ALIGNMENT DOWELS Every couple of months I repair a transmission ear. The people install the transmissions out of alignment and attempt to pull them in using the mounting bolts. Part of my repair includes donating a couple simple alignment pins fabricated from bolts to...

CALIPER STAND When I check deck height the caliper pads can be hard to hold in the correct spot. I use the appropriate parallel to rest the caliper on, making the measuring process much easier. Randy Torvinen Torvinen's Machine Menahga, MN OCTOBER, 2021

CHAMFER REMOVAL Shallow head fasteners like flywheel bolts can be a challenge to remove without rounding the head off. I place a socket in my metal lathe and face it flat to eliminate the chamfer. I get full contact with the fastener and fewer stripped heads.  Dave...

HANDY HOLE TRANSFER PUNCHES When fabricating gaskets, exhaust flanges, etc. , a set of hole transfer punches can make the job easier. However if you do not have transfer punches, or if they're always at the other end of the shop, this little trick comes in handy. Set...

CHALK UP ANOTHER TIP To prevent a clogged file from marring your work, try filling the file's teeth with chalk. Children's sidewalk chalk works well for this. Should the file become clogged, a length of 3/8" or 1/2" copper tubing, with one end flattened, will quickly...

KEEP IT CLEAN On the line honing machine, the mandrel rest and tank sides can end up becoming a real mess, especially after the job while the mandrel drains off. I took a large cup freeze plug and drilled some drain holes in it. I screwed this to the metal screen...