Shop Tricks

[BearKiller]

Actually, you're both right, it is Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Matt.

I knew that.

 

[G.P.S.Investments]

I don't remember reading in this shop tricks,But anyways,to save a blister on the palm of my hand or a 80 mile trip to town to get a saw file handle,I just cut a peice of old broom handle or any wooden dowel to use 4inch chunk ,then drill a hole to put the power file into,then round the other end with the bench grinder.I learnt that that from my late father.Sure it works no worries to saw file out of my south paw.:laughing: just my :2cents: :drink:cheers:

 

[jimmer2880]

I don't remember who posted this, but THANK YOU!

In order to get a Bearing Race out, run a bead of weld on the race and let cool. The weld will shrink the race when it cools. One of my 2 still needed a little persuasion, but not much.

 

[49tandc]

New trick for cutting metal with a jigsaw - For getting straight cuts with a jigsaw, drill a small hole in the rear of the shoe, and drop in a small nail the width of the saw blade. If you can manage to make the first 4 inches straight, the saw will track true for the rest of the cut.

49T&C

 

[MichKubota]

How to "Drill Down The Center of a Rod". Wish I could say I thought of it.


Artifex: Drilling Down The Middle

 

[not2old]

So you are saying I won't be able to buy new t12 ho bulbs in the future?
I just spent a few hundred bucks putting up 8ft fixtures in my garage
They are the quick start cold temp ones. They don't whine, but they do cause radio interference.
I saw the t8 fixtures when I bought the t12's. I had no idea they were planning on doing away with t12's

The wholesaler I use tells me the lamps will be available until the demand is gone, but you can no longer buy the replacement ballasts.

 

[The Haymaker]

How to "Drill Down The Center of a Rod". Wish I could say I thought of it.


Artifex: Drilling Down The Middle

Pretty much the same procedure as drilling on a real lathe.

I've also turned down a 4" pvc end cap by finding center of the cap, drilling and putting a bolt with washers in. Place that in the dripp and then clamp a right angle grinder with thin cutting wheel in it to the drill table. Fire everything up and work cap slowly by wheel.

This is how the piston for my cannon was made.

E

 

[MichKubota]

OK - Some people will say "Duy Ya" but here it is:

I don't have a sink in garage or barn to wash hands so when starting a greasy dirty job:

1. Fill bucket with soap (dish detergent is best) and warm water. Add wash cloth and drying towel.
2. Take to job site (in my case it's the driveway).

No need to wait till job is done as soon as my hands are greasy/dirty use this to clean up. I may clean my hands 10 to 20 times throughout the day. They never get that down deep dirty that will only come clean after a week of growing new skin and finger nails.

Keeps my door knobs, phone, inside sink, tools etc a lot cleaner too.

I also wear surgical gloves (from HF) for a lot of jobs. I still use the cleaning bucket to wash my hands (with gloves on). Its easier then removing the gloves to answer the phone and my tools stay cleaner.

 

[Giles]

Ever needed a longer tube when spraying carb cleaner or WD40? These small tubes can be joined together by using a 1/4" cutoff section of most ball-point pens. Simply remove the ink tube and cutoff a section from the end opposite the ball-point. Most of the time, the spray tube will fit perfectly inside this cutoff tube.
I have done this many times and the tube can be made any desired length.
Just remember to save those small tubes.

 

[sodamo]

Another dirty hands trick. Useful for either greasy or when launching. Pour liquid detergent, like dish soap in your palm then work it in like a lotion, let dry before you start work. When you go to clean up a few hours later most every thing washes off easily - even in a bucket