the shop tips thread

[Whiplash23T]

always scratch your nose and go to the bathroom before getting your hands greasy because, once they are covered with grease you will need to do both

Never a truer word spoken or typed in this case. I wear glasses and you can always bet that I will run a dirty finger across a lens leaving a nice smear. Another thought I had is, always go to the toilet before one starts working on the dirtiest job as you can guarantee once you are elbow dirt in dirt, nature calls...

Sorry, I'm repeating some of Emm's post but it still is excellent advice whether one uses a bathroom or toilet and especially if one needs to go indoors to the main house to use the little room...

[Henry Rifle]

If you want to finish/soundproof the underside of your street rod body, think about bed liner instead of undercoat. Don't ask me how I know.

[chopt50wgn]

For painting things that are hard to hold like bolts or screws , I take an old cardboard box and just push the screw or bolt thru the cardboard. Then I can paint just the head or pull it up and do some of the threads as well.

[randyr]

For painting things that are hard to hold like bolts or screws , I take an old cardboard box and just push the screw or bolt thru the cardboard. Then I can paint just the head or pull it up and do some of the threads as well.

This method also works for things like fuel injectors....

IMAG1549_1.jpgIMAG1550_1.jpg

[Matthyj]

Using aluminum foil to paint parts works well also, it can cling and wrap easily. also instead of using expensive dynamat or foil back rubberized sound deadner, go to your local lumber yard and get peel & stick flashing tape/window wrap or roof patch, same stuff just thinner and not as wide, heck put on two layers and still save a ton O'money.
For rusty crusty parts try electrolysis rust removal with your trickle charge, works while you sleep and is super easy.

[sfort]

For that exhaust manifold bolt that fell down the disconnected lead off tube. Try a coat hanger with a wad of duct tape on the end.

[firebird77clone]

Magnet and mirror on-a-stick are must haves for your tool box. I like the collapsible antenna type.

Magnets are the bees knees for holding a patch piece for welding. BUT, if they get hot they will de-magnetize. Old microwaves are a great source for big, powerful magnets. ( there are four or more in the magnetron )

[johnboy]

To prevent birds accessing your shop via the top of your roller door, get the missus to sew a pocket in a length of material that is wide enough to go from one side of the door to the other.
Go to your local junk yard, and rip the rubber door seals off old refrigerators and salvage the strip magnets from inside them.
Put these magnets into the pocket of the material, and attach the material to the top of the door frame with the magnets three or four inches down.
The slightest breeze will blow the magnets against the door where they will seal it, but not so tightly that the door becomes impossible to open.

[model-a]

Give this a try to get rid of rust aluminum foil and water and some rubbing will make it disappear right in font of your eyes.

[stovens]

Never put a magnitized tray in you spare bolt and nut drawer! (ask me how I figured that one out!
Always keep a roll of paper towels in your work shop(work great at absorbing blood from bashed knuckles
Always keep a box of bandaids in the shop, helps prevent wasted time going into house to get one, and then cleaning everything you touched to get one!
Crank the music load enough to filter you cursing in the garage, then you don't have to fill the tip jar or garbage can(Bob! )

[randyr]

Give this a try to get rid of rust aluminum foil and water and some rubbing will make it disappear right in font of your eyes.

Hmmm.....do you think that will work on this rocker panel??rusty ford.jpg

[40FordDeluxe]

Hmmm.....do you think that will work on this rocker panel??Attachment 63721

Well, if you kick it a few times it will for sure disappear!

[model-a]

I don't think so LOL.

[RichB]

Here's a link to a scratch awl:

Malco Tools A0 6-1/4" Reg Grip Awl | ToolBarn.com

Iv'e used these since the 60's, great quality, and inexpensive. I have all the different sizes they sell, but love the AO size
for marking metal. All the HVAC shops use the AO, and the shaft is 1/8".
Rich

[MelloYello]

Here's something ultra simple that I did when storing/hanging my 110 hand tools so the cords don't get that coiled memory that can haunt you in colder weather conditions. It also keeps the kinks and possible cord damage at a minimum. However, I imagine that most are using Lithium Powered tools now.