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...

BLOW THROUGH VACUUM If you end up chasing threads or tapping on a machine and don’t want to make a mess blowing them out, here’s a quick tip. Drill a hole in your vacuum cleaner nozzle and feed your blow gun nozzle through it. Now suck the chips up as you blow the...

INDICATOR ADAPTER Most Co-Ax indicators have a 3/8" or 1/2" diameter stem. Instead of wasting time closing the lathe chuck to hold the indicator and then more time opening it back up to hold a larger diameter work piece, make a simple stepped adapter with a precision...

SEAT SPUD For machining custom valve seats, in addition to the expansion arbor, I have a simple aluminum spud and lock. I can quick machine it down for whatever seat I need. It started out as a 1-foot-long piece of round stock, and I just keep drilling and tapping as...