TOOLING
BETTER WAY TO CLEAN FILES

BETTER WAY TO CLEAN FILES

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...

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MAGNETIC HOOKS

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

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USED-VALVE HOLDERS

USED-VALVE HOLDERS

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...

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FREE UP A HAND

FREE UP A HAND

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...

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MODIFIED LIFT CHAIN

MODIFIED LIFT CHAIN

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...

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VOLTMETER SPEEDOMETER

VOLTMETER SPEEDOMETER

VOLTMETER SPEEDOMETER For those like me who possess a head and block surfacer that employs a potentiometer to adjust the speed of the traverse, I install a D.C voltmeter on the voltage input of the D.C drive motor. Now I adjust the finish by the voltage of the motor...

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