Tool Talk

Flat Thunder Channel · Jun 22, 2021

Bluox said:
I was at the local lumber yard and they have a new display of carbide skillsaw blades 6 1/2 to 14 and a lot of them were for cutting metal . The prices weren't that bad if I need to cut thinner metal in the future I 'm going to try some .
Can't remember the name but they are red.
I have a 14" carbide cold chop saw and it cuts well.
Bob

I was curious too. I tried a carbide toothed Milwaukee sawzall blade. It was impressive! However, it doesn't hold a candle to the quick and dirty abrasive disc. I hope to touch on it's performance in a video (possibly). It was used to cut up part of 'the big mean green parts machine' aka a 95' F150 I'm parting / scrapping. On the front I perform the same cutting processes on each side. One side with my carbide toothed sawzall blade and the other with a cutoff abrasive wheel.

I think I'll buy a carbide toothed blade again, but will be very selective on when I use it. They are pricey!

Flat Thunder Channel · Sep 6, 2021

I haven't bought a new tool in awhile..... Least that's what I tell the wife.

I found this American made beauty at one of my local surplus stores. It is a brand new 12 ton bottle jack. I happy to add this one to the tool collection. Well worth the $30 price tag. All my other tube jacks are just little guys.

colson04 · Sep 6, 2021

I really like stopping by my local Ace hardware. I'll find all sorts of tools, pieces, and parts that are Made in USA that I won't find at TSC, Home Depot, etc. Just simple, small things like screwdrivers, transport chain, shovels, and SS hose clamps to name a few. I can find these things online, but my local Ace is in a rural, podunk town and it makes me happy knowing they care enough to stock this stuff.

chidog · Sep 13, 2021

I have a tool complaint. Recently doing an overhaul on a JATCO CVT, (kids car) Just guessing about the dimensions, the nuts (on the 2 variators) have a nice taper on top so from the bottom to actual flat is maybe 3/16 or so. Then the nuts are smaller than the size socket that will fit by more than normal, then the sockets and for that matter all sockets have a lead in angle, that moves the flats up from the bottom of the opening about .050 to .060. All I could see happening is rounding off and ruining some nuts I probably can not get. I've run into this problem many times through out the years of wrenching. Yeah had to get undersize sockets and rework them to fit with a very tight slip fit. Why are there no tool outfits that offer sockets with out that lead angle for use on thin headed nuts and bolts? I had to spend a bit of time with a grinder reworking the tools. No they where not expensive snap on's, but still they are now just special application tools.

Flat Thunder Channel · Sep 15, 2021

chidog said:
I have a tool complaint. Recently doing an overhaul on a JATCO CVT, (kids car) Just guessing about the dimensions, the nuts (on the 2 variators) have a nice taper on top so from the bottom to actual flat is maybe 3/16 or so. Then the nuts are smaller than the size socket that will fit by more than normal, then the sockets and for that matter all sockets have a lead in angle, that moves the flats up from the bottom of the opening about .050 to .060 tools.

Interesting... I never encountered this before, but probably would venture towards the same solution. Probably face the sockets down on the lathe and have another specialty tool in the ole toolbox. I'm betting the manufacturer has 'specialty' tools for the job.

chidog · Sep 16, 2021

Flat Thunder Channel said:
Interesting... I never encountered this before, but probably would venture towards the same solution. Probably face the sockets down on the lathe and have another specialty tool in the ole toolbox. I'm betting the manufacturer has 'specialty' tools for the job.

I've seen a few you tubers just grab an old socket and go for it, so don't know if the manufacture has a special socket or not, I don't think most people think about it, and what will or could happen. Wish I had a nice large lathe.

56wrench · Sep 16, 2021

Even a smaller lathe can work well for small jobs. I've turned down sockets and made lots of specialty tools just because-- (1)i can (2)i enjoy it,( 3) it can take too long to get the special tool, ( 4) there may not be a special tool (5) i live in a rural area and it is usually quicker to build it myself and get on with the job

skyking1 · Sep 16, 2021

with the cutoff saws, The big selling point on the carbide tooth blades is they don't leave that big mess of folded over metal melted inside tubing. They make a nice clean cut with a very little dressing to do.

Spud_Monkey · Sep 16, 2021

Here is an American tool made in Washington state that some fabricators find useful if doing a lot of same cuts on a pipe. Will forewarn you they have tight tolerances and won’t work on all drill stem pipe. This one is advertised for 2.5” pipe 2.875” tube but some drill stem is around 2.925”. It’s called a pipe master, don’t despair if it’s too tight just roll it over piece of EPDM or 1/8” MVL (mass loaded vinyl) sheet and mark the stencil out then cut it out and use it instead.

DIYDAVE · Sep 16, 2021

And for us cheap SOB's, we have this...

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=tube notcher

Spud_Monkey · Sep 16, 2021

DIYDAVE said:
And for us cheap SOB's, we have this...

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=tube notcher

Only goes up to 2” pipe so wouldn’t work on drill pipe. If you want to go cheap pick a roll of receipt paper up, Pipe Fitters Blue Book, a Curv O Mark wrap and get after it, it will be cheaper, way more accurate than that Horror Freight chunk of low quality steel and can do more sizes than it can.

Flat Thunder Channel · Sep 30, 2021

The most recent tool added to the shed; a propane torch weed burner / fire starter. I knew these existed for a long time, but never tried one until of recent. Oh boy! Why did I wait so long? It works great!

Old Doug · Sep 30, 2021

Flat Thunder Channel said:
The most recent tool added to the shed; a propane torch weed burner / fire starter. I knew these existed for a long time, but never tried one until of recent. Oh boy! Why did I wait so long? It works great

I have burnt several hundreds of gallons of propane through them and never burn a weed with one.

HATCHEQUIP · Sep 30, 2021

They work great as big rosebuds-=-- or driving around setting sage fields afire in the winter

Welder Dave · Sep 30, 2021

Pipe Masters come in a lot of sizes and are portable. They are the cat's meow for things like roll cages where you could have several pipes all coming together on different angles. There are pipe coping jigs for larger pipes that have the most common angles. They open up so they can fit around the pipe.

Flat Thunder Channel · Jan 11, 2022

I don't think talked about my Wright Brand combination wrenches on this posting. I just had the tool roll opened up last night! It's a super handy set that can be easily carried to the job, unrolled and put to work. This saves me a ton of time by not having to walk back n forth to the tool chest! Best part they are quality hand tools made in the USA!

Coaldust · Jan 11, 2022

Wright doesn’t get the love as they deserve. Good stuff.

JD955SC · Jan 11, 2022

Flat Thunder Channel said:
I don't think talked about my Wright Brand combination wrenches on this posting. I just had the tool roll opened up last night! It's a super handy set that can be easily carried to the job, unrolled and put to work. This saves me a ton of time by not having to walk back n forth to the tool chest! Best part they are quality hand tools made in the USA!

View attachment 251838 View attachment 251839

I’ve got Wrights from 1 1/8 to 2 1/2. The 1 3/8 and above are humongous wrenches, extremely thick. No worry about breaking them when pulling on them with the cranes

colson04 · Jan 11, 2022

Flat Thunder Channel said:
I haven't bought a new tool in awhile..... Least that's what I tell the wife.

I found this American made beauty at one of my local surplus stores. It is a brand new 12 ton bottle jack. I happy to add this one to the tool collection. Well worth the $30 price tag. All my other tube jacks are just little guys.

View attachment 244843

View attachment 244841

View attachment 244842

You paid $30?

Flat Thunder Channel · Jan 12, 2022

colson04 said:
You paid $30?
View attachment 251860

Yes sir! It was a heck of a deal at my local surplus store.

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