Instead of using a file card/brush to clean pips & dirt from file teeth, flatten one end of a 6" to 8" length of 3/8" copper tubing. Use the copper tubing as a scraper to quickly remove debris from the file teeth. Rub chalk into the teeth after cleaning to help...
SOLVENT RACK
I put a sink rack in the bottom of my solvent parts washer so the baskets aren’t in contact with contaminants that have settled on the tank floor. It also saves some time when rinsing parts. Ron Flood Cedar Machine North Branch, MN
HEX MARKS THE SPOT
I had to shorten some axle studs for my Hot Rod. They were hex head and could be gripped in the back of the chuck jaws along with a couple nuts and that kept the stud in place. I set the last nut to the point of the amount to be removed and machined up to that. Randy...
MAGNETIC HOOKS
I use magnetic hooks around the shop to organize and hang small items. They do work great in the hone cabinet, and I don’t need to wash the gaskets every time. A pack of 20 hooks cost around $10. Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine Menahga, MN
CRANK MAT
Typically, most places that grind crankshafts store them on end before and after grinding, but that gets to be difficult when they have pins in the flange. We found that an anti-fatigue mat with holes in it works perfectly to keep them upright. Adney Brown Performance...
QUICK STROKE CHECK
If you’re taking an engine apart and are unsure of the cubic inch or the crank stroke, here is a quick way to figure it out. Simply rotate the engine until one piston is at BDC. Take a measurement from the deck of your block down to the deck of the piston. You can use...