{"id":43615,"date":"2025-02-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=43615"},"modified":"2025-02-04T18:20:51","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T01:20:51","slug":"gars-tips-tools-issue-194","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/gars-tips-tools-issue-194\/","title":{"rendered":"Gar&#8217;s Tips &#038; Tools &#8211; Issue #194"},"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<h1><strong>Making Your Own PCBs<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-4-1024x568.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-4-1024x568.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-4-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-4-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-4.jpg 1100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In this video, part of\u00a0<strong>Becky Stern<\/strong>\u2019s excellent electronics series for Digi-Key, she shows you how to get started with designing, preparing, and having your own printed circuit boards (PCBs) manufactured. This is something I\u2019ve always wanted to do but have never gotten around to trying. If you\u2019re in the same boat, after watching this, you\u2019ll be more inspired than ever to undertake the process. There are so many great tools and affordable fabrication services available these days, there\u2019s no reason not to give it a go if you\u2019re curious.<\/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_48340\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FN97TGFjzUg?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>Repairing a Beautiful 1960s &#8220;Volt-Ohm-Meter&#8221;<\/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_31558\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PV6HNgU8N1w?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>Via my pal&nbsp;<strong>Peter Bebergal<\/strong>&nbsp;comes this restoration video. If you&#8217;re a fan of vintage electronics, you&#8217;ll enjoy this detailed restoration of a beautiful 1960s Simpson 270 multimeter from Canada. This once high-end analog meter was in dire need of repair, with corroded battery terminals, failed components, and inaccurate readings\u2014especially on the AC voltage scale. Using a mix of acid cleaning, rewiring, parts replacements, and careful calibration, the repair process revived the meter, bringing it back to its near-original accuracy. And you\u2019ve got to love the overall design, Bakelite enclosure, and the swanky leather case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Where to Get Free\/Cheap Lumber<\/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_18870\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Xd-NBy5O7Pc?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 this episode of&nbsp;<em>Stumpy Nubs<\/em>,&nbsp;<strong>James<\/strong>&nbsp;shares some great tips on scoring cheap or even free lumber. He discusses firewood, trash day lumber, dumpster diving, construction site trash bins (with permission!), pallet wood, internet searches, yard sales, home store clearance areas, sawmill cut-offs, and more.<br><br>One of the more clever tips I\u2019ve ever heard for acquiring cheap lumber (and vintage tools) is to set up a Craigslist notification for the word \u201cgrandfather\u2019s.\u201d Any posting with \u201cgrandfather\u2019s\u201d (also do \u201cgranddad\u2019s\u201d) in the title (e.g., grandfather\u2019s shop, grandfather\u2019s tools, granddad\u2019s wood shop, etc.) will get scooped up. Using this search method&nbsp;<strong>James<\/strong>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<em>Wood by Wright<\/em>&nbsp;got an alert for \u201cgrandfather\u2019s barn\u201d and ended up acquiring 20,000 feet of 15-year-old, air-dried white oak for .50\/board foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>What Records to Have in Your Disaster-Prep (Virtual) Go-Bag<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43620\" width=\"440\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-3-1.jpg 787w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-3-1-287x300.jpg 287w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-3-1-768x803.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 100vw, 440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With the recent disastrous Southern California wildfires, I\u2019m sure lots of people started wondering about what they would grab in an emergency that required quickly evacuating. My wife and I are in the process of putting together physical go-bags for our Bay Area home, but what about the critical documents you\u2019d want to save? This checklist floated across my transom last week and I thought I\u2019d share it. Compiling your own collection of critical documents, putting them some place safe in the cloud, and scanning them to a go-bag thumb drive makes a lot of sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Interview with Eric of Hand Tool Rescue<\/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_87283\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wstw9Mj4xyk?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>One of my all-time favorite maker&nbsp;<em>YouTube<\/em>&nbsp;channels is&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@HandToolRescue\">Hand Tool Rescue<\/a><\/em>. On it,&nbsp;<strong>Eric<\/strong>&nbsp;restores all manner of ancient and decrepit hand and power tools with great panache, tips, and goofball humor. In this&nbsp;<em>Essential Craftsman<\/em>&nbsp;interview (from four years ago),&nbsp;<strong>Nate<\/strong>&nbsp;talks to Eric about how his channel got started, the now expansive restoration video space, how he became obsessed with vintage tools, his \u201cwhite whale\u201d (i.e., impossible-to-find) tools, and lots of other interesting tidbits. When I first started watching Eric\u2019s channel, I thought that he must at least take photos of the disassemblies to be able to reassemble the tools. It turns out, that\u2019s how the channel got started. He started taking photos, then switched to videos on his phone, then he decided he might as well record the entire process and post it on&nbsp;<em>YouTube<\/em>. 1.5 million subscribers later\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Rules of Thumb<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Practical wisdom, simple guidelines<\/em><br><br>Avoid any&nbsp;<em>Instagram<\/em>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<em>YouTube<\/em>&nbsp;tips channels where they wag their finger while showing you what\u2019s wrong and give a thumbs up when the issue has been miraculously resolved (usually via some sketchy or just plain impossible \u201chack\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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43617\" width=\"542\" height=\"170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-2.jpg 905w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-2-300x94.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-2-768x242.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 542px) 100vw, 542px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><em>Long-time reader Rex Burkheimer writes:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\"><p>Klein Tools makes your list regularly. I became a believer when the Klein rep demonstrated the<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/ibeBI\">&nbsp;6&#8243; needle-nose pliers<\/a>. These have long thin jaws &#8211; truly needle-ish! We watched as the rep gripped a metal strip near the tips and twisted mercilessly. Any other tools like this would have been permanently sprung. The Klein jaws retained their form despite all the abuse we could deliver that day, showing no daylight between the jaws. I bought a pair for myself the next day. Still got &#8217;em, use them daily, still perfect. I have no doubt Klein Tools are the best available. I wish I could afford more of them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1><strong>Buy a Sub\/Win a Tool!<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-43616\" width=\"438\" height=\"412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-1.jpg 548w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2025\/02\/tips194-1-300x282.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s time to run another subscriber drawing. For the month of February, everyone who signs up for a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/subscribe\">one-year paid subscription<\/a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<em>Gar\u2019s Tips &amp; Tools<\/em>&nbsp;will be eligible for a drawing (March 1). The winner will get either a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/pwEIe\">Workpro Multitool<\/a>&nbsp;(that I raved about in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/i\/148089839\/super-cheap-multi-tool\">issue #184<\/a>), if you live in the US, or PDF copies of both of my&nbsp;<em>Tips and Tales from the Workshop<\/em>&nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Make-Workshop-Reference-Makers-Technology\/dp\/1680450794?_encoding=UTF8&amp;language=en_US&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;linkId=a5c5857473b51f82c50d43267bdbc081&amp;pd_rd_r=261deaff-c20f-414d-8dc2-428071e686a0&amp;pd_rd_w=AgvlS&amp;pd_rd_wg=vcNNv&amp;pf_rd_p=29505bbf-38bd-47ef-8224-a5dd0cda2bae&amp;pf_rd_r=ZYPBMY37DPZHVEB9F236&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl&amp;tag=minbon-20&amp;utm_campaign=Gareth%27s%20Tips%2C%20Tools%2C%20and%20Shop%20Tales&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Revue%20newsletter\">Vol. 1<\/a>&nbsp;and&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\">Vol. 2<\/a>) if you live outside the US.<br><br>A paid sub is a great way to support me and this newsletter.<br><br>Special thanks to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/garstipsandtools.com\/subscribe\">Hero of the Realm<\/a>&nbsp;<strong>Jim Coraci<\/strong>&nbsp;for your generous support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Access to tools, techniques, and shop tales from the diverse 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\/43615"}],"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=43615"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43623,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43615\/revisions\/43623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}