{"id":42116,"date":"2024-05-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-03T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=42116"},"modified":"2024-04-29T09:43:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T16:43:39","slug":"gars-tips-tools-issue-177","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/gars-tips-tools-issue-177\/","title":{"rendered":"Gar&#8217;s Tips &#038; Tools &#8211; Issue #177"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Gar\u2019s Tips, Tools, and Shop Tales is published by Cool Tools Lab. To receive the newsletter a week early, sign up\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/garstips.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>An Arty Intro to Screws<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_56952\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jGtnNkzIIFM?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Van Neistat\u2019s<\/strong>&nbsp;videos are the kind of content that likely gives some makers hives, especially pros. He is obviously following in the aesthetic footsteps of artist-maker&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tom_Sachs\">Tom Sachs<\/a>. As such, his videos take a funky, whimsical, and humorous approach. They are as much art as they are instructional. Some may argue the balance. I, for one, say the more ways of inspiring people to make things, the better. And I have to say that some of his ideas (don\u2019t put things on top of other (unrelated) things, shelves everywhere, and one-handed access to as much as possible) have become very influential to my own approach to the shop. This video is his ode to screws, especially&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/6AI8D\">self-tapping sheet metal screws<\/a>, which he prefers for many applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Sharpening Nail Clippers<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_21577\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8WvNQTrOpfg?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a pair of fingernail clippers that my aunt gave me for a high school graduation present (in a men\u2019s manicure set). So strange to think that I\u2019ve had this set my entire adult life. I\u2019ve kept using the clippers even though they\u2019d become desperately dull. After searching YouTube, I discovered a video on how to take nail clippers apart, clean and sharpen them, and put them back together. Sure, you can get new ones for next-to-nothing, but it\u2019s super easy, it only takes a few minutes, and it\u2019s less crap for the landfill. And this means I will have dearly-departed Aunt Dolores\u2019s gift with me for the rest of my life. BTW: The video recommends a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/jrWJ4\">ceramic sharpening rod<\/a>. I just used one of my very narrow foam sanding sticks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Making a Tape Measure Strap<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_57048\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F2UdQfSJW5E?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Laura Kamp<\/strong>f was perennially unhappy with the belt clips on her tape measures (with good reason &#8212; they stink!). She decided to think through what she didn&#8217;t like about the clip and design something that better fit her needs. The result is a clip-on strap that hangs below your shirt line and allows you to easily use the tape without even having to remove it. She decided to produce 50 of them for sale. They sold out immediately. But she shows you how to make your own in this video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Know How a Tool Wants to Hurt You<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>In my book,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/53WtG%20?utm_campaign=Gareth%27s%20Tips%2C%20Tools%2C%20and%20Shop%20Tales&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Revue%20newsletter\">Tips &amp; Tales from the Workshop, Vol. 2,<\/a>&nbsp;I quoted talented hobby machinist&nbsp;<strong>Quinn Dunki&nbsp;<\/strong>saying \u201cYour tools are trying to murder you!\u201d That may be melodrama for effect and comedy, but the point is well taken. There are so many different ways that the tool you are using can leave its orbit, lose a part, cut you, grab you, stab you, blow up in your face\u2026 You get the idea. Being mindful of exactly how the tool works and its potential failure modes can make a real difference in your safety. In my youth, when I had waist-length hair and ran a print shop, one day I was at the Davidson Dualith 500 printing a newsletter (gawd, what a temperamental beast of a machine!). I whipped around to grab a tool off of a nearby service cart. Next thing I knew, I was cheek by jowl against the ink rollers, being pulled into the machine. Luckily the power switch was within frantic swatting distance. Turns out, my ponytail had flipped into the rollers when I\u2019d turned my head quickly toward the cart. That was&nbsp;<em>not<\/em>&nbsp;on my Print Shop Accident Bingo Card! But it sure was after that. A somewhat terrifying reminder to always secure loose clothing and hair, and never underestimate the importance of situational awareness in the shop. Trust me, removing thick, sticky printer&#8217;s ink from foot-length hair was not an enjoyable experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Cheap First Aid Kit<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd562a60a-fd54-4555-ac2e-0b53ac4e1407_1500x1493.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd562a60a-fd54-4555-ac2e-0b53ac4e1407_1500x1493.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"398\" height=\"395\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I saw this&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/O7MJ00U\">super-cheap first aid kit<\/a>&nbsp;in my Amazon travels the other day. It was under $20 with a 5% coupon, so I thought, \u201cWhy not?\u201d I\u2019ve been needing a small kit for my garage workbench. I\u2019m kind of amazed with all that\u2019s in this. It has a bunch of different bandages, burn gel, cold compress, eye pads, antiseptic wipes, etc. It even has an emergency space blanket. Going to get one for the car, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Disney\u2019s 1945 Industrial Cartoon \u201cThe ABCs of Hand Tools\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_87123\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/28NEoH9II6g?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;modestbranding=0&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t know about you, but I love industrial films from the 40s, 50s, 60s. I stumbled across this amazing Disney cartoon on YouTube about hand tools. Being from 1945 and extolling the virtues of skilled artisans, hand tools, and American manufacturing might, you can\u2019t help but think back to that time, hot on the heels of WWII \u2014 all of those GIs coming home, looking for skilled work, and setting up workshops in their garages and basements. And, truth be told, I actually learned a few things here. Embarrassingly enough, I never knew that the flat part (behind the joint) of traditional side cutting pliers is a tool for crushing the insulation to make it easier to strip it from the wire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Shop Talk<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Readers offer their feedback, tips, tales, and tool recommendations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Reader&nbsp;<strong>Tim Durkin<\/strong>&nbsp;writes:<\/em><br><br>For years, I fumbled with organizing my orbital sanding discs (5\u201d). One day in Home Goods store, I was looking at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/WtE3\">refrigerator beverage can holders<\/a>&nbsp;and had a moment of clarity\/insight\/brainstorm. I looked at these can holders and saw them, in my mind, filled (or nearly so) with sanding discs. I bought one and it\u2019s perfectly sized. I then got all fancy and cut out tabs for labeling and separating the different grits. I use the back of the holder for sanding blocks\/pads. After putting the discs in their new home, I just had to lay down&#8230; overwhelmed by my cleverness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a pic. They save tremendous space and are super-easy to make and use. And they\u2019re cheap! There are similar versions made for other food storage that will work. Some even have handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9a0a90f4-028a-4811-9334-5b8cf2db103d_3264x2448.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9a0a90f4-028a-4811-9334-5b8cf2db103d_3264x2448.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"495\" height=\"371\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Weekly-ish access to tools, techniques, and shop tales from the worlds of DIY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13684,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[2371],"tags":[2372],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42116"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13684"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42116"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42117,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42116\/revisions\/42117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}