{"id":42278,"date":"2024-06-14T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-14T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=42278"},"modified":"2024-06-10T13:29:54","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T20:29:54","slug":"gars-tips-tools-issue-179","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/gars-tips-tools-issue-179\/","title":{"rendered":"Gar&#8217;s Tips &#038; Tools &#8211; Issue #179"},"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>Restoring a 1914 Vacuum-Grinder-Buffer-Blower-Pulley(?)<\/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%2F8afd3481-0871-499d-9740-ae128673e000_2720x1414.png\" 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%2F8afd3481-0871-499d-9740-ae128673e000_2720x1414.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"491\" height=\"254\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I wrote about\u00a0<em>Hand Tool Rescue<\/em>, one of my favorite maker channels, in the early days of this newsletter. If you weren&#8217;t around then and don&#8217;t know the channel, you should check it out. In it,\u00a0<strong>Eric<\/strong>\u00a0restores antique tools and machinery to near showroom quality. It&#8217;s mesmerizing watching him tear down rusty, crusty tools, often filled with cobwebs, insect parts, and rodent droppings. From there, he lovingly cleans, repairs, builds replacement parts, paints, and reassembles. It&#8217;s so gratifying to watch him put together the freshly painted parts and fire up the device for the first time in who knows how long. Each episode is also full of great tips on restoration and repair, like how to unfreeze old bolts, cleaning and sandblasting techniques, turning new knobs and handles on a lathe, lead testing, and more. In this episode, Eric restores a 1914 Bissell vacuum\/grinder\/buffer\/blower\/pulley. As he says, it&#8217;s the oddest combination of functions he&#8217;s ever seen. He also points out that, given the age of the tool, this was probably the first electric motor-powered device the owner ever had.<\/p>\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_32111\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rw_8FWJuSho?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<h1><strong>In Search of Lost Tools of Yesteryear<\/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%2Feb7e47f7-0370-421b-b38f-241c55a507fd_1988x850.png\" 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%2Feb7e47f7-0370-421b-b38f-241c55a507fd_1988x850.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"416\" height=\"177\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For decades, when I was a graphic designer (and after), I had a tool on my desk. It was a simple wooden dowel with a corked pin on one end and an angled burnishing tool on the other. It was stored in a plastic tube with a red plastic stopper. I used it for old-school paste-up (for wax-backed galleys on blue-lined layout grids). It was used for burnishing down the galleys and the pin was used for picking the galley up for repositioning. I loved this homely little gizmo and used it constantly. A decade or so ago, I lost track of it. I recently decided to try buying a replacement. Now, I want to use it for picking up tiny pieces of Plasticard and paper for positioning and placing in scale modeling. This has turned into a quest. First, I had to figure out what it was called. It\u2019s a vinyl burnishing tool used in vinyl sign-making and applying automotive tint films.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/mfLt\">Amazon shows an exact copy<\/a>&nbsp;of the one I had (see image above), but what you get is a slightly different tool with a thicker dowel, longer needle, and a vinyl cap over the needle (no plastic tube, no cork). I tried the manufacturer (which also showed the above image). Same tool as Amazon arrived. I know it\u2019s silly \u2014 this modern version works exactly like the old one. I could also easily make my own with a piece of dowel, a pin, and a tiny cork. But I don\u2019t want to do that. I want the&nbsp;<em>exact<\/em>&nbsp;tool of my youth. If you happen to know where I can get the tool as pictured above, please&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:garethbranwyn@mac.com\">let me know<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>A Guided Tour of Wire Strippers<\/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_64301\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JLtrEraz1uU?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>In this very clear, well-produced video,&nbsp;<strong>Nils<\/strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<em>LRN2DIY<\/em>&nbsp;runs through all of the common (and not so common) features found on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/BxkP\">electronics wire strippers<\/a>. The video is not only a great tour of this indispensable tool and its many built-in functions, but Nils offers a lot of great tips on using the features as he shows them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Learning the \u201cZip Tie\u201d Knot<\/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_12836\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vZNwby9nfwQ?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>On the highly-recommended knot tying channel,&nbsp;<em>First Class Amateur<\/em>,&nbsp;<strong>Brent<\/strong>&nbsp;shows how to tie two different knots (using&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/wAY38U\">paracord<\/a>) that work like zip ties. The main knot he shows is a modified version of a Prusik hitch knot, common in climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Tour Your Drawers<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve started doing a thing recently where, every few months, I will quickly tour the drawers and cabinets of my office-studio and garage shop to remind myself what I have and where it\u2019s store (and what supplies and materials I may need to buy). What\u2019s amazing is how frequently I still find something and think \u201cAh-ha,&nbsp;<em>that\u2019s<\/em>&nbsp;where that is!\u201d<\/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.<br><br>Reader&nbsp;<strong>Rex Burkheimer<\/strong>&nbsp;responded to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/p\/gars-tips-and-tools-issue-178\">my thought piece<\/a>&nbsp;on maker superpowers in the last issue:<\/em><\/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%2F562ea655-d330-4736-9d4d-5fabb6146569_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%2F562ea655-d330-4736-9d4d-5fabb6146569_3264x2448.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"458\" height=\"344\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Interesting post on your worldview as influenced by a maker&#8217;s mind. My story is similar I think. As a kid, I was disassembling broken mechanical items, repurposing the parts for something more interesting. Of course, there were model kits, microscopes, slot cars, bicycles.&nbsp;<\/p><p>As an adult, I worked in the automotive aftermarket parts world \u2014 sales, marketing, and IT. I also owned several retail stores concurrently with my day job with an auto parts wholesaler. The problem-solving I learned in my youth helped me in subtle ways such as evaluating new products &#8211; disk brakes! &#8211; as they came out. When you understand the design of a sub-assembly part, you get a sense of the design quality and likely point or frequency of failure. This guided my decision-making in choosing stock items as well as product lines. Success in my work let me obtain more and better tools.<\/p><p>Along the way, my hobbies including building PCs from salvage back when XTs and ATs were pricey. I haunted the Tandy surplus store. I was also heavily involved in sports car racing, as driver, crew, track worker, car owner. That led to an interest in machine tools, until I realized I was spending more time and money on machine tools than cars. I spent the last couple decades rebuilding old manual lathes (36 at last count), milling machines, drill presses, metal shapers, power hacksaws etc. while the race cars more often sat idle or were rented out.<\/p><p>Currently retired, with a nice workshop fully equipped with all the tools and materials I would have killed for as a kid. As that shop is an hour away, I have most of the same machines at my home as well &#8211; lathe , mill, drill presses, 3D printer, welder. Lately, I am into older garden tractors.&nbsp;<\/p><p>At the age of 72, I actively seek out projects, as well has help other folks new to the machining hobby. The latter works both ways, as a high school kid help me figure out a problem with my 3D printer. There is always a project waiting for my attention. Currently refreshing a South Bend metal shaper. Life is good!<\/p><p>I enjoy your blog.&nbsp;<\/p><\/blockquote>\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%2F99032a3f-a7b6-4192-ac5b-71ad9c0383e6_3024x4032.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%2F99032a3f-a7b6-4192-ac5b-71ad9c0383e6_3024x4032.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"376\" height=\"501\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Please Consider a Paid Subscription<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Gar\u2019s Tips &amp; Tools<\/em>&nbsp;is always free. But if you really like it and consider it truly useful to you, consider a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/subscribe\">paid subscription<\/a>&nbsp;($8\/month). This keeps me in coffee and potato chips while I am working on this labor of love. If you really want to show your patronage, consider becoming a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/subscribe\">Hero of the Realm<\/a>. I will send custom packages of goodies (books, tools, zines, and more) to all my Heroes.<br><br>Thanks to all those who have already subscribed. You are the Way Oil on my lathe.<\/p>\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\/42278"}],"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=42278"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42279,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42278\/revisions\/42279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}