fits more diameters of bulbs than the black tubing will.

 

[Zeke]

Re: Tips & Tricks

I had to deal with one of these the other day.



Never any fun when you're crouched behind a dryer. So, I opened the clamp and put a 1/4" washer over the squeeze points. When everything was in position, I took my needle nose and pulled the washer off. Wished I'd thought of that a few times when pliers just kept slipping off.