Tip of the day.

[jyoutz]

I have bought several used old style heavy steel filing cabinets at surplus stores. Usually for $40-50 each. They are compact standing upright but have an amazing amount of storage. I use some drawers for all of my equipment owners manuals and service guides, and others for tools and miscellaneous.

 

[Avenger]

Speaking of gas cans, I started doing this a few years ago.

Every month for a year, about the same time of the month, I'd buy a 5 gallon gas can. I'd mark it with the number of the month I was in (Jan = 1, Fed = 2, and so on). I'd fill it up and place it on this heavy shelf. The following year, I'd take that can, dump it into my truck, put the can in the back, and head to the gas station. I'd fill the can, and fill the truck the rest of the way.

Now, I have 60 gallons of gas on a monthly rotation that is never over a year old. No need for stabilizers or additives. No extra cost (after the purchase of the can and the first fill up) since I burn the fuel in my truck anyway.

A few years ago, we had a horrible wind storm that knocked power out to the majority of my city for about a week. People were lined up down the road at the only fuel station that had a backup generator. I simply drove past the line. 60 gallons of fuel kept my generator humming and my vehicles running.

In the photo, you'll see a can marked with "M". Thats for Miscellaneous. This gas is not on rotation. I use it in the lawn mower or to mix 2 cycle with.

 

[Wagtail]

I can't get mine online, won't ship to Ca. But tractor supply sells them in Ca. All my cans have them

Or you can go the ultra inexpensive (cheap) way and use the top of a plastic 'soft drink' bottle (soda/pop/coke/whatever it's called in your location). You cut the top to match the rim and then it's a simple unscrewing of the cap to fill small tanks (string-trimmer, chainsaw, etc...)

Here's my chainsaw canister, 2-stroke in the large side and bar-oil in the small:

 

[lman]

I filled a 55 gallon barrel when gas was less than $2. Doesn't seem that long ago. The good old days of 2020. Now I wish I would've filled two. Maybe in a couple of years it'll get below $4 and I'll fill it again.

 

[MF243RedTop]

Got a grease zerk you keep stripping threads out? Breaking off?? Can't stop to drill and tap? Don't have the tools but a welder.
Keep some 3/8-18 zerks and 3/8 pipe coupling npt handy.. cut coupling in half weld in place over zerk hole thread zerk in... (If applicable in your situation) break one again just grind off and weld another piece of coupling on... They're not as easy to break
(Pro tip, clean out as much grease as possible before welding... It'll want to boil out into your weld as it gets hot)


Recent mower deck repair

 

[Spike56]

Speaking of gas cans, I started doing this a few years ago.

Every month for a year, about the same time of the month, I'd buy a 5 gallon gas can. I'd mark it with the number of the month I was in (Jan = 1, Fed = 2, and so on). I'd fill it up and place it on this heavy shelf. The following year, I'd take that can, dump it into my truck, put the can in the back, and head to the gas station. I'd fill the can, and fill the truck the rest of the way.

Now, I have 60 gallons of gas on a monthly rotation that is never over a year old. No need for stabilizers or additives. No extra cost (after the purchase of the can and the first fill up) since I burn the fuel in my truck anyway.

A few years ago, we had a horrible wind storm that knocked power out to the majority of my city for about a week. People were lined up down the road at the only fuel station that had a backup generator. I simply drove past the line. 60 gallons of fuel kept my generator humming and my vehicles running.

In the photo, you'll see a can marked with "M". Thats for Miscellaneous. This gas is not on rotation. I use it in the lawn mower or to mix 2 cycle with. View attachment 768933

Curious the brand of gas cans you have. Had (2) that I have owned for probably 10 years that all the sudden developed a leak in the seam on the handle. You could not tell there was a leak unless you sloshed it around but scared me and so bought new ones. Thankfully the leak was on the top handle! Guess the stress of lifting full cans ?

 

[Alan W.]

Curious the brand of gas cans you have. Had (2) that I have owned for probably 10 years that all the sudden developed a leak in the seam on the handle. You could not tell there was a leak unless you sloshed it around but scared me and so bought new ones. Thankfully the leak was on the top handle! Guess the stress of lifting full cans ?

Have had 3 do the same. Leak in the seam on the handle.

 

[ArlyA]

Have had 3 do the same. Leak in the seam on the handle.

There are good, steel, American made cans out there that are durable and don't leak. I own three of them and used and abused them for years. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQO15I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Spike56]

Have had 3 do the same. Leak in the seam on the handle.

It is beyond my comprehension that in the year 2022, something as seemingly simple as a gas can is so difficult. Between the Gov't can compliance standards, and "let's make these as cheaply as possible" boggles my pea brain. Many cans sold a box store now have only a top handle. I hate that design and have to order online just to get a side handle. Sure, the single handles are usable but. Also, the self-venting spouts! Then, there is the "I cannot see, or it takes just the right light angle to see the level when filling". I had a can long ago with a clear window up the side. Can't find one now that has this and (2) handles.
I sort-of solved the self-venting. But to do so I had to by plugs (Tractor Supply), drill the can and install. Even so still a pain.
Guess, I expect TOO much these days and complain too much.

 

[Spike56]

There are good, steel, American made cans out there that are durable and don't leak. I own three of them and used and abused them for years. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQO15I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 768950

$114 per can! They better be good. I keep 5 cans at home, but dont have that kind of budget.

 

[ArlyA]

$114 per can! They better be good. I keep 5 cans at home, but dont have that kind of budget.

You can keep buying the plastic ones that everyone says are junk, or get something that works, doesn't leak and lasts.

 

[BnRidge]

Another idea for bar oil. Has it's own no drip spout. Comes in large or small sizes. Easy to see the fill level.

 

[BnRidge]

One of my favorite garage investments during the last 20 years is the "Dust Deputy". This simple dust collector tied in to my ol' craftsman shop vac has saved me tons of money and countless time. The unit is mounted under the work bench, and out of the way and I have enough vacuum hose to reach every square inch of the garage.

The Dust Deputy funnels all the Dust, dirt or sawdust in to a 5 gallon bucket and leaves my shop-vac and filter empty and clean. No more replacing expensive filters.

Dust Deputy Deluxe Cyclone Separator Kit | Oneida Air Systems

Original, patented, cyclone design stops over 99% of fine dusts and bulk debris from clogging your vacuum's filter - eliminating suction loss while saving you time and money on expensive replacements! Deluxe kit comes with everything you need! Upgrades any make/model shop vacuum with 1.5" to...

www.oneida-air.com

There are less expensive clones out there now too.

I made a couple of thien pre-seperators for when using a dust vac. One sits on a 55gal barrel in the wood shop, another on a more portable 20gallon. The dust bag on the vac sometimes lasts for several years, while the 55gal barrel could be filled several times.

 

[jyoutz]

You can keep buying the plastic ones that everyone says are junk, or get something that works, doesn't leak and lasts.

I just bought a 30 gallon steel fuel caddy with a hand crank pump and hose for diesel fueling.

 

[Spike56]

You can keep buying the plastic ones that everyone says are junk, or get something that works, doesn't leak and lasts.

True for many products. Was not being critical of your decision. I followed your link to Amazon but was not expecting that price is all. Just had momentary sticker shock. One thing I cannot tell from the pictures is how easy it is to fill at the station? The fill hole looks fairly small ?

 

[tradosaurus]

Eagle diesel can

Been using two of these for my tractors.

I also put the cans on Harbor Freight Dolly to keep moisture from the concrete from potentially rusting the can.

But to make sure no contaminants or water get into my tractor I pour the diesel through this fuel filter funnel.

 

[ArlyA]

You can keep buying the plastic ones that everyone says are junk, or get something that works, doesn't leak and lasts.

We have some of these cans for over 15 years and they live a hard, hard life.

True for many products. Was not being critical of your decision. I followed your link to Amazon but was not expecting that price is all. Just had momentary sticker shock. One thing I cannot tell from the pictures is how easy it is to fill at the station? The fill hole looks fairly small ?

Both lids are spring loaded but the nozzle used at the fuel stations fit in there just fine. Some these class II cans we used are 15yo and lived hard lives. I used them at work but like them so well, I got some for home use. Eagle sells parts for them as well.

 

[ArlyA]

I just bought a 30 gallon steel fuel caddy with a hand crank pump and hose for diesel fueling.

Do you bring in the back of your truck to the fuel station to fill it? Then unload it at home....

 

[psvfd]

Gas can hack, for years now ventless nozzles have been a curse to gas can users. My fix is finally on Amazon. Been doing this for years... don't tell.
See the manual can vent and old fashion nozzle combo here > View attachment 768927

I put the vents on my cans also. Then I bought a pump to transfer fuel, slower but no spills.

Portable Electric Handheld Fuel Gas Oil Petrol Water Liquid Transfer Siphon Pump | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Portable Electric Handheld Fuel Gas Oil Petrol Water Liquid Transfer Siphon Pump at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[scootr]

I put the vents on my cans also. Then I bought a pump to transfer fuel, slower but no spills.

Portable Electric Handheld Fuel Gas Oil Petrol Water Liquid Transfer Siphon Pump | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Portable Electric Handheld Fuel Gas Oil Petrol Water Liquid Transfer Siphon Pump at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

No spills is good. Stupid Kubota has the fill neck in the hood like a lawn mower but worse because the hood is about 5ft off the ground. I got a big transfer pump from Northern Equipment. Pumps a 5gal can in the blink of an eye... looking to set up a 55gal drum for fuel now, but I may wait until prices calm the F down.