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Tools

Laser and Water Jet Cutting for DIY

November 24, 2022November 15, 2022 by Mechanic
DIY with Water Jet Cutting

When thinking about DIY, we normally don’t envision big or expensive machinery to do the job.  There are times, however, when it’s really nice to have.  There are some really good reasons for Water Jet cutting (or laser cutting), instead of the normal DIY methods.

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Categories Adventures Tags Aluminum, Build, Cost, Cutting, Steel, Tools, Welding Leave a comment

Successful Threads With A Die

June 15, 2021October 30, 2020 by Mechanic
Dies

While the Tap & Die go hand in hand as threading tools, they’re very different in the way they work.  There are also different tricks for success.  So, let’s talk success tips for making external threads with a die.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Bolts, Cutting, DIY, Tools 2 Comments

9 Essential Tools For Your DIY Shop

October 28, 2021October 19, 2020 by Mechanic
What Are Your Essential Tools

We’ve been asked many times about “What are the most essential tools for your shop?” Well, that’s a hard question, because frustration and wailing are the result when the right tools are not available.

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Categories Adventures Tags DIY, Drilling, Press, Safety, Testing, Tools, Wires Leave a comment

Get Thread Tapping Straight

December 31, 2022August 26, 2020 by Mechanic
Thread Tapping Straight

A Tap and Die set is a near must for a DIY fab shop.  While the thread creating functions are pretty easy to visualize, sometimes getting the tread to start straight and run true is a different matter.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Bolts, DIY, Drilling, Measurements, Tips, Tools 1 Comment

Which Welder To Buy?

October 10, 2022July 24, 2020 by Mechanic
Which Welder To Buy?

“I’m looking to build one of your trailers, but I need to know which welder to buy?”  or  “What type of welder do I need – 110 or 220 volt?”  and  “What about other projects from your site that may pique my interest?”

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Categories Adventures Tags Aluminum, Build, DIY, Steel, Tools, Welding Leave a comment

4 Pressing Issues

June 16, 2021May 4, 2020 by Mechanic
Using A Workshop Hydraulic Press

A shop press is a fantastic tool, and when you need it, there’s not much that can really substitute.  On the other hand, we need to keep things in order because when things go bad, they can easily go really bad in a hurry.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Fixture, Press, Safety, Tools Leave a comment

Solutions! Found A Cool Air Chuck

June 18, 2021July 26, 2019 by Mechanic
Cool Air Chuck Tool

Ever find something that wasn’t really a big deal, but you got pretty excited about it anyway?  Me too.  Found this fun tire inflation air chuck kind of by accident

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Categories Solutions! Tags Solutions!, Testing, Tire, Tools, Video 2 Comments

Aligning Misaligned Holes

March 11, 2023October 29, 2018 by Mechanic
Aligning Misaligned Holes

Despite your best efforts, sometimes the holes you drill for a project will not quite align with those in the mating parts.  It is maddening, and often you feel dumb because it is messed up, but there are ways to fix

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Bolts, Drilling, Gantry Crane, Hitch, Tools Leave a comment

Storage Solution For Clamps

June 19, 2021October 4, 2018 by Mechanic
Clamps and Drills Access and Storage Solution

Storage space is a high priority in my shop.  Maybe in yours too?  It’s not that there is not enough space, it’s the prime space where tools are super accessible for any moment

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Categories Solutions! Tags Drilling, Free Plans, Solutions!, Tools Leave a comment

Air Tools Lost & Found

July 20, 2021September 1, 2018 by Mechanic
Solution! for Air Tools

A simple Solutions! reader submission for easy access and organization of his common Air Tools.  Simple enough to build in an hour, and great enough to keep  . . .  forever.  Try this.

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Categories Customer Stories, Solutions! Tags Customer Story, DIY, Solutions!, Tools Leave a comment

What is Your DIY Legacy?

February 19, 2021October 10, 2017 by Mechanic
DIY Legacy Tools

Who influenced your creativity and Do-it-Yourself enthusiasm?  Was it your dad?  A shop teacher?  Or a neighbor that was into cool projects?

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Categories Adventures Tags Build, DIY, Foundation, Tools Leave a comment

The Right Tools – Metalworking Files

June 23, 2021September 4, 2017 by Mechanic
Metal Working Files In Action

Often misused and not very well understood — so goes the life of many metalworking files.  Yet, they still do things other tools can’t.  That makes them a tool worth knowing!

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Build, Cutting, Tips, Tools, Video Leave a comment

Force, Displacement & Bloody Knuckles

June 24, 2021June 22, 2017 by Mechanic
Applied Force vs Movement With Shop Tools

Is there anything more annoying (painful and frustrating) than busting a knuckle when working on things in the shop?  To many of us, blood sacrifices are just part of getting a project done, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  This article is NOT about iron gloves or

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Force, Press, Safety, Tools Leave a comment

Do It Yourself, And Use The Right Tools !!

July 19, 2021February 10, 2017 by Mechanic
A Story Of The Right Tools

Fun side story about finding the right tools for a do-it-yourself (with a friend) in automotive repair. This story is not about building great new Do It Yourself projects, but it illustrates the need to have (borrow, or rent) the right tools for the job. 

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Categories Adventures Tags Bolts, DIY, Tools Leave a comment

The Twisted Truth

June 26, 2021November 11, 2016 by Mechanic
DIY Drilling Steel

Need a hole?  Many of our plans require drilled holes, so here are some Tips about drilling in metal, like steel, as well as in wood, and other materials.

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Categories Mechanics Tips Tags Drilling, Steel, Tips, Tools Leave a comment
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