Smart Shop tips!

[dragoneggs]

I know there is a Today's Shop Time thread that I enjoy but thinking we should have a thread for all to share and learn smart shop tips. What might be simple and obvious for some may not be for others. Whether it be good practices, simple jigs for wood or metal working, tricks for cutting better edges, or ???

I will start with a couple simple ones.

Add a fire extinguisher in your shop. I personally located mine just inside the shop entrance door.



Another... hang your auto-darkening welding helmets in the window to help keep your solar powered cells charged.

 

[TnAndy]

I know there is a Today's Shop Time thread that I enjoy but thinking we should have a thread for all to share and learn smart shop tips. What might be simple and obvious for some may not be for others. Whether it be good practices, simple jigs for wood or metal working, tricks for cutting better edges, or ???

I will start with a couple simple ones.

Another... hang your auto-darkening welding helmets in the window to help keep your solar powered cells charged.

View attachment 658656

Yeah...like that one. Although the batteries do seem to last a heck of a long time.

 

[CADplans]

I purchased my first automatic helmet in 2001,, and replaced it in 2019,, the battery never failed during those years,,
and,, the helmet was always stored in the dark blue Miller bag that the helmet came with,,

My new helmet was purchased last year, and did not come with a bag,, my wife made me one,,
it has pockets for gloves, welding sleeves, and welding glasses,,

So, I guess I will never leave the helmet out,,
I would rather the helmet not be covered with shop dust when I need to use it,,

Also, for the last 30 years, I have used the leather helmet apron, that you can see clipped on the helmet in the picture.

No need to button the top button of your shirt to protect your neck,,
and, it is sure nice not having sparks fly down the front of your shirt,,,

 

[WranglerX]

I would not even think of replacing a AD helmet with anything other then one with replaceable batteries... Already had one with sealed in batteries go bad after about 6 years....

Dale

 

[dragoneggs]

I purchased my first automatic helmet in 2001,, and replaced it in 2019,, the battery never failed during those years,,
and,, the helmet was always stored in the dark blue Miller bag that the helmet came with,,

My new helmet was purchased last year, and did not come with a bag,, my wife made me one,,
it has pockets for gloves, welding sleeves, and welding glasses,,

So, I guess I will never leave the helmet out,,
I would rather the helmet not be covered with shop dust when I need to use it,,

Also, for the last 30 years, I have used the leather helmet apron, that you can see clipped on the helmet in the picture.

No need to button the top button of your shirt to protect your neck,,
and, it is sure nice not having sparks fly down the front of your shirt,,,

Maybe a function of how much you use it? I got several years from my first battery on my first helmet but there wasn't warning when it failed. My new helmet has a battery indicator but also LCD display inside that is always on. These reasons are what prompted me to put them in the window. I have compressed air nearby so dust isn't a problem.

Another tip that most everyone probably knows... put bar soap on your screws. Nope don't use soap... use beeswax. The soap will draw moisture to your screw and possibly rust and stain the wood.

 

[3Lfarms]

Everyone with equipment should have a pair of wire twisters and learn the principles of installing safety wire to secure bolts and roll pins.

People like to use Locktite, but red locktite is hard to get apart for servicing. Annealed stainless wire, usually .032” diameter, will keep most bolts secured. Thicker wires are available for larger hardware. I use .041 or even .047 wire to keep the big stuff in place. I use .020” for screws on things like carburetors to keep them coming loose and being lost.

 

[Rebeldad1]

If you own a pair of vies grip pliers (and who doesnt)....

Before you put them back in the toolbox ALWAYS adjust them so when closed they have a little pressure on them so they wont open. Just a 1/4 turn will do.

I had a pair open inside my toolbox drawer and jam itself 1/2 open. I couldn't get it open enough to get my hand in. Had to take 1/2 the drawers out just to get to it.

 

[Wagtail]

Everyone with equipment should have a pair of wire twisters and learn the principles of installing safety wire to secure bolts and roll pins.

People like to use Locktite, but red locktite is hard to get apart for servicing. Annealed stainless wire, usually .032” diameter, will keep most bolts secured. Thicker wires are available for larger hardware. I use .041 or even .047 wire to keep the big stuff in place. I use .020” for screws on things like carburetors to keep them coming loose and being lost.

Known as "mousing". Did that quite often, during my Navy time, on shackles and hooks.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Fire extinguisher is very important. I have mine where I can get it on the way OUT of the building. Can be seen in the background here. Really should be a larger unit though.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you own a pair of vies grip pliers (and who doesnt)....

Before you put them back in the toolbox ALWAYS adjust them so when closed they have a little pressure on them so they wont open. Just a 1/4 turn will do.

I had a pair open inside my toolbox drawer and jam itself 1/2 open. I couldn't get it open enough to get my hand in. Had to take 1/2 the drawers out just to get to it.

Ha! Good tip. That happened to me too... and now I do the same.

 

[dragoneggs]

Hoping a bunch of us will chime in here with their tips. I have a bunch...

Get in the habit of putting your tools away when finished for the day. Label your tool box drawers and put them where they belong. Takes a little discipline but once you get in the habit you will save yourself lots of time and aggravation. Some say it is **** but it really works, especially as you acquire more and more tools. Now it is second nature and I rarely have a cluttered workspace and I never search for the tool I am looking for. Except for a tape measure. Got four or five laying around but never where I need one.
:confused3:

 

[canoworms]

Any chance you can show the uneducated how to do the mousing please.
The only safety wire setup I know is to drill the bolt or nut.

Cheers Ian

 

[3Ts]

Hoping a bunch of us will chime in here with their tips. I have a bunch...

Get in the habit of putting your tools away when finished for the day. Label your tool box drawers and put them where they belong. Takes a little discipline but once you get in the habit you will save yourself lots of time and aggravation. Some say it is **** but it really works, especially as you acquire more and more tools. Now it is second nature and I rarely have a cluttered workspace and I never search for the tool I am looking for. Except for a tape measure. Got four or five laying around but never where I need one.
:confused3:

View attachment 658918 View attachment 658917 View attachment 658916

What do you use the iron for in the shop? The only thing I use it for is to apply edge banding on plywood.

 

[the old grind]

What do you use the iron for in the shop? The only thing I use it for is to apply edge banding on plywood.

Yes, a woodworker's pal.

(subscribed!)

 

[3Lfarms]

Any chance you can show the uneducated how to do the mousing please.
The only safety wire setup I know is to drill the bolt or nut.

Cheers Ian

I am a retired Air Force aircraft mechanic and now I work at an Air Force aircraft overhaul depot.
I am not allowed to post official technical data, but in this case,it’s already on line.
http://www.itmexicali.edu.mx/jljv/mecatronica/aeronaves/estructuras/1-1A-8 CHANGE 3.pdf

Read chapter 16.
It does not cover every possible scenario, but it covers the basics of aircraft hardware safety methods.

 

[dodge man]

When I change oil, I always take the empty containers and find a place under the hood to stand them upside down, after a couple minutes I then dump out the last couple of tablespoons that run down.

 

[dragoneggs]

What do you use the iron for in the shop? The only thing I use it for is to apply edge banding on plywood.

Exactly... I do lot's of edge banding making shelving, bookcases, closet organizers and now storage units for my wife. It is my mom's old iron. No holes in the bottom. No water to spill and it is compact so it can be used vertically and even upside down if needed. I've also used it to iron/flatten warped thin veneer using a wet thin towel.

 

[GeneV]

I organize my drawers into categories. Like in one drawer all types of screwdrivers and other pointy things like drift punches, that sort of stuff. Another has all the measuring stuff like calipers, rulers and measuring tape, various gauges, etc. One is all sorts of abrasives, files, sand paper and other stuff like that. And then another has all the grippy stuff like vice grips, pliers, adjustable wrenches, etc. So I do it like that, just so it's easy to put stuff away to keep organized, open a drawer and toss it in.

 

[MH8675309]

Periodically go through your cabinets, scrap pile, and tool boxes to refresh your mental inventory of what you have - this will save trips to town buying things you forgot you already had.

 

[fried1765]

Fire extinguisher is very important. I have mine where I can get it on the way OUT of the building. Can be seen in the background here. Really should be a larger unit though.

I have 5- 10lb. extinguishers, one 5lb. (on my L48), and one 20 lb. In my primary work/storage building.
Both the one in the back of shop view above, and the OP extinguisher view, appear to be the black plastic handle type.
If so...that is not good!
Plastic grips have been known to fail, when an extinguisher is really needed.