Tip of the day.

[scootr]

Something that has proven to be very useful for me is a battery operated fire "bellow". If you have a fireplace you may want to get one. Every one here loves it. I used to use a long half inch piece of pvc to blow air when I was working on starting a fire in the fireplace - it worked but was a hassle. This item (see below) is a real game changer - it just takes a few seconds to have that fire roar up and generate the heat to start the logs. When I bought it I thought it was expensive for what it was (I paid $28), but now I see they are only $17. I would buy it again even at the higher price if this one went out on me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H3P6RT2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can see some of these guys bringing the leaf-blower indoors now for winter use.

 

[fatjay]

File cabinet drawers are the only ones big enough in my shop to hold my welding helmets. Keeps them relatively clean. Greens and gloves in the bottom one.

I have my circular saws and portable band saws in filing cabinets.

 

[flyerdan]

File cabinets are great, around here they're often free if they're not pretty enough for home or office. Who cares in the shop. I've got one with all the oil and auto chemicals in one drawer and the top is full of folded tarps.
Another good storage is lockers - not the full length high school type but the smaller square ones. Each bay can hold a grinder and all the related stuff for it, keeps everything handy and together.

 

[ning]

A long while back we stopped using various lighters for starting the fire in the wood stove or on the grill.
Now we just use

and if you hold the flame back a ways it pulls a ton of air in with it.

 

[groundcover]

I can see some of these guys bringing the leaf-blower indoors now for winter use.

Brings back memories of the time my best friend was renting a house when we were in collage, he was having trouble getting a fire going in the wood stove. He was always a good problem solver and soon had the vacuum cleaner out with the hose reversed, got the fire going in no time ... never rent to college kids !!

 

[Doofy]

Buy a Manual, a paper manual. Downloaded manuals have their place but a physical book is easier for us old farts.

The Wife recently bought a '04 GMC Yukon XL 2500. I bought a cheap, downloadable Service Manual (14,000 something pages) and I can't find a dang thing.

 

[Doofy]

Ask for Help! At least pick the brain of someone that knows more than you about an upcoming task.

I just bought a new Sled ('95 Polaris Lite Deluxe with electric start and reverse) for $300. I started going through it and realized that I haven't worked on a snowmobile in over 30 years. I invited the neighbor I bought it from over for dinner and a long round of Questions and Answers about my new toy. I learned more than what the books teach and I have it almost finished and ready to ride.

 

[Avenger]

Another tip: Watch auction sites for the items you need. Instead of buying a new box blade for $800, you might find a really good (but used) one for $200.

I recently won a black powder pistol that the auction company took apart because it was "loaded." So in the photos, it looked like junk. I bought it for $30!! The pistol was loaded, but not capped. Not matching the markings up with the description on the auction listing, I got it appraised. Its not a reproduction, but an original 1846 Colt Walker! The appraiser valued it at $850.

But thats not all, I have found things on these auction sites that I didn't need, but found that they are going really cheap. Knowing what they are and how valuable they could be, I bought them and flipped them for big profits. The one item that came to mind was when a local brewery went out of business, they auctioned off everything. I bought stainless steel tables, sinks, and other kitchen/brewery gadgets. I then flipped them on craigslist for about triple what I paid.

I'm currently in the market for a 3pt sprayer and a QA snow plow. I bid on both of these in a recent auction, but they went for stupid money. So (BONUS TIP) know your limits and do your research! Just because its at auction, does not always mean its a good deal. People get competitive and need to feel like they have won, even if that means over paying for something.

 

[npalen]

My wife is still on a door table over 2 filing cabinets. I originally bought a $10 damaged door at lowes and glued a sheet of white formica on the top and used some black for the edge (all leftover scrap). Later I added a pull out keyboard tray to the underside and this rig is still going strong 22 years later... of course one more piece of paper won't fit in her file cabinets. lol

Don't you think you oughta help your wife down from there?

 

[dodge man]

I can’t take credit for this, someone else on this site gave me the tip. My log splitter goes both horizontal and vertical. It fairly nose heavy, meaning it takes a lot of effort to lift it vertical. Just put a log on it while it horizontal and dig the wedge in just a little, this will help balance it better to lift vertical.