QUICK EASY STRAP WRENCH The diameter of a diesel engine oil filter was larger than my biggest filter wrench, so I made this strap wrench from an old spark plug socket, worn-out poly-V serpentine belt, and a short length of PVC 1/2" schedule 40 pipe. I used an angle...

TRAVEL DIAL For lathes without a DRO, a 2" travel dial indicator to measure carriage travel is handy. I quickly made this simple compact indicator mount clamp from two pieces of scrap aluminum. To eliminate the need for a wrench to tighten or loosen it when...

MAGNETIC INDICATOR On my surfacer, I use a simple popular universal magnetic base with a dial indicator to tram my work piece or index fixture. This dials the actual head in dead-on and works great for machines without an indicator rail. It also allows you to tram...

1-2-3 BLOCKING BUILDING Using 1-2-3 blocks to fixture manifolds or heads on a Bridgeport Mill may sometimes require joining a pair of 1-2-3 Blocks. While some 1-2-3 Blocks have a few threaded holes, these thread holes don't always line up where needed.  These simple...

STICKY SITUATION This trick got me through a job that I didn't have the correct tooling for. I don't have a keyway rod hone mandrel in 1.375" so I cut a piece of 1/4" key stock in half to keep the shoes and stone on my mandrel from catching and sticking in the keyway...

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT Whether you own a shop or work in a shop, take care of your investment in measuring tools. If you've ever damaged one you know what I mean. I always set them on shop rags in an old valve box while using them. They stay cleaner and don't get...