Time is money and it helps to know where your tooling cuts, especially when it’s some that isn’t used every day. I use note cards, the back of my business cards, or tape to write myself notes for the next time I grab that tooling. Randy Torvinen Torvinen’s Machine...
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...
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
Since we’re always looking for new and better ways to machine, we often have to make tool holders and other items. Locating the raw material or turning down stock is always part of the process. I’ve found that valve stems often have the same size as much of the...
Sometimes we need to use a dial bore gauge that is set-up directly off of a micrometer. It can be hard to center both ends of the bore gauge with micrometer's anvils. Simply cut a small piece of 1/4" rubber tubing and slip it on one side. The bore gauge end will slide...
When working with different manufacturers of blocks, lifting bolt sizes can vary significantly. Our solution was to elongate the bolt holes of our lifting chain on the links towards the end, so that larger diameter bolts can slip through. We then have the thread size...