Wrenching practices to avoid...

[Wamerjamer]

Watch what you are doing.I have cut myself with an utility knife three times so far not paying attention.One was cutting opening a bag containing a part,a brand new blade.

Utility knives are the worst,espesially when it's cold like this.
Your fingers are numb, and then you cut right into them,ya don't feel nothing ..at first,then the blood ....then the pain.Effin *****.
Ask how I know

 

[Skin]

How bad is spraying penetrant on a heated part for you? I was just doing this yesterday. Of course, a **** load of white smoke came off of it.

You know that white plume of smoke? Don't huff it. Do it outside or with a fan blowing the fumes into the next bay.

Or use candle wax.

 

[tomshep]

NO jewelry! It amazes me the number of guys that leave that ring on because that is from their wife and they just don't want to take it off or lose it.

Tom

 

[HTGTS350]

Wrenching itself, it will eventually destroy your body.

 

[dragonballz]

Always tighten/loosen the nut, keeping the bolt stationary.

Why? I think it's the same.

 

[young_buck]

Wear your safety glasses! I know way too many guys who refuse to wear them and have done permanent damage to their eyesight.

screwdrivers are not multitools! I have seen shafts explode when being used as a chisel and I have busted my knuckles more than once using one as a prybar and having the shaft or handle give out.

Gloves are a necessity, though they may be bulky and hard to work with, wear them when you can a pair of leather work gloves saved my dad's finger from a dump truck tailgate.

Don't lift heavy items alone, use a hoist or another guy to prevent back damage, trust me.

Keep a clean workspace, you don't want to be slipping on oil or tripping over hoses left on the floor

Use a torque wrench, it's easy to over torque a bolt and cause damage especially on aluminum parts

If your not sure just ask, somebody in the shop is bound to know

Make sure to depressurize a hydraulic system before draining the tank, you only learn that the hard way once

Let an engine cool down before draining the oil, it gets hot and will leave a nasty burn on you

Sorry for the lengthy response but I too am a beginner and have learned a lot of things the hard way as well as witnessed things go wrong for others and the results can be life changing

 

[Mattlt]

Never test for hydraulic leaks with your bare hand, run a piece of cardboard past the area to be tested. High pressure injection of such fluids can lead to serious infections/gangrene.

 

[Highlux]

Your 3 most important tools are your head and your hands..........always use your head first.

Everybody knows something that you don't. I've been wrenching for almost 30 years, albeit not automotive, and I often watch what the other guys are doing. People have been in different situations and may know different approaches to your work. At the very least, pay attention to what the other guys do, you can also learn what NOT to do.

You said three but only named 2. What gives? lol

 

[bwringer]

Eye protection.


Ear protection.



What? Huh? You can't see what that says, or you're deaf already?


I said:

EYE PROTECTION

EAR PROTECTION

 

[BC1]

Always tighten/loosen the nut, keeping the bolt stationary.

Why? I think it's the same.

It's not the same. The nut will spin off the threads easier and when you turn the bolt you jack up the threads cuz it's rubbing against the object your removing it from.

 

[BC1]

Also wash your hands alot. Keeps the car clean,and your tools cleaner which = safer. Can't stand shops that coming into contact with anything means getting black **** all over you.

 

[Stephenw]

Here is the primitive Pete GM training film from the 40s

Part1.

Part2.

Chris

Those 2 parts are actually only half of the film. I managed to lay my hands on the whole thing. I wish I could upload it, but contacted the GM Heritage Center and found it is still copyright protected.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

You probably don't have to keep the air for the air nailer maxed out. If you do, put a sheet of plywood over the windows behind where you are building the wall. Also measure where the studs are so you know where to nail.

I was one of two people holding the plywood up for the outside wall of an addition a friend was building. He was nailing from a ladder. He missed the stud and the nail penetrated the wall, flew through 10 feet of open space and then broke the corner out of the bathroom window on the soon to be former outside wall.

 

[Mr.3-5-7]

Always tighten/loosen the nut, keeping the bolt stationary.
It's not the same. The nut will spin off the threads easier and when you turn the bolt you jack up the threads cuz it's rubbing against the object your removing it from.

I should add to this, "when possible". I run into parts all the time that require you to spin the bolt and hold the nut just because space is too limited to do it the correct way.

 

[Ruger_556]

I should add to this, "when possible". I run into parts all the time that require you to spin the bolt and hold the nut just because space is too limited to do it the correct way.

I was gonna say... Sometimes it's just not possible to do it that way.

 

[Challenger_2MBT]

Safety glasses and hearing protection are a must! Full face shield when using a wire wheel or an abrasive cut-off wheel.

Also, use a tire cage when inflating tires. We've all seen the videos of what happens when you don't.

 

[jim1987]

I'm really surprised this hasn't been said.

Borrow twice, buy once

Also biggie, every time you switch jobs, always find out the lay out the building I.C.E. and.know where the msds books are.

 

[dieselmech86]

I agree with the above post. Also, spend with in your means. You don't have to buy the entire truck your first year. It is expensive.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk

 

[northern rodder]

Here is the number one rule i was told when i switched from automotive to truck and coach, "don't put your fingers anywhere you wouldn't put your ****".

A few more are make sure your head isn't under the prybar when doing spring pin bushings (six stitches). Never be in a hurry to leave, thats when all **** hits the fan and you can watch the wheels fall off the truck your working on. (or the water pump starts leaking after just one more quick service with 3 hours of repairs) Make sure you always chock the wheels before lifting a truck.

And the final advice if you love the work you're doing don't listen to the old bastards that tell you to get out of the trade. (i whored myself out and became a millwright now i make too too much money to go back to what i really love)

 

[Heavy tech]

I disagree with the pull don't push on wrenches thing to an extent. Your knuckles will grow back, your teeth won't.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jim1987]

Knuckles don't always grow back to how they was before.

 

[Skin]

I disagree with the pull don't push on wrenches thing to an extent. Your knuckles will grow back, your teeth won't.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If its that tight, hit it with a hammer.

 

[mechan]

If its that tight, hit it with a hammer.

Hammers are for amateurs, PUT THE HYTORC TO IT!

http://www.hytorc.com/torque-tools-equipment/hydraulic-tools

 

[humber2]

Avoid sitting on the branch you are sawing off close to the tree trunk.

 

[nicksnothereman]

If its that tight, hit it with a hammer.

Mallet first mallet first. Deadblow second deadblow second. Sledge last sledge last.

...goes to parts store to get new replacement bolts.

I just made something crazy and hammer like in my garage. It's brilliantly stupid, so stupid I know it's gotta work.

 

[Mastermind]

I always said borrow three times get your own. take it easy, speed makes money, but not if you spend the next week fixing comebacks. put your phone away. I look at my phone maybe 4 times in a workday. I just had to look around to see where it was actually. I'm no old crow at 30, but these 20 yr old guys are always one hand in their pocket phone in the other. drives me insane. if you have a family member in the hospital or pregnant wife at home, keep your phone close, otherwise it can probly wait.

 

[Challenger_2MBT]

Always use a vise or clamps to hold a part or workpiece when using a drill press. Since what can go wrong if you don't too many times. Worked in a machine shop for a number of years and the drill press was the most misused machine there. More coworkers got hurt using that than any other in the shop.

 

[UIUC-Mech-E]

I haven't seen it mentioned yet so I'll chime in.
Never assume the machinist deburred it. Learned this the hard way wrenching on an assembly with flat ground spacers. It had been ground, Installed, and uninstalled but was still plenty sharp. Gloves would have reduced the carnage but 10 seconds with a stone would have prevented it.


(Insert catchy saying here)

 

[ttpete]

Never spin a bearing up with air after washing it out. You might wind up with a face full of steel.

Never wear polyester when you're welding. Sparks will melt right through. And don't wear low cut shoes. A red hot dingle berry down your shoe is no fun. Electric welding generates UV, especially TIG welding. You can be sunburned even through a t-shirt. Wear long sleeves and button the collar.

I prefer to wear a full face shield when grinding or using a cutoff wheel. I also have one in #4 tint that I use for gas welding or cutting.

 

[Danglerb]

Know where the nearest, best emergency room is, have all your cards and stuff in your wallet.

Unless its pretty minor, have somebody else drive you. Story from the DIY speaker building group is about a doctor cut off three fingers with a table saw, kept a cool head put on a tourniquet, gathered up the fingers and drove himself to the hospital. Down side was leaving his fingers on the roof of the car when he got out his keys.

 

[hallboyone]

Don't try to drill larger holes in metel without using some kind of lube and taking it slow.

 

[tshetter]

Don't try to drill larger holes in metel without using some kind of lube and taking it slow.

Good advice in the shop and bedroom....

 

[Ruger_556]

Good advice in the shop and bedroom....

Ahaha...

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Serious? First time I have heard this... Who can confirm this? My ratchet feels the same now as in summer...



Also, I do not have any sae30 oil, what's the next best thing?

I like using transmission fluid. I used it in my first impact until I bought one brand new as well. But I would say degrease your ratchet and full with ****** fluid in a needle type bottle. Then you can just dip the head in a cup of ****** fluid and let it soak when it gets dry

 

[bczygan]

When drilling something, never put your other hand near the hole being drilled. Drills bits break, broken drill bits go through your finger very easily.

I have a 1/8th hole in my thumb as a result of this.

NOW you tell me......!

 

[Dynamic86]

Use a barrier cream when handling oils, grease ect. These new synthetic oil can be cancerous. I put barrier cream on after every break and my hands stay clean and protected from these new oils. I use the yellow stuff pr88? tell your shop foreman to get some.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

When doubling up on wrenches for jam nuts be careful you don't get your hand caught in the middle. I broke 2 fingers not paying attention.

Also don't use your hand as a thermometer.

 

[aka Larry]

Always use both hands on the electric grinder. If both hands are on the tool it makes it more difficult for you to cut/remove a digit with it. Ask me how I know.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

When working on a hybrid, remove the fob far away from the car. Don't irritate the orange cable. Be careful of the pressure in the cooling system on them too. When doing electrical on any car, remove negative cable. Safety glasses above all else.

 

[wafrederick]

Watch what you are doing.I have not done this 3 times with knives cutting myself.If anything does not want to come apart,don't force it apart finding out why it won't come apart.Double and triple check your work too.