Shop Tricks

[Workstead]

This is not a paint remover tip but it does involve paint. I got it from a magazine about 50 years ago and use it, most of the time.

After opening a paint can, any size, use a nail and punch a few holes in the bottom of the groove around the top. After pouring paint from the can or wiping the paint across the top after dipping it into the can, the groove at the top of the can will fill up. These holes allows the paint to drip back into the can and not flow over the side and cover the instructions and down onto the floor. Or, it keeps the paint from getting splattered when the cover is replaced and tapped down.

Since the holes are below the grip point of the cover, air is not allowed to enter the can, so the paint remains usable.

Clem

 

[EE_Bota]

If I can remember, I will definitely use this some day:
Do not forget that JB-weld is an excellent insulator, which could come in handy with any type of busted insulator. You folks that work with old generators and old alternators, or old DC motors have no doubt faced this problem.

H-F sells a brush on insulating product called something like brush-on electrical tape.

If you ever have access of the old phone receivers that had heft to them, you know the ones like on the old Ma-Bell phones, if the phone is broken, keep the receiver. If you ever get two, you can use a 9v battery and thin wire to make a intercom system so you can talk to a buddy many feet away. This is very handy handy when you are ringing out wires for some sort of project.

If you have an old style phone that still works, by all means, keep it plugged in. They are very durable. Before I did this, lighting would take out my new style remote phones. Since I have kept an old style plugged in, it takes the brunt of the lighting strikes, and each time there is a strike, I hear it ding. This reminds me to unplug my new-style phones, and protects them if I forget.
I will post one more in a couple of minutes, since it will have a picture.

 

[EE_Bota]

Please forgive the poor utilization of this pegboard, you would no doubt use it better. This stuff is made in the USA, and it is polypropylene. All the hooks have one hook tab, and one screw. They NEVER move when a tool is added. And, they wipe clean easily, and truly brighten up the shop. This is four boards.
I considered the metal ones, etc, but nothing will be brighter than white.

It is Triton Industries Duraboard, and the best price I found on it was from Samsclub online. Note it's actual size, and understand exactly how you will mount it if you buy some. I bought their mounting kit because it had little bowl shaped standoffs and screws, and sinkers for drywall I stored the sinkers because I don't have drywall, since I use the wall spaces as storage spots, since my shop is tiny.

By the way, the little gray storage boxes underneath are held in place by velcro strips that are sticky on both sides.

 

[Ken45101]

If you have an old style phone that still works, by all means, keep it plugged in. They are very durable. Before I did this, lighting would take out my new style remote phones. Since I have kept an old style plugged in, it takes the brunt of the lighting strikes, and each time there is a strike, I hear it ding. This reminds me to unplug my new-style phones, and protects them if I forget.

Wow! Good idea, but I wish I had heard that years ago! Our landline is now disconnected, but we used to lose computer modems when we had the landline. I expect that you are right, the old phones would have protected the modems.

I never figured out why we had the trouble since our landline is buried. I can only assume that the lightning spike came from the mainline down on the road.

Ken

 

[Workstead]

Please forgive the poor utilization of this pegboard, you would no doubt use it better. This stuff is made in the USA, and it is polypropylene. All the hooks have one hook tab, and one screw. They NEVER move when a tool is added. And, they wipe clean easily, and truly brighten up the shop. This is four boards.
I considered the metal ones, etc, but nothing will be brighter than white.

I checked out the things hanging on the board and I noticed that you and I have the same tool. It's on the left edge, just below center. The white one with all of the holes. I thought it was a rare shop accessory but I see that I'm not the only person that has one.

Nice setup.

Clem

 

[EE_Bota]

I think that was either a promo gift or was really cheap at the hardware store, but it is very handy. I am getting ready to use that gauge in a big way soon to sort all my hardware, and toss them in that bin system.

There is a lot more stuff on the pegboard now. That pic is a bit old, and right blurry too.

That pegboard is around 1/4" thick so it's pretty strong. And I am using the little CFL swirly bulbs, so anything that will reflect a bit of light is a help.

 

[The Haymaker]

I checked out the things hanging on the board and I noticed that you and I have the same tool. It's on the left edge, just below center. The white one with all of the holes. I thought it was a rare shop accessory but I see that I'm not the only person that has one.

Nice setup.

Clem

Thread gauge?

 

[BTDT]

Wow, so many new and useful ideas and tips. Great job, and welcome to all the new folks to Tractorbynet

 

[smiley]

This is not a paint remover tip but it does involve paint. I got it from a magazine about 50 years ago and use it, most of the time.

After opening a paint can, any size, use a nail and punch a few holes in the bottom of the groove around the top. After pouring paint from the can or wiping the paint across the top after dipping it into the can, the groove at the top of the can will fill up. These holes allows the paint to drip back into the can and not flow over the side and cover the instructions and down onto the floor. Or, it keeps the paint from getting splattered when the cover is replaced and tapped down.

Since the holes are below the grip point of the cover, air is not allowed to enter the can, so the paint remains usable.

Clem

Workstead,
You and I must have read the same magazine as I've been doing the same for about that long too.
Smiley

 

[49tandc]

Another free tip - for keeping paint from skimming if it sets for a long time. After use, store the paint can upside-down. The skim will occur at the bottom of the can, leaving fresh paint "on top" when you use it again.

49T&C