the shop tips thread

[firebird77clone]

Here is my attempt at a viral thread:

Let's hear your favorite handy tips!

I'll start:

Always close your doors before crawling under the car.

If you forget, you might bash your head on the lower door edge when you sit up, gashing your forehead open.


That said, I'm open to all tips, such as clamping a cheap tubing wrench with vise grips helps to prevent stripped nuts. Grease on battery terminals prevents corrosion. Applying oil to wheel stud threads will prevent seizing and improve torque. Need a drop of oil? You'll find some on the end of your engine dip stick.

Ok, let's hear your favorite tips!

[techinspector1]

Do not install a C4 onto an engine block and swing the motor into the truck, then hookup all lines and exhaust without checking to see if the pump driveshaft is still sitting on the toolbox ledge.

.

[Whiplash23T]

When grinding, do a visual around the work area so that you know the sparks will not be hitting and embedding in any car glass, paint or any part of the car that you don't want ruined. This also helps if you have inflammable oil or petrol soaked rags lying about as it only takes one or two small sparks to create a roaring fire.

[MelloYello]

Getting a bigger hammer can be a good idea but only if someone else is holding the chisel.

[NTFDAY]

A few water filled clear sandwich bags hung throughout your shop or garage will help to keep the flies and mosquitoes away.

[jerry clayton]

Mosquitoes------I have 2 of those electronic bug lites-----when its hot and working on the race car, when the first bug makes the lite go snap-close the door and turn on A/c---------Now if I could get that to automaticly activate the door opener, I probably wouldn't hit my head on the door edge when crawling out from under the racer!!

[Al G]

A few water filled clear sandwich bags hung throughout your shop or garage will help to keep the flies and mosquitoes away.

Really? How does it work?

[NTFDAY]

Really? How does it work?

As I was told and how I understand it is with the flies multitude of eyes the feedback to their eyes from looking in to a bag of water scares them away. At the place I retired from you could only smoke in one designated area and we built an 4'x8' smoke shack for inclement weather. Some people would eat their lunch there and in the summer the flies would get pretty thick. Hanging a clear water filled bag from the ceiling pretty much solved the problem.

[glennsexton]

When soldering, keep a small wet sponge nearby to clean the tip. Keep it real wet and a quick swipe across the sponge does a great job.

Buy cheap brushes of all sizes and sorts from Harbor Freight for such things as solvent, contact cement and resin (when doing fiberglass) - throw them away when done.

Keep a quart bottle of Dawn dish washing liquid handy - strong stuff and keeps the misses happy when you don't use hers (ask me how I know this, eh??)

Buy safety gogles often and use them for everything. I buy the inexpensive yellow wraparound style and find I keep them on for hours. Throw them away when scratched.

Buy inexpensive work gloves and use them for grinding and such. I like Home Depot because they have XL size.

Coat small metal parts that you'll be using later with grease and keep in appropriately sized ziplock bags - NEVER NEVER use WD-40 for this.

Buy Sharpie pens in several sizes and colors - they're great to mark on the ziplock bags. Nail polish remover removes Sharpie ink.

Install a hands-free speaker phone in a convenient place in your shop. Install a loud bell to hear it ring.

Put casters on everything you can - if you need it to "stand-still" when using it, buy ones that lock. As I get older, my back really appreciates being able to move things easy.

Put a large cookie baking tray on the base of your engine stands. Attach with sheet metal screws - you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Magnets of various sizes are your friends.

Never put clean-up off. Do it as you go and reward your self with a cold one only when done (see next tip)

Every garage needs a refridgerqator for cold beverages - it's the right thing to do.

Every garage needs a good sound system too - I work better when I can crank some good ol' rock & roll!

If you want to have company when you work on your projects, put a comfortable chair and a good reading light in the shop. If it's your lady, she'll curl up and read. If it's for the dog - skip the reading light.

If you're having the kids (or in my case, grandkids) help, get them goggles, ear protectors, respirators, and gloves that fit. Teach them safety young and they'll do it forever and besides, they think it's really cool to wear the protective gear.

If you have the kids in the shop - have a cuss jar that costs you fifty cents for an "oh hell" or "dammit." If you say a real bad word dig deep - take them for a hamburger when there's enough in the jar.

Use an apron if you arc weld - trust me on this one - I set my britches on fire one time and well it was just no fun at all!

Thanks for letting me ramble on - it was fun!
Glenn

[MelloYello]

After reading Glen's post, I think we need a Really Really Really LIKE button !

[Matthyj]

Cheap Oven Cleaner removes anodizing on aluminum parts, wash with water afterwards and polish to a shiny finish, no more blue & red fittings that don't match your car that doesn't have any red & blue.

Oh yeah, don't let a cheap creeper seat loose its bearing from a wheel while working on a billet steering column, causes you to ruin the column trying to figure out how to "reinstall them" in the column they didn't come out of!

[Bob Parmenter]

After reading Glen's post, I think we need a Really Really Really LIKE button !

I agree Em...................but I am sad his dog is illiterate, and my cuss "jar" is a 32 gallon trash can...............out of necessity.

[NTFDAY]

I agree Em...................but I am sad his dog is illiterate, and my cuss "jar" is a 32 gallon trash can...............out of necessity.

You're a panty waist, mine is 55 Gallon

[MelloYello]

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

[Bob Parmenter]

You're a panty waist, mine is 55 Gallon

That's cuz ya grew up with Richard....................