Frugal Tool Hacks

[JPSmit]

We likewise didn't get a colour TV until the mid 70's. My father rented one for Christmas and caved to family pressure to keep it. In terms of Radio - in our house (and every Dutch immigrant house I was ever in in those days) we had a radio like this: Blaupunkt/ Phillips etc. - all Long Wave/ Middle Wave/ Short Wave. Ours disappeared in a yard sale or a move somewhere sometime but I sure would love to have one in the shop.

Off to Kijiji

 

[Basil]

This thread about Frugal Tool Hacks seems to have morphed into a discussion of old radios and TVs :rolleye:

Just to bring us back to the topic - another thing I've done instead of using chalk to fill small nail holes is to use toothpaste to do same.
What other little "tricks" have you learned to use?

 

[dklawson]

... another thing I've done instead of using chalk to fill small nail holes is to use toothpaste to do same.
What other little "tricks" have you learned to use?

Many years ago when I was a freshman in college I remember guys on my hall going to the store and buying several different brands of toothpaste looking for one that would not only plug the holes they had put in the walls but match the color as closely as possible.

There is a problem with asking what other tricks we have learned to use. Whatever those tricks are, they are so commonplace to us that we don't think of them as tricks and surely everyone knows what I know!.

 

[Basil]

Many years ago when I was a freshman in college I remember guys on my hall going to the store and buying several different brands of toothpaste looking for one that would not only plug the holes they had put in the walls but match the color as closely as possible.

There is a problem with asking what other tricks we have learned to use. Whatever those tricks are, they are so commonplace to us that we don't think of them as tricks and surely everyone knows what I know!.

A trick I've used to loosen a stuck head on my Jag is the "rope trick." I don't recall where I learned it.

Once you remove all the heard nuts, often the head just doesn't want to break loose.

Take all the spark plugs out, then manually turn the engine from the crank nut and watch for, say the front cylinder, to start on the upstroke of the compression stroke (when both valves will be closed). Then feed a length of rope, maybe 12-18 inches, into the spark plug hole.

Then turn the engine again using a large wrench on the crank nut.

As the piston compressed the rope into the top of the cylinder, it will force the head off. Sometime you need to do it on a couple cylinders, like one in front and one in back, but it works great and makes it easy to loosen a stuck head.

 

[NutmegCT]

When I can't remove spark plug(s) from an old engine, I'll drizzle a 50/50 mixture of PSF and acetone all around the plug. Then immediately use a spark plug wrench to *tighten* the plug just a scosh.

Let the mixture work overnight, then the wrench usually has no problem in removing the plug. I think the initial "tightening" breaks the bond of the corrosion on the plug threads, and lets the mixture work its way down.

 

[elrey]

I love tricks of the trade. E.G. In order to save ones back when changing a tire... slide two of the spokes of a star wrench under the tire and you can lift the tire onto the hub with one hand by lifting a free spoke of the wrench... leaving the other hand free to both ease the rim onto the lugs and install a lug nut. Most tricks I have learned from OLD GUYS, so I'm with Basil on this one, bring em on.

 

[pdplot]

I magnetize a screwdriver by rubbing it on a magnet. Then the screw doesn't drop off and roll under the car where you can't reach it. Brass or aluminum screws? Forget it.
When adjusting points, use 2 screwdrivers - one to keep plate steady while you tighten the holding screw.
To prevent a TR6 door panel from pulling away from the door when you close it, put a sheet metal screw and trim washer into the top of the panel and into the top of the door. It will never pull loose.
Always use a block of hardwood when jacking up an LBC. Saves your frame.
That's all I can think of right now.

 

[DrEntropy]

Brass or aluminum screws? Forget it.

An "aluminum magnet" was something shown to me decades ago: a tiny bit of butyl tape (called dum-dum, as well) on the tip of the screwdriver holds the fastener to start it.

Also useful on the tip of and extendable (real) magnet to retrieve that non-ferrous fastener rolling under the vehicle to rest in the most unreachable area possible.

 

[Gliderman8]

When I was a kid growing up in the city we used to take a lock, smear grease on the bottom of it, then tie a string to the top and lower it through the subway ventilation grates on the sidewalk. We would go "fishing" for coins people dropped. Lower the lock and the coins would stick to the bottom.

 

[JPSmit]

Interestingly just saw a new one yesterday - saw a guy extending a stiff spring by sliding washers (or pennies) in between the coils.

 

[Basil]

Interestingly just saw a new one yesterday - saw a guy extending a stiff spring by sliding washers (or pennies) in between the coils.

Now that's a good one! I can think of many time I could have used that idea!

 

[coldplugs]

Many of these techniques are clever and useful, but I have found that a stern stare is at least as effective as any of them. When a problem (stuck bolt, broken stud, etc.) presents itself, stare sternly at it while appearing to think intently. A five minute application is often all that's needed and, as a bonus, a good stare is effective at distances up to 5 feet.

 

[JPSmit]

Many of these techniques are clever and useful, but I have found that a stern stare is at least as effective as any of them. When a problem (stuck bolt, broken stud, etc.) presents itself, stare sternly at it while appearing to think intently. A five minute application is often all that's needed and, as a bonus, a good stare is effective at distances up to 5 feet.

I agree and it is also absolutely at the top of the list of the man code for broken down cars - lift the hood and stare sternly. As a side bonus it is also extremely useful for making sure your Yorkshire Puddings rise properly in the oven. :grin:

 

[judow]

Well now Tom that was worth the read and additional comments also worth the read. Degausser - I remember that. I called it a wand and a friend who owned a TV repair shop actually gave me one. It made me a TV repair lady. It worked great for me on our TV. I thought it was really something and was clueless as to how it did what it did. I know magnets were involved.

This is our console radio. The top unit is an antenna for receiving FM stations and is original to the radio.


Wished I was smart enough to figure out how to flip the image. If you are trying to look at it just say thank you for my helping you with your exercise routine.

 

[NutmegCT]

Judy - that is one fantastic old console radio!

Does it still work?

Remember the old radios with the "magic tuning eye"? There was a bulb (vacuum tube/valve) in the center of the dial, which got "brighter" as the signal got stronger.

 

[JPSmit]

:grin:

 

[NutmegCT]

Open the pod bay doors please.

 

[Basil]

Open the pod bay doors please.

There has long been a theory that "HAL" in the movie 2001 ASO was a crudely coded substitute for "IBM." If you move each letter one letter to the right, H becomes I, A becomes B and L becomes M. Stanely Kubrick denies any intentional hidden meaning in the acronym HAL, but fans are not convinced. The fact that the IBM logo appears on Dave's space suit only adds fuel to the theory of HAL = IBM.

 

[judow]

Judy - that is one fantastic old console radio!

Does it still work?

Remember the old radios with the "magic tuning eye"? There was a bulb (vacuum tube/valve) in the center of the dial, which got "brighter" as the signal got stronger.

Yes it does and well. Doug is looking to place an antenna in the attic but so many other projects have gotten in the way.

 

[pdplot]

I have a degausser in my desk drawer. Used it to demagnetize the recording head of a tape recorder. At least I think that's what it is. Little thing you plug in an place close or onto the head, then slowly pull it away.